Technology News 11.01.2026

India denies plan to compel smartphone source-code sharing amid security consultations

January 11, 2026, 11:58 PM EST. India's government denied reports it plans to force smartphone makers to share their source code. A Reuters article said New Delhi circulated a package of 83 security standards, including code access and advance notices of major updates. MeitY issued a statement refuting the story, saying authorities are conducting stakeholder consultations to build a robust mobile-security framework and remain engaged with industry on safety and data protection. The opposition from Apple and Samsung was noted in reports. Past fights-such as a December push to pre-install government apps and a 2022 cybersecurity-disclosure directive-show how such proposals have fizzled or been softened. India's goal: strong security without crippling innovation, officials say.

How to keep your home internet safe from hackers

January 11, 2026, 11:52 PM EST. To shield home networks, the guide urges practical steps to curb hackers' access. It covers changing default router settings-altering the admin username and password, securing the Wi-Fi password, and using a separate Guest Network-and rotating the password every six months. It recommends turning on a firewall and enabling encryption to curb eavesdropping. It also promotes using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to hide your IP address and browsing activity, protecting against MITM (man-in-the-middle) attacks, where attackers intercept data. Taken together, these moves raise the barrier against intruders for home, work, and education. They require consistent action, not a one-time fix, and form part of a practical, everyday safety habit.

Mobvoi unveils TicNote Watch, world's first AI note-taking smartwatch at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 11:50 PM EST. Mobvoi unveiled the TicNote Watch at CES 2026, calling it the world's first AI note-taking smartwatch. The device records conversations with live transcription and on-device translation, then uploads content to TicNote Cloud for AI processing. Output becomes summaries, task lists and structured project notes rather than raw text. Mobvoi's Shadow Agent AI is designed to preserve context across recordings, turning scattered moments into a wearable knowledge base linked to activity and health data. The TicNote ecosystem includes TicNote Pods and a TicNote recorder, tying wearables to a broader AI platform. Mobvoi frames the product as a productivity play, not a Garmin-style fitness watch.

Archer Aviation stock eyes Nvidia tie-up as earnings loom

January 11, 2026, 11:48 PM EST. Archer Aviation shares closed at $8.81 on Friday, up 1.15%, after Nvidia announced an AI partnership at CES. The rally underscores focus on milestones toward certification and flight testing amid a capital-intensive build-out. A Friday filing showed CEO Adam Goldstein was granted 131,300 deferred restricted stock units tied to a 2024 performance award, fully vested but settleable in 2029 under certain conditions. Archer said Nvidia's IGX Thor platform will power aviation AI, with a first showcase planned at Hawthorne, Los Angeles. Traders will watch certification progress, cash burn and 2026 spending guidance ahead of earnings due around Feb. 26. In the sector, Joby rose ~0.9%, Eve ~1.7%, while Nvidia moved little. eVTOL stands for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Nvidia 2026 predictions: China rebound and AI-infrastructure leadership

January 11, 2026, 11:44 PM EST. Nvidia's stock has surged as the AI chip maker heads into 2026. The article previews five predictions, and it details two. 1) Nvidia will be back on track in China as export controls ease and demand for the H200 grows; officials hint at early shipments this year after Trump-approved sales. 2) Nvidia will crush the competition as the AI infrastructure spending cycle unfolds; Jensen Huang expects $3-4 trillion in spending by decade's end, driven by cloud providers and firms like Meta. The company should reinforce leadership across data centers and its broader AI portfolio, even as rivals remain in play.

TCL targets vision care with NxtPaper 70 Pro at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 11:42 PM EST. At CES 2026, TCL unveiled the NxtPaper 70 Pro, a smartphone pitched around eye comfort. The device centers on the NxtPaper 4.0 display, a paper-like panel TCL says reduces glare and eye strain versus conventional screens. TCL positions the model for readers, students and long-duration users who prize readability over raw horsepower. Company officials framed the release as a vision-care initiative rather than a specs sprint, stressing the display's role in easing extended viewing sessions. The 70 Pro signals a broader push into accessibility-focused software and services meant to complement hardware. In a crowded market, TCL hopes comfort becomes a differentiator.

Penn graduate John Ternus among leading candidates to succeed Cook as Apple CEO

January 11, 2026, 11:34 PM EST. John Ternus, a Penn engineering graduate of 1997 and Apple's head of hardware engineering, is seen as a front-runner to replace Tim Cook as Apple CEO, per a New York Times report that follows months of speculation. Cook, 65, has signaled plans to scale back and move toward a chairmanship, with the board of directors to name the successor. Ternus, a California native who helped develop a robotic feeding arm in college, has risen at Apple for nearly 25 years and has earned Cook's trust as a product developer, a note Bloomberg highlighted. The discussion underscores Apple's focus on leadership in hardware and product strategy as it charts a post-Cook era.

NVIDIA debuts Vera Rubin platform and 13 open AI models at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 11:28 PM EST. At CES 2026, NVIDIA rolled out 13 open AI models and the Vera Rubin platform that the company says delivers a fivefold boost over its Blackwell predecessor. The system targets large-scale AI workloads and is optimized for training mixture-experts models, with cloud buyers including AWS, Google, Microsoft and Oracle already lining up. New autonomous driving tools-Alpa Mayo and AlpaSIM-aim to improve decision making and simulation testing, with Mercedes-Benz integrating the tech. In robotics, Cosmos and the Isaac Group push synthetic data generation to speed training. Healthcare gets a boost from Claraara for drug discovery and genomics. Neatron Agentic AI and low-latency ASR expand multimodal and real-time voice capabilities. The question: is openness real, or a step in NVIDIA's dominance?

UW study links teen smartphone use to classroom engagement and policy debate

January 11, 2026, 11:24 PM EST. The University of Washington study, published in JAMA, tracked smartphone and social media use by teens ages 13 to 18. It found that, on average, students spend slightly more than an hour on smartphones during school hours, with most time on social apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Household income emerged as a factor: 16- to 18-year-olds from lower-income families used their phones more often. Dr. Dimitri Christakis says these apps are designed to be addictive and can undermine classroom engagement and social skills. Dr. Jason Nagata notes that objective data offers a clearer picture than self-reports. The study notes that at least 32 states plus DC have moved to ban or restrict cellphone use in schools, though enforcement is questioned. Policymakers will weigh implications for learning.

Anthropic launches Claude for Healthcare to turbocharge AI in health systems and payers

January 11, 2026, 10:54 PM EST. Anthropic unveiled Claude for Healthcare at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, expanding beyond Claude for Life Sciences to serve providers and payers. The offering provides HIPAA-ready infrastructure, models tailored to healthcare and life sciences tasks, and native integrations with medical databases such as the CMS Coverage Database, ICD-10 codes and PubMed. It is designed to connect Claude with tools used by clinicians and researchers, enabling workflows involving protected health information like prior authorizations. Anthropic frames the product as a set of connectors that keep Claude in context across chat, code and enterprise access, aiming to accelerate work for payers, providers, life sciences and patients. The move follows OpenAI's recent Health initiatives, underscoring growing interest in regulated AI for healthcare.

Amazon's New Year's sale slashes prices on Apple devices – AirPods, iPads, and smartwatches from $99

January 11, 2026, 10:46 PM EST. Amazon's New Year's sale slashes prices on Apple devices, including AirPods, iPads, Apple Watch 11, and MacBook Air M4, with prices starting at $99.99. Highlights include the Apple Watch 11 at a record-low $299 (orig. $399), the MacBook Air M4 at $799 (orig. $999), and the AirPods 4 for $99.99 (orig. $129.99). The promotions are described as limited-time, echoing Black Friday lows, with some deals remaining at the same price for a short window. Amazon portrays the sale as a chance to upgrade in the post-holiday season, urging shoppers to act before the discounts end.

CES 2026: Smart glasses advance as Android XR looms with XREAL and Even Realities

January 11, 2026, 10:44 PM EST. At CES 2026, smart glasses showcased faster displays, better hardware, and more platforms. XREAL unveiled the XREAL 1S for $450, pairing near-glasses comfort with a VR-like feel; a 240Hz display and a demo of hand-tracking pinch gestures highlighted progress toward Android XR. XREAL teased Project Aura, its first Android XR product, though hardware wasn't shown. Even Realities introduced the G2, thin frames with a monochrome green display and new 3D layers that add depth. Interactions rely on back touchpads, but software lacks customization and phone-app integration, limiting tasks like navigation. The industry has moved from concept to polished devices, but the Android XR promise remains a hot topic and could shape next-gen wearables.

D-Line Cable Management Box hides messy power strips and cables

January 11, 2026, 10:42 PM EST. Affiliate links may earn a commission on purchases. The D-Line Cable Management Box aims to hide desktop wires from power strips. Available in small and large sizes, the large model fits power strips up to 14 inches long and 2 inches wide, or two strips up to 10 inches by 5 inches. Three colorways-black, white, and white with wood accent-offer visual options. Priced at $29.99 for the large unit and $22.99 for the small one. The box includes ventilation and three rear entry points for cables. It can sit on or under a desk, or in an entertainment center. Amazon reviews exceed 13,600 with about 4.5 stars; users praise minimalist design and ease of use, though some call it pricey for an empty plastic box.

India mulls forcing smartphone makers to share source code in security overhaul

January 11, 2026, 10:38 PM EST. India is weighing a package that would force smartphone makers to share their source code with the government and adopt 83 security standards, including a duty to alert authorities to major software updates. The plan, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to bolster user data security, comes as online fraud and data breaches rise in the country's roughly 750 million-phone market. The move has drawn behind-the-scenes opposition from Apple and Samsung, which say the package lacks global precedent and could expose proprietary details. Four people familiar with discussions and confidential documents describe the effort as a bold, controversial step in digital-security policy.

Samsung rolls out January 2026 security patch with up to 55 fixes across Galaxy devices

January 11, 2026, 10:24 PM EST. Samsung published its January 2026 security bulletin, detailing up to 55 fixes for the Galaxy line. The package includes a critical CVE-2024-43859 and 20 high-severity CVEs across Exynos, One UI, and Google's Android core. Exynos patches address four chip-specific flaws; One UI patches add about 30 SVE items, some of which cannot be disclosed yet. Google's role in the monthly bulletin has diminished, Samsung notes, though Google still identifies new vulnerabilities. The update prioritizes system stability and safety, with the January patch arriving first in the Galaxy S25 via One UI 8.5 Beta 3 and rolling out to more devices soon. Users should install the latest software to stay protected and improve reliability.

Exclusive-India proposes forcing smartphone makers to share source code in security overhaul

January 11, 2026, 10:20 PM EST. New Delhi plans would require smartphone makers to share source code with the government and implement additional software changes as part of 83 security standards, sources say. The package would also oblige vendors to alert authorities to major software updates and to allow certain pre-installed apps to be uninstalled, while blocking background access to cameras and microphones to curb malicious use. Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi and MAIT have raised concerns that the rules lack global precedent and could expose proprietary details. IT Secretary S. Krishnan said regulators would listen to industry concerns, while a ministry spokesperson cited ongoing consultations. The plan forms part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive to boost data security amid rising online fraud and the large Indian smartphone market, where Xiaomi, Samsung and Apple hold sizable shares.

ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 with Anvesha EOS-N1 and 14 co-passengers from Sriharikota on Jan. 12, 2026

January 11, 2026, 10:16 PM EST. ISRO will kick off India's 2026 space calendar with PSLV-C62 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on Jan. 12, carrying the EOS-N1 satellite-also known as Anvesha-and 14 co-passenger satellites into a polar, sun-synchronous orbit at a few hundred kilometres altitude. The 260-tonne PSLV-C62 launch vehicle will deploy the main Earth-observation satellite first, then the co-passengers within about 17 minutes of lift-off, per ISRO. A late-stage test will re-ignite the fourth stage to demonstrate de-boost and re-entry of the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator capsule (~25 kg) with splashdown expected in the South Pacific. This will be PSLV's 64th flight, continuing ISRO's backbone role in launch capability, with payloads arranged via NewSpace India Ltd.

Top AI stocks for 2026: Nvidia leads a slate including Broadcom, AMD and TSMC

January 11, 2026, 9:48 PM EST. Investors stay focused on the AI surge as 2026 unfolds. The piece flags a 10-stock shortlist, led by Nvidia, which anchors AI infrastructure with its GPUs. Management expects global data-center capital spending to rise to $3-4 trillion by 2030, a tailwind for Nvidia's stock. Other highlights include Broadcom, which sells application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for targeted AI workloads at lower cost, and AMD, whose data-center GPUs gain momentum amid supply constraints on Nvidia. The article notes TSMC as the main outsourced foundry for chipmakers, underscoring the importance of manufacturing capacity to support AI growth. The list aims to help investors identify potential winners in the expanding AI ecosystem.

Hooded Horse Steam Sale 2026: 10 Strategy Games to Buy

January 11, 2026, 9:32 PM EST. The Hooded Horse Steam Sale 2026 runs January 8-22, offering a curated slate of strategy games. The author flags titles across subgenres, noting the list is shorter but strong, with more entries on pages 2-4. Key picks include Terra Invicta, a grand-strategy game in which factions navigate Earthly politics and alien threats; it recently left Early Access and earned a positive Steam rating from the team behind the XCOM: Enemy Unknown Long War Mod. Also featured is Endless Legend 2, the 4X sequel in active Early Access development, known for asymmetric factions, quest-driven storytelling and turn-based tactical combat. Finally, Cataclismo is likened to a fantasy take on Stronghold: Crusader, touted as one of the sale's most unique options.

Fines for slow internet to rise under bill; firms up to 1000 basic units

January 11, 2026, 9:18 PM EST. Deputies are drafting a bill to raise fines on providers for slow internet. The measure has passed a first reading. For legal entities, fines could reach up to 1000 basic units; for individual entrepreneurs, up to 200 basic units. Current penalties are 45,000 and 9,000 rubles, respectively. The bill links non-compliance to Article 23.1, part 2, and notes that BelDIE would conduct nationwide measurements and file claims against operators when quality falls short. The existing article allows fines of up to 20 basic units. As a reminder, since the start of this year, mobile operators can be fined for poor quality internet. The move mirrors a broader effort to tighten oversight of network performance.

Nvidia's 10-year investor gain hits about 25,570% as AI push extends rally

January 11, 2026, 9:12 PM EST. Nvidia's stock has delivered a historic run for long-term investors. The company's market capitalization sits near $4.5 trillion. Over the past decade, a $100 investment would be worth about $25,570 – a total return of roughly 25,500%, where total return includes price gains and dividends. In the last five years, Nvidia rose about 1,300%, turning $100 into roughly $1,400. Beyond its core GPU business for gaming, Nvidia is expanding in AI computing and data-center applications, aided by acquisitions and licenses to bolster robotics and autonomous-vehicle efforts. The stock market leader in GPU technologies appears poised to extend growth as AI demand grows; investors have watched the stock compound substantially over the decade.

Tech friction grows: Enshittification and the decline of the digital future

January 11, 2026, 9:08 PM EST. An observer writes about tech misfires that touch daily life, from a Tesla's unwanted software update that trapped a Texas lunch plan to broader gripes about modern digital life. Cory Doctorow's term Enshittification frames a decline in user experience as platforms grow profit-driven. The piece surveys a landscape where search engines return sponsored results and AI-generated noise; shopping sites feature questionable reviews; contacting Facebook to remove deceased profiles remains painful; farmers lose autonomy to repair gear, while patent trolls multiply. Social networks morph from connection engines into outrage machines that spread snuff films, pornography, and vitriol. The author asks what concrete steps can curb this drift.

IgniteTech CEO says he'd do it again after cutting nearly 80% of staff to push AI adoption

January 11, 2026, 9:04 PM EST. Eric Vaughan, CEO of IgniteTech, describes a radical 2023 overhaul after perceiving AI as existential. He replaced hundreds of employees-nearly 80% of the staff, according to Fortune's headcount review-when many remained resistant to AI adoption. Over 2023 and into early 2024, IgniteTech redirected the company to focus on AI, launching mandatory training, tool reimbursements, and external evangelists. Weekly "AI Mondays" required staff to work only on AI projects, sidelining customer calls, budgets, and other work. The effort cost about 20% of payroll in a mass-learning program, which Vaughan says failed due to resistance and sabotage. He notes that even technically oriented staff resisted, while sales and marketing leaned into the potential of AI.

GitMind launches AI Podcast Summarizer to turn audio into concise insights

January 11, 2026, 9:02 PM EST. GitMind has added an AI Podcast Summarizer to its suite of AI-powered tools. The feature converts spoken audio into structured visuals and text, letting users paste a podcast link to receive a condensed summary, a transcript, and a mind map of the main ideas. The option sits alongside existing tools for mind maps, flowcharts, whiteboards and content summarization, extending GitMind's ability to transform text, audio, video and other inputs into organized insights. The goal is to make long-form audio more accessible for learners and professionals, saving time while preserving core content. The feature is available at gitmind.com/ai-podcast-summarizer, with the broader objective of streamlining knowledge absorption and workflows.

First smartphone can teach kids money management

January 11, 2026, 8:54 PM EST. The debate over teens and screen time is evolving. A growing chorus urges restricting phone access in classrooms, as some school boards banned cellphones in 2024 and calls to follow Australia's ban on social media for under-16s have gained traction in Canada. The piece frames an important opportunity: a child's first smartphone can double as a money-management lesson. Parents can tie device access to allowances, budgeting for apps, or setting digital-spending limits. Policymakers weigh privacy and safety against the benefits of connectivity, but the moment also lets families cultivate financial literacy and responsibility, turning a gadget into a practical tool for decision-making.

Nvidia Could Hit Historic Profitability and a $6 Trillion Valuation in 2026

January 11, 2026, 8:52 PM EST. Analysts say Nvidia could redefine the tech landscape in 2026, potentially becoming the world's most profitable company and the first to reach a $6 trillion market cap. The case rests on Nvidia's momentum from AI-driven demand and a margin profile that could outpace Alphabet. In the last year Nvidia logged about $100 billion in profit versus Alphabet's roughly $125 billion. Forecasts for fiscal 2027 project Nvidia revenue up about 50%, with margins near 53% versus Alphabet's ~32%. If margins hold, Nvidia could surpass Alphabet in profitability and trade around 40x forward earnings, or about 27x if profits reach about $170 billion. Separately, global data-center capex could reach $3-4 trillion by 2030, expanding Nvidia's AI GPU addressable market.

