Technology News 31.01.2026

SpaceX seeks BEAD exemptions for LEO, warns of exit if changes not made

January 31, 2026, 8:54 AM EST. SpaceX has delivered a rider to state broadband offices outlining how it says BEAD rules should not apply to its LEO network. The letter, attributed to Senior Counsel Shea Boyd, would carve out exemptions and threatens to exit BEAD if changes aren't made. It argues that LEO capacity is dynamic and not reserved or left fallow, unlike terrestrial networks. SpaceX cites a real-time traffic mix of network activity, launch activity and sales levels as the basis for capacity, with QoS measurements and reporting as proof of performance. The rider covers payments, penalties, audits, and labor/insurance terms, as well as the program's low-cost option, arguing modifications are needed to reflect LEO deployment. The FCC approved adding 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, lifting the network to about 15,000. Tennessee BEAD rounds show Starlink moving from round one to round two.

Samsung slashes Galaxy Tab S10 Lite to $280 as tablet deals tighten; Apple iPad deals slow

January 31, 2026, 8:52 AM EST. Samsung has cut the price of the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite to $280 on Amazon, a 20% drop from its $350 list price. The gray model ships with an S-Pen and no delivery charges. The 10.9-inch tablet pairs an Exynos 1380 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable to 256GB or up to 2TB with a microSD card. It features a bright display with Vision Booster, plus a responsive S-Pen for note-taking and drawing. Battery life is about 16 hours per charge, and Super Fast Charging refills in roughly 2 hours. The deal positions the Tab S10 Lite as a budget option for streaming and light multitasking, even as Apple iPad discounts appear to slow down.

Nvidia DLSS 4.5 turns 1440p PC into a 4K-capable rig overnight

January 31, 2026, 8:50 AM EST. A PC built around a 1440p display gets a new lease on life thanks to Nvidia's DLSS 4.5. A high-end gamer swaps 4K TV expectations for better image controls and flexibility, discovering that 4K-like output is achievable at 1440p. DLSS 4.5 reduces the traditional trade-offs of upscaling, letting players use Balanced or Performance modes with fewer image compromises. The change, which comes after years of avoiding internal resolution drops below about 70%, makes a three-year-old GPU feel closer to modern 4K capable rigs. In practice: better clarity, smoother frame pacing, and more experimentation without hardware upgrades.

A nice upgrade for Apple's simplest gadget

January 31, 2026, 8:46 AM EST. Apple's AirTags get a notable upgrade, with a louder speaker and small reliability boosts that make the tag more useful. In this week's Installer, David Pierce also highlights Yahoo Scout as his favorite AI search product, praising its breadth of links and cautioning users to verify results. The issue also features Crushable, described as Wordle meets Candy Crush, and OpenClaw, a device-control tool rebranded from Moltbot. Pierce muses about smartphones, weighing an upgrade to a Pixel 10 over continuing with an iPhone 16 and even hints at an iPhone 17. The column invites reader tips on non-big-tech devices and services.

Musk politics and FSD woes weigh on Tesla's European push

January 31, 2026, 8:42 AM EST. An industry analyst said Musk's political involvement arrived at a bad moment for Tesla, which needs fresh products to regain European momentum. The founder's emphasis on the next milestone-Full Self Driving-has yet to deliver a safe, scalable solution. Tesla has faced lawsuits worldwide over its marketing of autonomy, with families of crash victims, whose deaths occurred while FSD was engaged, filing wrongful-death suits. Regulators, including the U.S. road-safety agency, are examining dozens of reports that Teslas with FSD violated traffic rules. Musk's bold claims persisted. In an earnings call, he announced pausing production of two models to shift investments toward robotaxis and robots.

Apple to prioritize iPhone Fold over base iPhone 18, report says

January 31, 2026, 8:36 AM EST. Apple is reportedly prioritizing a foldable iPhone over the base iPhone 18 in 2026, per Nikkei Asia. The report says Apple will skip the traditional September three-model launch, instead releasing two Pro models and the iPhone Fold this year, with the base model delayed to early 2027. If true, the move would mark a sharp departure from Apple's usual cadence amid a memory shortage affecting the tech sector. Analysts warn timing and supply constraints could ripple through pricing, product strategy and consumer expectations.

Google's Auto Browse AI in Chrome tests raise questions on control and trust

January 31, 2026, 8:34 AM EST. Google is rolling Auto Browse to US subscribers of its AI Pro and AI Ultra plans in a limited launch. The feature lets the Gemini chatbot in Chrome's sidebar command an automated browser, starting with opt-in prompts rather than full control. In a hands-on test, the agent appeared to pantomime actions-opening and closing tabs-before actual clicking occurred only after refreshing the account and enabling a toggle labeled 'Let Chrome browse for you' in Settings. Google warns users that they are responsible for Gemini's actions and should take control if needed. The exercise underscores a broader aim to reshape the web around automated assistants, but early use remains messy and trust remains a hurdle.

PTC valuation tests Windchill AI Parts Rationalization as SaaS transition unfolds

January 31, 2026, 8:32 AM EST. PTC's stock remains under pressure after Windchill AI Parts Rationalization rolled out within its product lifecycle management suite. The AI feature targets duplicates, data issues and slow searches across manufacturing workflows. In recent trading, PTC trades around $156.13, with a narrative fair value pegged near $211.28, suggesting an intrinsic discount if the AI and SaaS transition gains momentum. On a 30-day basis, the stock fell 10.38%; over 90 days, it lost 21.36%; a 3-year total shareholder return sits at 19.59% in positive territory. Analysts cite the shift to SaaS and subscription models as a path to recurring revenue, but note risks from SaaS transition friction and potential ServiceMax churn that could undermine revenue visibility and renewals.

Apple buys Q.ai for about $2 billion, signaling new lip-reading wearables interface

January 31, 2026, 8:26 AM EST. Apple has acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for roughly $2 billion, a bet that signals a longer-term move into quieter, more natural lip-reading interfaces for wearables. The company reportedly can track tiny lip movements and facial cues with optical sensors, potentially turning silent mouth motions into input or speech for an AI assistant. Apple's track record with PrimeSense technology-now embedded in the TrueDepth camera array and features in Vision Pro-helps explain the strategic fit. Vision Pro already reads facial expressions but cannot translate lip motion to speech. The deal could expand Apple's wearable ambitions beyond glasses to earbuds and other devices, aided by reports that next-gen AirPods may include infrared cameras, weaving together AR, AI and everyday life.

