Technology News 02.02.2026

Crunchyroll raises prices after scrapping free tier

February 2, 2026, 11:58 PM EST. Crunchyroll raised monthly prices for its remaining plans, boosting the Fan tier from $8 to $10, Mega from $12 to $14, and Ultra from $16 to $18. Current subscribers will see the changes after March 4; new customers pay the higher rates immediately. The moves follow years of change since Sony bought Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2020 and folded Funimation into the service, later erasing Funimation libraries and eliminating the free tier on December 31, 2025. The company says the increases give fans more of what they love, highlighting forthcoming features such as teen profiles, PIN protection, multiple profiles, the ability to skip intro and end credits, and expanded device compatibility.

Google Pixel updates shift from first Monday to flexible cadence

February 2, 2026, 11:56 PM EST. Google no longer releases Pixel updates on the first Monday of the month. Since October 2023, the company has used a flexible cadence, delivering patches when they're ready, often on the first or second Tuesday or Wednesday. In January, Google even issued the patch on the 2nd Monday. For February, updates may arrive in a couple of days or wait until next week. Owners of Pixel 8-10 can expect an update soon; owners of Pixel 6 or Pixel 7 appear to be on a quarterly cadence, a change Google has not publicly confirmed. The shift highlights ongoing variability in Pixel release timing.

UNT Health Texas TCOM adds AI to four-year medical curriculum to boost clinical skills

February 2, 2026, 11:54 PM EST. Fort Worth, Texas – The UNT Health Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine is integrating AI across its four-year medical curriculum, making it one of the early adopters in the United States. The aim is to augment, not replace, doctors by sharpening clinical reasoning and communication through AI-powered simulations. Faculty say the technology supports cognitive skills and acts as a learning aid rather than a crutch. In a recent virtual exercise, students interacted with an AI chatbot simulating a parent, practicing diagnostic dialogue and patient questioning. The school has expanded training with a grant for a four-week elective on data and AI applications in healthcare.

D-Wave pursues dual-track quantum strategy to face IBM and Google

February 2, 2026, 11:52 PM EST. D-Wave kicked off 2026 with a dual-track push to accelerate commercialization of quantum computing. The company, known for quantum annealing used in optimization, said it would expand its software and services ecosystem while continuing to advance its core hardware. Executives described a dual-path approach: strengthen the existing annealing platform for customers and pursue complementary efforts that could broaden access via cloud services and partnerships. The move comes as IBM and Google press in with gate-model quantum efforts and larger ecosystems. Observers say the strategy aims to diversify risk and capture early market demand, but execution will hinge on reliability, scale, and the ability to attract developers and clients.

SpaceX targets Thursday afternoon launch from Cape Canaveral after delays

February 2, 2026, 11:46 PM EST. Update: SpaceX has delayed the next Cape Canaveral liftoff to no earlier than Thu. Feb. 5, 4:20 p.m. ET. The Falcon 9 will carry the next batch of Starlink 6-103 satellites from Launch Complex 40, with a window that closes at 8:20 p.m. ET if needed. The launch was moved from Feb. 3 to Feb. 4 before this latest postponement. The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegged greater than 95% odds of favorable conditions, though booster-landing and solar activity remained watch items. The first stage would target the Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship in the Atlantic after liftoff. Florida Today's Brooke Edwards reports from Cape Canaveral.

AI leaders warn over Moltbook risk after Wiz findings on security and data exposure

February 2, 2026, 11:44 PM EST. Top AI critics and researchers warn that Moltbook, marketed as an ecosystem of autonomous agents, is rife with security holes. A Wiz security review found that roughly 17,000 humans controlled the platform's agents-about 88 per person-and produced no real safeguards to verify AI status versus scripted bots. The database reportedly allowed read and write access from anyone on the internet, exposing API keys for 1.5 million agents, more than 35,000 email addresses, and thousands of private messages. Some messages contained raw credentials for third-party services such as OpenAI. Because content feeds autonomous agents, attackers could inject commands that cascade across millions of bots powered by OpenClaw. Critics, including Gary Marcus, warn of prompt injection and CTD, or chatbot transmitted disease.

SpaceX plans up to one million satellites to power orbital AI data center

February 2, 2026, 11:32 PM EST. SpaceX has filed plans with U.S. regulators to launch up to one million satellites into low-Earth orbit to serve as an orbital data center for AI. The project would dwarf today's constellation, with SpaceX operating about 9,300-9,600 of roughly 14,000 active satellites. The filing gives few specifics on size or cost but says satellites would occupy 500-2,000 km altitudes and run largely on solar power. Astronomers warn the plan could exacerbate space traffic and debris; Jonathan McDowell notes a potential 1.7 million proposed satellites worldwide. The proposal comes as SpaceX weighs a public listing and possible tie-ins with xAI, Musk's AI venture. SpaceX did not immediately respond to comment requests.

Oppo Reno15 review: premium build, strong mid-range specs

February 2, 2026, 11:30 PM EST. OPPO's Reno15 aims to bring a premium feel to a more affordable price. The design mirrors the Pro models with Gorilla Glass 7i, an aluminum frame and IP68/IP69 water resistance. It sports a 6.59-inch OLED at 120Hz, powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. Memory options go up to 512GB/12GB. Its triple rear camera centers on a 50MP OIS main, a 50MP OIS telephoto (3.5x-7x) and an 8MP ultrawide; a 50MP front camera is also included. A 6500mAh battery supports 80W wired charging. Software is Android 16 with ColorOS 16. Oppo pitches strong battery life, quick charging and a versatile camera array as why to buy, with price and availability to determine real appeal.