UW study finds alarming teen phone use in school

January 11, 2026, 8:48 PM EST. University of Washington researchers tracked 640 teenagers nationwide with a phone-tracking app, finding that 25% spend a quarter of the school day on their phones. The typical teen clocked about 1 hour 15 minutes on devices during the day, mostly on social media such as TikTok and Instagram, according to Dr. Dimitri Christakis of the UW School of Medicine. The team notes the line between classroom use and hallway or lunch breaks may be blurred, but any time on devices reduces real-time engagement with classmates. Christakis says the pandemic worsened the trend, though it shows signs of easing. He warns big tech designs addictive products, raising questions about limits and supervision for under-18 users.

Cloudflare outage disrupts sites globally; fix deployed, services restored

January 11, 2026, 8:44 PM EST. Global outage hit Cloudflare, the internet's gatekeeper, disrupting access to sites and dashboards as engineers raced to restore service. The issue, reported around 11:48am London time, affected customers and caused outages on platforms including X and OpenAI, Downdetector said. A fix was implemented by 2:48pm and Cloudflare said it would continue monitoring. In London, users attempting to route traffic through Warp, the company's encryption service, saw connection failures. Investigators traced the root cause to a configuration file that manages threat traffic, which grew too large and crashed the traffic software. Cloudflare stressed there was no evidence of malicious activity. The incident follows a separate outage at Amazon Web Services that underscored internet infrastructure fragility.

Si/SiGe T-junction hits near-perfect electron transfer fidelity for scalable quantum computing

January 11, 2026, 8:42 PM EST. Researchers at JARA-FIT and RWTH Aachen unveiled a silicon-silicon-germanium T-junction device that routes single electrons between independently controlled shuttle lanes. The chip uses a Si/SiGe heterostructure with four-channel conveyor belts; 54 quantum dots are filled with simple atomic pulses to capture, transport and release electrons. At 4.2K, measurements show controlled shuttling with a transfer fidelity exceeding 95%, and inter-lane charge-transfer fidelity around 99.9999999%, with electrons moving at about 270 mm/s. The team models interface roughness and gate leakage to improve simulations, and demonstrates electron patterns swap across a 2D grid. This work lays groundwork for native spin-qubit SWAP gate and scalable two-dimensional quantum architectures.

Clicks Communicator revives BlackBerry-era nostalgia with clicky keyboard at CES

January 11, 2026, 8:32 PM EST. At CES, the Clicks Communicator channels late-2000s design with a physical keyboard that clicks as you type. The device wears BlackBerry and Palm Treo cues, appealing to users who crave tactile feedback and a typing experience that mirrors older smartphones. It signals a rare revival of keyboard-forward designs in an era of glass and touchscreens. Makers target a niche audience chasing nostalgia rather than cutting-edge specs, betting that a distinctive, tactile experience can stand out in crowded markets.

The 13 Worst Smartphones Ever Made

January 11, 2026, 8:30 PM EST. From the 2008 debut of the HTC Dream to today's ultra-thin iPhone Air, this list revisits 13 smartphones whose flaws shaped the industry. It highlights the Galaxy Note 7's explosive battery, the FAA flight ban, and the costly recall that erased billions in value. Earlier misfires include the BlackBerry Storm, which failed to rival the iPhone, and other missteps that taught brands harsh lessons about reliability, safety, and testing. The article traces how the industry learned to vet batteries, manage recalls, and push safer, more durable designs. The account underscores how a single defect can trigger broader market consequences, steering manufacturers toward tighter quality controls and more cautious product launches.

Kepler Communications launches 10 satellites on SpaceX Twilight mission with NASA Pandora

January 11, 2026, 8:28 PM EST. Toronto-based Kepler Communications launched 10 satellites on SpaceX's Twilight mission, part of a 47-payload flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Each 300-kg craft is designed for optical communications or laser links, a hallmark of Kepler's push to speed data processing in orbit. The satellites were deployed after liftoff from SpaceX's Falcon 9, with the first-stage returning for a controlled landing about seven minutes later. The flight also carried Pandora, NASA's exoplanet atmosphere mission. Mina Mitry, Kepler's CEO, watched with colleagues including Chris Hadfield. The dawn launch placed the fleet on the day/night terminator, ensuring continuous sunlight for solar arrays and sustained visibility for ground stations.

New York woman discovers Tesla winter feature lets her heat car without opening the garage

January 11, 2026, 8:24 PM EST. New York resident buys a Tesla and discovers a winter feature that lets her heat the car without opening the garage. With EVs emitting no exhaust, heating and other functions can run indoors, a benefit in subzero weather. A TikTok creator, sayierrajae, says she can pre-condition the cabin and battery while the door stays shut. The company promotes Sentry Mode, Autopilot hardware, and winter-ready capabilities such as warming the charging port, battery pre-conditioning, wiper defrosters and optional snow chains. Viewers praised the tip as life-changing, noting they no longer stand outside at the gas pump. The report also outlines Tesla innovations by year for context.

Apple to revamp Health app in iOS 26.4 with four upgrades: simplified design, meal tracking, Health+ videos and an AI health agent

January 11, 2026, 8:20 PM EST. Apple will overhaul its Health app in iOS 26.4 later this year, adding four upgrades aimed at simplicity and broader health support. Macworld's Filipe Esposito describes a redesigned layout for categories and simplified metric logging. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says meal/food tracking will enter the app, potentially challenging services like MyFitnessPal. Apple is also developing Health+ video content with doctors and health experts, supported by a new recording facility in Oakland. A further feature, an AI health agent, would use your Health data to offer personalized recommendations, including nutrition advice, and tie into the Health+ service. Beta testing could begin next month, with a spring release if plans hold.

Linutonix begins new chapter after leadership shift at Intel-backed Linux consultancy

January 11, 2026, 8:16 PM EST. Linutonix-the Linux consulting firm behind the PREEMPT_RT work and an Intel-backed subsidiary since 2022- is entering a new chapter. Founders Heinz Egger and Thomas Gleixner will become advisory consultants; Dr. Wilfried Wessner, previously head of R&D, is now managing director. No further restructuring details were shared; the firm says it will build on its foundation for growth. Separately, longtime kernel developer Thomas Gleixner updated his email to kernel.org, with a patch merged before Linux 6.19-rc5 as he moves off the Linutronix address. The change highlights consolidation in kernel communications as Gleixner remains influential across modules he maintains.

Crease-free foldable OLED demo at CES 2026 fuels Apple iPhone foldable speculation

January 11, 2026, 8:14 PM EST. At CES 2026, Samsung Display briefly showcased a new crease-free foldable OLED panel beside the Galaxy Z Fold 7. SamMobile described the panel as having 'no crease at all' under test conditions, a sharp contrast with current folding screens that show crease visibility at certain angles. Samsung suggested the tech could appear on a future Galaxy Z Fold 8, while Apple is expected to adapt similar concepts for a foldable iPhone. Ming-Chi Kuo noted the use of a laser-drilled metal display plate-supplied by Fine M-Tec in Korea-to disperse bending stress, a design Apple is said to have influenced. Display dimensions differ in rumors: iPhone Fold purportedly closes around 5.3-5.5 inches and opens to 7.5-7.8 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio when open.

New York woman discovers life-changing Tesla winter feature that heats car without opening the garage

January 11, 2026, 8:12 PM EST. New York woman buys a Tesla and discovers a winter feature that lets her warm the car without opening the garage. In a video, the touchscreen shows pre-conditioning and battery warm-up while the vehicle stays inside, addressing emissions worries in enclosed spaces. A TikTok creator, saysierrajae, says the capability means you won't need to open the garage or stand outside in the cold. Tesla also offers winter tools such as warming the charging port, battery pre-conditioning, wiper defrosters, and Snow Chains for tires. Viewers praised the feature as life-changing, saying they won't stand at the gas pump again. The post sits amid a broader look at Tesla capabilities, with a timeline of milestones from Roadster to Full Self-Driving.

Apple to overhaul Health app later this year with four upgrades

January 11, 2026, 8:10 PM EST. Apple plans a revamped Health app in iOS 26.4, with multiple upgrades, according to Macworld's Filipe Esposito. The redesign includes a simplified layout for categories and easier metric logging as part of a broader emphasis on digital health. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says meal tracking will be expanded, challenging services such as MyFitnessPal. Apple also aims to launch Health+ style videos featuring sleep, nutrition, mental health and cardiovascular experts, with a recording facility in Oakland. An AI health agent would ingest Health data from paired devices to offer personalized recommendations and nutrition guidance, part of the Health+ service. Beta arrives as soon as next month, with a spring release.

Motional pivots to AI-first robotaxi, eyes driverless Las Vegas service by 2026

January 11, 2026, 8:06 PM EST. Motional, a Hyundai-Aptiv JV, rebooted its robotaxi plan, shifting from a rules-driven system to an AI foundation-model approach. The company paused commercial activity after Aptiv exited and a $1 billion Hyundai investment; layoffs trimmed staff to under 600 from about 1,400. It opened a robotaxi trial with a human safety operator for employees and plans to commercialize later this year with a ride-hailing partner before a full driverless service in Las Vegas by end of 2026. CEO Laura Major said the AI shift aims for affordability and global scalability. Motional retains smaller ML models for developers while building an end-to-end backbone for operation.

Chevy Corvette carbon-fiber wheels boost track performance with lighter unsprung mass

January 11, 2026, 7:58 PM EST. Chevrolet's C8 Corvette lineup now offers Carbon Revolution carbon-fiber wheels on the Z06 and E-Ray, a choice driven by physics as much as looks. Reducing unsprung, rotating mass by about 41 pounds, the wheels are said to shave 1 to 1.5 seconds off a two-minute lap, even with the engine and aero unchanged. Lighter wheels improve rebound, grip, and response; reviewers described the drive as visceral and race-like. The program spanned five years and more than 100 pre-production wheels, with GM developing new acceptance standards. The wheel uses a carbon fiber skeleton with a two-piece aluminum hub pressed in, and a white ceramic plasma-sprayed coating on the inside to reject heat. Trade-offs remain, and carbon wheels are not a universal fix.

How to store and use digital car keys on Apple Watch and iPhone Wallet

January 11, 2026, 7:46 PM EST. Apple users can store digital car keys in Wallet on iPhone XS/SE (2nd gen) or newer and Apple Watch Series 5 or later. Setup starts in the vehicle's companion app or display and automatically adds the key to Wallet on the paired device. Once linked to your Apple Account, you can lock, unlock, and start the car from either iPhone or Apple Watch. Express Mode lets you bypass Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode; some models support passive entry or proximity to auto-lock or start. Transferring a key to a new iPhone is quick via Setup Assistant. Signing out of your Apple Account can revoke access. Compatible automakers include Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and others.

SoundHound AI: Buy or Sell in 2026?

January 11, 2026, 7:42 PM EST. SoundHound AI trades around $11 a share, about 38% lower over the past year, with a roughly $4.5 billion market cap and no debt. The company remains loss-making as it funds ambitious AI plans, but it is expanding its customer base among tech firms, automakers and restaurants. Its core product, Polaris, is an automatic speech recognition platform that enables omnichannel AI-powered ordering and interfaces with large language models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Mistral AI; SoundHound cites a median latency of 350 milliseconds. The group has 400+ patents and claims contracts with seven of the top 10 global financial institutions, plus a deal with a Chinese company to bring SoundHound Chat AI to millions of devices in India. Nvidia once disclosed a stake; the stock's risk-reward hinges on growth vs. ongoing losses in 2026.

Claude in Microsoft Foundry brings domain-aware AI to healthcare and life sciences

January 11, 2026, 7:40 PM EST. Microsoft Foundry adds Claude capabilities tailored for healthcare and life sciences, aiming to cut administrative burden and streamline clinical workflows while upholding trust, safety and compliance. Built on Azure's secure platform, the integration lets Claude handle domain-specific medical and scientific tasks at enterprise scale, with connectors to data, compliance and workflow services. In healthcare, Claude for healthcare helps automate prior authorization, appeals processing and patient triage, while Claude for life sciences accelerates R&D by drafting clinical trial protocols and regulatory submissions and linking to scientific platforms. The update introduces domain-aware AI agents that combine advanced medical reasoning with MCP (model context protocol)-based connectors and in-platform deployment, enabling regulated, real-world workflows from insight to action within Foundry.

Rivals to Tesla race to reshape transport; Rivian, QuantumScape and XPeng lead the charge

January 11, 2026, 7:38 PM EST. Rivian, QuantumScape and XPeng headline a five-name race to dethrone Tesla, with the automaker's stock drifting toward bets on robotaxi networks, robotics progress and future energy markets rather than quarterly deliveries. Rivian (Amazon-backed) delivered 42,247 vehicles in 2025, down 18% YoY, yet its shares rose about 49% over the past year, buoyed by its van partnership, the upcoming R2 and rugged trucks, and a $23.8 billion valuation. QuantumScape trades around $11.04 with no revenue and negative cash burn; its claim to fame is solid-state batteries that could speed charging and extend range, but profitability is not expected before 2029. XPeng posted about a 75% one-year return, highlighting China's push for efficiency. The pieces argue the trio's impact on transportation may lag peers and the market remains volatile.

Galaxy Watch 8 on sale at Amazon after TechRadar names it 2025's best smartwatch

January 11, 2026, 7:34 PM EST. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon after TechRadar named it the best smartwatch of 2025. The July 2024 release remains near record lows, just shy of Black Friday pricing. The watch includes an on-wrist Gemini assistant and health features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and body composition analysis, plus a built-in running coach. TechRadar highlights the model's lightweight design and solid performance as prices move later in the year. The discount is meaningful for a newly released device, though not a record, and comes as a broader round-up of today's smartwatch deals continues.

SpaceX targets Monday for Falcon 9 Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

January 11, 2026, 7:32 PM EST. SpaceX is aiming for Monday afternoon to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The liftoff from Launch Complex 40 could occur no earlier than 12:42 p.m. Eastern, with a window extending to 4:42 p.m. If successful, the mission would add another batch to the company's growing satellite internet constellation. The booster is slated to target a drone-ship landing in the Atlantic about eight and a half minutes after liftoff. Florida Today's Space Team will offer live updates starting 90 minutes before liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space. Weather and other factors will influence status and scheduling.

Palo Alto bets big on city fiber network with March 2026 launch amid take-rate concerns

January 11, 2026, 7:20 PM EST. Palo Alto plans to flip the switch on an expanded city-run fiber network in March 2026, with crews already laying cable in the Greer Park pilot area. Residents could begin subscribing as early as this month. City staff say tying the build to an electric-grid modernization effort saves time and money through shared trenching and a new fiber hut. The Utilities Department holds about $33.6 million in a fiber fund, plus roughly $13 million shifted from the electric fund. A consultant study estimates a 30% take rate is needed to break even, with introductory prices around $50-$65 per month for 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps. Incumbents like AT&T and Comcast could respond with pricing pressure, potentially threatening the venture if signups lag. The pilot's results will shape broader expansion.

Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol to standardize AI shopping agents

January 11, 2026, 7:18 PM EST. Google unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to standardize how AI-powered shopping agents connect with retailers' systems. Presented at the National Retail Federation show, the open-source protocol aims to span the shopping journey from discovery to payment and post-purchase support, so retailers can adopt AI tools without rebuilding every connection. Google's Vidhya Srinivasan described it as a way to scale with flexibility for businesses. The effort is designed to position Google at the center of AI-powered commerce, amid competition from OpenAI, Perplexity, and Amazon. UCP is co-developed with partners including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, and Target. Analysts forecast AI-enabled agentic commerce could reach a multi-trillion-dollar global opportunity by 2030.

CATL batteries win 1.25-million-mile EV degradation test, Morgan Stanley says

January 11, 2026, 7:16 PM EST. Morgan Stanley Research tested 12 electric-vehicle models with 100 batteries across four Chinese cities in a 1,250,000-mile degradation study. The verdict: anonymous models 11 and 12, using CATL cells, retained the most range after 1.25 million miles – about 250 miles of remaining range. By contrast, rival packs held around 218 miles or less and degraded faster. CATL, described as a global leader in EV energy storage, has projects from Spain to a broad automaker footprint and has dangled a sodium-ion entry, the Naxtra battery, in recent announcements. The report reinforces CATL's position in the global lithium-ion value chain.

AI stocks poised for growth as enterprise spending accelerates in 2026

January 11, 2026, 7:14 PM EST. Enterprise AI spending shows no signs of slowing in 2026, as hyperscalers plan record data-center capex. Nvidia leads the AI infrastructure buildout, aided by full-stack software and the Rubin platform, which analysts expect to sustain growth. Wall Street projects roughly 50% revenue growth for Nvidia in fiscal 2027, with global data-center capex seen rising toward $3 trillion to $4 trillion annually by 2030. AMD is gaining traction as an alternative supplier after cloud-GPU shortages; ROCm downloads surged tenfold year over year, signaling broader developer adoption. Broadcom remains an established AI hardware supplier likely to benefit from expanding data-center demand. The most obvious picks may still be the core bets as the AI hardware cycle extends into the coming years.

Trump admin pursues Pax Silica to secure AI supply chains

January 11, 2026, 6:58 PM EST. The Trump administration is coordinating a global push to safeguard AI and tech supply chains. Led by the United States, a coalition of six other nations-Israel, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United Kingdom-agreed last month to protect critical minerals, energy, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and logistics across the chain. Undersecretary Jacob Helberg described the plan as an operational document for a new economic security consensus and signaled Qatar and the UAE may join soon, with talks also ongoing with the EU, Canada and Taiwan. The initiative, dubbed Pax Silica, aims to counter China's near monopoly on critical elements like rare earths, which underpin chips and smartphones. The Belt and Road backdrop frames broader geopolitical dynamics shaping global tech supply lines.

Smartlet One lets wearers pair a Rolex with an Apple Watch on one wrist at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 6:56 PM EST. At CES 2026, Smartlet unveiled the modular Smartlet One bracelet, designed to wear a traditional luxury watch and a smartwatch on the same wrist. The stainless-steel band has two attachment systems for classic watches (18-24 mm lug width; Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer compatible) and for smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, etc.). Mac4Ever, in an article by Vincent Lautier, frames the product as aimed at enthusiasts who want notifications and Apple Pay without compromising style. Critics warn that adding 9-12 mm of thickness may reduce comfort, and prolonged skin contact with a touchscreen could cause heat or sweating. The concept targets affluent male collectors, but market demand remains uncertain, with some asking whether a problem exists to solve.