NVIDIA plans H2 2026 debut for N1/N1X AI PC chip co-developed with MediaTek

January 31, 2026, 8:14 AM EST. NVIDIA chief executive Jensen Huang signaled that a consumer-focused AI PC system-on-chip, dubbed N1/N1X, is on track to debut in the second half of 2026. Speaking in Taiwan, Huang confirmed the chip is co-developed with MediaTek and targets edge AI workloads where power efficiency matters. The ARM-based SoC is expected to use TSMC's 3nm process and support Windows on ARM, with rumors pointing to a pared-down GB10 Superchip lineage to hit a lower thermal design power. A potential onboard RTX-like iGPU and broader ARM integration are among possibilities as NVIDIA aims to unify enterprise and consumer AI ecosystems. Market focus is likely to shift toward laptops and compact devices amid rising edge AI demand.

Blackstone executive outlines five questions CEOs should ask about AI use

January 31, 2026, 8:12 AM EST. A Blackstone executive shares five questions CEOs should ask about their AI use, in an article highlighted by Business Insider. The guidance aims to sharpen governance and align AI initiatives with strategy. Key questions focus on how to implement risk controls, ensure robust data governance and privacy, define measurable ROI, and maintain transparency in model decisions. Leaders are urged to establish clear accountability, vet vendors, and consider ethical implications. The article targets boards and executives navigating rapid AI deployment, stressing practical steps to avoid runaway costs while amplifying business value.

Developers say AI coding tools work, but concern grows over hype and impact

January 31, 2026, 8:02 AM EST. Software developers say AI coding tools such as Claude Code and Codex can handle hours of work-writing code, running tests, and, with supervision, fixing bugs. OpenAI says Codex now helps build Codex itself, and the company has published technical details about its inner workings. In interviews with developers on Bluesky, responses show broad agreement that the technology works but diverging views on its broader impact. Some remain skeptical of marketing hype, arguing LLMs are revolutionary but not magical. Others acknowledge a true step-change, noting a potential 10x speed boost on complex tasks, such as building a Rust backend with Terraform deployment and a Svelte frontend, aided by recent updates like Claude Opus 4.5. The discussions capture both excitement and caution about this shift.

Mac Mini deal trims price to $549 at Amazon, Mashable reports

January 31, 2026, 8:00 AM EST. Clawdbot users are snapping up the Mac Mini, with Amazon listing the M4 model at $549, down from the normal $599. Mashable notes the deal is part of ongoing promotions and can change after publication. The package pairs a compact desktop with on-device AI features and an always-on setup. The story underscores growing interest in versatile machines that serve as hubs for AI assistants and smart home workflows. Price is time-sensitive; buyers should act quickly as discounts on the M4 Mac Mini have historically varied by retailer and stock.

Garmin Enduro 3 review: longest-lasting sport watch gets price cut

January 31, 2026, 7:58 AM EST. Garmin's Enduro 3 doubles down on stamina while trimming price. The 51mm watch weighs 57 grams and uses a plastic resin case with a titanium bezel, keeping it lighter than expected for such a large model. It lacks a mic, speaker and AMOLED screen, sticking with a transflective display optimized for outdoor glare. The Enduro 3 launched with the Fenix 8 in August 2024 and costs $899/£769, down from the previous generation's $1,099/£929. It's cheaper than the Fenix 8's 51mm version, appealing to veteran Garmin fans despite its size. For heavy runners and hikers, the long battery life remains a key draw, with minor concessions in polish and form factor.

China approves Nvidia H200 imports, signaling policy shift and growth risk

January 31, 2026, 7:54 AM EST.China has granted approval for imports of Nvidia's H200 AI chips, marking a policy shift after tighter controls on advanced semiconductors. The move affects Nvidia (NasdaqGM:NVDA) and its ability to serve Chinese demand for high-performance hardware. With H200 clearance, investors watch how access interacts with export controls and broader U.S.-China tech relations. The decision comes as AI infrastructure spending remains a focus for cloud providers and enterprise buyers. For Nvidia, Chinese approval expands data-center opportunities but heightens exposure to a dual regulatory regime in the U.S. and China. It underscores policy risk, including potential limits on quantities or chip specs under future rules. Rivals like AMD and Intel remain a backdrop to Nvidia's data-center dominance.

Workers use 'friction-maxxing' to slow AI adoption in the workplace

January 31, 2026, 7:42 AM EST. Unions and frontline workers are deploying 'friction-maxxing' to slow corporate AI rollouts. They push for human-in-the-loop oversight, mandatory audits of AI decisions, data-access controls, and stepwise approvals before AI can modify workflows. Proponents say the tactics curb risky automation, protect jobs, and ensure accountability in sensitive tasks. Critics argue the friction slows innovation and raises costs, potentially delaying productivity gains. Employers say governance and collaboration can balance speed with safeguards, weaving employee input into deployment plans. The debate centers on governance, transparency, and retraining-whether workers should have a say in when and how AI substitutes human judgment. The outcomes may shape bargaining rounds as firms seek faster automation with built-in safeguards.

Vietnam's Kim Long Motor, BYD Battery launch $135 million Hue EV battery plant

January 31, 2026, 7:40 AM EST. Kim Long Motor Hue JSC and BYD Battery began construction of a $135 millionEV battery plant in Hue, Vietnam, with a two-phase plan. The first phase covers 4.4 hectares and targets 3 GWh per year; the second expands to 10 hectares and raises capacity to 6 GWh annually. Kim Long Motor will own and run the plant while BYD provides technology transfer and support. The project aims to lift the local battery localization to more than 80% by Q2 2026 and to forge a regional hub for EV and battery manufacture. The move follows Kim Long Motor's broader ties with Chinese automakers, including agreements with Dongfeng Dana Axle and Changan Auto to develop axles and passenger cars in Hue.

Apple may skip iPhone Air 2 in 2026, push iPhone 18 to 2027, Nikkei Asia says

January 31, 2026, 7:28 AM EST. Apple is unlikely to launch a second-generation iPhone Air in 2026, according to a Nikkei Asia report. The publication says Apple has at least five new iPhone models in the pipeline, including a revamped iPhone Air, a standard new iPhone, and three premium models. Air shipments are not expected this year or in 2026, and Apple may skip the iPhone 18 in 2026, pushing its debut to 2027. The report cites a marketing strategy shift and a global memory crunch as reasons, with a priority on premium launches and a planned foldable iPhone for the second half of 2026. Supply-chain constraints and memory-price pressures are affecting production, not only for Apple but for rivals like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Transsion.