Tesla's Europe sales remain a small slice of the business as US market dominates

February 2, 2026, 11:28 PM EST. Tesla's European sales grab headlines, but they account for a small share of the carmaker's business. In 2025, Europe deliveries totaled 238,656, down 27% from 2024, representing less than 15% of Tesla's global vehicle sales. Early 2026 data from several countries show a mixed start: declines in France and Norway, gains in Spain and Sweden. By contrast, the United States remains the largest market, about 35% of 2024 unit sales per analyst Troy Teslike, and roughly half of 2025 revenue. Vehicle demand is softening there as well. The European data boom is aided by vehicle registrations, which analysts say can overstate regional importance compared with the broader, revenue-driven picture.

Apple Watch Series 11, M5 MacBook Pro lead 9to5Mac deals

February 2, 2026, 11:22 PM EST. 9to5Toys' lunch break rounds up new Apple discounts, including up to 33% off AirPods 4, and straight $100 price drops across the Apple Watch Series 11 lineup. The 42mm model is now $299 and the 46mm $329 at Amazon, with all four case colors available. The same $100 cut applies to GPS + Cell variants. Also featured are iPad discounts: iPad mini near $100 off and M3 iPad Air models about $120 off. In laptops, the M5 MacBook Pro deal stands out: the 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD model in Space Black for $1,499 at B&H, down from $1,799. Apple site pricing aligns with these deals, while Amazon remains the all-time low track. Authorized dealer status noted for B&H.

SpaceX acquires xAI, plans 1-million-satellite constellation to power AI infrastructure

February 2, 2026, 11:18 PM EST. SpaceX aims to acquire xAI and build a megaconstellation of up to a million satellites to power its data-center network. Critics warn that crowding in space could raise collision risk unless enhanced space situational awareness is paired with debris-mitigation. Victoria Samson of Secure World Foundation says the current collision-bubble around satellites could shrink, but at a cost in risk. Marlon Sorge of The Aerospace Corporation notes uncertainties about satellite size, deployment, and the legacy of debris at 800-1,000 km. Debris from past tests remains a problem; objects at higher altitudes linger for centuries. SpaceX cites redundant maneuverability to deorbit, and may relocate aging craft to high altitude or heliocentric orbits to protect the ozone.

Quantum Computing Inc. completes acquisition of Luminar Semiconductor for $110 million

February 2, 2026, 11:16 PM EST. Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) completed its acquisition of Luminar Semiconductor (LSI) in an all-cash deal valued at $110 million, expanding its photonics platform. The move aims to create a vertically integrated, chip-scale quantum hardware stack featuring TFLN photonics with LSI's lasers, detectors and packaging. CEO Yuping Huang called the tie-up strategic, noting LSI's team will accelerate the transition from technology to scalable manufacturing. The combined company seeks end-to-end control of photonic design and production, with a domestic manufacturing footprint to align with U.S.-based demand and reshoring trends. Aerospace and defense markets receive near-term revenue visibility, as LSI continues as a wholly owned subsidiary supporting established programs, while QCi broadens into new sectors.

Corning lands $6 billion Meta data-center fiber deal; optics growth accelerates

February 2, 2026, 11:14 PM EST. Corning is poised to benefit from a $6 billion, multi-year order from Meta Platforms for optical-fiber cables used in data centers. The deal highlights a industry-wide shift from copper to fiber, enabling faster data transfer as data-center racks grow beyond hundreds of GPUs. Meta plans around 30 data centers, including Hyperion in Louisiana, slated for completion in 2030 and housing about 1.3 million GPUs; the project could require tens of thousands of miles of cable. Corning's 2025 core revenue was $16.4 billion, with optical communications at $6.2 billion, up 35%. Enterprise optical communications revenue rose 61% to $3 billion, while hyperscale data centers revenue more than doubled. The $6 billion Meta deal is expected to flow into Corning's enterprise segment over several years.

Save Android battery by turning off Mobile Data Always Active

February 2, 2026, 11:12 PM EST. Android users can save battery by disabling a hidden setting called Mobile Data Always Active, which keeps cellular data on even when a stable Wi-Fi connection is present. The feature can prevent seamless handoffs but at the cost of extra energy use as both networks run simultaneously. The article notes that turning it off can preserve battery life, though the option is not easy to locate. It also outlines how to access hidden controls by enabling Developer Options, a menu not intended for casual users and carrying some risk. Steps begin in Settings > About Phone, then enabling the developer menu to reach power-saving toggles. The piece weighs tradeoffs between connectivity and endurance.

SpaceX acquires xAI, creating the world's most valuable private company

February 2, 2026, 11:00 PM EST. SpaceX is acquiring xAI, merging two of Elon Musk's most ambitious ventures into the world's most valuable private company, valued at about $1.03 trillion combined (SpaceX $800B, xAI $230B per PitchBook). The deal signals a push to secure AI compute resources, with SpaceX seeking FCC permission to launch a 1-million-satellite constellation to host solar-powered data centers for AI workloads. Musk said compute could be cheaper in space within two to three years. The backdrop includes Goldman Sachs' warning of rising data-center power demand and large AI infrastructure spend by Microsoft and Meta. The tie-up also links xAI to X and its Grok chatbot, which has faced criticism for outputs including sexual images of real people and a history of violent and antisemitic posts.