Honor Magic 8 Pro Air unboxing leaks ahead of January 19 China launch

January 11, 2026, 6:52 PM EST. An unboxing video from IceUniverse shows a purple variant of the unreleased Honor Magic 8 Pro Air in a white retail box. Key details include a triple-camera rear setup with a wide, ultra-wide and telephoto lens, a 6.1mm-thick body, and a right-sides trio of controls-volume, power, and a gesture/AI button for zoom. The phone runs MagicOS 10 atop a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor with 16GB RAM and a 5500mAh battery. It ships with an 80W charger and offers 512GB of storage (a 1TB option is unconfirmed). The display is FHD+ with slim bezels and a punch-hole selfie cutout. Official introduction is scheduled for January 19 in China.

Smartlet One bracelet lets Rolex and Apple Watch share a wrist at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 6:46 PM EST. At CES 2026, the Parisian startup Smartlet unveiled the Smartlet One bracelet, a modular design that lets users wear a traditional luxury watch alongside a smartwatch on the same wrist. The stainless-steel bracelet has two attachment systems: one side for a classic watch (18-24 mm lug width, compatible with Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer) and another for smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch). Mac4Ever's Vincent Lautier notes the concept targets watch enthusiasts who don't want to miss notifications or Apple Pay. Critics highlight the added wrist thickness-9-12 mm depending on model-and possible heat or sweating from a touchscreen against the skin. The concept appears aimed at an affluent male audience, though observers question whether demand exists or a problem is being sold as a solution. Real-world appeal remains uncertain.

Smartlet One bracelet enables wearing a Rolex and Apple Watch on one wrist at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 6:42 PM EST. At CES 2026, a Paris-based startup unveiled the Smartlet One bracelet, a modular bracelet that lets wearers pair a traditional luxury watch with a smartwatch on the same wrist. Two rails attach separately: one side for classic watches (lug widths 18-24 mm, compatible with Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer) and another for smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, etc.). Mac4Ever, via Vincent Lautier, frames the product for watch enthusiasts seeking notifications and Apple Pay without sacrificing style. Critics point to an added 9-12 mm thickness that could hurt daily comfort, plus heat or sweating from a touchscreen against the skin. The concept targets an affluent, tech-savvy niche and faces questions about real demand. For some, it's clever; for others, it mixes two worlds in an awkward way.

Honor Magic 8 Pro Air unboxing leaks ahead of January launch

January 11, 2026, 6:26 PM EST. Honor Magic 8 Pro Air unboxing leaks surface ahead of its January 19 launch in China. An Iceuniverse video shows a purple variant in a white retail box. The phone features a triple rear camera array, a 6.1mm-thick chassis, and a design reminiscent of the iPhone Air. Specs circulating with the clip include a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, 16GB RAM, a 5500mAh battery and an 80W charger in the box. The display is FHD+ with slim bezels and a punch-hole selfie cutout. A right-side AI button handles camera zoom, under MagicOS 10. Storage options listed are 512GB and possibly 1TB, though the latter remains unconfirmed. Official details arrive at an event on January 19 in China.

Constellation Energy Seen as Key AI Infrastructure Stock as Data Centers Demand Cleaner Power

January 11, 2026, 6:22 PM EST. AI's power demand is shaping infrastructure spending. The piece notes energy, not chips, as the bigger AI bottleneck. GPT-5 energy use cited; MIT Tech Review projects AI electricity at 22% of U.S. households by 2028. Amid this, Constellation Energy (CEG) and Microsoft collaborate to revive a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania to power data centers. Constellation, based in Baltimore, is the nation's largest carbon-free energy producer and largest nuclear energy supplier. The Crane Clean Energy Center is expected to produce 835 MW at capacity for decades. Financials show a steadier path: 2024 base implies a EPS CAGR 10% to 2028; five-year revenue CAGR 6.75%; net income margin around 11%; levered FCF margin around 12.3%. The dividend yields about 0.46% and has grown in each of the past three years.

AI infrastructure sparks new energy demand; Constellation Energy seen as key stock

January 11, 2026, 6:20 PM EST. AI's power draw is driving a new layer of infrastructure spending. Data centers push electricity needs higher, with estimates that AI models could reshape electricity demand. Constellation Energy, America's largest carbon-free and nuclear producer, partners with Microsoft to power data centers with minimal pollution. The Crane Clean Energy Center could deliver about 835 MW at full tilt for decades. At year-end 2024 base, Constellation projects EPS CAGR of about 10% through 2028, and revenue CAGR near 6.75% over five years. Net income margin around 11%, levered free cash flow margin about 12.3%. The stock offers a modest dividend yield (~0.46%) growing for three consecutive years, providing steadier exposure to AI-related infrastructure than volatile chip names.

Honor Magic 8 Pro Air unboxing hints at near-launch specs

January 11, 2026, 6:18 PM EST. An unboxing of the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air circulating online shows a white retail box and a purple variant. The rear camera island features a triple-lens setup (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) with the LED flash beneath. The device sports a thin 6.1mm frame and iPhone-like rear design with subtle tweaks. A three-button right edge includes an AI button for camera zoom. The handset runs MagicOS 10 on Dimensity 9500 with 16GB RAM, a 5500mAh battery, and ships with an 80W charger. Storage options include 512GB and possibly 1TB. The display shows slim bezels with a punch-hole selfie cutout. Official launch is set for January 19 in China.

AI-driven energy demand spurs infrastructure shift; Constellation Energy a key player in powering data centers

January 11, 2026, 6:06 PM EST. AI's growing energy appetite is reshaping infrastructure investing. While chips and servers draw attention, power supply to data centers may be the bigger bottleneck. The Guardian and MIT Technology Review have highlighted rising electricity demand from AI models, underscoring the need for cleaner, reliable sources. Constellation Energy, America's largest carbon-free producer, is partnering with Microsoft to reuse a Pennsylvania nuclear plant to power data centers. The project, tied to the Crane Clean Energy Center, aims to run up to 835 megawatts at capacity for decades. Constellation expects about 10% EPS CAGR through 2028 and has shown steady revenue growth and a modest dividend. The stock can offer stability to AI-focused portfolios, even if not delivering explosive gains like other AI plays.

Anthropic chases OpenAI into the AI health arena

January 11, 2026, 6:04 PM EST. Anthropic expands into the AI health arena, intensifying the race with OpenAI. The move signals a push to apply advanced models to medical tasks while balancing safety and regulation concerns. The shift reflects a pattern of AI labs diversifying beyond consumer offerings and seeking new revenue streams through healthcare partnerships and data-driven services. Details remain limited, but executives describe plans to explore diagnostics, treatment support, and patient data analysis within a controlled framework. The development could reshape competitive dynamics as firms vie to monetize health-tech AI without compromising privacy and trust.

Broadcom and AMD Seen Upside in AI Chips, Outpacing Nvidia

January 11, 2026, 6:02 PM EST. Nvidia remains the AI GPU king, with a CUDA ecosystem and an estimated 90% share that underpins most LLM training. Still, rivals are gaining ground. Broadcom is pitched as Nvidia's main threat in ASICs-custom chips that power AI workloads more energy-efficient during inference. Its IP portfolio and deep ties with TSMC help customers scale manufacturing, and its work with Alphabet on TPUs and OpenAI's chip design shows broad engagement. Broadcom posted about $64 billion in revenue last year, with roughly $20 billion from AI. Citi analysts see AI revenue rising to over $50 billion this year and about $100 billion in fiscal 2027, aided by potential Apple collaborations. The piece flags Nvidia's vulnerability and notes Broadcom and AMD as higher-upside alternatives.

Anthropic chases OpenAI into the AI health arena

January 11, 2026, 5:58 PM EST. Anthropic is expanding beyond general AI to health-focused applications, challenging rival OpenAI in the nascent AI-health market. Both companies are exploring clinical decision support and medical imaging, and hiring experts in healthcare and safety. The push comes amid regulatory scrutiny of AI in medicine and concerns about patient data privacy and model reliability. Industry observers say the race highlights a broader shift to deploy AI tools in hospitals, clinics, and at-home care, even as vendors emphasize risk controls, governance, and compliance with health privacy laws.

Anthropic chases OpenAI into the AI health arena

January 11, 2026, 5:56 PM EST. Business Insider reports that Anthropic is moving into the AI health space, seeking to apply its safety-first approach to healthcare apps and challenge OpenAI in a market where privacy, data handling, and reliability matter. The piece frames the push as part of a broader wave of AI labs expanding beyond chatbots into health tech, attracting attention from regulators and potential hospital or research partners. The development highlights how major AI developers are widening their footprints into specialized sectors, where policy and trust will shape adoption and outcomes.

Archer-Nvidia partnership signals AI push in aviation, but scale questions remain

January 11, 2026, 5:52 PM EST. Archer Aviation unveiled a collaboration with Nvidia at CES to build next-gen aviation systems. The company will deploy Nvidia's IGX Thor platform to develop pilot safety tools and predictive flight analytics, part of a broader push toward AI-managed routing and autonomous capabilities. The tie expands Archer's links with two mega-cap AI players, following a prior relationship with Palantir Technologies. For Nvidia, the deal widens its footprint beyond data centers into physical AI used in aviation and defense, potentially broadening its total addressable market. Analysts say the venture could unlock growth if Archer commercializes city-scale and military flights, but Archer remains a speculative bet with execution risks. The partnership underscores a trend of AI ecosystems around next-gen mobility, though bets hinge on regulatory, safety, and deployment realities.

CES 2026 highlights Apple-friendly gadgets for iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch

January 11, 2026, 5:46 PM EST. CES 2026 showcased Apple-friendly gear spanning cars, homes and desks. Pioneer's Sphera after-market head unit adds wireless CarPlay and claims Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio for in-vehicle sound tuning via a supplied mic. Ikea extended its Matter-over-Thread ecosystem with a pendulum light and the Sabine Marcelis Varmblixt lamp, offering smart lighting with soft glow. StandOut Display expanded MacBook Pro setups with a 4K, 120 Hz screen that can power an iPhone via Continuity Camera and MagSafe-style anchoring. Olight unveiled the Ostation 2/Pro for quick AA/AAA recharging with a touchscreen readout and magnetic charging pads for flashlights. Rolling Square promotes InCharge Life, a modular charging system. Await introduces a hybrid camera that blends digital film rolls with digital storage, taking CES into analogue territory.

Asus geo-restricts top-end Core Ultra Zenbooks S14 and S16 SKUs

January 11, 2026, 5:44 PM EST. Asus geo-restricts top-end Core Ultra Zenbook S14 and S16 SKUs, limiting regional availability. The Zenbook S16 (UM5606) uses AMD's Ryzen AI 400 Gorgon Point APUs. In the US, configurations include Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, Ryzen AI 9 465, and a Ryzen AI 5 445 variant, which AMD's roster does not list. In Canada, Asus offers Zenbook S16 only with Ryzen AI 7 445 and Ryzen AI 9 HX 470. All S16 models sport a 16-inch 3K OLED panel at 120 Hz. USB4 ports replace Thunderbolt 4, though Asus notes Thunderbolt 4 for the top Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 variant. Both Zenbook S14 and S16 launch in February 2026 via Asus.com and other retailers; pricing is not yet announced.

Visual AI Takes Center Stage at CES 2026 as FIRSTHABIT Debuts Chalk 4.0 in Eureka Park

January 11, 2026, 5:42 PM EST. Las Vegas opens CES 2026 with Visual AI at center stage. FIRSTHABIT, a leading EdTech company, unveils Chalk 4.0, an AI Tutor built around Visual LLM technology, the company said, blending cognitive science with generative vision. Chalk 4.0 scans student work to pinpoint where they are stuck and can analyze a photo of a question for personalized help. It offers a private-tutor style, real-time adaptation, and a Mind City 3D workflow to visualize concepts. The stack includes an LMS integration, the Fast Track Finder, and gamified rewards tied to progress. FIRSTHABIT is a two-time CES Innovation Award winner and positions Chalk 4.0 as a standout in Eureka Park.

9 Budget-Friendly Smartwatches to Choose Instead of an Apple Watch

January 11, 2026, 5:28 PM EST. Apple dominates the smartwatch market, but budget-friendly options are expanding. The piece highlights nine affordable models that deliver core features without Apple Watch prices. Apple watches command more than 60% of smartwatch revenue and typically list at $399 and up, while rivals offer value with touchscreens, activity tracking, notifications, and basic health data. The WITHit Giga stands out for its square design reminiscent of the Apple Watch, a bright display, and functions to answer calls, view texts, and log steps and calories for about $65. Other brands balance price and utility by including heart-rate monitoring, reminders, music controls, and exercise data. Expect trade-offs: some devices omit advanced sensors such as blood pressure or sleep apnea detection, but remain viable options for iPhone or Android users.

Paprika recipe app proves worth after paid upgrade, reviewer says

January 11, 2026, 5:26 PM EST. After avoiding Paprika for years over a one-time fee, a user finds the app worth the investment. Paprika is more than a recipe browser: it acts as a recipe manager that reformats online posts into readable lists of ingredients and steps, and lets users adjust servings, categorize, and edit entries. It offers a built-in web search and browser, plus easy sharing from browsers. Users can add original recipes and manage a pantry, grocery lists, and meal planning. Free features exist, but syncing across devices and storing more than 50 recipes requires a one-time fee of $4.99. The reviewer notes Paprika centralizes go-to recipes and maintains consistent formatting, contrasting it with messy blogs and bookmarks.

Clicks unveils Communicator smartphone with physical keyboard at CES

January 11, 2026, 5:20 PM EST. Clicks, a young American startup, returned to CES with its first smartphone, the Communicator, a device centered on a physical keyboard and messaging. Marketed as a secondary phone for calls and texts, it runs Android 16 with hardware encryption and features a 4-inch OLED display, a 50 MP main camera, a 24 MP selfie cam, NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 4,000 mAh battery. It includes a microSD slot up to 2TB, a 3.5 mm jack, USB-C and wireless charging. A fingerprint sensor sits in the space bar beside a configurable Signal LED. The company also unveiled the Power Keyboard, a MagSafe or Qi2-connected accessory that can rotate between landscape or portrait. Pre-orders start at $399, rising to $499 on Feb. 27.

VR developers confront platform shift as hardware cycle stalls

January 11, 2026, 5:14 PM EST. VR developers report a market reorientation as hardware refresh stalls and platform prioritization shifts. UploadVR interviews show studios wary of the cost to reach players in headsets and pushing to diversify across Quest, PlayStation, and Steam. Tommy Palm of Resolution Games says the industry must push for cross-platform releases; he notes Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked crossed multiple platforms and still hit sales goals. Creature's Doug North-Cook cautions that the absence of a new headset keeps revenue per developer depressed, while Cloudhead Games cut about 40 jobs and pivots to the forthcoming Steam Frame after Pistol Whip. Others point to sturdy DLC cadence and large titles in development. The mood: investment wanes, and studios navigate a shifting, cost-constrained ecosystem.

Tesla driver hospitalized after medical emergency sparks Naperville crash and fire

January 11, 2026, 5:06 PM EST. A 37-year-old driver of a 2025 Tesla Model Y suffered a medical emergency while southbound on Route 59 near Cantore Road in Naperville Friday evening. The car sideswiped another vehicle, left the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire. An off-duty Naperville police officer pulled the driver from the Tesla. The driver sustained minor burns and was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Sky Fox footage showed the heavily damaged vehicle as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. Police did not report any other injuries.

TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro smartphone offers eye-friendly display and long battery life

January 11, 2026, 4:44 PM EST. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is an Android smartphone built for eye comfort and versatile use. It features the NXTPAPER display with Color Paper, Ink Paper and Max Ink modes for paper-like reading and color tasks. TCL cites TÜV and SGS certification, blue-light reduction to 3.41%, and a nano-matrix anti-glare layer. In reading mode, the Max Ink option delivers up to seven days of reading and 26 days in standby. The camera setup includes a 50MP OIS main sensor and a 32MP selfie shooter, with night-vision and a CCD filter. Processing runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, up to 24GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 5200mAh battery with 33W charging. An IP68 rating rounds out the package.

TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro debuts with eye-friendly display, Max Ink reading mode and 5200mAh battery

January 11, 2026, 4:40 PM EST. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is an Android smartphone built for eye comfort and versatile use. It offers NXTPAPER modes-Color Paper, Ink Paper, and Max Ink-to switch between vivid color and paper-like reading. The display carries TÜV and SGS certification with blue-light reduction and nano-matrix anti-glare for extended use. In Max Ink mode, the device supports up to seven days of reading and 26 days in standby, with preloaded books and smart-reading tools. The 50MP OIS main camera, 32MP selfie camera, night vision and a CCD filter support photography. Powering it are a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, up to 24GB RAM (expandable), 512GB storage, a 5200mAh battery, 33W charging, and IP68 rating. The phone targets readers, creators, and daily tasks with a robust balance of display and endurance.

Micro RGB Emerges as 2026 Replacement for Micro-LED TVs

January 11, 2026, 4:38 PM EST. Micro-LEDs offered brighter, per-pixel LEDs and no backlight, but high cost and complex manufacturing kept devices pricey. Even as cheaper micro-LED sets surface, demand remains tempered by price. Apple has shifted back toward OLED rather than pushing pure micro-LED. CES 2026 hints point to a successor: Micro RGB displays that stack separate red, green and blue backlights to sharpen color and brightness. Supporters say this approach could push color toward the BT.2020 standard, which represents a wider gamut than earlier tech. Samsung's first micro-RGB TV reportedly achieved 100% BT.2020 accuracy, a significant benchmark if reproducible. If the trend holds, the market may move from hype around Micro-LED to RGB-backed variants that balance brightness, color accuracy and manufacturability.

TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Android smartphone blends eye-friendly display with versatile modes

January 11, 2026, 4:34 PM EST. Beijing-based TCL unveils the NXTPAPER 70 Pro, an Android smartphone built for eye comfort and reading. The device features the NXTPAPER display with three modes-Color Paper, Ink Paper, and Max Ink-allowing users to switch from vivid color to paper-like reading. TCL highlights TÜV and SGS-certified eye protection, blue-light reduction to 3.41%, and nano-matrix anti-glare. In Max Ink mode, the handset offers up to seven days of reading and 26 days in standby, with preloaded books and smart tools. The camera setup includes a 50MP OIS main sensor and a 32MP selfie camera, plus night vision and a CCD filter. Performance comes from MediaTek Dimensity 7300, up to 24GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 5200mAh battery with 33W charging; IP68 rated for durability.

iQOO Z11 Turbo to debut in China with Thunder Z1 gaming chip, promises 76% Wi-Fi lag reduction

January 11, 2026, 4:28 PM EST. iQOO says the Z11 Turbo will launch in China on January 15. The device centers on gaming performance, using the new Thunder Z1 gaming signal enhancement chip and Global Esports Network System 2.0 to stabilize connections. iQOO claims a 76.47% reduction in Wi-Fi lag over the previous generation when using 5GHz networks through four walls. The system includes AI Gaming Network Smart Selection and an AI interference prediction model to preempt issues. The phone will support dual-frequency GPS and 5G with a 24-antenna surround design. Specs include a 6.59-inch LTPS OLED 1.5K 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, 7,600mAh battery with 100W charging, and IP68/IP69 ratings, Android 16 with OriginOS 6.

My top 5 phones of 2025: foldables, flagships and a crowd-sourced mix

January 11, 2026, 4:10 PM EST. An informal, partly crowdsourced take on the 5 ideal phones for 2025. The lineup centers on the Galaxy Z TriFold, a true foldable that doubles as a large tablet and prioritizes screen protection, despite a €3,000 price and average cameras. The author groups the iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro as similar flagship choices across OSes; both deliver premium materials, smoother animations, and stronger haptics, yet lack standout camera performance for this list. A note about Qi2 magnetic attachments adds curiosity but isn't decisive for practicality. The list also includes the vivo X300 and two other picks rooted in tradition or crowd input. The piece blends personal preference with crowdsourced input to reflect the 2025 high-end phone landscape.

Micro RGB Displays Poised to Replace Micro-LED TVs in 2026

January 11, 2026, 4:08 PM EST. Micro-LEDs have promised brighter, backlight-free panels, but price has kept adoption slow. The newer Micro RGB approach, showcased at CES 2026, uses discrete red, green and blue light sources to push color control and peak brightness beyond existing Micro-LEDs. Samsung's early Micro RGB TV reportedly achieved 100% BT.2020 HDR accuracy, a leap past prior quantum-dot displays that hovered around 85%. The result could be panels with brighter whites, deeper blacks and more precise colors, while potentially altering the economics of premium displays. Ramp-up costs and manufacturing complexity remain hurdles before broad rollout. The shift compares with OLED as a benchmark for color accuracy and efficiency.

Micro RGB TVs Could Replace Micro-LED, Move toward OLED Brightness in 2026

January 11, 2026, 4:06 PM EST. Micro-LED has been the focus of hype for thin, bright panels, but price and production bottlenecks persist. Each pixel on a micro-LED panel is an individual LED, enabling rich brights and deep blacks without a backlight. Yet costs and supply constraints have slowed mainstream adoption, and even Apple has redirected toward OLED. At CES, a newer path emerged: Micro RGB displays. By using separate red, green, and blue backlights, these panels promise even stronger color control and higher overall brightness. Samsung's first Micro RGB TV reportedly achieved 100% BT.2020 color accuracy, a record for the technology family. If scalable, Micro RGB could bridge the gap between OLED and micro-LED, delivering sharper, brighter colors, with price challenges still to resolve.

PS5's first 2026 exclusive, Code Violet, flops with critics

January 11, 2026, 3:52 PM EST. Code Violet, Sony's first PS5 exclusive of 2026, is underperforming with critics and players. The sci-fi action game set in the 25th century stars Violet Sinclair amid a dinosaur-filled complex, a concept critics say evokes Dino Crisis but falls short in practice. Metacritic shows an average of 40/100, signaling generally unfavourable reviews. IGN calls it "a bad game" with "tropes," "muddy textures," and "myriad bugs." Push Square labels it "a mess" with "crummy combat" and "technical problems," while Game8 warns it's "Definitely Not Worth the Price." Developer TeamKill Media responded on X, defending the game and praising its fans, even as user reviews on the PS Store remain negative: the page shows an average of 3 stars with roughly 46% of ratings at 1-2 stars.

Cloudflare apologises for outage that disrupted X and ChatGPT

January 11, 2026, 3:44 PM EST. Cloudflare apologized after a 'significant outage' hit its network, caused by a misbehaving configuration file intended to handle threat traffic that instead triggered a crash in its traffic-software. The disruption knocked popular sites offline, including X (formerly Twitter) and ChatGPT, and affected apps such as Grindr, Zoom and Canva. Downdetector reported problems shortly after 11:30 GMT; Cloudflare said the issue has been resolved but some services may still face errors as they come back online. The company stressed there is no evidence of a malicious attack. Shares were down about 3% around 15:00 GMT. Analysts note Cloudflare is a major internet-security provider, servicing roughly 20% of websites, and warn of it being a potential single point of failure.

AMD's RDNA 5 to launch after NVIDIA's RTX 60 series in 2027 – rumors

January 11, 2026, 3:42 PM EST. AMD's next-generation RDNA 5 GPUs are rumored to launch after NVIDIA's RTX 60 line, with a mid-2027 cadence on a TSMC N3P node. A post by Kepler_L2 on the AnandTech Forums places AMD's arrival after NVIDIA's Rubin RTX 60 lineup, now tipped for the second half of 2027. The thinking: NVIDIA's margins and price discipline could undercut an earlier AMD launch, pushing AMD to lead in a different performance bracket. If true, RDNA 5 would land in 2H 2027, roughly 2.5 years after AMD's RDNA 4 debut and after NVIDIA's own 60-series cycle. No official confirmation yet, and timing could shift with market conditions.

AirTag four-pack on sale for $65 at Amazon, near-record low

January 11, 2026, 3:38 PM EST. Amazon is selling a four-pack of Apple AirTag trackers for $65, a near-record low after past deals that hovered around $63. The bundle helps travelers track essentials and luggage, with devices rated IP67 for water and dust resistance and a replaceable battery lasting about a year. Precision Finding offers more exact directions when paired with iPhone 11 and newer. Up to five people can share an AirTag's location, making it useful for families or groups. The deal arrives as Apple's pricing stays tight on most products, with the holidays fueling promotions.

Buying a child's smartphone can teach money lessons, experts say

January 11, 2026, 3:26 PM EST. Parents wrestling with when to hand a child a smartphone now face a teachable moment about money. Experts say the device is less a gadget than a classroom for budgeting and guardrails. Costs include the upfront phone, a monthly plan, a case and sometimes a protection plan. For younger teens, talk through data overages, connecting to Wi-Fi and turning off roaming to avoid big bills; for older teens, gradually shift the bill to them. Hidden costs-in-app purchases and sign-ups-can slip through a card. Robin Taub, author of The Wisest Investment, and Kalee Boisvert, a certified financial planner, urge early talks about priorities; Rebecca Snow of Unplugged Canada reminds families that digital spending can feel invisible. The dialogue should cover saving and values with real examples like Roblox.

Musician wrongly branded a sex offender by Google AI summary; lawsuit eyed

January 11, 2026, 3:20 PM EST. An award-winning Canadian folk singer, Ashley MacIsaac, says a Google AI Overview wrongly identified him as a sex offender, prompting the cancellation of a Dec. 19 show in Nova Scotia. The 50-year-old Juno Award winner says the false claims-concerning convictions and a listing on Canada's national registry-were drawn from articles about another man with the same surname. He is considering suing Google after organizers pulled the performance, MacIsaac told The Canadian Press. Google did not immediately respond; a spokesperson said AI overviews are updated to improve usefulness and may be adjusted when misinterpretations occur. The episode underscores reputational harm from automated summaries, the singer added, and the Sipekne'katik First Nation apologized for the disruption.

Google removes AI Overviews for some health queries after Guardian investigation

January 11, 2026, 3:14 PM EST. Google has removed AI Overviews for certain health queries after a Guardian investigation found liver-test reference ranges could mislead users by excluding factors like age, sex or ethnicity. The Guardian said variants such as 'lft reference range' still produced AI-generated summaries, though a test this morning showed no AI Overviews, even as the option to use AI Mode remained. Google declined to comment on individual removals in Search, but said it pursues broad improvements and that an internal clinician review found the information was often supported by high-quality sites. Tech outlets noted the move follows earlier efforts to enhance healthcare search features and AI models. Vanessa Hebditch of the British Liver Trust welcomed the development but warned that removing a single result does not address broader risks posed by AI Overviews in health queries.

Palihapitiya predicts SpaceX will reverse-merge into Tesla, not go public

January 11, 2026, 3:10 PM EST. Speculation over a SpaceX IPO persists in 2026, with Chamath Palihapitiya proposing a reverse merger into Tesla instead of a traditional listing. In a viral video, Palihapitiya said Elon Musk would use a merger to consolidate control of SpaceX and Tesla on one cap table. The claim follows a surge in Musk's wealth to about $600 billion as SpaceX has raised more than $10 billion in private funding. Analysts note that an IPO would bring liquidity but subject SpaceX to regulation and investor pressure. Musk has favored autonomy; he privatized Twitter after acquisition, and Neuralink, xAI and The Boring Company remain private. PitchBook's Ali Javaheri says private markets may be near their limit, while the SEC history on Musk's 2018 tweet lingers. DOGE advisory role cited by the board.

FCC approves SpaceX to launch 7,500 more Gen2 Starlink satellites, total 15,000

January 11, 2026, 3:06 PM EST. The Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX approval to launch 7,500 additional Gen2 Starlink satellites, lifting the fleet to 15,000 worldwide. The decision also allows Starlink to operate across five frequencies and provide direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States, with supplemental coverage inside the U.S., the agency said. SpaceX had requested authorization for 15,000 more satellites, but the FCC deferred approval of the remaining 14,988 Gen2 satellites. The company must launch 50% of the approved satellites by December 1, 2028, and the rest by December 2031, according to the FCC.

Pimax Debuts Crystal Super Micro-OLED, Dream Air at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 3:02 PM EST. Pimax unveiled its next-gen PCVR lineup at CES 2026, showing the final production model of the Crystal Super Micro-OLED alongside the Dream Air and Dream Air SE. The trio uses the same 4K Sony micro-OLED per eye panels and Pimax's ConcaveView lenses, with Pancake optics aimed at ultra-high resolution and an ultra-wide field of view. CES marks the company's 11th year and eighth appearance, with hands-on demos linking racing and flight motion rigs and partners such as DOF Reality, Trak Racer, Virtuix, FXG and EOZ VR. The Dream Air won TechRadar Pro's CES 2026 Picks Award and drew attention from Linus Sebastian and other media. Pimax emphasizes a broader ecosystem, citing real-world feedback and a fully immersive PCVR experience.

Galaxy Brain: The Internet as a Misery Machine

January 11, 2026, 2:56 PM EST. In the inaugural Galaxy Brain episode, Charlie Warzel talks with Hank Green about the state of the internet in November 2025. They examine how the algorithm and online tools shaped our behavior, turning parts of the web into a misery machine while asking whether people still trust creators more than institutions. Green, famous for the Vlogbrothers and his work as an educator and entrepreneur, helps unpack why some turn away from platforms like TikTok, and what keeps tech feeding cycles going. The hosts discuss headlines, serendipity, and how the internet has changed daily life, hinting that the situation could worsen before it improves, with a focus on reporting and human perspective.

Apple Intelligence in iOS 26 adds calendar events from screenshots, image search and ChatGPT on screenshots

January 11, 2026, 2:54 PM EST. Apple's iOS 26 introduces Apple Intelligence, a visual overhaul for screenshots that tightens three new capabilities: calendar events from screenshots, image search to surface web results, and a ChatGPT query on a captured image. The most useful, the calendar feature, lets users convert a screenshot into a calendar event with a tap of the add-to-calendar button. The author, not a heavy calendar user, says the tool has altered behavior, citing work at CES where multiple events emerged from screenshots. The system reportedly extracts relevant details from posts, emails, or web pages and populates event fields for quick confirmation. The feature underscores a broader push toward frictionless task capture inside iOS 26.

DJI Shell-Company Gambit Backfires as FCC Ban Reshapes Drone Industry

January 11, 2026, 2:52 PM EST. An investigative piece argues that DJI's use of shell-company networks to sell rebranded drones after the FCC ban revealed a risky gambit that expanded scrutiny rather than shielding the company. The author says the policy targeting DJI and Autel was contained, but they chose to press ahead, signaling to lawmakers that it would find ways around restrictions. The story details shell-company networks, branding gaps in filings, and an automated system that flags DJI products by OcuSync frequency signatures, underscoring how the scheme drew sharper legal and industry attention. The article suggests DJI could have accepted the political reality, concentrated on non-U.S. markets, and waited for conditions to shift. It notes broader industry impact and ongoing inquiries, including work by researcher Konrad Iturbe.

Ge hole-spin qubits enable coherent phonon coupling in 1-4 K two-qubit module

January 11, 2026, 2:42 PM EST. A team led by D.-M. Mei and colleagues from the University of South Dakota detail a lithography-ready design for a two-qubit module built around Ge hole-spin qubits. The qubits reside in a strained germanium well and couple via a phononic-crystal (PnC) cavity to enable coherent, phonon-mediated interactions at cryogenic temperatures. The work combines theory, device design and fabrication-with finite-element analysis guiding qubit placement, and electron-beam lithography plus molecular-beam epitaxy producing high-quality Ge heterostructures. Readout relies on spin-to-charge conversion and RF reflectometry on a proximal sensor, supported by a cryogenic RF chain operating between 1 and 4 kelvin. The result outlines a scalable template for medium-range qubit coupling and potential entangling operations.

Pimax debuts Crystal Super Micro-OLED and Dream Air at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 2:28 PM EST. At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Pimax unveiled the Crystal Super Micro-OLED production headset alongside the Dream Air and Dream Air SE, each using 4K Sony micro-OLED panels per eye and Pimax's ConcaveView lenses. The line underscores ultra-high resolution and ultra-wide field of view for PCVR. The show also marks Pimax's 11th year and 8th CES appearance. Demos tie headsets to racing and flight motion rigs and immersive environments, with partner integrations from DOF Reality, Trak Racer, Virtuix, FXG, and EOZ VR. The Dream Air earned TechRadar Pro's CES 2026 Picks Award, drawing coverage from Linus Sebastian and others. Robin Weng called CES home, underscoring feedback-driven development as Pimax expands its ecosystem.

Family sues Tesla over Autopilot in fatal Snohomish County motorcycle crash

January 11, 2026, 2:24 PM EST. The family of a 28-year-old man filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Tesla, alleging Autopilot failed to detect a stopped motorcycle on State Route 522 in Snohomish County and contributed to a fatal April 19, 2024 crash. Police reports say the motorcycle rider was stopped in traffic when the Tesla, operated by Carl Hunter, struck him from behind; Hunter later said he relied on Autopilot and may have been distracted by his phone. The suit accuses Tesla of overstating Autopilot's capabilities and failing to address limitations, particularly around motorcycles. It cites a California court ruling deeming its marketing deceptive and argues design and marketing choices encourage driver over-reliance. The case seeks accountability and safer vehicle design.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrade guide: should you upgrade from S23/S24/S25 Ultra?

January 11, 2026, 2:22 PM EST. Samsung remains poised to launch the Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to lead a lineup that includes the S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and S25 Ultra. The piece weighs whether owners should upgrade, given rumored improvements and the uncertain timing of Unpacked. Teased specs for the S26 Ultra include a 6.9-inch display, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, and a processor pairing of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600. The camera suite centers on a 200MP main sensor. Design nudges push toward a rounder silhouette and a raised rear camera module. Battery remains 5,000 mAh with 60W charging. The decision hinges on how big a leap the rumors represent versus existing models, and whether to wait for the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Ge hole-spin qubits enable coherent phonon coupling in a two-qubit module at 1-4 K

January 11, 2026, 2:20 PM EST. Researchers from the University of South Dakota and collaborators outline a lithography-ready two-qubit module based on germanium hole-spin qubits. The design embeds two hole-spin qubits in a strained germanium quantum well and couples them through a phononic-crystal (PnC) cavity to enable coherent phonon-mediated interactions. Using finite element simulations, the team optimises qubit placement and phonon modes, while fabrication combines electron-beam lithography and molecular-beam epitaxy to create high-quality Ge heterostructures. The package features a gate stack, membrane release, and RF wiring, plus a readout scheme that merges spin-to-charge conversion with RF reflectometry on a nearby charge sensor. Operation at 1-4 K, with a 6 GHz PnC defect mode, aims to demonstrate scalable coupling and entangling gates for quantum circuits.

AI as the Sixth Element: How Consciousness Convergence Redefines Humanity

January 11, 2026, 2:16 PM EST. An essay argues that AI marks a 'sixth element' by converging fire, electricity, mathematics, and language with human consciousness and culture. The author-drawing on decades of therapy and a practice of 'smart journaling'-says AI accelerates cognitive work, often in seconds, boosting productivity but exposing users to hallucinations and echo chambers. It notes professionals in their 30s feel obsolete while younger workers fear job loss, framing this as early indicators of a new human-technology intersection. The piece contrasts clinical digital therapeutics with casual AI use and urges caution: use AI as a tool, not a doctor or substitute for judgment. In the end, this convergence may redefine what is uniquely human and reshape work, cognition, and meaning.

Insiders launch site urging data poisoning to undermine AI training

January 11, 2026, 2:06 PM EST. An anonymous group of AI industry insiders has launched a site called Poison Fountain urging opponents to feed AI crawlers poisoned data. The page, online for about a week, asks website operators to link to data that could degrade model training. The move follows warnings that data poisoning can occur at several stages, from buggy code to manipulated datasets, and cites Anthropic research showing that a few malicious documents can hurt model quality. The Register cites five participants, with one source claiming ties to major US AI firms; organizers promise cryptographic proof via PGP. The page even lists a standard URL and a dark web .onion link, inviting users to cache and retransmit poisoned data. Experts warn such actions risk real harm and legal exposure.

The Sixth Element: AI as Consciousness' Great Convergence

January 11, 2026, 2:02 PM EST. A tech-savvy observer argues that artificial intelligence is reshaping human experience by converging fire, electricity, mathematics, and language into a single, transformative 'sixth element'. The piece notes that people report feeling understood by large language models more than by long-term partners or therapists, prompting questions about cognition, culture, and identity. It describes personal experiments with 'smart journals' and caution about hallucinations and echo chambers, while acknowledging digital therapeutics backed by clinicians. The author frames AI as a tool that externalizes cognition, boosting productivity and reshaping careers, yet raising risks such as fatigue, professional displacement, and the challenge of distinguishing thought from machine-generated suggestion. The analysis concludes that AI's convergence is likely to redefine what is uniquely human and to redefine our relationship with knowledge.