Nvidia H-1B data shows US base pay ranges; Huang says he reviews compensation cycles

January 31, 2026, 7:26 AM EST. Newly available H-1B filings show base pay ranges for Nvidia's U.S. workers, offering insight into pay for software engineers, researchers and product managers. Nvidia, with about 36,000 employees, has seen stock-driven wealth rise for long-time contributors. The data from the U.S. Labor Department, reported by Business Insider, exclude equity and bonuses. In fiscal 2025 Nvidia had about 1,900 certified H-1B applications. Salary ranges span roughly $92,000 to $425,500 for roles such as Software Engineer, ASIC Engineer, Hardware Engineer and Architecture Manager. CEO Jensen Huang has said he personally reviews compensation up to the end of each cycle, a stance that aligns with his claim of creating more billionaires on his management team than any other CEO. Some workers note earlier hires benefited more from equity appreciation.

Huawei HarmonyOS 6.0 rolls out globally to Watch GT 5 Pro and FreeBuds Pro 4

January 31, 2026, 7:24 AM EST. Huawei has started global rollout of HarmonyOS 6.0 to two flagship devices: the Watch GT 5 Pro and FreeBuds Pro 4. The Watch GT 5 Pro uses version 6.0.0.23; FreeBuds Pro 4 uses 6.0.0.272. Users should maintain 3-4 GB free space on the wearable. The update brings UI changes, gradient themes, fluid animations, and the new Modules 2025 Clock Face. New features include Tap-to-Wake, adjustable alarm vibration, and the ability to transfer music from iPhone to the watch with Huawei Health 16.0.8.305+. App optimizations include more accessible contacts, renamed call log to 'Phone', and enhanced headphone controls when paired with Huawei headphones. The update also enhances workout features moving some items to More screen. The rollout follows a previous upgrade to Watch FIT 4 Pro.

Moltbot: an open-source AI agent that runs locally on your computer

January 31, 2026, 7:20 AM EST. Moltbot is an open-source AI agent that runs locally on a device, installing software, making calls and steering your digital life. It's not a new model; Moltbot gives an existing AI model a set of hands to execute commands and manipulate files. The system runs on a host like a Mac mini kept on 24/7 and lets users name the assistant, set a personality and vibe, and choose a brain (Anthropic's Claude or OpenAI's ChatGPT). It can connect to WhatsApp and Telegram, transcribe voice memos, and push audio updates about ongoing coding projects. Moltbot's design emphasizes memory of prior work and preferences, enabling tasks to proceed without typing. The setup illustrates how local automation may redefine what a "digital assistant" can do.

NVIDIA GeForce driver update patches multiple high-severity flaws, deemed must-install

January 31, 2026, 7:10 AM EST. NVIDIA on Tuesday released GPU driver v591.59 for Windows, delivering a batch of security updates described in the company's Security Bulletin as addressing several high-severity flaws. The fixes cover GeForce, GeForce RTX, Quadro, NVS and Tesla products, and could allow attackers to achieve code execution, escalate privileges, tamper with data, trigger denial of service, or disclose information. NVIDIA lists affected driver versions and recommends upgrading to the safe versions to mitigate the risks. An older v582.28 update addressed issues on Maxwell, Pascal and Volta lines, which are no longer supported by Game Ready Drivers; users of those GPUs may need to install the security update manually. NVIDIA notes the patches apply across multiple Windows builds.

Could ASML be the next AI stock to join the trillion-dollar club?

January 31, 2026, 7:04 AM EST. ASML Holding sits as the largest tech stock outside the $1 trillion club, with a market cap around $550 billion. Its photolithography machines, including extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV), are essential to making advanced AI chips. The company has posted strong, double-digit growth and gross margins above 50%, anchoring a dominant position in the AI supply chain. Morgan Stanley recently upgraded its outlook after upbeat chip results, suggesting ASML could rise about 70% and approach a $935 billion valuation if AI demand stays robust. While not guaranteed, the catalysts imply it could join the trillion-dollar club in time. For investors, the stock trades around 50x trailing earnings, offering a long-term view on AI-driven growth.

UK broadband provider G.Network enters administration after rats chew through fiber

January 31, 2026, 6:54 AM EST. UK broadband provider G.Network, focused on London, has entered administration after a potential deal collapsed over rats chewing through its fiber. The Telegraph reported the company was about £300 million in debt and had around 25,000 paying subscribers. Community Fibre considered a bid but pulled back after finding extensive rodent damage. Some biodegradable cable jackets use soy- or corn-based materials, which can attract rodents. Graeme Oxby of Community Fibre told The Telegraph that rodents like ducts and fibers. Most lines run under roads, complicating repairs and causing traffic disruption. The firm is owned by FitzWalter Capital. With the assets in play, the future of G.Network remains unclear as lenders reassess risk.

Nvidia's Earth-2 AI models slash forecast times and compute costs in weather prediction

January 31, 2026, 6:40 AM EST. Nvidia unveiled its Earth-2 open AI models, a family designed to speed weather forecasting and cut computing costs. The lineup-CorrDiff, FourCastNet3, Medium Range, Nowcasting, Global Data Assimilation, and the PhysicsNeMo framework-fuses satellite, radar and station data to produce continuous atmospheric estimates. Generative AI accelerates every stage, from data processing to storm predictions. Nvidia says CorrDiff can downscale coarse forecasts to high resolution up to 500x faster than traditional methods; FourCastNet3 adds accuracy for wind, temperature and humidity at up to 60x speed. Global Data Assimilation produces initial conditions in seconds on GPUs, enabling faster pipeline integration. Open-source access on Hugging Face and GitHub lets researchers and firms fine-tune forecasts. Early users include the Israel Meteorological Service and energy firms like TotalEnergies, Eni, and GCL.

Amazon layoffs highlight industry-wide shift as AI era reshapes corporate priorities

January 31, 2026, 6:38 AM EST.Amazon's plan to cut 16,000 roles has reduced its corporate staff by about 9%. The second wave since October signals broader tech industry churn as firms shift resources to data, automation and analytics. While Amazon says AI isn't the primary driver, executives call it transformative and push for fewer layers to speed decision-making. Analysts note that retraining a workforce built for logistics or legacy retail is difficult, and Amazon says it will keep hiring in other areas. The episode echoes historic reshaping at IBM, which cut about 50,000 jobs in 1993 as it moved from mainframes to services and software. Such episodes, driven by new technology, repeatedly prompt corporate restructuring and tighter cost controls.

Elon Musk says FSD subscription price to rise as Tesla signals Autopilot changes

January 31, 2026, 6:26 AM EST. Tesla said to raise the monthly price of the FSD software subscription after feedback from customers. Elon Musk publicly noted the move as the company expands its rollout of features tied to FSD. A separate wave of reporting has sparked questions about Autopilot, with rivals and critics asking whether Tesla will scale back or retire the legacy driver-assistance system. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Autopilot claim. Analysts say higher FSD charges could push adoption toward the newer, software-only bundle while leaving the core Autopilot suite in place for existing customers.