Fact Focus: AI-generated images falsely link NYC mayor to Epstein; here's how we know

February 2, 2026, 10:58 PM EST. AI-generated photos circulating on X falsely depict New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his mother, Mira Nair, with Jeffrey Epstein and other figures. The images originated on a parody X account that markets "high quality AI videos and memes" and are clearly watermarked as AI. Google's Gemini detected a SynthID watermark, confirming AI provenance. The poster appeared to acknowledge creating the images, saying it made Mamdani look like a baby. The spread followed a DOJ Epstein file release and an email about a 2009 afterparty with Clinton, Bezos and Nair. Mamdani would have been 18 in 2009, making a baby depiction implausible. No public claims implicate Clinton, Gates or Bezos. The episode shows how AI can distort reality.

Samsung's S Pen color rumors for Galaxy S26 Ultra focus on cap hues

February 2, 2026, 10:44 PM EST. Rumors from Nieuwe Mobiel, via 9to5Google, say Samsung will offer four colorways for the S Pen – but only for the clickable cap, not the body. Cap colors cited are Cobalt Violet, Black Shadow, White Shadow, and Galactic Blue; the S Pen body is expected to stay black or white. The leak also hints at a curvier design for the S Pen and its frame to match Galaxy S26 Ultra corners. Pink gold and other variants aren't confirmed. Renderings show the curved cap and stem, with the slot suggested to follow a more curved profile. Samsung reportedly aims to make the stylus more comfortable to hold; the color change appears cosmetic rather than a wholesale shift.

Firefox adds AI controls to disable AI features in the browser

February 2, 2026, 10:42 PM EST. Mozilla will roll out an 'AI control' in Firefox on February 24, enabling users to disable or enable individual AI features. The update lets users switch off the built-in AI chatbot, translations, AI tab-group suggestions and more, or disable all AI. Mozilla CEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo previously signaled a 'kill switch' in response to concerns about AI, emphasizing user choice. The change also covers whether Firefox uses AI to generate image alt text in PDFs and to summarize or point to key facts in link previews. The company says the controls reflect audience demand for choice as it expands AI tools, while continuing to offer useful AI features for those who want them.

Groundhog Day launch sends SpaceX Starlink satellites into orbit from California

February 2, 2026, 10:40 PM EST. Groundhog Day marked SpaceX's 14th launch of the year as a Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Feb. 2. The upper stage reached a preliminary orbit about nine minutes after liftoff, with 25 Starlink satellites (Group 17-32) deployed about an hour later. The first stage returned to Earth, landing on the ocean droneship Of Course I Still Love You. The booster, B1071, has flown 31 times, just shy of SpaceX's reuse record set by B1067 in December 2025. Starlink now lists about 9,628 active satellites, per Jonathan McDowell. The network provides broadband to regions with sparse connectivity.

Palantir's Q4 beat underscores AI-driven commercial momentum

February 2, 2026, 10:38 PM EST. Palantir delivered a strong Q4, with revenue of $1.4 billion, up 70% year over year and 19% quarter over quarter. GAAP and adjusted earnings beat expectations; GAAP operating income 575 million and margins around 41%, GAAP net income 609 million at 43%. The company highlighted its shift toward a commercial growth engine, noting U.S. revenue rose 93% to $1.1 billion, with commercial revenue up 137% and government revenue up 66%. Palantir said it closed 180 deals of at least $1 million, with $4.3 billion in total contract value. Management framed Palantir as an efficiency machine and highlighted a Rule of 40 score of 127% and an adjusted operating margin of 57%, signaling fast growth while generating cash. Investors sent shares higher after the beat and above-forecast guidance, as the AI deployment narrative moves from promise to production.

NASA pushes through tanking headaches during Artemis II wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center

February 2, 2026, 10:34 PM EST. NASA pressed ahead with a two-day wet dress rehearsal at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center to test the countdown and fueling for Artemis II. The exercise loaded about 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant, but hydrogen leaks forced pauses as teams moved the core stage into replenish mode while LOX continued. The test proceeds toward T-33 seconds, mirroring a real launch window that opens around 9 p.m. and runs into Tuesday morning. Weather delays had postponed the start from Saturday. If successful, Artemis II could lift off as early as Sunday night, Feb. 8, with backups in February and March; NASA would roll back for any unresolved issue. The exercise reinforces procedures, including hatch closures and pad closeout.

NASA readies crucial wet dress rehearsal ahead of Artemis II moon mission

February 2, 2026, 10:30 PM EST. NASA is staging a wet dress rehearsal of its Space Launch System ahead of Artemis II, a four-astronaut loop around the Moon. The test will fuel the rocket and run the countdown to about 30 seconds before liftoff, letting engineers review performance and readiness. Artemis II carries Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day mission farther from Earth than any humans have traveled. Whether the launch proceeds depends on the rehearsal's results. Roughly 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant will be loaded as NASA streams the tanking process and a 24/7 livestream from the pad. If the data look good, NASA could set a targeted liftoff in coming days; if not, delays are possible. The crew has quarantined at Johnson Space Center.

id Software marks 35th anniversary with tease of discounts, next title and potential remasters

February 2, 2026, 10:24 PM EST. id Software marks its 35th anniversary with a celebratory video from studio director Marty Stratton and game director Hugo Martin. The clip thanks fans and promises that the year will include events and "much more in store." Possible surprises include discounts on existing games and behind-the-scenes looks at the studio. The team is widely expected to be working on its next title, following last year's release of DOOM: The Dark Ages. A formal announcement is unlikely, but remasters or re-releases of older titles could surface. The studio has a long legacy to draw from, and fans are invited to engage with comments as the anniversary unfolds.