AI insiders launch Poison Fountain to poison training data, sparking debate

January 11, 2026, 1:56 PM EST. AI industry insiders have launched a site called Poison Fountain, urging opponents to pool resources to contaminate the data that trains AI models. The project, active for about a week, directs website operators to add links feeding training data to AI crawlers with the aim of degrading model performance. Supporters cite data poisoning as a practical risk and point to Anthropic's research showing that a few malicious documents can degrade quality. The group claims five participants, with anonymity cited as a reason for disclosure. Cryptographic proof via PGP signing was promised. The site includes two URLs-one standard HTTP link and a darknet .onion address-and appeals to visitors to cache, retransmit, and feed poisoned data to crawlers. The initiative has drawn sharp debate over ethics and security.

Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrade guide: what owners of older models should do

January 11, 2026, 1:52 PM EST. Samsung is poised to launch the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and readers face a choice: upgrade now or wait. The piece compares rumored improvements against the Galaxy S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and S25 Ultra from the past three years. Rumored specs include a 6.9-inch display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5/ Exynos 2600 CPU, 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, and a 200MP main camera with multiple telephotos. Battery remains 5,000 mAh with 60W charging. Design is said to be more rounded, with a raised rear camera housing and a 7-8mm thickness. The article cautions that design changes alone are unlikely to justify upgrading; some buyers may wait for the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Walmart teams with Google Gemini to streamline shopping via AI assistant

January 11, 2026, 1:40 PM EST. Walmart and Google will let shoppers use Google's Gemini AI assistant to discover and buy items from Walmart and Sam's Club. The collaboration follows Walmart's earlier deal with OpenAI's ChatGPT to enable Instant Checkout and signals a shift to agent-led commerce as shoppers turn to chatbots for inspiration or quick purchases. The companies announced the plan at the National Retail Federation's Big Show; launch timing and terms were not disclosed, with the feature rolling out first in the U.S. before expanding internationally. Incoming Walmart CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai framed the move as meeting customers where they are and driving the shopping journey from interest to purchase.

Walmart teams with Google Gemini to let shoppers find and buy via AI assistant

January 11, 2026, 1:38 PM EST. Walmart and Google announced a collaboration to let shoppers use Google's AI assistant Gemini to discover and buy items from Walmart and Sam's Club. The deal follows Walmart's earlier tie-up with OpenAI's ChatGPT, which added an Instant Checkout option. The rollout will start in the U.S. before expanding internationally. Incoming Walmart CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled the plan at the National Retail Federation's Big Show in New York. The companies describe agent-led commerce as the next phase, with Walmart saying AI may shift staff roles and operations as shoppers begin searches in chatbots rather than on Walmart's app or site.

Nvidia CEO Huang pushes 'physical AI' and platform shifts at CES

January 11, 2026, 1:28 PM EST. At CES, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang underscored fundamentals behind a volatile stock: demand for GPUs is rising as AI models scale. Huang framed 'physical AI' as AI that understands real-world information and natural laws, moving from a lab to autonomous vehicles and robots. He said the industry is in the early innings of a pair of platform shifts, arguing that software development itself is being rewritten and applications will run on AI rather than the other way around. With compute requirements expanding, Nvidia expects GPU demand to stay strong as models scale by roughly a 10x factor annually. While Nvidia stock traded modestly lower after the event, the commentary signals that investors should watch the long-term thesis-physical AI, platform shifts, and GPU demand-more than near-term price action.

Nvidia stays on track as Huang highlights physical AI and platform resets

January 11, 2026, 1:26 PM EST. The Takeaway notes Nvidia's Jensen Huang delivered a CES keynote that investors watched closely. Despite Nvidia shares slipping slightly this week, Huang framed the moment as the start of a multiyear arc, not a one-off rally. He highlighted physical AI – AI that understands real-world data and the laws of nature – as a core use case for Nvidia technology. He argued the industry is only in the early innings of a fast-moving shift, with two simultaneous platform resets changing how software is built and run. Demand for AI chips and GPUs remains robust as models grow by an order of magnitude each year. The takeaway: focus on fundamentals, not price action, as Nvidia positions for a long runway.

Family sues Tesla, alleges Autopilot failed in fatal 2024 Snohomish County motorcycle crash

January 11, 2026, 1:22 PM EST. The family of 28-year-old Jeffrey Nissen Jr. filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Tesla in Snohomish County Court, alleging the Model S on Autopilot failed to detect a stopped motorcycle on State Route 522, causing Nissen's death on April 19, 2024. Police say Nissen, from Stanwood, was stopped in traffic when the car struck him from behind; the driver, Carl Hunter of Snohomish, later said he relied on Autopilot and may have been distracted by his phone. Hunter was arrested for vehicular homicide. The suit claims Tesla overstated Autopilot's capabilities and failed to address its limits, citing a California ruling on deceptive marketing. Simeon Osborn, attorney for the estate, says Tesla's messaging encouraged overreliance and dangerous driving.

Nvidia signals focus on physical AI and platform shifts after CES; shares slip modestly

January 11, 2026, 1:20 PM EST. Nvidia's shares fell under 2% after CEO Jensen Huang's CES remarks, even as executives argue the company is entering a new growth phase. Huang framed the acceleration of physical AI-AI that understands real-world information and physics-as a key driver, with autonomous vehicles and robots among early adopters. He said the industry is at the early innings of rapid change, with "two simultaneous platform shifts" reshaping how software is built and run. On demand, he noted that GPU demand is rising as AI models scale by roughly an order of magnitude each year. Taken together, the comments underscore Nvidia's strategy to monetize foundational AI infrastructure even as the market records new highs. The path from lab to real-world use remains the central narrative.

Nvidia resets the economics of AI factories at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 1:18 PM EST. At CES 2026, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang outlined changes to the economics of AI infrastructure, arguing the company has solidified its role as the standard for next-gen computing. The piece notes annual performance growth now exceeds historical Moore's Law expectations, with fivefold performance, tenfold throughput, and 15x token demand via Jevons Paradox. It compares Nvidia's position to past PC-era incumbents and frames implications for competitors such as Intel, Broadcom, and AMD, as well as hyperscalers, labs and OEMs. The analysis uses a historical lens to explain how lasting advantage comes from relentless execution of Moore's Law as an operational discipline, and it highlights the risk for firms that fail to align with the new paradigm.

Family sues Tesla over Autopilot in fatal 2024 Snohomish motorcycle crash

January 11, 2026, 1:16 PM EST. A wrongful-death lawsuit filed in Snohomish County Court accuses Tesla and its Autopilot system of failing to prevent a fatal crash on State Route 522. The suit, on behalf of Jeffrey Nissen Jr.'s estate, says a Tesla Model S operating on Autopilot did not detect a stopped motorcycle in Snohomish County on April 19, 2024, leaving Nissen dead. The driver, Carl Hunter, told police he relied on Autopilot and may have been distracted by his phone; he was arrested for vehicular homicide. The complaint contends Tesla overstated Autopilot capabilities and did not address its limitations, especially with motorcycles and other small vehicles, and notes a California ruling ordering Tesla to stop marketing the systems as fully autonomous. The suit seeks accountability and safety improvements.

Nvidia's CES cues push focus to fundamentals as AI drive accelerates

January 11, 2026, 1:14 PM EST. Nvidia's CES presence kept focus on fundamentals, not price swings. CEO Jensen Huang argued that 'physical AI'-AI that understands the laws of nature-will move from labs into real-world systems like autonomous vehicles and robots. He said the industry is in the early innings of a technology reset, with two simultaneous platform shifts: AI applications and the way software is run and developed. Demand for AI chips and NVIDIA GPUs remains strong as model compute accelerates, challenging downside worries. Nvidia shares are down modestly since the CES keynote, even as the market hits new highs, underscoring a disconnect between price action and the underlying AI cycle.

Family sues Tesla over Autopilot after fatal 2024 motorcycle crash on SR 522

January 11, 2026, 1:08 PM EST. Jeffrey Nissen Jr.'s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in Snohomish County Court against Tesla, alleging its Autopilot system failed to detect a stopped motorcycle on State Route 522 on April 19, 2024, causing Nissen's death. Police say Nissen, 28, was stopped in traffic when a Tesla Model S driven by Carl Hunter struck him from behind; Hunter later said he relied on Autopilot and may have been distracted by his phone and was arrested for vehicular homicide. The complaint accuses Tesla of overstating Autopilot's capabilities and failing to address its limitations with motorcycles, citing a recent California ruling against deceptive marketing. The estate's attorneys seek accountability and safer designs to prevent similar tragedies.

Deshittification of the internet: how platforms erode openness and how to reverse it

January 11, 2026, 1:02 PM EST. An essay on the rise of enshittification, a term Cory Doctorow popularized to describe how social platforms degrade through monetization and shifting algorithms. It recalls Twitter at the 2020 peak as a hub for journalism and culture, then chronicles Elon Musk's 2022 takeover, the move to paid blue checks, algorithm tweaks, and moderation cuts that let ads, toxicity, and scams proliferate. The piece argues the trend is spreading to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google and beyond, trapping users in a 'Hotel Crapifornia' where leaving feels impossible. It cites Doctorow's Boing Boing era as context, and suggests paths to deshittify the internet through clearer terms, stronger user control, and more accountable platforms.

Lego Smart Brick gains precise distance and orientation tracking, opening robotics and play possibilities

January 11, 2026, 12:58 PM EST. At CES 2026, Lego showed a pair of Smart Bricks measuring relative position with a built-in ruler made from standard bricks. The system color-codes segments every 10 studs (about 8 cm) as bricks pass along a line, letting two bricks track distance in 2D and 3D space up to roughly 4-5 meters. The demo also highlighted precise orientation: a brick lights up when facing another brick. Lego says broader interference could affect accuracy, but the capability adds potential for adult builders and robotics projects, including navigation around Smart Tags or autonomously returning to base, and even more ambitious Smart Play applications beyond the launch Star Wars sets.

Exclusive Pixel tricks: Best Take, Add Me and Connected Cameras

January 11, 2026, 12:48 PM EST. Google Pixel phones carry exclusive camera tricks that aren't shared with other Android rivals. The features debut with new Pixel models and recur in Pixel Drops. Among the best known are Best Take and Add Me, which improve group shots by stitching multiple frames or swapping places. In practice, Best Take collates several photos, letting software pick the clearest moments, while Add Me lets more people appear in the final image. On Pixel 10, Auto Best Take uses artificial intelligence (AI) to auto-detect group photos. The ecosystem also includes Connected Cameras, letting two Pixels or a third-party camera pair for multiple angles. A Pixel Camera app flow guides users from capture to stitching in Google Photos.

Google ends Google One VPN; user cites compelling replacement

January 11, 2026, 12:46 PM EST. On June 20, 2024, Google pulled the plug on its Google One VPN, a service that wasn't the fastest but offered basic protection on public Wi-Fi. The writer says the experience highlighted its limitations, then set out to find a replacement. They landed on a third-party VPN that they describe as so good it made them glad the Google shutdown happened. The piece also notes that for Pixel users, the story is different: the built-in VPN remains available on Pixel 8 and newer, and Google Fi subscribers still get a VPN inside the Fi app. The narrative reads as a practical update for readers weighing privacy tools in a mobile-centric, connected life, with emphasis on continuity where Google's own service ended.

Google's AI Inbox could preview Gmail's future, but access is limited

January 11, 2026, 12:44 PM EST. Google unveiled an AI Inbox view for Gmail that replaces the traditional inbox with an AI-generated page of short summaries, prioritized to-dos, and topics tied to messages. In testing, the feature appears in a sidebar and pulls in links to relevant emails. It is currently limited to early testers and only works with consumer Gmail accounts, not Google Workspace, so business users aren't included yet. The author notes the system can surface archived conversations and shifts the way messages are managed. The idea resembles Google Search's AI Mode, but applied to email. For some, it could transform productivity; for others, it may not fit. Jargon explained: AI Inbox = AI-assisted inbox view; Workspace = business accounts; to-dos = actionable tasks.

Samsung readies Galaxy S26/S27 with camera upgrades, One UI 8.5 beta

January 11, 2026, 12:34 PM EST. Samsung steers toward a busy launch window as it readies the Galaxy S26 lineup for next month and teases the S27 upgrade. CES 2026 highlighted device innovations, including a new One UI 8.5 beta release and software fixes aimed at a stable rollout. Leaks hint the S26 Ultra could stick with a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP 5x periscope, with a possible shift from a 10MP to a 12MP 3x telephoto. Lens coatings and HDR improvements are cited to curb flares and boost zoom quality. The S27 Ultra may introduce new main/ultra-wide sensors and an upgraded selfie cam, while a February 25, 2026 launch date is floated by tipsters like Evan Blass.

NASA's NISAR radar satellite maps millimeter-scale ground motion to study earthquakes

January 11, 2026, 12:32 PM EST. NASA's NISAR uses synthetic aperture radar and interferometry to compare images from different dates, revealing movement down to millimeters. In Southern California, scientists use it to study gradual deformation between quakes and map where stress builds or releases, refining estimates of earthquake risk. The longer radar wavelength helps see ground beneath vegetation. The mission also includes an urgent response mode that speeds data processing after a large quake to guide responders. Beyond quakes, it aids in landslides, turning motion into data for preparedness, helping authorities act before and after disasters.

Dad builds six-seat Cybertruck after Tesla never offered it

January 11, 2026, 12:18 PM EST. Tesla showed a six-seat Cybertruck in 2019 but never offered it to buyers. A father of four addressed the gap by commissioning a custom version that removes the center console and inserts a narrow upright center seat between the front buckets. It includes a seatbelt, but critics warn it may impair crash safety since there's no visible airbag for the middle position and the seat's mounting could resist or fail in a crash. Some observers say the original plan was dropped for safety reasons, noting the truck's driver-side inboard airbag could affect a rider in the center. The owner posted photos in a Facebook group, illustrating how owners retrofit vehicles, even as regulators remain wary of such aftermarket changes.

SpaceX targets Sunday Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base

January 11, 2026, 12:16 PM EST. SpaceX aims to launch its Falcon 9 rocket Sunday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Twilight mission is set to lift off at 5:19 a.m. PT, deploying multiple small satellites into orbit. The rocket's first stage will attempt a landing back at Vandenberg after launch. Local residents could hear a sonic boom when the booster returns to Earth. SpaceX says this booster is making its fifth flight, having previously powered the Sentinel-6B satellite and three Starlink missions. A livestream of the launch is available at spacex.com/launches/twilight.

Weekly deals: OnePlus 15, Galaxy S25, Motorola Razr Fold on sale

January 11, 2026, 12:12 PM EST. Motorola unveiled its Signature phone and the Razr Fold, but neither is widely available in the US yet. Europe pricing puts the Signature at €1,000, the same as the OnePlus 15 at full price when paired with a $100 gift card. The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a discounts staple and may edge out the Signature on price, while the S26 is expected next month. The Razr Fold lacks full specs, but its 8.09-inch display supports a stylus and uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP 3x/71mm periscope telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide. The debate pits the Samsung Galaxy S25 family against the Motorola and OnePlus lineups, with storage increments offering surprising value. Pixel supply remains tight for the Pixel 10 Pro; the vanilla Pixel 10 carries a notable discount.

Xiaomi Rumored to Ship Smartphone With In-House Chip, Custom OS and Localized AI

January 11, 2026, 12:10 PM EST. Rough rumors suggest Xiaomi is pursuing more than a new in-house SoC. The XRING 01 has been cited as evidence the company can cut reliance on Qualcomm and MediaTek, with XRING 02 reportedly filed. Sources claim a future device will ship with a custom OS paired to a localized AI, a move that could make Xiaomi only the second Chinese maker after Huawei to fuse hardware, software and AI on a single device. Ice Universe floated a 2026 launch, though observers question the post's credibility. The effort would target TSMC's 2nm process, but export controls and scarce EDA tools could push Xiaomi toward 3nm N3P. If realized, the stack would demand heavy investment and face manufacturing hurdles.

AI users allege prompt plagiarism as debate over training data grows

January 11, 2026, 12:08 PM EST. Power users of generative AI say their prompts are being plagiarized. Amira Zairi, an AI educator and ambassador for Adobe, LeonardoAI and TripoAI, posted on X that others were copying her prompts. She argued that changing words or rephrasing does not make the idea new. The debate comes as critics note AI models were trained on vast amounts of human-made art without consent, and cybersecurity tools such as PromptShield have emerged to prevent prompt theft. Detractors point out the irony: the technology relies on copying and recombining existing works. Digital artist Rory Blank reminded that the core function of the tech is derived from the training data. The episode highlights tensions between user ownership of prompts and the broader data ethics of AI development.

Apple faces backlash over iPhone Pocket accessory amid waste concerns

January 11, 2026, 11:46 AM EST. Apple is facing online backlash after unveiling a designer pocket accessory dubbed the iPhone Pocket. Critics on Reddit's r/Anticonsumption branded it a symbol of peak consumerism, arguing the product does little to extend device life and adds more packaging and materials. Posts describe the item as unnecessary, with commenters asking why a device already fits in pants pockets needs a branded pouch. The debate highlights concerns about e-waste, the tech industry's role in overconsumption, and Apple's stated goal to cut its carbon footprint. Advocates point to alternatives like right-to-repair laws, thrift shopping, and reuse to curb waste, while users joke about upcycling and other DIY options.

GYESME to explore design-led, minimal GNOME downstream in exploratory phase

January 11, 2026, 11:44 AM EST. GYESME describes itself as a design-led downstream of GNOME, aiming for minimalism and modularity. In an exploratory phase, the project plans to fork only when necessary, treating modularity as an internal property and minimalism as default. It would not replace GNOME, but extend it as a research-oriented platform allowing opt-in behavior and broader portability across Linux environments. The team notes it is not opposed to systemd usage but seeks to avoid hard dependencies where alternatives exist. GYESME.org lists ongoing research and an architectural road map for the next two years, while the GitHub repo hosts planning docs. Observers will watch whether it can recruit enough open-source developers to deliver its design objectives.