Google dismantles IPIDEA residential proxy network, freeing millions of devices

January 31, 2026, 6:22 AM EST. Google says it has crippled IPIDEA, a massive residential proxy network that secretly turned millions of devices into tools for cybercrime. IPIDEA hid attacks behind real home connections, making malicious traffic harder to detect than data-center proxies. Embedded in hundreds of apps and SDKs-such as PacketSDK, EarnSDK, HexSDK, and CastarSDK-the code recruited devices into an exit pool for others. In one week, more than 550 tracked threat groups used the proxies for credential stuffing, espionage, DDoS, and command-and-control operations. Google spokesman described "decisive action," taking down dozens of IPIDEA domains, updating Google Play Protect to remove affected apps, and sharing intel with partners like Lumen's Black Lotus Labs and Cloudflare. The result: hijacked devices dropped by millions, including about nine million Android devices. Some components remain, but disruption raises the bar for future abuse.

ESA backs Draco reentry mission to study how satellites burn up

January 31, 2026, 6:20 AM EST. The European Space Agency has greenlit the Draco mission, a purpose-built capsule designed to reenter Earth's atmosphere with sensors and cameras to log heat, pressure and material breakup. Draco will carry about 200 sensors and four cameras to record conditions as it plunges through thicker air, measuring temperatures, structural strain and the surrounding plume. The 40-centimeter-diameter capsule, weighing 150-200 kilograms, is slated for 2027 and will be destroyed over a remote ocean about 12 hours after orbital release. It will transmit data to a geostationary satellite during a roughly 20-minute telemetry window. The mission underpins ESA's design for demise program to validate reentry models and curb debris by 2030.

FujiFilm Instax Mini Link+ review: pricey upgrade with sharper prints and Design Print mode

January 31, 2026, 6:12 AM EST. FujiFilm's Instax Mini Link+ costs $169.95 and is the latest upgrade to the Mini Link line. In testing, the device delivers stronger contrast, color, and sharpness versus the Mini Link 3, revealing more detail across a range of photos. The highlight is Design Print mode, exclusive to the Mini Link+, aimed at crisper text and illustrations, though improvements for text-heavy images were limited. Prints use Instax Mini film, about $30 for 20 sheets (roughly $1.50 per photo). The workflow requires importing from the iPhone library into the Instax Mini Link app, selecting Simple or Design mode, and waiting roughly 20 seconds per print. The app adds VR framing and a remote shutter, but quick, straightforward prints remain the core goal.

Three hard truths for IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave and QCI in 2026

January 31, 2026, 6:10 AM EST. Investors piling into quantum stocks in 2025 saw meteoric gains, but a Reuters-style briefing flags three unpleasant truths for 2026. First, quantum computers remain years away from cost-effective, practical problem-solving, even as they promise breakthroughs in AI training, weather modeling, and drug development. The Quantum Insider pegs potential value at around $1 trillion globally by 2035, though that outlook is speculative. Second, for pure-play quantum firms, dilution is the default funding path as they chase revenue. Even so, IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, and Quantum Computing Inc. have secured early customers through Amazon and Microsoft cloud access, underscoring a nascent, enterprise-facing market. Analysts warn upside may be punctured by slower-than-expected adoption and multiple hurdles on the road to mainstream use.

Google disrupts IPIDEA residential proxy networks fueled by malware

January 31, 2026, 6:08 AM EST. Google's Threat Intelligence Group, working with industry partners, cut off IPIDEA's domains and exposed infected device management and proxy routing. The action followed disclosure of IPIDEA's SDKs, which distributed its proxying tool. IPIDEA billed itself as a VPN that encrypts traffic and hides real IPs and claimed 6.7 million users. Residential proxies route traffic through compromised home and small-business devices, typically infected via trojanized apps. In court, Google said actors use residential proxies for account takeovers, fake accounts, credential theft and data exfiltration, complicating detection. GTIG logged more than 550 distinct threat groups using IPIDEA exit nodes in one week, including actors from China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. IPIDEA supported DDoS botnets and brute-forcing; 19 businesses sold access to devices compromised with BadBox 2.0 malware, via Android and Windows trojans.

Datadog and Workiva ride AI momentum ahead of February earnings

January 31, 2026, 6:06 AM EST. Datadog (DDOG) and Workiva (WK) are not pure-play AI stocks, but they have embedded AI into their legacy platforms and have attracted new customers. They will report Q4 2025 results in February-Datadog on Feb. 10 and Workiva on Feb. 19. Datadog has integrated an AI assistant called Bits AI into its cloud observability suite and launched LLM Observability and OpenAI Monitoring to help customers manage costs and performance of large language models, while monitoring for drift. About 32,000 customers as of 9/30/2025, with AI users numbering over 5,000 and AI revenue representing 12% of $881 million in the quarter, up from 6% a year earlier. The stock is down roughly 31% from its 52-week high; investors will seek AI-driven growth signals in the results.

Meta Platforms Emerges as Top AI Stock in 2026, Seven Catalysts Underpin the Bet

January 31, 2026, 5:54 AM EST. Meta Platforms is positioned as a premier AI stock in 2026, driven by gains across ads, productivity and new devices. In Q4, Meta's ad revenue rose 24% year over year to $58.1 billion as it refined its GEM ad-ranking model and doubled training GPUs, delivering about 3.5% more Facebook ad clicks and over 1% higher Instagram conversions. The company says agentic coding has boosted output per engineer by 30% since early 2025, with power users rising 80% year over year, a trend CFO Susan Li says should accelerate through the second half of 2026. Smart glasses sales more than tripled in 2025, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg linking the shift to a smartphones-like adoption curve. Meta is also pursuing personal superintelligence, promising a big year for AI that understands users' history and relationships.

Starlink drives SpaceX toward a 2026 IPO

January 31, 2026, 5:52 AM EST. Starlink is the growth engine for SpaceX, potentially driving a 2026 IPO. Private data put 2024 revenue at about $13.1 billion, rising to $15 billion in 2025 and an estimated $23.8 billion in 2026, per Payload Space. Starlink accounts for about 69% of 2025 revenue and is forecast to reach roughly 79% of SpaceX's total in 2026, with an 80% leap to $18.7 billion. By contrast, the rocket-launch business is growing in the low single digits. The shift toward satellite internet matches SpaceX's long-planned path: a high-margin Starlink core funding a more commoditized launch unit. Even as the company has discussed an IPO in 2026, the trend suggests Starlink could be the true value creator.