NASA's Artemis II moon rocket hit by hydrogen leak during dress rehearsal countdown

February 2, 2026, 10:20 PM EST. NASA halted fueling after detecting an excessive hydrogen leak near the bottom of the 322-foot Space Launch System rocket during a dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center. The test loaded more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic fuel to mimic final countdown stages while the four-person crew, in quarantine in Houston, watched. Engineers paused loading and worked around the problem using techniques from the previous SLS launch. The delay comes two days behind schedule due to a bitter cold snap. If the fueling demo completes on time, commander Reid Wiseman could lead a launch on Artemis II as soon as Sunday, but the window must stay open to Feb. 11 or the mission shifts to March. The 10-day flight would test life support and other systems ahead of a lunar fly-by, not an orbit or landing.

Apple buys AI audio startup Q.ai in deal valued near $2 billion

February 2, 2026, 10:08 PM EST. Apple has acquired Q.ai, an Israel-born startup building AI for audio applications. GV (Google Ventures) confirmed the deal, calling it Apple's second-largest acquisition. Reuters cited a source with a price around $1.6 billion, while the Financial Times reported it near $2 billion. About 100 employees will join Apple, including CEO Aviad Maizels and co-founders Yonatan Wexler and Avi Barliya. Q.ai had operated in stealth and faced disruption during the Israel-Hamas war, with roughly 30% of staff drafted for military service. The deal comes after Apple's 2014 Beats purchase. Backers such as Aleph and Exor helped seed the company; Apple's move could accelerate audio-imaging ML work across devices. Maizels and Srouji praised the deal.

Ring expands Search Party to all U.S. users, adds support for non-camera owners

February 2, 2026, 10:06 PM EST. Ring is expanding its AI-powered Search Party to all U.S. customers, including non-camera owners, not just those with Ring cameras. The feature analyzes footage from nearby neighbors' cameras when a lost-dog report is posted in the Neighbors app. If a match is found, the camera owner sees an alert and can share clips or contact the reporter without exposing personal numbers. Ring says the tool has reunited more than a dog per day since launch. The expansion comes with a $1 million pledge to equip up to 4,000 shelters with Ring cameras, tying shelters into its network. Founder Jamie Siminoff says the goal is to mobilize the whole community to find lost pets.

Amazon layoffs in Washington state total 2,198 as AI reliance grows

February 2, 2026, 9:58 PM EST. SEATTLE – Amazon plans a major wave of permanent layoffs in Washington state, affecting 2,198 employees at Seattle, Bellevue and other sites. A WARN filing with the Washington State Employment Security Department shows reductions begin April 28, 2026. In Seattle, 1,407 jobs will be cut; Bellevue, 626; Redmond, 30. Fulfillment centers will lose 19 roles across seven sites in Sumner, Dupont, Kent, Spokane, Arlington and Pasco, plus 116 remote workers in the state. The company had already announced about 16,000 corporate job cuts, on top of roughly 14,000 laid off three months earlier. Amazon cites a growing reliance on AI and efforts to streamline operations. U.S.-based staff have 90 days to seek other roles; otherwise severance pay and limited health benefits apply.

Crunchyroll raises prices in US and select markets, adds offline download perk for Fan Tier

February 2, 2026, 9:56 PM EST. Crunchyroll will raise its US prices and select international markets, marking the first price hike for the lowest tier since 2019. The Fan Tier goes from $7.99 to $9.99 per month; Mega Fan from $11.99 to $13.99; and Ultimate Fan from $15.99 to $17.99. Existing monthly subscribers will see the higher price on their next billing date after March 4. The change also adds a perk to the Fan Tier: offline downloads on one device, a feature previously limited to higher tiers. The move follows price increases in 2024 for Mega and Ultimate tiers and mirrors similar hikes at HBO Max, Paramount Plus, and Disney+. Reporter: Jay Peters.

SpaceX to merge with xAI ahead of potential $1.25 trillion IPO

February 2, 2026, 9:54 PM EST. Elon Musk says SpaceX will merge with his AI venture xAI, creating what he calls a vertically integrated engine for AI, rockets and space-based internet. The combined company could price an IPO at about $1.25 trillion, Bloomberg reported. Nevada public records cited by CNBC show Space Exploration Technologies Corp. as the managing member of X.AI Holdings, confirming the deal closed on Feb. 2. Tesla intends to invest roughly $2 billion into xAI as part of the arrangement. The move follows xAI's earlier consolidation with the X social network and comes amid regulatory scrutiny of Grok AI tools in several jurisdictions. Reuters reported SpaceX earned about $8 billion in profit on $15-$16 billion in revenue in 2023, underscoring its scale in launches and Starlink.

Wake County to vote on $330,000 Lightspeed internet filtering contract

February 2, 2026, 9:50 PM EST. Wake County Public School System's board will vote Tuesday on a $330,000, one-year contract with Howard Technology Solutions to deploy Lightspeed Internet Content Filter and Lightspeed Insights. The measure follows a pilot that the district says improved accuracy in blocking websites and expanded visibility into students' online use. Critics-students, staff and families-have raised concerns that current tools are inconsistent, allow distractions from YouTube, and limit teachers' ability to monitor activity. If approved, implementation would occur this spring, with schools beginning use between Feb. 13 and Mar. 20.

SpaceX buys xAI in mega-deal; Tesla's stake under scrutiny

February 2, 2026, 9:48 PM EST. SpaceX announced it has acquired xAI, creating a combined entity valued at about $1.25 trillion ahead of an IPO. The deal excludes Tesla, which invested $2 billion in xAI last month. The merger pairs SpaceX (~$800B by a recent secondary offering) with xAI (~$230B after a $20B funding round). The merged group could raise as much as $50B in an IPO later this year. Musk envisions orbital data centers and up to one million AI satellites. Tesla investors face indirect exposure as their $2B stake in xAI becomes exposure to SpaceX-xAI. The arrangement shifts cash flow toward xAI via SpaceX, while xAI burns cash competing with OpenAI and others. The deal raises conflicts of interest concerns; a prior lawsuit alleged breach of fiduciary duty related to Tesla's xAI investment.