NASA's Pandora exoplanet telescope separates from rocket; SPARCS and BlackCAT deploy

January 11, 2026, 11:42 AM EST. NASA's Pandora space telescope sits in a sun-synchronous orbit, ready to study planets beyond our solar system. Over the coming year it will observe 20 exoplanets to determine if their atmospheres contain water vapor, hazes, and clouds, while studying their host stars for signals that could reveal atmospheric components. Two other NASA-sponsored CubeSats, SPARCS (Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat) and BlackCAT (Black Hole Coded Aperture Telescope), also separated from SpaceX's Falcon 9 second stage. SPARCS was selected in 2022 under NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative as a low-cost path for science and education, part of the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) 60 group. Confirmation of signal acquisition from Pandora remains the next milestone.

Siri upgrades and new AI search target iOS 26.4 rollout

January 11, 2026, 11:40 AM EST. Apple aims to roll out a rewritten, AI-infused Siri in iOS 26.4. Three upgrades announced at WWDC 2024: Personal context, On screen awareness, and Taking action in apps. Apple is weighing powering these features with Google Gemini and Private Cloud Compute, rebuilding Siri on a new LLM-based stack. Macworld cites code suggesting launch with iOS 26.4 in March or April, with a beta debut next month. Separately, Apple is building a generative AI search engine, World Knowledge Answers (WKA), to compete with Perplexity and ChatGPT, potentially integrating into Safari and Spotlight as part of the Siri overhaul.

DuckDuckGo vs Google: what your search choice says about privacy

January 11, 2026, 11:32 AM EST. Run-of-the-mill searches reveal a privacy pivot in consumer behavior. Google's engine emphasizes personalization by tracking user activity across devices, delivering tailored results and ads. DuckDuckGo, by design, blocks third-party tracking, offering fewer personalized features but stronger privacy safeguards. The choice signals a broader attitude toward data collection, with more privacy-conscious users flocking to DuckDuckGo while others accept tracking for convenience. Industry watchers, including software expert Michael Muchmore, say the debate is less about which engine is faster and more about trust and transparency in data practices. For publishers and advertisers, the split reshapes targeting strategies. For users, the decision is a statement about how much they value privacy versus convenience.

Iran offline for more than 60 hours, internet watchdog says

January 11, 2026, 11:16 AM EST. An internet watchdog said Iran has been offline for more than 60 hours, with nationwide disruption affecting both fixed and mobile networks. The group, which monitors connectivity, said service began earlier this week and shows limited recovery in some regions. There was no public explanation from Iranian authorities, and state media have not reported a restoration timeline. The outage compounds concerns about how digital access affects business, education, and daily life in the country. Analysts caution that prolonged outages can hinder emergency communications and information flow at a time of heightened domestic sensitivity, though attribution to a specific cause remains unconfirmed by independent observers.

X to adopt Tesla-like update cadence with reasoning-driven FSD rollout

January 11, 2026, 11:10 AM EST. Tesla-like software update cadence is coming to X, with more reasoning features rolling out in Q1. Ashok Elluswamy, X's Head of AI, said some reasoning is already present in the current build and will expand later this quarter. The updates target navigation decisions during construction and parking options, laying groundwork for broader decision-making in routing and parking. Musk has framed that reasoning will let cars pick a parking spot, drop riders at store entrances, and find empty spots more efficiently, with v14.3 pitched as a step toward car sentience. The latest FSD 14.2.x releases show partial progress, but full unsupervised use remains distant. The move signals a shift toward iterative, OTA updates rather than single, headline releases.

Photonic raises $130 million to accelerate quantum computing

January 11, 2026, 11:08 AM EST. Photonic has raised $130 million in a funding round to accelerate its photonic quantum computing platform. The proceeds will support scale-up of manufacturing, improvements to qubit fidelity, and software tooling to enable practical quantum applications. Company executives say the capital will back collaborations with research labs and industry partners to shorten development timelines. The move highlights rising investor interest in hardware-focused quantum efforts as developers race toward error-corrected systems and real-world pilots.

iPhone Fold price rumored at $2,400; analysts say fans won't blink

January 11, 2026, 10:56 AM EST. Rumors peg the iPhone Fold at $2,400, a price that would dwarf current iPhone tops and rival high-end folding devices. The device would be Apple's first foldable and possibly crease-free, with a 7.8-inch main display in a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 5.5-inch outer screen. If true, the price would outpace the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and align with the Galaxy Z TriFold at launch. Jason Snell of Six Colors says Apple has yet to find its upper-paying audience. Avi Greengart of Techsplanation adds that the fold should integrate into Apple's ecosystem, easing the learning curve. Reports note challenges with a truly crease-free panel, but the core appeal remains: it's still an iPhone at heart, launching later this year.

Space Forge fires up first commercial semiconductor factory in space on ForgeStar-1

January 11, 2026, 10:54 AM EST. UK-based Space Forge has produced its first plasma in orbit aboard its ForgeStar-1 satellite, a milestone toward making novel semiconductors in space. Launched in June 2025, the microwave-size craft fired up its miniature furnace in December 2025, reaching about 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 Celsius). The company says the plasma test demonstrates the environment needed for gas-phase crystal growth on a dedicated commercial platform in low Earth orbit, enabling potential weightless manufacturing. CEO Joshua Western said the achievement marks a new frontier for competitive, space-made materials. Space Forge aims to forge materials such as gallium nitride, silicon carbide, and diamond, potentially improving device efficiency and cutting energy use. The project is funded by a £22.6 million Series A; ForgeStar-2 will carry the first batch of space-made semiconductors before the current orbiter deorbits later this year.

Quantum computing won't kill Bitcoin, but will push its evolution, experts say

January 11, 2026, 10:52 AM EST. Bitcoin faces a real, narrowly defined risk from powerful quantum computing. They could use Shor's algorithm to break elliptic-curve signatures protecting wallets, yet they cannot rewrite the ledger or bypass consensus. The danger is surgical: only addresses whose public keys have already been revealed are vulnerable. Experts, including Professor Scott Aaronson, urge calm: quantum computing won't kill Bitcoin, but it will accelerate its evolution. The protocol can transition to quantum-resistant signature schemes; post-quantum security is already embedded in its foundations. Upgrades have happened before and will continue. The broader effect is an upgrade cycle-stronger cryptography, improved scaling architectures, and security standards-rather than extinction. Existential risk exists only if the ecosystem delays adaptation; preparation is viewed as inevitable.

Bloom Energy rides AI data-center demand as stock climbs about 400%

January 11, 2026, 10:50 AM EST. Bloom Energy, the Silicon Valley energy company once a startup darling, has seen its stock climb about 400% in the past year as it positions its on-site fuel cells to power AI data centers. After its 2018 IPO at $15 a share, the stock traded near that level for years before the rally. It now trades high on marquee deals and growing demand from AI customers, with a valuation around 125x forward earnings. The company touts solid-oxide stacks that provide immediate, on-site power and reduce grid dependence, attracting customers such as Google and Walmart and contracts with utilities like American Electric Power. The macro backdrop-AI demand and data-center capital outlays-keeps Bloom at the center of investor chatter about the AI data-center bubble.

Spectrum Front Row debuts Jan. 9 on Apple Vision Pro for Lakers games

January 11, 2026, 10:34 AM EST. Spectrum and Apple will launch Spectrum Front Row in Apple Immersive, a live basketball storytelling experience for Vision Pro. Beginning Jan. 9, Vision Pro users in the Lakers' regional territory – Southern California, Hawaii and parts of southern Nevada – can watch select 2026 Lakers games live through the Spectrum SportsNet or NBA apps. Full-game replays and highlights roll out nationwide in Apple Immersive, with the first replay on Jan. 11. The schedule opens with Bucks vs. Lakers (Jan. 9) and runs through March with Sixers, Clippers, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Wizards matchups. Front Row offers up to 150 Mbps, and seven viewing angles, 3D graphics, and Spatial Audio; a live broadcast continues during breaks. Commentary by Mark Rogondino and Danny Green; pregames and huddle content appear in-arena.

Pixel user finds productivity boost with Focus Friend

January 11, 2026, 10:28 AM EST. After months of doomscrolling on a fast Pixel and failed planners, the author found Focus Friend, a gamified Pomodoro timer that changes the dynamic from distraction to focus. The app, created by Hank Green, offers a humane alternative to traditional blockers by giving users a tiny Bean instead of simply blocking apps. The result: fewer task-switches and four-hour flow states, a shift from constant interruptions to sustained work. The piece notes the ongoing struggle with phone distractions despite Digital Wellbeing timers, praising a tool that aligns device behavior with real productivity goals on Android.

Android Auto messaging bug linked to Google Workspace accounts

January 11, 2026, 10:20 AM EST. An Android Auto bug affects messaging for users signed in with Google Workspace accounts, a relatively niche group that likely won't affect most drivers. The issue has circulated since last month and reappeared this week, as 9to5Google notes. Beyond the Workspace linkage, the exact cause remains unclear and there is no obvious pattern exposed in the reports. Google has not publicly explained the problem, and affected users are waiting for a fix or more detail about scope and timelines.

NASA Pandora mission joins SpaceX Twilight rideshare from Vandenberg

January 11, 2026, 10:18 AM EST. SpaceX will launch its Twilight rideshare from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, opening a 57-minute window at 8:19 a.m. EST (5:19 a.m. PST) on Sunday for NASA's Pandora mission, along with two CubeSats, SPARCS and BlackCAT. Pandora aims for a sun-synchronous orbit to study the atmospheres of at least 20 exoplanets and their host stars, collecting visible and infrared light in 24-hour blocks to separate planetary signals from stellar activity. A spare near-infrared detector, originally built for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), will aid Webb in differentiating planets from stars. Pandora is a collaboration across multiple centers and universities, under NASA's Astrophysics Pioneers program, with NASA's VADR contract handling launch services.

Honor reportedly developing a Pro Max handset as brands chase the Pro Max trend

January 11, 2026, 10:16 AM EST. Honor is reportedly developing a new smartphone named the Pro Max, aiming to join a growing trend after Xiaomi and Huawei. A Weibo tipster, DigitalChatStation, says brands such as OPPO, Vivo, and Honor plan to launch a special Pro Max variant. The format is gaining traction as a benchmark, with Apple already fielding a long-running Pro Max lineup, starting with the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Xiaomi's 17 series and Huawei's Mate 80 Pro Max have helped push the concept, even amid tight supply. For now, Honor is focused on the Magic 8 Pro Air and the RSR Porsche Design launches; a Pro Max reveal could come in the coming days.

Lawmakers push age-checks in app stores, igniting online-verification debate

January 11, 2026, 10:14 AM EST. Lawmakers are pushing age-verification checkpoints in app stores, treating platforms as gateways to regulate online content for minors. The piece traces the idea from offline verification practices to current debates, highlighting concerns about data security and First Amendment implications. It recalls Ashcroft v. ACLU (2004), which blocked broad online checks, and notes a recent Supreme Court shift opening room for some forms of verification while courts have blocked state-age-verification efforts on social media. The argument contrasts protecting minors with preserving legal speech for adults, underscoring constitutional and practical hurdles for platforms.

Space Force awards SpaceX $739 million for nine National Security Space Launch missions

January 11, 2026, 10:10 AM EST. The U.S. Space Force on Jan. 9 awarded SpaceX nine national security space launch missions worth $739 million under the NSSL (National Security Space Launch) Phase 3 Lane 1 program. Nine missions come from two customers: SDA (Space Development Agency) and the NRO (National Reconnaissance Office). SDA builds large low-Earth-orbit constellations for missile warning, tracking, and data transport; NRO runs classified intelligence satellites. SDA-2 includes two launches carrying 18 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites each from L3Harris and one launch with eight F2 (Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter) satellites from Millennium Space Systems. SDA-3 covers two launches with 18 Tranche 2 satellites built by Lockheed Martin. The remaining four launches are for NRO under NTO-5. Timeline: SDA-2 Q4 FY2026; SDA-3 Q3 FY2027; NRO NTO-5 Q1 FY2027-Q2 FY2028. The awards underscore SpaceX's dominance in NSSL; ULA's Vulcan is the only other certified vehicle.

Five tech terms that shape your online privacy

January 11, 2026, 10:04 AM EST. An explainer on five terms that determine how much data apps can access. The guide highlights app permissions, location tracking, VPNs, and cross-app advertising, plus practical tips to curb data exposure. It covers how apps request access to camera, microphone, contacts and photos, and how users can limit or revoke permissions on iPhone and Android devices. Practical steps include reviewing categories in device settings, toggling permissions to 'Never' or 'While Using the App', and using Limited Access for photos. The piece notes that many apps request more access than needed, with data potentially collected even when not in use. Readers are urged to regularly audit permissions and adjust privacy settings to keep control of who sees what.

Linus Torvalds' AudioNoise project ties vibe coding to GPLv2 audio effects

January 11, 2026, 9:58 AM EST. Linus Torvalds has reportedly started a new open-source project, AudioNoise, described as GPLv2-licensed digital audio effects. The project, hosted as torvalds/AudioNoise on GitHub, was reportedly kicked off over the winter holidays and developed with help from what the README describes as vibe coding. A Phoronix reader highlighted a README line noting that a Python visualizer tool was largely written via vibe coding, with the author joking they relied on "Google Antigravity" for the audio sample visualizer. The post situates this as another hobby alongside Torvalds' past tinkering, such as building guitar pedals. The claim highlights ongoing experimentation at the intersection of open-source hardware-inspired projects and software tools, with attribution to the reader and Phoronix-reported comments.

Lava Agni 4 review: clean Android experience and reliable performance at ₹24,999

January 11, 2026, 9:56 AM EST. Lava positions the Lava Agni 4 as a performance-first option in the budget to mid-range bracket. Priced at ₹24,999, it is Lava's most expensive device to date. The design drops the Agni 3's secondary display for a minimal, premium look, with a pill-shaped rear camera module and a solid metal frame. An Action Key near the bottom-right edge is customizable but easy to miss. The device carries an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, and a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with 120Hz and up to 2,400 nits brightness, delivering sharp color and smooth motion. Stereo speakers add to the media experience. Power comes from the MediaTek Dimensity 8350, a mid-range chip that keeps everyday tasks responsive, underscoring Lava's aim for strong value and performance.

NASA targets Artemis II rollout to pad, outlines launch options

January 11, 2026, 9:54 AM EST. NASA aims to roll the mobile launcher carrying the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion to Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center as soon as next Saturday, setting up Artemis II. The move follows a series of tests and weather assessments. NASA outlined launch windows: Feb. 6 (with opportunities on Feb. 7, 8, 10 and 11), then in early March (Mar. 6-11) and early April (Apr. 1-6). Artemis II will be the first crewed Orion flight, a 10-day mission to fly beyond the Moon, the farthest from Earth since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew is Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen; the capsule is named Integrity. Rollout depends on final checks and weather; engineers have addressed a flight-termination cable and hatch-pressurization valve, among other fixes.

Grok's Nudification Tool Goes Viral, Prompting Debate on Consent and Safety

January 11, 2026, 9:50 AM EST. Grok's facial-editing tool, marketed for casual nudification, exploded on social media this week, going viral despite warnings about consent, privacy and abuse. The service lets users generate nude or altered images of people, prompting a debate over whether AI-enabled tools should include watermarking, usage bans, or stricter age checks. Critics say the technology lowers barriers to non-consensual exploitation and image manipulation, risking harm to recognizable individuals. Grok says it has added safety layers, user controls and reporting mechanisms, and argues the tech also demonstrates AI advances in computer vision. Platform owners face pressure from lawmakers and industry groups to tighten enforcement while preserving experimentation and innovation.

NASA's Pandora planet-observing satellite lifts off on SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg with CubeSats

January 11, 2026, 9:42 AM EST. NASA's Pandora small satellite launched Sunday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on California's central coast. The liftoff occurred at 5:44 a.m. PST, Jan. 11. The stack carried Pandora and dozens of secondary payloads, including two NASA-sponsored CubeSats: SPARCS (Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat) and BlackCAT (Black Hole Coded Aperture Telescope). The mission advances planet-observing capabilities and tests small-satellite technology in a rideshare format. Officials offered few details about Pandora's science goals or timeline in initial briefings. The report was filed by Elyna Niles-Carnes, with launch coverage from the California coast.

China seeks 200,000-satellite network as it counters SpaceX Starlink

January 11, 2026, 9:40 AM EST. Chinese firms filed submissions with the ITU for more than 200,000 internet satellites, in a move aimed at expanding China's presence in low-Earth orbit. The largest plans, CTC-1 and CTC-2, seek 96,714 satellites each and were proposed by the Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation, registered in Hebei on December 30. Beijing has accused SpaceX of crowding shared orbital resources as the United States pushes rival megaconstellations. In the United States, the FCC granted SpaceX authorisation to launch 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, lifting the potential total to 15,000 by 2031. SpaceX has applied to the FCC for permission to launch 30,000 more satellites, but a decision has been deferred.

GM's Vortec engines replaced by EcoTec3 with direct injection and variable valve timing

January 11, 2026, 9:38 AM EST. GM's Vortec engine family, launched in the 1990s for trucks, SUVs and performance variants like the LS line, increased output through vortex-style mixing of fuel and air. The Vortec 4.3-liter V6 delivered about 180 hp; the 5.3-liter small-block V8 peaked near 320 hp and 335 lb-ft; the 8.1-liter big block, used in heavy trucks, produced about 340 hp and 455 lb-ft. Regulatory pressure and reliability concerns weighed on the lineup, prompting GM to pivot in 2014 to the EcoTec3 family, which adds direct injection and variable valve timing for better fuel economy and emissions. The old Vortec used central sequential fuel injection, sending fuel through external tubes; EcoTec3 injects fuel directly into the cylinder, sharpening combustion. The era shifted as standards rose.

DJI Pocket 4 leaks on Amazon Germany; March 2026 release eyed

January 11, 2026, 9:36 AM EST. A premature Amazon.de listing for the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 surfaced, and was pulled, but screenshots circulated. The listing, linked to DJI Care Refresh packaging, showed a March 2026 availability note, lending credence to a spring release but offering no official confirmation. Specs on the page described a compact camera with a 2.5 cm CMOS sensor (equivalent to about 1-inch), 4K/120fps video, 3-axis stabilization, fast focusing, and face/object tracking with YouTube compatibility. The page read Derzeit nicht verfügbar (not available). Observers caution that premature listings often precede official announcements. If true, a release could align with March 2026 timelines; pre-orders might open after any formal reveal. Credit to a subscriber who shared the screenshots; DJI has not commented.