UiPath and Alphabet Drive the Picks-and-Shovels of the Agentic AI Revolution

January 31, 2026, 5:50 AM EST. The agentic AI market could surge nearly tenfold by 2030, with enterprise adoption accelerating as firms move from pilots to deployments. Grand View Research pegs the global enterprise agentic AI market at $2.6 billion in 2024 and more than $24 billion by 2030. Two incumbents sit at the core: UiPath, a leader in orchestration that blends agents and data and is expanding its Maestro automation toolkit, and Alphabet, which runs the Gemini foundation powering models, chips and data centers. UiPath recently turned profitable in the latest quarter, posting $13 million operating income after a year-ago loss, and trades at roughly five times revenue. Alphabet's Gemini platform handles billions of tokens per minute with broad adoption across industries.

Google disrupts IPIDEA, a major residential proxy network used by criminals

January 31, 2026, 5:44 AM EST. Google's Threat Intelligence Group says it significantly degraded IPIDEA, a residential proxy network used by threat actors to route traffic through home devices. In January 2026, GTIG observed more than 550 threat groups using IPIDEA exit nodes during a seven-day period. Operators reportedly paid app developers to embed proxy SDKs, enrolling devices in the network when users downloaded apps. IPIDEA marketed as monetizing spare bandwidth, but researchers warn it enables concealment and can turn devices into launchpads for other attacks. The disruption reduced IPIDEA's available devices by millions across smartphones, Windows PCs and other hardware, with the US, Canada and Europe as the most desirable pools. Some operators also enrolled devices into botnets such as BadBox 2.0, Aisuru and Kimwolf. GTIG worked with Spur, Black Lotus Labs, and Cloudflare; a full takedown was not claimed, but effects ripple through affiliated operators.

AI can make workers better-then worse, warns innovation theorist

January 31, 2026, 5:34 AM EST. An innovation theorist warns that artificial intelligence can lift worker performance in the near term, but may degrade job quality or widen gaps over time. Gains depend on how AI is deployed, with risk of surveillance-driven workloads and uneven skill upgrades. Firms face a choice between quick automation wins and durable upskilling, reskilling, and fair governance. Policy makers are urged to set guardrails and invest in training and transparency so workers gain from technology rather than become collateral damage. The warning arrives as businesses press for efficiency, while researchers stress that sustainable gains hinge on people, process, and accountability-not technology alone.

NASA selects Axiom Space for fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station

January 31, 2026, 5:06 AM EST. NASA awarded Axiom Space its fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeting no earlier than January 2027 from Kennedy Space Center. The mission, Axiom Mission 5, will last up to 14 days and involves four proposed crew members submitted for NASA and international partner review. NASA will provide crew consumables, cargo delivery, storage, and other in-orbit resources; Axiom will supply mission services, including the capability to return cold-stored scientific samples. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the award shows commercial space is a present reality and will sharpen competition in low Earth orbit as NASA builds toward Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars. Dana Weigel of NASA praised the ISS as a proving ground for new markets and tech. The agency is finalizing the sixth private astronaut mission order.

Honor Power 2 tops 2025-26 signal test, edging iPhone 17 Pro in early 2026 readings

January 31, 2026, 4:32 AM EST. In early 2026, a Weibo tipster ran a three-tier network signal test comparing 2025 and 2026 smartphones. Power 2 led the results under TRP (Total Radiated Power) and TIS (Total Isotropic Sensitivity) criteria, which measure transmitting efficiency and receiving capability, respectively. In the first tier for enhanced signal strength, Power 2 ranked highest alongside Vivo X300 Pro and Redmi K90 Pro Max. The second tier included flagship models such as OPPO Find X9 Pro, iQOO 15, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max. The third tier covered standard signal devices, dominated by Apple handsets like iPhone 16e and iPhone 17 Pro. Proponents say Power 2 achieves this with a six-wing antenna design and an RF-based body framework, improving weak-network performance.

Thiel shifts AI bets: dumps Nvidia, buys Microsoft and Apple

January 31, 2026, 4:30 AM EST. Peter Thiel's fund activity highlights a shift in his AI bet. New 13F disclosures show Thiel Macro unloaded all Nvidia stock-previously a core AI play-and opened positions in two tech stalwarts. He acquired 49,000 shares of Microsoft and 79,181 shares of Apple, now constituting about 34% and 27% of his portfolio, respectively. Thiel Macro oversees more than $74 million in 13F securities. Analysts note Nvidia's role as a leading GPU supplier in the AI surge, with revenue topping $130 billion last year, but Thiel tilts toward broader software and platform bets as AI growth remains uncertain. The trade marks a rotation away from a single AI hardware leader toward diversified tech exposure, even as Nvidia's stock has delivered explosive returns over five years.

PACT's Thermo Shield Drives BCIT EV Battery Safety Education

January 31, 2026, 4:24 AM EST. Packaging And Crating Technologies (PACT) partners with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to weave its Thermo Shield line into BCIT's automotive curriculum, expanding lithium battery safety training as Canada's west coast shifts toward EVs. BC's 2024 EV share reached 23% of new registrations, and roughly 153,000 EVs already roam the highways, fueling demand for skilled technicians. BCIT Automotive Technologist Instructor Jim Berladyn says the program meets new service and repair safety needs as EVs proliferate. Thermo Shield relies on a paper wrap with proprietary ink that releases a moisture barrier during thermal runaway, cooling contents and restricting oxygen to halt fires-at temperatures near 1,500°F. It has independent third-party endorsements and is a DoD-recognized product.

Moft Trackable MagSafe Wallet Stand adds Find My tracking to ultra-slim back-pocket setup

January 31, 2026, 4:22 AM EST. Moft unveils the Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet, its thinnest design at 0.25 inches and the size of a credit card. The MagSafe-compatible accessory snaps onto iPhones, holds up to two cards, and folds into three viewing modes for reading, video, and calls. It quietly adds Apple Find My support, so the item appears in the same app as AirPods and trackers. A location alert can trigger a 70 dB sound, and the tracker runs about six months on a wireless charge, with battery level shown. Magnets deliver about 15N of snap force for steadiness. Weighing 62 g, it's MagSafe-ready and wrapped in MOVAS vegan leather. Available in four colors that pair with Moft Snap Case.

Apple to acquire Israeli startup Q.ai in secret over $1.5 billion deal, eyeing silent-speech tech

January 31, 2026, 4:20 AM EST. Apple is buying Q.ai, a three-year-old, ~100-employee startup in Ramat Gan, in a deal estimated at more than $1.5 billion. The company has kept its product largely secret. On its site, Q.ai speaks of a quiet revolution; LinkedIn hints at high bandwidth, privacy, multilingualism and new input modes. According to leaked reports, the technology could let devices understand whispered speech and even translate facial micro-movements into words or commands, using an optical method that avoids attached sensors. The acquisition could boost Apple's AI assistants, Siri, and wearables such as the Apple Watch and Vision Pro. The field is known as silent speech interfaces (SSI); most approaches rely on electromyography (EMG), but Q.ai is thought to use vision-based sensing. MIT's AlterEgo is a notable precursor.