Apple Pay usage climbs in stores, but rivals gain ground, PYMNTS finds

February 2, 2026, 9:34 PM EST. Apple Pay usage in physical stores has doubled over the past year but remains only about 10% of eligible in-store purchases and under 5% of transactions, according to PYMNTS Intelligence's 2025 study 'Apple Pay @11: Usage Is Up, but Competitors Are Gaining Ground.' The survey of 3,339 U.S. consumers (Aug. 14-Sept. 22, 2025) shows total Apple Pay sales rising from $268 billion to $450 billion, yet funding still relies heavily on card-based methods. In-store usage is rising: 31% of shoppers use mobile wallets weekly, and Apple Pay accounts for 16% of in-store usage last week-double 2024's level. Google Pay, PayPal, and Cash App are gaining ground. Funding increasingly comes from digital balances (1.0% to 3.7% 2023-2025), but debit cards remain dominant. Millennials lead adoption; Boomers are catching up.

Apple releases updates for older iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS versions

February 2, 2026, 9:28 PM EST. Apple has issued a slate of software updates for older devices running out-of-date systems, including iOS 16.7.14 and iPadOS 16.7.14, macOS 11.7.11, watchOS 10.6.2, watchOS 9.6.4, watchOS 6.3.1, plus macOS Catalina Security Update 2026-001. The updates apply to older iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models. iOS 16.7.14 fixes a bug tied to the prior iOS 16.7.13 release, which was pulled after connectivity issues in Australia. However, the macOS and watchOS updates appear to extend iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation certifications to work beyond January 2027, per Apple's documentation. The company did not announce new features for current devices.

Apple loses top TSMC status as Nvidia rises, prompting supplier diversification

February 2, 2026, 9:24 PM EST. Apple is no longer TSMC's biggest client, as Nvidia has risen to the top chip buyer. The shift reduces Apple's leverage to secure full capacity, forcing it to consider alternatives to meet iPhone and Mac demand. On the latest earnings call, Tim Cook acknowledged supply tightness but offered few details. Reports say Apple is evaluating rival foundries for lower-end processors, potentially affecting non-Pro iPhone lines. Separately, Apple has floated reviving Intel manufacturing for existing designs, and in 2025 disclosed collaboration with Samsung on a new chip-making technology in Austin, Texas. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sees a possible M7 produced in the USA by Intel as soon as 2027. Apple still relies on multi-sourcing to avoid single-supplier risk.

NASA's Orion sits on the pad for Artemis II launch as rollout completes

February 2, 2026, 9:20 PM EST. NASA's Orion spacecraft sits atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on Jan. 17, 2026, ahead of Artemis II. The mission plans to carry a four-astronaut crew around the Moon, with Orion providing living space for up to 21 days without docking to another spacecraft. The rollout marks a step in NASA's plan to test deep-space operations. Engineers have updated life support, avionics, power systems, and thermal protection to sustain the crew during launch, lunar transit, landing, and recovery. Image credit: NASA/Brandon Hancock.

NVIDIA CEO says China still finalising license for H200 chip

February 2, 2026, 9:10 PM EST. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said China is still finalising a license to sell the H200 AI chip, speaking in Taipei after meetings with officials, partners and customers. He told Reuters a government decision is expected and argued the H200 would benefit both the Chinese market and U.S. technological leadership. Reuters had previously reported that China approved the sale of more than 400,000 H200 chips to ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent under strict conditions, though Huang said NVIDIA has not received such terms and the outcome remains pending. He noted strong local competition and said NVIDIA would coordinate with TSMC to arrange supply if the license is granted. He also said he might invest in OpenAI in the future. NVDA stock has risen year-to-date.

Apple releases iOS 16.7.14 to fix emergency-call issue on iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X in Australia

February 2, 2026, 9:06 PM EST. Apple has released iOS 16.7.14 to fix an issue that blocked emergency calls on older iPhones in Australia with the prior iOS 16.7.13 update. The patch affects iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, and Apple's release notes say it resolves a mobile-network fault that prevented dialing emergency services. The problem had been active since December; a Telstra carrier-settings update provided a temporary fix last week. Users can install the update via Settings > General > Software Update; a corresponding iPadOS 16.7.14 update is available for older iPads.

AMD Poised to Outperform NVIDIA in AI Chips, Analysts Say

February 2, 2026, 9:00 PM EST. AMD has surged about 107% in the past year, ahead of NVIDIA's roughly 64% gain, as both chase AI-market demand. AMD's late but rapid AI push, competitive pricing and a diversified business mix could help it close the gap with NVIDIA. Customers such as IBM and OpenAI have adopted AMD's Instinct accelerators, while Oracle and Cisco expand AI clusters on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. AMD's ROCm software lags CUDA in popularity, but recent download spikes underscore growing adoption. The product mix, plus a smaller market cap, gives AMD room to grow. For Q4 2025, management targets about $9.6 billion in revenue, roughly 25% year over year. Analysts' targets hover around $286 on average, with upside to $380.