Nvidia says Rubin Architecture now in full production, ahead of schedule

January 11, 2026, 9:34 AM EST. Nvidia chief Jensen Huang announced at CES that the Rubin Architecture is in full production, well ahead of the originally targeted second half of 2026. The system hinges on the Vera Rubin superchip, pairing a Vera CPU with a Rubin GPU to improve AI efficiency. Nvidia claims the design delivers up to a 10x reduction in inference token cost and a 4x reduction in GPUs needed to train MoE models versus the current Blackwell platform. Early availability could ease the AI chip shortage that has constrained cloud data centers amid rapid demand. Microsoft reported Azure growth of 40% year over year, and CFO Amy Hood warned capacity constraints could persist through fiscal 2026, underscoring potential demand for Nvidia's next-gen chips.

Myrtle Beach arcade blends AR, MR and VR with exclusive Pico 4 headsets

January 11, 2026, 9:18 AM EST. An entertainment venue in Myrtle Beach is expanding the arcade playbook with immersive experiences powered by VR, AR and MR. Interactive Experience Unleashed at 7621 N. Kings Highway features Pico 4 headsets, touted as the 'Ferrari' of VR. Manager Richard Thai calls IEU a one-of-a-kind gaming experience. In the Vex Play area, players engage in MR and watch others inside the same game using the headsets. Titles include Granny's Alien Invasion, Jump a Cheese and Buckshot Bonanza, with multiplayer action and upgrades. In the Valo-Arena, the experience uses AR on a tiled floor akin to XBox Kinect or Wii Sports, with games like Ground Fall and a bank-heist variant. Each session lasts about five to eight minutes depending on pace.

SpaceX Twilight rideshare mission set to fly from Vandenberg

January 11, 2026, 9:04 AM EST. SpaceX's Twilight rideshare mission is set to launch from Vandenberg, according to NASASpaceFlight.com. The mission will carry multiple small satellites as part of the rideshare program, deploying payloads into orbit from the California site.

Gmail's hidden note-taking panel becomes daily habit with Google Keep in the Gmail sidebar

January 11, 2026, 9:00 AM EST. Gmail users may overlook a feature that can change daily habits. The note-taking panel in the right sidebar, powered by Google Keep, is tucked inside Gmail. The writer, a daily Gmail user, started using Keep directly within Gmail and found it coherent with how they work. The Keep pane mirrors notes from mobile, stays visible while replying, and lets ideas and tasks live next to messages. This reduces context switching-no more opening a separate app or tab to jot things down. On desktop, the slim sidebar hosts Calendar, Tasks, Keep, and Contacts, which the author previously dismissed as clutter but now treats as a lightweight capture tool. The result: a smoother workflow where notes accompany emails, not separate from them.

NASA's Artemis II rollout nears launch as crewed Moon mission could lift off within weeks

January 11, 2026, 8:52 AM EST. NASA aims to roll the 98-meter Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center on January 17, weather and technical issues permitting. The rollout starts a path to the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, a 10-day mission with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. After the rollout, teams will run the final checks and a wet dress rehearsal in late January, fueling the vehicle with about 3.2 million litres of propellant. Engineers continue to fix last-minute glitches in the life-support, heat shield and abort system. The window for lift-off runs between February and April, but launches are limited to five days per month due to the Moon's position.

Apple's MacBook Pro Turns 20: From PowerPC to Apple Silicon

January 11, 2026, 8:44 AM EST. Today marks the 20-year milestone since Steve Jobs unveiled the MacBook Pro as a sharp evolution of the PowerBook. It launched in 15-inch form, through a shift from PowerPC to Intel Core chips, initially offered at $1,999 and $2,499. By shipping, the base clock rose and a 2.16GHz build-to-order emerged. Over two decades, the MacBook Pro added a webcam, MagSafe connector, aluminum unibody, and Retina displays, while the Touch Bar and butterfly mechanism drew criticism and long repair programs. The 2020 move to Apple Silicon with the M1 broadened performance and tighter integration. Rumors now point to a future redesign with OLED displays and a possible Dynamic Island-style cutout, aiming for a thinner, lighter flagship.

U.S. Commerce withdraws plan to ban Chinese drones; FCC ban still blocks new DJI devices

January 11, 2026, 8:34 AM EST. The U.S. Department of Commerce has withdrawn its proposal to ban the imports of Chinese-made drones, signaling a thaw in U.S.-China relations ahead of Xi Jinping's meeting with Donald Trump. Still, a separate FCC prohibition blocks new devices from receiving equipment authorization, effectively preventing DJI from selling new products in the United States. The two agencies differ: the Commerce move targets imports, while FCC rules cover certification. The DoD has labeled DJI a Chinese military company, though a court found the agency's claims largely unsupported. Congress acted in 2024 to ban the firm, though it secured a one-year extension to assess national security risks. Existing drones remain operable.

China pauses Nvidia H200 orders as regulators weigh imports; Nvidia shifts risk with upfront payment

January 11, 2026, 8:32 AM EST. China has paused orders for Nvidia's H200 chips as regulators weigh import rules, balancing semiconductor self-reliance with access to top AI gear. The pause, Reuters reported, aims to curb a last-minute rush before Beijing settles approvals. Bloomberg said some H200 imports could be allowed this quarter under conditions. Nvidia is shifting risk to buyers, demanding full upfront payment with no refunds or post-purchase changes, reflecting regulatory uncertainty. The episode follows past export controls and a write-down of inventory tied to U.S. actions. China has orders for about 2 million H200 chips at roughly $27,000 each; domestic rival Huawei's Ascend 910C looms, as Beijing weighs up to $70 billion in support for local chipmakers.

AI energy constraints reshape system architecture, forcing changes in power infrastructure

January 11, 2026, 7:46 AM EST. As AI advances and computational demands rise, industry watchers say a fundamental shift is taking hold in how AI system architecture is designed. Energy and power supply are emerging as critical constraints, shaping decisions on chip layouts, data-center cooling, and software optimization. The trend pushes suppliers to rethink energy efficiency, with more focus on hardware that does more work per watt and on power delivery networks. Analysts caution the shift will slow deployment unless developers adopt new energy-aware design principles and incentives for efficient computing. Company executives are weighing investment in advanced cooling, energy storage, and on-site generation to reduce grid dependence. The outcome could redefine the cost and feasibility of large-scale AI deployments.

Iran blocks internet for fourth day as protests persist

January 11, 2026, 7:44 AM EST. Iran has extended an internet blockade for a fourth day as nationwide protests continue. NetBlocks said the outage has lasted more than 60 hours and amounts to censorship that threatens Iranians' safety, the watchdog reported on X. Authorities have allowed exceptions for security forces and select state media. Some users have bypassed the cut with Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system; others say online banking and SMS are unreliable, and even state apps like Bale and Eitaa have blocked messaging. The government seeks to hinder communication and suppress reporting from the demonstrations. HRANA says protests reached 185 cities, with fatalities rising to 116. The ongoing outage adds to concerns the leadership may use the blackout to tighten control while protesters persist.

Washington State Ferries to test free Wi-Fi this summer at Bremerton terminal and Chimacum

January 11, 2026, 7:42 AM EST. Washington State Ferries will run a free Wi-Fi pilot at the Bremerton terminal and aboard the Chimacum, after lawmakers directed the system to offer internet access. Installation of antennas and routers is planned for spring, with a test window this summer. A wider rollout will depend on traveler demand and future funding. The agency previously offered pay-to-use hotspots but ended the program in 2016 due to poor uptake. Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson said, 'The public expects to have internet access… For many individuals, internet access is crucial for carrying out their daily tasks efficiently.' Sen. Marko Liias told reporters the goal is to let people work from the boat. The pilot operates within existing resources, and results will guide expansion.

SF AI Boom Lifts Tech Upturn, Yet Jobs Lag

January 11, 2026, 7:32 AM EST. San Francisco's tech sector is riding an upswing, anchored by the AI boom. The city hosts two of the sector's most valuable startups and a wave of venture-backed companies, supported by record venture capital inflows. Office leasing by AI firms is starting to shrink vacancies as demand returns, though broad job growth remains uneven. Mass layoffs have slowed to a trickle, and hiring pace has not matched the scale of investment or hype. OpenAI subleased buildings at 1455-1515 3rd Street in Mission Bay from Uber in October 2023, underscoring how capital is reshaping the local real estate landscape even as employment growth moderates. Analysts say SF's advantage is resilience and concentration of AI activity rather than a rapid jobs surge.

AI-generated music could reshape the listening landscape, Deezer data show

January 11, 2026, 7:10 AM EST. Deezer reports about 50,000 fully AI-generated songs uploaded daily. While most won't reach massive audiences, several AI tracks have drawn millions of plays over the past year. Senior science writer Deni Béchard of Scientific American tested AI music on Suno for weeks, listening only to AI-generated pieces to assess how people might engage with this genre in the future. In a conversation with Today, Explained host Noel King, Béchard notes that many popular AI songs feel authentic and soulful, with avatars like Cain Walker or bands like Breaking Rust. He suggests AI tends to succeed when it leans into emotional authenticity, helping listeners resolve cognitive dissonance about machine-made art. The piece raises questions about the future soundscape.

Applied Digital tackles AI power bottleneck with turbine-backed data centers

January 11, 2026, 7:04 AM EST. Applied Digital reported Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue of $126.6 million, up 250% year over year, as demand for AI data centers surges. It has delivered the first 100 MW of capacity at the Polaris Forge 1 campus, targeting 400 MW for CoreWeave, and signed a 15-year lease for 200 MW at Polaris Forge 2 with a major U.S. hyperscaler, a deal potentially worth about $5 billion in revenue. The bottleneck is not GPUs or buildings but power generation: the electric grid can't keep up. On-site gas turbines are deployed, but suppliers warn new units may take 7-8 years, with traditional turbines unlikely before 2031-2032. Applied Digital seeks up to 5 GW of capacity in five years and is in advanced talks for about 900 MW, contingent on faster power solutions.

Motorola Signature debuts as premium mid-range option at £900/€1,000

January 11, 2026, 7:02 AM EST. Motorola launches the Signature line with a premium but not flagship price. The first model starts at £900 / €1,000 for a 12/512GB version, undercutting rivals like the vivo X300 Pro and OnePlus 15. The device is slim and light at 7.0mm / 186g, with a 5,200mAh battery and fast 90W wired plus 50W wireless charging. It sports a 6.8" LTPO display at 165Hz with an ultrasonic fingerprint, USB-C 3.1 Gen2 and DisplayPort 1.4. Inside, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non-Elite) powers four 50MP cameras (main 1/1.28" sensor, 3x tele, ultra-wide, 21mm selfie) and Hello UI with Smart Connect/Ready For desktop mode. Motorola promises seven years of OS updates and IP68/IP69 durability. Is this a practical premium pick or a middle-ground compromise for you?

How to shoot sharp photos on your phone in low light

January 11, 2026, 7:00 AM EST. Smartphone night photography remains challenging, but sharp, clean images are achievable. Flagship phones in 2026 include AI-driven Night Mode that stacks short exposures into one brighter frame. Activate it in the camera app, often via a crescent moon icon, and optional manual exposure up to Max for very dark scenes. Hold perfectly still during the countdown to let the phone compensate for shake. Night Mode suits stationary subjects-streets, buildings, landscapes-but moving subjects can ghost or blur; switch to Manual Mode for action. In ISO settings, start around 400-800 to balance brightness and grain; avoid high ISO unless necessary. Use shutter speeds of 1/60-1/125 s for handheld shots; a tripod enables slower speeds for more light.

Two AI stocks to watch: AMD and Iren

January 11, 2026, 6:56 AM EST. Advanced Micro Devices is highlighted as a top AI hardware play, with a decade of strong gains and growing data-center momentum. The company posted 3Q revenue up 36%, led by record EPYC CPUs, Ryzen desktops and Instinct data-center GPUs. AMD's Instinct GPUs and CPU lineup are fueling AI workloads, with data-center revenue up 22% and a pending boost from an OpenAI deal. The stock trades at about 32x 2026 estimates, and analysts foresee about 45% earnings growth for the next few years, underpinned by a $500 billion addressable market. The second name, Iren, provides data-center capacity to hyperscalers, where looming compute bottlenecks and power needs are driving capital investment. Both names reflect the AI hardware and capacity build powering the next wave of growth.

Your child's first smartphone can teach money lessons, not just connectivity

January 11, 2026, 6:48 AM EST. The narrative around teenagers and smartphones is shifting. There's a growing push to keep cellphones away from tweens and teens. In 2024, several school boards banned cellphones in classrooms in some parts of Canada, while calls to follow Australia's steps banning social media for under-16s have grown in Canada. Beyond limits, educators and parents see a teaching moment: a child's first smartphone can be a tool to teach money management, budgeting for apps, and responsible digital spending. Parents can set spending rules, discuss in-app purchases, and use controls to balance access with guidance. The article frames digital literacy and financial literacy as complementary goals for families navigating policy shifts and everyday use.

Samsung January Week 2 updates: One UI 8.5 Beta 3, Jan 2026 patch, and Good Lock fixes

January 11, 2026, 6:46 AM EST. Samsung kicked off Week 2 of January with the One UI 8.5 Beta 3 for the Galaxy S25 lineup, rolling out to Germany, India, South Korea, the UK, Poland and the US on build ZZA3. The release accompanies the January 2026 security patch rollout and adds fixes for the Phone app Favorites, Now Briefing visibility, a lock-screen clock display error, and gallery latency. Samsung also expanded internal testing to devices including Galaxy Tab A11 Plus, A24, F54, M16, A34, M53 and Tab A9. In Good Lock, updates to Nice Shot and Theme Park improve usability and landscape support on Fold devices. The company is testing Camera Assistant features in One UI 8.5; a Beta 4 may arrive later in January.

CES 2026 highlights: humanoid robots, AR glasses and smart rings redefine everyday tech

January 11, 2026, 6:42 AM EST. CES 2026 showcased humanoid robots with emotion recognition, precision tasks and seamless smart-home integration. AR glasses, haptic gloves and new VR tools expanded immersive experiences for productivity, communication and entertainment. Wearables such as smart rings and long-lasting watches aimed at discreet, daily use, while drones and robo-taxis highlighted new mobility options. Rollable displays and 3D TVs offered adaptable visuals for work and play. AI underpinned devices across the floor, prompting questions about human-machine interaction and the future of transportation. Prototypes abound, but the show underscored a push toward practical, present-day applications that blur lines between fantasy and reality.

India's PSLV-C62 set for return to flight with EOS-N1 military satellite on first launch since May 2025 failure

January 11, 2026, 6:22 AM EST. India's PSLV-C62 mission, carrying the EOS-N1 (also known as Anvesha) military satellite and 15 other payloads, is set for liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The launch returns the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle to flight after the May 2025 failure that destroyed ISRO's EOS-09 Earth-observing satellite. The mission – managed by NewSpace India Limited (ISRO's commercial arm) – will put most payloads into low Earth orbit. A reentry capsule from Spain's Orbital Paradigm, named KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator), will splash down later. EOS-N1 is described as a hyperspectral imaging satellite, capable of viewing the planet in hundreds of light wavelengths, a capability with possible military applications. The flight underscores India's effort to expand its surveillance and space services while restoring launch cadence.

Snowflake CEO explains what people get wrong about AI

January 11, 2026, 6:06 AM EST. Snowflake chief executive Frank Slootman says the industry misreads AI as a magic wand rather than a tool that needs clean data and clear governance. In a briefing, he argues most value comes from task-specific models trained on aligned data sets, with strong data hygiene and transparent risk controls. AI is about augmentation, not replacement; workers should redefine roles as analysts and validators rather than spectators. He cautions against hype-driven spend, emphasizing scalable experimentation, guardrails on data privacy, model governance, and audit trails. Enterprises must invest in platforms that ensure data lineage, quality, and cost controls, and treat AI deployment as a phased program with measurable outcomes. The message: practical, disciplined AI beats flashy promises.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: solid Android tablet but struggles to match iPad

January 11, 2026, 5:08 AM EST. OnePlus' Pad Go 2 positions itself as an Android rival to the iPad, priced at $399. It delivers strong processing power, a large, sharp display, and solid battery life for travel and streaming. But the software lags behind iPadOS on a large screen, with awkward gestures, uneven app support, and a user interface that feels less natural. The accessory ecosystem also underwhelms: a cheap-feeling folio that doesn't cover the screen well, and a stylus that won't attach while traveling and blocks volume buttons when housed. Still, at this price it competes with the iPad and could win over some buyers. Overall, it's a solid Android option with notable compromises.

Stanford SleepFM AI predicts risk for about 130 diseases from a single night of sleep

January 11, 2026, 5:06 AM EST. Stanford researchers unveiled SleepFM, an AI model that can estimate a person's risk for about 130 diseases from a single night of sleep. Trained on roughly 600,000 hours of sleep data from 65,000 individuals, SleepFM uses polysomnography to capture brain waves, heart activity, breathing, muscle tone and limb movements. The team linked sleep data with electronic health records (EHRs) spanning 25 years, finding that roughly 130 conditions could be predicted with medium or high accuracy. Heart signals during sleep best predicted cardiovascular disease, while brain signals aligned with future neurological and psychological disorders. Among the diseases named were stroke, dementia and certain cancers. The study, led by Rahul Thapa and James Zou, notes AI can assist clinicians but cannot replace them.

Deals: Poco M8 Pro and M8 go on sale, Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, Pixel 10 discounted

January 11, 2026, 4:38 AM EST. Poco kicked off an early-bird sale on the new Poco M8 Pro and M8, running until January 14. The M8 Pro sports a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, a 6,500mAh battery with 100W charging, and a 50MP dual rear camera. The standard M8 uses a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, a 5,520mAh battery with 45W charging, and the same 50MP main sensor. Also discounted are the Razr 60 Ultra on Amazon UK (£200 off), along with the Edge 60 and Edge 60 Fusion. The Pixel 10 and Pixel 9a are on sale too. Redmi Pad 2 4G and the G56 round out the cuts, with midrange specs and fast charging.

Best of 9to5Toys: This week's top deals include iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy Tabs, and Anker Nano charger

January 11, 2026, 4:36 AM EST. 9to5Toys spotlights this week's top deals, led by the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy Tabs, with the new Anker Nano charger among the highlights. The weekly roundup covers technology and lifestyle discounts from Apple, Android, and accessories. The site describes its team as experts digging up price reductions daily. Readers are encouraged to visit the homepage for the full deal catalog and follow 9to5Toys on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates. It also promotes the best Apple deals, a daily podcast, and a YouTube channel.