SpaceX eyes up to 1 million satellites for orbital data-center push

January 31, 2026, 4:18 AM EST. SpaceX says in an FCC filing that it could deploy up to 1 million satellites in orbits from 500 kilometers to 2,000 kilometers high as part of a push to build orbital data-center capabilities. The filing outlines the scale of the constellation but does not specify a timetable or cost. The plan marks a shift from consumer broadband aims toward in-space data processing and storage. SpaceX has not provided public comments on the filing, and regulators would need to evaluate such a vast, multi-decade orbital project for spectrum, debris, and space-traffic implications.

NVIDIA Dynamo Planner adds SLO-driven autoscaling for multi-node LLM inference on AKS

January 31, 2026, 4:16 AM EST. Microsoft and NVIDIA deliver Part 2 of their AKS-based Dynamo collaboration. The update introduces the Dynamo Planner Profiler and the SLO-based Dynamo Planner to tackle rate matching in disaggregated serving. The profiler automates a pre-deployment sweep using a DGDR manifest to test tensor parallelism in prefill and decode stages, finding configurations that maximize Goodput within latency targets. An AI Configurator mode can simulate performance in ~20-30 seconds before allocating GPUs. In production, the SLO-based Dynamo Planner orchestrates resources in real time, monitoring cache load and prefill queue depth to meet SLAs. A weather-disruption airline scenario uses Qwen3-32B-FP8 with 500 ms Time to First Token and 30 ms Inter-Token Latency, scaling during spikes.

Nvidia stock could hit $352 by Dec 2026 as AI boom expands from data centers to robotaxis

January 31, 2026, 4:14 AM EST. Nvidia's bull case hinges on a full-stack AI strategy and leading data-center GPUs. Evercore's Mark Lipacis pegs a price of $352 by December 2026, about 83% upside from around $191 today, as Nvidia captures more AI infrastructure spending. The company combines GPUs with CPUs, networking gear, rack-scale systems and a robust software ecosystem, building a moat that supports lower total cost of ownership versus rivals. Nvidia commands ~85% share in AI accelerators and could benefit as the autonomous-vehicle and robotaxi wave expands. The bear case from Seaport's Jay Goldberg argues rising demand for custom AI chips may erode Nvidia's share, with a target of $140, about 27% down. The stock trades around $191, with a market cap near $4.6 trillion.

Three reasons to buy Apple stock – and one reason to think twice

January 31, 2026, 3:56 AM EST. Apple exceeded Wall Street estimates for fiscal Q1 2026, but shares dipped in early trading. Three positives for bulls: Greater China sales jumped 38% YoY, with Tim Cook noting an all-time high in iPhone upgrades and a double-digit share of customers switching from competitors; World Panel data show iPhone in the urban China top three, while iPad tops tablets and MacBook Air leads in laptops in December. In India, double-digit growth and record iPhone sales mark progress in a market Apple calls modest despite a huge opportunity; new stores expand footprint, with a Mumbai opening imminent. On AI, Apple Intelligence and Siri capabilities signal seriousness about generative AI. A muted initial stock reaction offers a potential cue for skeptics. Bottom line: Asia momentum underpins the bull case, even as the market remains cautious.

ZIEA One debuts AI desktop calendar to curb smartphone distractions

January 31, 2026, 3:50 AM EST. ZIEA unveils the One, an AI-powered desktop calendar that aims to cut smartphone distractions by moving planning off a phone onto a dedicated device. The system uses a unified life view that syncs Google, Apple, and Outlook calendars into a single display, showing meetings, commitments and family events at a glance. A physical Focus button activates a deep-work mode that silences the paired phone and blocks notifications, reinforcing active concentration. The device doubles as a 160-watt charging hub with multiple ports. It features voice commands to translate broad goals into calendar blocks, and, via GPT-5, analyzes workloads, suggests wellness breaks, and does not require a separate subscription. Tasks can be checked off within the calendar, turning it into a living to-do list. ZIEA describes the product as a sanctuary for focus.

Investing $100 in Nvidia five years ago would be worth about $1,479 today

January 31, 2026, 3:46 AM EST. Nvidia has shifted from gaming to an AI- and data center-driven growth engine. Investors who endured volatility were rewarded. The stock jumped 125% in 2021, then tumbled 66% from late 2021 to late 2022, before rallying on AI demand. Today, the data center unit dominates revenue and fueled a quarterly print north of $51 billion, with guidance of about $65 billion for Q4-roughly 65% higher year over year. A $100 investment five years ago would be about $1,479 today, a 1,380% gain. Some analysts remain cautious about lofty valuations despite the upside. The Motley Fool Stock Advisor recently spotlighted other names; Nvidia was not among its top picks.

Tesla robotaxi crash rate nearly 9x higher than humans despite safety monitor, data show

January 31, 2026, 3:42 AM EST. New NHTSA crash data, paired with Tesla's disclosure of robotaxi mileage, shows Tesla's Austin fleet is crashing at a rate far higher than human drivers, even with a safety monitor in every car. The Standing General Order reports nine crashes involving robotaxis from July to November 2025, including right-turn collisions, a cyclist collision, and a backing rear-end at low speed. Tesla says the fleet has logged about 500,000 autonomous miles as of November 2025, yielding approximately one crash every 55,000 miles. By contrast, U.S. drivers average about one police-reported crash every 500,000 miles; including non-police incidents, humans are closer to 200,000 miles per crash, still better than Tesla's figure. Tesla's transparency is limited: NHTSA narratives are redacted, unlike Waymo and others, which publish fuller incident summaries.

SpaceX weighs $1.5 trillion IPO timed to Musk's birthday and planetary alignment

January 31, 2026, 3:32 AM EST. The Financial Times reports SpaceX is weighing an IPO valuing the rocket maker at about $1.5 trillion and eyeing a mid-June listing to align with a planetary alignment and Elon Musk's birthday. The plan seeks roughly $50 billion in fresh capital, up from earlier talk of an $800 billion valuation on a $25 billion raise. Lead underwriters discussed include Bank of America, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. CFO Bret Johnsen has held talks with private investors since December about a mid-2026 float. If realized, the listing would eclipse Aramco's 2019 IPO in scale, though at a higher valuation. Market activity in 2025-26 has reinforced space-tech appeal amid renewed U.S. listings, boosted by Starlink and Musk's stakes.