OpenAI seeks alternatives to Nvidia chips over inference performance, sources say

February 2, 2026, 8:56 PM EST. OpenAI is reportedly seeking alternatives to Nvidia chips after voicing dissatisfaction with inference performance, eight sources familiar with the matter tell Reuters. The report follows a Wall Street Journal item that Nvidia's plan to invest as much as $100 billion in OpenAI has stalled. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang acknowledged the WSJ reporting but kept a positive public stance toward the partnership while OpenAI weighs options. Inside OpenAI, some sources describe a more combative posture as it pursues diversification. The issue centers on inference – the computation behind AI model thinking. OpenAI has already struck deals with AMD to supply chips and with Broadcom to build custom accelerators, signaling a broader push to diversify suppliers beyond Nvidia. The dynamic resembles a strategic pivot more than a breakup.

Apple Watch 11 hits 25% flash deal, price drops to $299 on Amazon

February 2, 2026, 8:50 PM EST. An Amazon flash deal cut 25% off the Apple Watch 11, dropping the price to $299. The discount narrows the price gap with the SE and is framed as a strong value for a flagship model. The reviewer highlights a new design, long battery life and fast charging. Daily use centers on fitness tracking; if rings aren't closed, the user paces the living room, though the author notes the routine helps mental health. The watch also offers enhanced health monitoring, such as ECG and hypertension alerts, and sleep tracking. The note ends with a pointer to global deals across models and other regions.

NASA fuels Artemis II moon rocket; hydrogen leak delays wet dress rehearsal ahead of possible weekend launch

February 2, 2026, 8:46 PM EST. During a planned wet dress rehearsal for NASA's Artemis II mission, engineers faced a hydrogen leak at the tail service mast umbilical as the Space Launch System rocket was being fueled on pad 39B. The test began two days late due to cold weather. Remote fueling started after a weather review, with more than 750,000 gallons of cryogenic liquid oxygen and hydrogen loaded into the 32-story-tall rocket. The leak appeared in the first-stage connection, pausing fuel flow at about 55% and again at 77% before officials pressed on. NASA later said core-stage fill was complete and the leak at the interface remained within acceptable limits. Officials will decide whether to extend the test or proceed with a potential weekend launch around the moon.

Elon Musk's Epstein emails threaten to complicate SpaceX-xAI merger and IPO plans

February 2, 2026, 8:44 PM EST. The DOJ's release of Epstein documents drew renewed scrutiny over Elon Musk. Dozens of mentions of Musk appear in the files; he has defended himself on X and said he declined invitations to Epstein's island, while emails show exchanges in 2012-2013. Experts say the disclosures could complicate his high-stakes plan to merge SpaceX with xAI and then push a combined firm to a public listing. Analysts warn that investor confidence matters for an IPO, and warn of potential distraction costs as Musk faces questions about judgment and governance. SpaceX's move toward a public offering and the merger were already fragile; Epstein ties add reputational risk even as the deals proceed.

Sony WF-1000XM6 Leaks Hint Slimmer Design, More Mics and AI Upscaling

February 2, 2026, 8:42 PM EST. Leaked retail listing and posts hint at Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds arriving with a redesigned, slimmer casing and matte plastic. Images show a sleeker silhouette for the buds and a rectangular charging case, compared with the XM5's rounder form; colors include grayish white and black. The Walkman Blog notes a possible fourth microphone per earbud, boosting call clarity and potentially adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC). Rumors also point to DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling to improve audio, possibly via FCC filings. Price chatter places Thai listings at 11,990 baht (~$380), with U.S. pricing around $320 likely. No official word yet on specs or date; Sony has not confirmed availability.

Palantir tops Q4 estimates on AI and defense demand

February 2, 2026, 8:38 PM EST. Palantir topped Q4 estimates as AI adoption and demand from the U.S. government drove results. The Denver-based analytics company posted adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents and revenue of $1.41 billion, ahead of expectations of 23 cents and $1.33 billion. Revenue rose 70% year over year to $1.41 billion; full-year revenue reached $4.48 billion. U.S. government revenue climbed to $570 million and commercial to $507 million. For Q1, Palantir guided $1.532-$1.536 billion in revenue, above consensus, and full-year 2026 revenue of $7.182-$7.198 billion, beating FactSet estimates. CEO Alex Karp praised the results, noting ongoing DoD demand, while acknowledging scrutiny over DHS/ICE work.

SpaceX to merge with xAI ahead of IPO, Bloomberg reports

February 2, 2026, 8:36 PM EST. Bloomberg News reported late Monday that SpaceX (SPAX.PVT) will merge with xAI (XAAI.PVT) in a deal intended to consolidate two of Elon Musk's private ventures. The plan, described in an internal memo circulated to unnamed sources, would pair SpaceX's rocket and satellite ambitions with xAI's AI work. Musk has said xAI's models could support SpaceX programs such as rocket development and Starlink deployment, with space-based data centers among potential future projects. SpaceX is weighing an IPO that Bloomberg has estimated could raise as much as $50 billion and value the company around $1.5 trillion; how those figures would shift if the merger occurs beforehand remains unclear. This story is developing.

Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 review: solid mid-range 12.1-inch tablet with long battery life

February 2, 2026, 8:34 PM EST. The Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 is a solid mid-range tablet. Its standout features include a large 12.1-inch LCD with accurate colors, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a flicker-free display ideal for media and everyday work. Power is delivered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 that keeps daily tasks smooth, and battery life is strong with 33-watt charging. Wi-Fi 6E, microSD expansion, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and stylus compatibility add real value. It lacks 5G, NFC, and a built-in vibration motor, while outdoor brightness is only average and cameras are merely functional. The device uses an aluminum unibody, weighs about 610 grams, and supports the Poco/Redmi Pen with dual-face facial unlock. Updates are promised through late 2029 to 2030, extending life for price-conscious buyers.

Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds leak in retailer listing with matte design

February 2, 2026, 8:28 PM EST. Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds have leaked via a retailer listing spotted by a Reddit user and reported by The Walkman Blog. The listing shows limited specs beyond an IPX4 water-resistance rating and ANC/transparency modes. Stock images reveal two colorways in a matte finish-matte black and off-white-with a pill-shaped body reminiscent of older designs rather than the XM4 truffle or XM5 gloss. The buds look thick, a trait of earlier generations that prioritized sound quality. Speculation centers on a larger nozzle and air channel, which could boost bass, but official details remain pending. The case is described as sharp and potentially bulky. Sony has not publicly commented on the leak.

Galaxy S26 leak suggests built-in Qi2 magnets may be absent

February 2, 2026, 8:26 PM EST. Leakers say Galaxy S26 may skip native Qi2 magnets. Google's Pixel 10 is currently the only major Android line with Qi2 magnets, a feature long present in iPhone accessories. Samsung has previously toyed with magnets via cases rather than inside the phone. A new leak from Nieuwemobiel ties the Galaxy S26 to non-magnetic first-party cases, a strong signal that internal Qi2 magnets won't appear. The leak shows both magnetic and non-magnetic cases from Samsung, suggesting no internal Qi2 support. If the phone had internal magnets, thick cases would weaken alignment and accessories. While a slim chance remains Samsung revises course, the weight of signs points to no native Qi2 support for the Galaxy S26. Handle leaks with caution.

Adobe to shut down Animate as it pivots to AI-focused products

February 2, 2026, 8:24 PM EST. Adobe will discontinue its 2D animation software Animate on March 1, 2026, as it pivots to AI-enabled tools. Enterprise customers get technical support through March 1, 2029; other customers through March 2027. The decision has drawn frustration from users who fear few direct substitutes exist. In a support FAQ, Adobe said Animate has served for more than 25 years and that evolving technologies require new platforms. The firm offered only partial replacement guidance, pointing to other Creative Cloud apps such as After Effects and Adobe Express to cover parts of Animate's functionality. No 2025 release occurred, and existing owners can keep the software. Historically, pricing ranged around $34.49/month or $263.88/year with discounts. TechCrunch has reached out for comment.

SpaceX to merge with xAI at $1.25 trillion valuation, Bloomberg reports

February 2, 2026, 8:20 PM EST. Elon Musk plans to merge SpaceX with xAI ahead of an expected IPO, valuing the combined company at about $1.25 trillion, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The merged entity would price its shares near $527 each, the report said. The deal, announced in a memo, per Bloomberg News, would align Musk's rockets and satellites with his AI initiative under one roof. SpaceX and xAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The discussions come as Reuters reported plans for a blockbuster offering later this year, potentially bringing Starlink, the X platform and Grok AI under one umbrella.

Mozilla adds global AI off switch to Firefox in version 148

February 2, 2026, 8:16 PM EST. Mozilla will add an AI off switch to Firefox in version 148, due February 24. The desktop setting will offer a global toggle to block AI enhancements-turning off translations, tab-grouping recommendations, and in-browser AI chatbots, including Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral. Users can already select features individually, but the toggle gives a single opt-out for all AI and will default future AI additions to off. Mozilla says the option lets users "use Firefox without AI while we build AI features for those who want them." The move follows criticism over Mozilla's AI push and ties into a broader browser-AI trend as rivals push AI into core experiences. Mozilla's new CEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo has framed Firefox as evolving toward a modern AI browser, while stressing choice and privacy.

DJI Mic Mini Still Unbeatable in 2026

February 2, 2026, 8:14 PM EST. DJI's Mic Mini remains unbeatable in 2026 for its ultra-compact form and practical value. The kit, now around $78.21, includes two transmitters, a receiver and a charging case. Weighing about 10 grams and under an inch, it hides easily, aided by magnetic attachments and tiny windmuffs. Audio is solid for its tiny form factor, though it trails the DJI Mic 2 on pure audio quality. The price story matters: launched at $169, later discounted, cheaper than the Rode Wireless GO III and far less than the DJI Mic 3. For shooters who want portability without sacrificing sound, the Mic Mini remains hard to beat after a year on the market.

Disabling AICore on Samsung phones to curb RAM and battery drain

February 2, 2026, 8:12 PM EST. An Android user disabled AICore on a Galaxy S24 FE to trim RAM use and battery drain. AICore is a system service that updates and maintains on-device AI models such as Google's Gemini Nano, letting apps access AI features without cloud data. On Google Pixel devices and some Samsung models, these features include text summarization, proofreading, rewriting, and image description, plus processing prompts to Gemini Nano. After disabling, the user says background memory pressure eased and nagging notifications faded; some AI features may stop working. For those who never use AI features, turning AICore off is reasonable. Heavier AI users should weigh trade-offs between privacy, responsiveness, and access to on-device models before deciding.

Artemis II advances to final wet dress rehearsal as cold Florida tests SLS

February 2, 2026, 8:08 PM EST. NASA's Artemis II mission advances toward a final wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center amid a cold Florida spell. Ground teams have given the go for loading cryogenic propellant into the SLS core stage and expect a simulated launch late on Feb. 2, with a countdown to T-33 seconds. Bad weather slowed operations earlier, but teams report a current go for fueling. The test includes a full propellant load, leak checks, and a pre-launch go/no-go assessment about 16 minutes before lift-off. The exercise aims to validate procedures ahead of a possible Feb. 8 launch window. Astronauts will arrive at KSC Feb. 3, while engineers monitor cold weather and keep the Orion spacecraft and batteries ready.