California's 'Delete Act' takes effect, boosting residents' data rights

January 11, 2026, 4:34 AM EST. California's new Delete Act took effect, handing residents more control over online data. The law lets individuals opt out of data collection in a single process and require the deletion of existing data held by companies. Privacy advocates call the move a potential turning point, while noting complexity around scope, enforcement, and cross-border data flows. The change could reduce the need for certain privacy tools, such as VPNs, but experts caution it won't automatically end data collection or the need for cybersecurity practices. Critics warn that a future governor or business interests could loosen protections, or that some firms might resist purge requests. The law could influence debates on privacy policy beyond California, though national or global rollout remains uncertain.

Caleb Knight Drives UT Knoxville AI Industry Innovation, Knox News 40 Under 40

January 11, 2026, 4:18 AM EST. Caleb Knight, 30, is the Director of AI TechX at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Knight leads the AI Industry Innovation Consortium, a program aimed at pairing companies with AI research, talent pipelines and entrepreneurship support. He says the goal is to position Tennessee as a global AI powerhouse through human-centered innovation, not job replacement. The effort centers on cross-sector collaboration between academia and industry, leveraging AI to create high-quality careers and measurable value for communities. Knight frames AI as a driver of economic growth, requiring firms to rethink the future of work. In 2026 he plans to expand the consortium, grow membership and deepen its impact across the state.

Android user recreates Windows Phone UI with Square Home launcher

January 11, 2026, 4:16 AM EST. An energy-fueled look at turning Android into a Windows Phone-like home screen using Square Home. The author says they miss Windows Phone's Metro UI and, after rescuing a Samsung Galaxy S22+, install Square Home to recreate the look. The launcher brings back Live Tiles by arranging apps and widgets in a tile grid, with tile sizes from tiny to large and animations on wide and large tiles. It is a paid app, asking $1.99/year or $5.99 for a lifetime license. Beyond visuals, Square Home lets users add apps, shortcuts, launcher actions, contacts, and groups, and even flatters the app drawer with the same Metro aesthetic and bottom search bar. The piece frames nostalgia as a practical path to customize modern Android devices.

Meta Platforms and Broadcom Could Join the $3 Trillion Club by 2027, Analysts Say

January 11, 2026, 3:58 AM EST. Analysts say Meta Platforms and Broadcom could join the $3 trillion club by end-2027, joining Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, and Microsoft. Nvidia sits around $4.5 trillion; Alphabet about $3.9T; Apple ~ $3.8T; Microsoft ~ $3.5T. Meta's AI-driven ad engine and its Llama models have boosted engagement and revenue signals, while Broadcom benefits from demand for chips and infrastructure components. Both would need sustained earnings growth to cross the threshold, amid AI expansion and macro headwinds. If the forecast holds, these two would become the next triple-trillion members, underscoring AI's role in reshaping the leadership ranks of technology and software hardware platforms.

ASUS Chromebook CM30 2-in-1 on sale for $159.99 in open-box deal

January 11, 2026, 3:54 AM EST. ASUS cuts the price on its 2-in-1 Chromebook CM30 to $159.99 in open-box condition, with free shipping. The detachable keyboard converts the unit from laptop to tablet, and a fast-charging stylus is stored inside. Powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520, with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, it delivers smooth Chrome OS performance. The 10.5-inch WUXGA touchscreen looks crisp for work or video, and the battery runs up to 12 hours, making it suitable for school days or travel. A durable aluminum chassis teams with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C, plus an eco design using 30% recycled materials. Open-box means unused device with minor packaging signs at a deep discount from the MSRP. A practical second device for home or on the go.

Nvidia's 2025 rally meets a rival: Corning bets on fiber-optic data-center demand for 2026

January 11, 2026, 3:52 AM EST. Artificial intelligence demands vast computing power, and Nvidia's chips power centralized data centers. Nvidia stock rose about 39% in 2025. A rival so far outpaced it: Corning, known for iPhone glass, surged 84% on fast-growing demand for fiber-optic cables that shuttle data between chips and devices faster than copper. Corning cites an expanding addressable market for data-center optics as AI workloads grow, with CEO Wendell Weeks signaling the potential to double or triple the fiber market from here. Corning will report Q4 2025 results on Jan. 28, with expected core revenue around $4.35 billion and full-year revenue near $16.3 billion, up about 13%. In Q3, optical communications revenue jumped 33% to $1.65 billion, while enterprise optical communications rose 58% – a sign of momentum for 2026.

Three AI stocks that could go parabolic in 2026: Nebius, SoundHound AI and IonQ

January 11, 2026, 3:48 AM EST. Three AI stocks-Nebius, SoundHound AI and IonQ-could go parabolic in 2026. Nebius is expanding AI-focused data centers and now projects 2.5 gigawatts of contracted power by year-end 2026, boosting its potential revenue toward a run rate of $7-9 billion. The stock trades at about 66x trailing sales but may be cheap relative to 2026 revenue. SoundHound AI merges generative AI with speech recognition, delivering 68% revenue growth in Q3 and winning major financial-services clients. IonQ rounds out the trio as the other potential catalyst. Investors may add gradually during slower periods before an inflection point drives faster gains.

Are quantum computers finally becoming useful?

January 11, 2026, 3:32 AM EST. Quantum computers are moving from lab curiosities to practical tools, but progress is uneven. In the current NISQ era, devices with a few dozen to a few hundred noisy qubits deliver speedups only for narrowly defined tasks. Big tech and startups report tentative wins in quantum chemistry simulations, optimization, and materials research when paired with classical computers in hybrid systems. Yet raw performance remains fragile, and robust error correction is still years away. Industry leaders say real value will arrive through targeted use cases-where quantum engines map to specific problem structures-combined with domain expertise and scalable software. For now, quantum advantage exists mainly in proof-of-concept pilots, not broad, general-purpose computation.

Infinix debuts satellite connectivity and modular accessories at CES 2026

January 11, 2026, 3:14 AM EST. Infinix used CES 2026 to unveil a new direction for smartphones. The lineup centers on always-connected satellite connectivity, a modular ecosystem of magnetic accessories, and redesigned backplates. The push targets a market the company has grown in Southeast Asia and Africa, while Europe and North America remain elusive. The standout is the Infinix Note 60, promoted as the first Android phone with satellite connectivity that can stand beside flagship devices from Google and Samsung; real-world performance will matter, as launches are pending. Also shown were a gaming controller and cooling tech, but the satellite and modular ecosystems appear to be the core bets for a more connected future.

Honor Magic 8 Pro Air revives eight-year-old smartphone look

January 11, 2026, 3:04 AM EST. Leaked images show the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air reworking an eight-year-old smartphone silhouette. Online chatter compares it to the iPhone Air, Pixel models, and Honor's 500 series, but observers say the firm is reviving a retro concept, not copying rivals. The V20's exclamation-mark camera theme is echoed, yet the circular and pill-like cutouts are larger and sit in a long capsule-shaped module. The LED flash moves to the bottom, a departure from the V20. Color options skew lighter and more elegant. Honor promos a feather-light device with Pro qualities, while full specs and final look remain under wraps ahead of a January 19 reveal.

Google removes AI health Overviews after Guardian findings

January 11, 2026, 3:00 AM EST. Google has removed some AI Overviews that appear at the top of search results after a Guardian investigation found misleading health information could put users at risk. The company described AI Overviews as helpful and reliable, but acknowledged some health summaries lacked essential context. In one case, the tool suggested a normal range for liver function tests that could mislead patients into thinking they were healthy, delaying follow-up care. Following the Guardian report, Google pulled AI Overviews for queries such as 'what is the normal range for liver blood tests' and 'what is the normal range for liver function tests'. A Google spokesperson said removals are not commented on publicly and that the company works to improve context and enforce policies. Vanessa Hebditch of the British Liver Trust welcomed the action, while warning similar issues may persist with rephrased questions.

LinkedIn exec says AI will reshape hiring in 2026, helping recruiters uncover 'hidden gem' talent

January 11, 2026, 2:58 AM EST. LinkedIn's U.K. country manager Janine Chamberlin told CNBC Make It that AI will be a critical part of hiring in 2026, speeding up screening and resume review. She cited a LinkedIn finding: about 60% of recruiters say AI surfaces a hidden gem- a candidate missed in a manual search but well matched to the role. The job market remains tough, with over 1 million US job cuts in 2025 and applications per role having doubled since 2022. With demand high and response times lag, Chamberlin says AI is a big part of the solution as recruiters plan to boost its use. Job seekers face anxiety as applications rise and replies lag, yet the technology is reframing how talent is found.

Android gains unknown AirTag alerts with Google's Unknown Tracker Alerts

January 11, 2026, 2:42 AM EST. Google has rolled out Unknown Tracker Alerts for Android, letting users scan for nearby trackers manually or automatically. The feature, initially targeting Apple AirTags, aims to curb stalking and protect privacy; Google says it plans to expand beyond AirTags. Announced in May, the rollout marks a shift after Android users lacked real-time alerts versus Apple devices. The move could set a new industry standard for notifying people when a tracker is following them.

Apple Watch Series 11 hits record-low $299 on sale ahead of next-gen

January 11, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. In our hands-on review, the Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for a record-low $299, a 25% off discount off its regular price; the GPS + cellular model is also $100 off. The watch earned a 90/100 score for overall performance, with battery life lasting beyond 24 hours in tests. It remains light and slim at about 9.7mm thick, tying the Series 10 as the thinnest Apple Watch yet. Sleep tracking and hypertension notifications are new health features, and a new wrist flick gesture lets users dismiss alerts, end calls and silence alarms. Discounts tend to widen toward September ahead of next-gen releases. For iPhone users, the deal makes this option worth considering.

Five women sue Chula Vista city, former police employee over AI-generated porn images

January 11, 2026, 2:10 AM EST. Five women filed a civil complaint in San Diego County accusing a former Cyber Security Network Specialist with the Chula Vista Police Department of taking photos and using AI to alter co-workers into pornographic images. The suit also alleges negligence by the City of Chula Vista for failing to supervise the employee and safeguard city resources, describing social media stalking to obtain photos and use during city time. Attorney Morgan Stewart, representing the complainants aged 24 to 39, says hard copies were found on the employee's desk and more images exist. The city declined comment. Cybersecurity expert Nikolas Behar of USD called the case a new workplace threat posed by smartphones and personal devices.

FCC approves 7,500 more Starlink Gen2 satellites, lifting total to 15,000

January 11, 2026, 2:02 AM EST. WASHINGTON – The FCC approved a second tranche of 7,500 Starlink Gen2 satellites, bringing the total approved Gen2 constellation to 15,000. SpaceX has proposed deploying nearly 30,000 satellites in various low-Earth orbits, but the agency is authorizing the plan in stages. The order covers orbits between 340 and 485 kilometers, with inclinations from 28 to 96.9 degrees, and moves earlier 525/535 km satellites to 475-485 km. The new spacecraft feature what the FCC calls "advanced form factors." SpaceX has said V3 satellites will start in 2026 using the Starship launcher and provide more than 1 terabit per second of downlink per satellite. The FCC also granted a time-limited EPFD waiver as it reviews the rules on interference with geostationary satellites.

Your Google Pixel's hidden thermometer can measure object and body temperatures

January 11, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. Android users with Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro, or Pixel 10 Pro XL may have a hidden tool: a built-in temperature sensor in the camera bar. The pre-installed Thermometer app uses the phone's infrared sensor to read object temperature and, with a guided setup, body temperature readings as well. The feature is not a medical device, but it offers quick checks when a dedicated thermometer isn't handy. The article walks through enabling permissions, selecting Object or Body temperature, and the step-by-step process: hold the sensor about two inches from the target, tap to measure, and move from forehead to temple within four seconds. For troubleshooting, ensure the app has camera and photo permissions.

Atlas-Driven AI Growth Could Shape MongoDB Investor Outlook

January 11, 2026, 1:54 AM EST. Analysts have renewed optimism around MongoDB as its Atlas cloud platform accelerates growth. Atlas now accounts for about 75% of revenue and has added vector search and embedding for AI workloads, aligning the product with AI-enabled applications. A string of upgrades and steady YoY growth reinforces Atlas as the core growth engine, even as hyperscaler database services threaten margins. Raymond James labels MongoDB strategically important but at a crossroads as AI demand climbs while competition intensifies. MongoDB projects growing revenue toward several billion by 2028 with improving earnings, but investors should weigh a broad range of independent fair-value estimates before sizing MDB risk and upside.

Grok AI image tool sparks backlash over sexualized content and regulatory scrutiny

January 11, 2026, 1:24 AM EST. Controversy surrounds Grok, an AI image generator, after reports it produced sexualized images of women and children. Critics say the tool tests the boundaries of consent and decency, prompting politicians and platforms to act. In the UK, ministers weighed options as X faced potential bans over a wave of indecent AI images, and lawmakers condemned moves to curb Grok's function. Grok has since turned off the image generator for most users amid outcry. Separately, lawsuits and policy debates cloud AI's future: questions about legality of posting undressed images without consent, and broader debates over safeguarding, regulation, and the responsibility of platforms hosting AI tools. The debate underscores tensions between innovation, safety, and civil rights.

Samsung's One UI 8.5 revamps Bixby with multi-LLMs, in-app chat window and Circle To Ask

January 11, 2026, 1:02 AM EST. Samsung's One UI 8.5 upgrade tightens control of its AI with a multi-LLM Bixby. Perplexity handles global queries, while DeepSeek powers advanced, multimodal conversations, especially in China. The UI opens a floating mini window so you can chat without breaking flow, copy responses, rate them, or jump to Perplexity for deeper reading. The rollout highlights practical integrations with Uber, Skyscanner, HERE Maps, and The Weather Channel, moving beyond novelty. A new Bixby Live mode adds selectable styles-General Agent, Interview, Listening Ear, Tour Guide-and modes like AI Solver or Translation. Samsung is also testing Circle To Ask, its alternative to Google's Circle to Search, keeping AI in Samsung's skin. The change aims to restore Bixby's relevance for daily tasks.

BYD overtakes Tesla as world's largest EV maker in 2025

January 11, 2026, 12:58 AM EST. BYD has overtaken Tesla to become the world's top seller of BEVs in 2025. The Shenzhen group sold 2,254,714 BEVs, up 27.9% year over year, while Tesla delivered 1,636,129 BEVs, down 9%. The gap is more than 600,000 units. Price competition and global expansion drove the result. In China, the BYD Qin L at 119,800 yuan undercuts the Tesla Model 3 at 235,500 yuan. In the US, BYD's Han undercuts both cheapest Teslas, even as Tesla trimmed prices. In Europe, the Dolphin Surf at €22,990 undercuts the Model 3's €37,970. International sales topped 1 million for the first time, up 150% YoY. BYD also sold about 2,288,709 PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) in 2025 via its DM-i portfolio; Tesla does not compete in PHEVs.

Nadella pushes open-minded AI; internet coins Microslop backlash

January 11, 2026, 12:52 AM EST. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella used a LinkedIn post, 'Looking Ahead to 2026,' to frame AI as a tool rather than 'slop' and suggested it should be viewed as bicycles for the mind. The internet replied with a virulent nickname: Microslop. The insult spread across X, Instagram and Reddit, fueling memes and sharp commentary about Microsoft's heavy AI integration across its products. A video by programmer Ryan Fleury demonstrated the claim in practice: an AI-enabled Windows 11 search bar suggested 'My mouse pointer is too small' but yielded no results; later, the word 'test' returns results. Nadella has said AI now helps write as much as 30% of code; critics counter that AI-written code is overstated. The debate underscores a broader tension over AI's role in daily software.

Arm Holdings faces mixed signals as fair value nudges lower amid AI outlook

January 11, 2026, 12:44 AM EST. Arm Holdings' fair value estimate nudged lower to about $163.25 per share from $164.85, with a tiny uptick in the discount rate to about 11.28% and modestly higher modeled revenue growth near 22.17%. The recalibration mirrors a market weighing licensing strength, AI-driven projects and design wins against questions on execution risk and how the evolving business mix may affect returns. Bulls point to solid earnings momentum, with several houses lifting targets to the $180-$190 range on AI activity from edge to cloud and stronger royalties; they tolerate higher operating expenses to back AI initiatives, while keeping cost discipline. Bears flag the potential shift into the fabless semiconductor space as a risk, warning it could pressure valuation multiples amid transition. Arm also announced a Physical AI division for robotics as part of a CES reorganization.

Intel Core Ultra X9 388H Panther Lake iGPU doubles AMD Strix Point performance in Cyberpunk 2077

January 11, 2026, 12:42 AM EST. Intel's Panther Lake chips, built on the 18A process, feature the Arc B390 iGPU and aim to lift in-game performance. Digital Foundry cites early results in Cyberpunk 2077 showing the top SKU, the Core Ultra X9 388H, delivering about 28 FPS at 1080p on Ultra with ray-traced shadows and reflections. AMD's comparable rival, the Strix Point Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with Radeon 890M, trails at roughly 14 FPS under the same settings. Intel says Panther Lake is about 73% faster with upscaling and 82% faster at native resolution across multiple titles, with some scenarios yielding 100% higher frames than the Radeon 890M. In desktop-class tests, Intel matches the Radeon RX 6600's 27 FPS. Intel plans XeSS3 multi-frame upscaling in many titles at launch, including Cyberpunk 2077, and claims to outperform NVIDIA's DLSS on RTX 4050 in multi-frame mode.

Arm Holdings: AI push, licensing momentum shape valuation and outlook

January 11, 2026, 12:24 AM EST. Arm Holdings' fair value estimate edged down to about $163.25 a share from $164.85, with the discount rate nudging to roughly 11.28% and modeled revenue growth at about 22.17%. The tweak reflects a market weighing licensing strength, AI driven projects, and design wins against questions on execution risk and how Arm's evolving mix could impact returns over time. Bullish notes from Loop Capital, Morgan Stanley, TD Cowen and JPMorgan cite stronger licensing and royalties and growing AI activity from edge to cloud, lifting targets toward $180-$190. Bearish views from Raymond James flag the move into the fabless semiconductor space as a potential valuation risk amid execution uncertainty. Arm also announced a new Physical AI division focused on robotics as part of a CES-era reorganization.

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