Apple iOS 26.3 Beta 3 adds privacy control to limit precise location data from carriers

January 31, 2026, 3:14 AM EST. Apple released iOS 26.3 Beta 3, outlining further privacy enhancements, bug fixes and usability tweaks. The standout is Limit Precise Location from Cell Networks, which lets users restrict sharing of exact location with mobile carriers while keeping emergency location sharing intact. The feature is regional and carrier-dependent, available in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Thailand, and only on devices with Apple's C1 chip such as the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro M5. The update also fixes a rotation-lock bug that reoriented videos in landscape mode, a relief for video-heavy use. Development is in late stages, with at least one more beta before a potential release candidate, targeting a mid-February 2026 public release.

Apple posts record iPhone quarter as iPhone revenue tops $85.3 billion

January 31, 2026, 3:00 AM EST. Apple delivered a record iPhone quarter, with iPhone revenue above $85.3 billion in Q1 2026, and overall revenue of $143.8 billion, up 16% year over year. iPhone sales rose 23% YoY as demand outpaced supply for the iPhone 17, which features an always-on display and higher refresh rate. Supply is constrained by advanced process nodes, while services revenue rose 14% and Mac and wearables declined. Apple plans AI-powered Siri upgrades, partnered with Google Gemini, and is acquiring Q.ai for $2 billion. Rumors of a broader Siri AI chatbot and an AI search tool persist, reflecting a broader push into AI across devices.

Apple Q4 2025: $143.8B revenue, 2.5B devices; Samsung bets on One UI to lock in ecosystem

January 31, 2026, 2:58 AM EST. Apple disclosed Q4 2025 earnings: revenue of $143.8 billion, up 16% year over year, with the installed base topping 2.5 billion devices. The company highlighted all-time records in iPhone demand and a Services revenue high, underscoring how a vast user base monetizes through App Store, iCloud, Music, TV+, payments, and accessories. Samsung, meanwhile, positions One UI as a retention tool across phones, tablets, wearables and TVs, aiming to tighten ecosystem lock-in and push foldables and AR glasses toward mainstream adoption. Samsung cites its manufacturing heft and Android base as strengths, while signaling a shift to faster execution on new categories and a future emphasis on AR glasses and related platforms. The two paths illuminate how a growing installed base reshapes strategy.

Rancho Cordova students demo AI bots for city services and energy savings

January 31, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. Rancho Cordova high school students showcased artificial intelligence (AI) projects with real-world use. The effort pairs youth coders with city and utility clients to build AI tools. The City of Rancho Cordova sponsors the work to help position the area as an AI hub. Mayor Garrett Gatewood calls the students "computer engineers of the future," saying the program fuses jobs, education and readiness. Among the outputs is an online AI portal for the city to handle customer service and track inquiries, including why residents call and what they want. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District signed on to demo a student-built chat agent that can teach customers how to save energy. The council previously approved $5 million to seed an AI and robotic economy; funds are now backing this education program.

Can we regain balance as smartphones reshape our behavior?

January 31, 2026, 2:24 AM EST. BJ Fogg's Persuasive Technology forecast a future where a device can suggest, reward, and steer behavior. Apple's iPhone then accelerated that shift. A writer tests the claim, citing an average daily phone use of over four hours and Ofcom data on children's access to mobile devices and social media. In academia, Haidt and Twenge link smartphones to anxiety and polarization, while Etchells and Orben argue the evidence is thin. The author notes personal costs: less reading, diminished concentration, and rising anger, driven by constant connection. Efforts to live on a nearly app-free dumb phone failed because maps, tickets and transport apps are deeply embedded. The piece closes by asking whether society can reclaim balance amid persistent digital persuasion.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold opens for pre-order with bundle discounts

January 31, 2026, 2:16 AM EST. Samsung has opened pre-orders for the Galaxy Z TriFold, the company's first triple-foldable smartphone. The 10-inch display unfolds from a pocketable device and the model goes on sale for pre-orders at 10:00 a.m. ET. Bundle options include Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Galaxy Watch 8 series, or the companion keyboard at discounted rates. Early reports note some site readiness issues during launch, with checkout occasionally accessible. The device carries a $2,899 list price and features include a titanium hinge, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on display, and IP48 water and dust resistance. Samsung frames it as a shift from premium smartphone to portable workspace, folding inward for portability and durability. The TriFold aims to expand foldables toward mainstream use, though pre-order incentives are modest compared with some rivals.

Garmin Venu 3S gets $100 off, promises up to 10-day battery

January 31, 2026, 2:00 AM EST. Garmin's Venu 3S is on sale at Amazon, with the 41mm model priced at $349.99, down from $449.99. Garmin says it can last up to 10 days on typical use, and includes 8 GB of storage, built-in GPS, and a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen. The watch works with Android and iOS devices and has a speaker and microphone for calls, plus streams from Spotify and Amazon Music when near Bluetooth or Wi-Fi; note there is no LTE. It targets beginners and athletes with easy navigation, workouts, and a Body Battery energy monitor, and a Sleep Coach, but lacks dedicated trail-run features. Battery life varies by settings and usage.

Five Best Music Apps for Apple CarPlay

January 31, 2026, 1:58 AM EST. Apple CarPlay surfaces music and audio apps at the wheel. This review weighs five options, balancing existing subscriptions with ease of use. Spotify leads in market share, with a dedicated Now Playing screen and Siri-powered search, but scrolling long Recently Played lists can feel clunky. A Premium subscription improves listening quality, and some users report workarounds via phone settings. The piece also highlights a dedicated radio app and an option to access your own streaming server from CarPlay. The aim is to pick a primary streaming player, a radio choice, and a server-friendly option to keep tunes flowing on the road.

SAP stock slides on weaker cloud outlook as AI competition tests investor patience

January 31, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. SAP's stock slid after results that showed higher revenue and net income year over year, but weaker cloud backlog growth and a 2026 cloud revenue outlook below some expectations raised investor concerns about AI-driven competition in enterprise software. The shares closed at €170.56, with a 13.8% fall on the day and sharper losses over the past week and month. Year-to-date and one-year performance are negative, while three- and five-year returns are still positive. Guidance for €25.8-€26.2 billion in 2026 cloud revenue implies a 23-25% rise, but some see it as insufficient against rivals such as Oracle, Microsoft and ServiceNow. The move tests optimistic narratives on SAP's AI-powered ERP and long-term core ERP relevance.

ECARX Unveils Zenith AI Cockpit Computing Platform on Snapdragon Ride Flex

January 31, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. ECARX unveiled the Zenith computing platform in Munich on Jan. 30, built on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride Flex SA8797P. The system targets AI central computing for cockpits and driving, boasting about 560K DMIPS CPU power, 8.1 TFLOPS GPU performance, and 640 TOPS of sparse NPU. Running on the Cloudpeak cross-domain software platform, it's designed with a modular design and open middleware to enable heterogeneous computing and automotive-grade safety for cockpits and ADAS, plus support for generative AI and end-to-end driving functions via Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models. The ecosystem supports Flyme Auto, Google Automotive Services (GAS), and AAOS, offering OEMs a global cockpit-and-driving solution. Production is planned for 2027 after verification. CEO Shen Ziyu called it a cornerstone for next-gen experiences.

Poll: Will you buy Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Switch?

January 31, 2026, 1:14 AM EST. Nintendo's next big Switch release, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, is launching 16 April 2026. A Direct showcased features including Mii customization, island customization and the Palette House. The game carries a price tag of £49.99 / €59.99 / $59.99 and comes with image-sharing restrictions. The poll, 2,439 votes, shows mixed sentiment: 'I've already pre-ordered!' 6%; 'Day one' 18%; 'As soon as possible' 12%; 'Maybe, I'm still thinking about it…' 11%; 'I need to know more about it…' 2%; 'I'm not so sure…' 5%; 'Waiting or saving for something else' 2%; 'I'll stick with the previous entry' 0.7%; 'No, I'm not interested' 43%; 'Something else' 0.6%. For a recap of the Direct, readers can check our guide.

Nvidia stock price target: $650-$815 by 2030 based on forward earnings

January 31, 2026, 1:12 AM EST. Nvidia's earnings trajectory underpins a bullish 2030-2031 target. The company posted about $213.4 billion in revenue for the just-completed year. Assuming a 37.5% revenue CAGR through 2031, revenue could reach roughly $1.4 trillion, with gross margins near 73% and adjusted operating expenses rising about 7% quarter over quarter. At a 15% tax rate, consensus models imply more than $792 billion in adjusted earnings by 2031, or about $32.50 a share with 24.3 billion shares outstanding. Applying a 20-25x forward multiple yields a price range around $650 to $815 by 2030. This hinges on AI demand, CUDA/software growth, and Nvidia's leadership in GPUs and networking.

VGT Could Miss Major AI Players Because It Excludes Alphabet, Amazon and Meta

January 31, 2026, 1:10 AM EST. The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has tracked the MSCI US IMI Information Technology 25/50 index and holds about 320 names, but the top 10 account for nearly 59% and roughly 45% of assets go to Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft. The ETF is heavily concentrated in those three giants, limiting breadth for AI exposure. It also misses Alphabet, Amazon and Meta, which are classified outside the information technology sector by MSCI and S&P Dow Jones indices, meaning they don't appear in VGT's holdings. Without Alphabet and Amazon in a portfolio tied to AI, cloud providers that train and run models aren't fully represented, which may reduce long-term AI access for investors.

NASA's Perseverance completes first AI-planned drives on Mars

January 31, 2026, 1:02 AM EST. NASA's Perseverance rover completed the first drives on another world planned by AI. Conducted on Dec. 8 and 10 from JPL's Rover Operations Center, the demonstration used generative models to propose waypoints that guide the rover through Jezero Crater's rim. The AI relied on the same imagery and terrain data human planners use, and collaboration with Anthropic's Claude AI was used to test the approach. NASA officials said the tests illustrate progress in autonomous navigation, potentially boosting science return as Earth-Martian distance creates long communication delays. Real-time control remains impractical due to roughly 140 million miles of light-lag; human drivers still sketch routes, but AI planning could accelerate exploration and reduce risk.

DJI Dock 3 Winter Safety Guide for Autonomous Operations

January 31, 2026, 12:42 AM EST. DJI Dock 3 is an automated, all-weather drone-in-a-box for 24×7 remote operations. Paired with the Matrice 4D/4TD, it runs autonomous inspections, emergency response, perimeter monitoring and asset surveillance without on-site pilots, with takeoff, landing, charging and cloud mission control managed remotely. For winter, DJI lays out practical steps to boost flight stability, battery reliability and mission success. Monitor weather on every flight and avoid strong winds, heavy snowfall or dense fog; enable Prevent Flight Using Weather Forecast Data to ground flights when forecasted conditions exceed limits. Inspect propellers for icing risk: the hydrophobic coating helps below 5°C, but sunlight can crack it; replace cracked props and after 450 flights. Increase RTH reserves to offset cold battery losses and higher return power draw.

Tesla pivots from auto stock toward autonomy, robotics and energy AI

January 31, 2026, 12:28 AM EST. Tesla is steering away from a pure auto maker toward a platform built on autonomy, robotics, and energy storage. The debate over whether Tesla is an auto stock appears settled in sentiment if not in metrics. Despite about 87% of 2025 revenue from vehicles, the company outlined plans to pause the high-end S/X and invest about $20 billion in Physical AI, robotics, and autonomy initiatives. Analysts describe a fundamental pivot toward robotaxi and the humanoid Optimus project, plus transportation-as-a-service. SpaceX merger chatter and xAI links feed investor optimism and risk. The market cap around $1.56 trillion towers over GM and Ford, underscoring the view that Tesla's core may be software and systems-not wheels-in the long run.

Anthropic engineer says he hasn't written code in more than two months as AI handles most coding

January 31, 2026, 12:20 AM EST. Anthropic engineer Boris Cherny says he hasn't written code in more than two months, with Claude Code and Opus 4.5 writing all his work. In a post on X, he said 100% of his code is AI-generated, echoed by others at Anthropic. CEO Dario Amodei noted at Davos that some engineers rely on AI to generate code. A separate OpenAI researcher, known as Roon, also claims he no longer writes code. Industry observers say AI tooling is reshaping software development, though company-wide AI-generated code is reported between 70% and 90% at Anthropic, and about 90% for Claude Code itself. Public figures at Microsoft and Salesforce cite around 30% AI-generated code; a Science study found about 29% of GitHub Python functions are AI-written in the U.S.

Aronofsky's AI-generated Revolutionary War series debuts two episodes amid pushback

January 31, 2026, 12:04 AM EST. Darren Aronofsky released the first two episodes of his AI-generated Revolutionary War series, On This Day… 1776, on Time's YouTube channel. The project blends AI visuals with voices from Screen Actors Guild performers, produced by Primordial Soup with Google/DeepMind tools, and aims to drop episodes on the 250th anniversaries of the events. The first episode is set for Jan. 1, 1776, the second for Jan. 10, 1776, with a trailer also released. Ben Bitonti of Time Studios framed the venture as a glimpse of what AI-driven storytelling can enable without replacing craft. Aronofsky has argued for harnessing AI as tools, while critics online fault the approach for poor acting, lip-syncing, pacing and IP concerns about AI stealing sources.

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