NASA starts wet dress rehearsal for SLS as Artemis II launch window looms

February 2, 2026, 8:00 PM EST. NASA on Monday began a crucial wet dress rehearsal of its towering Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, a key step before sending four astronauts on a lunar-beyond mission. The test fills tanks with more than 700,000 gallons of super-chilled propellants, including hydrogen, with the objective of rehearsing a launch countdown. Early hours brought hydrogen-leak issues similar to prior dress rehearsals in 2022. The plan allows a four-hour countdown window that ends at 1 a.m. ET, and a pretend launch at 9 p.m. ET. A successful run would clarify when the Artemis II mission could launch between February and late April from the Kennedy Space Center. The crew-Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen-are in quarantine ahead of liftoff, aboard the mission to circumnavigate the Moon.

NASA fuels moon rocket in crucial dress rehearsal to set Artemis launch window

February 2, 2026, 7:58 PM EST. NASA loaded the Space Launch System (SLS) with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in a final dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center, signaling a possible crewed lunar flyby this weekend. The 322-foot rocket carried more than 700,000 gallons of propellants to the tanks and remained fueled for hours as the countdown approach was tested without a crew. The three Americans and one Canadian, quarantined in Houston for the exercise, watched from Johnson Space Center as launch controllers ran through procedures to the point of ignition, halting the clock half a minute before zero. If the fueling demo succeeds, commander Reid Wiseman and his crew could fly as soon as Sunday, provided the mission meets the Feb. 11 flight-window constraint. Artemis seeks a sustained lunar presence, beyond Apollo.

Artemis I heat shield issues reshape Artemis II and III timeline

February 2, 2026, 7:56 PM EST. Artemis I faced repeated launch setbacks in 2022 as NASA and engineers battled mechanical issues and weather. The uncrewed mission finally proceeded, but Orion's heat shield suffered erosion when the Avcoat material failed to protect the capsule during re-entry at about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida Tech's Don Platt described erosion exceeding expectations, prompting NASA to pause Artemis II and Artemis III schedules. NASA later updated the heat shield design, increasing testing and reinforcing critical areas. The delays, initially pegged to 2025, pushed launches into 2026 and mid-2027, as the program used downtime to harden components ahead of crewed lunar missions under the Artemis program.

Ukraine, SpaceX say Starlink crackdown curbs Russia's drone use; plans for terminal registration

February 2, 2026, 7:54 PM EST. Ukraine's defense minister said real results are emerging from efforts to block Russia's use of Starlink to guide drones into the country, after coordinating with SpaceX. Fedorov said the next step is a system that allows only authorized terminals on Ukrainian soil, with a registration process described as simple, fast and user-friendly; unverified terminals will be disabled. Elon Musk acknowledged that the steps to stop unauthorized use have worked and invited further action. Officials noted that Starlink's satellite-link enables longer-range, real-time drone control that cannot be jammed. Ukraine has presented evidence of hundreds of drone attacks linked to Starlink terminals; authorities continue to develop verification measures as the conflict evolves.

NASA Artemis II wet dress rehearsal hits snag as hydrogen leak probes pause fueling

February 2, 2026, 7:50 PM EST. NASA's wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II encountered a snag Monday as engineers paused the flow of liquid hydrogen into the core stage of the SLS rocket to investigate several potential leaks. Liquid oxygen continued to flow, and fuel loading into the upper stage was temporarily paused during troubleshooting. NASA said fueling resumed shortly after, with teams aiming to complete filling and then top off the tank, while managing hydrogen concentration within safe limits. Artemis II, a four-astronaut mission to loop around the Moon, would launch no earlier than February 8 if the test proceeds. The test follows issues that delayed Artemis I and underscores the risks of hydrogen handling in large rockets.

Exclusive: OpenAI seeks alternatives to Nvidia chips as it grows unsatisfied, sources say

February 2, 2026, 7:46 PM EST. OpenAI has grown frustrated with some Nvidia chips used for AI inference and began seeking alternatives last year, according to eight sources familiar with the matter. The move highlights a shift in OpenAI's hardware strategy as inference becomes a new battleground, even as Nvidia remains dominant for training. Nvidia has signaled heavy investment in OpenAI, while talks over a potential deal stalled. OpenAI has struck deals with AMD and others to supply GPUs, even as its product roadmap evolved to demand different compute types. Some executives have discussed bringing in startups such as Cerebras and Groq for faster inference, though Nvidia recently inked a $20-billion license deal with Groq that limited talks. Nvidia defends its performance and cost advantage for inference.

Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL discounted up to $250 on Amazon; prices start at $799

February 2, 2026, 7:44 PM EST. Deal alert for Google's Pixel 10 Pro lineup. Amazon is offering up to $250 off on the Pixel 10 Pro XL and $200 off on the Pixel 10 Pro. The 128GB model of the Pro starts at $799; the 256GB Pro is also $200 off. The Pixel 10 Pro XL starts at $949 with 256GB storage, and the 512GB and 1TB variants are also $250 off. Google is not yet the seller; a price match might appear soon. February continues a pattern of short-term sales on Pixel devices. For non-foldables, these two remain strong options, per our review.

HHS Uses Palantir AI to Vet Grants for DEI and Gender Ideology Compliance

February 2, 2026, 7:42 PM EST. The Department of Health and Human Services has begun using AI tools from Palantir to screen grants, grant applications, and job descriptions for compliance with two Trump-era executive orders aimed at DEI and gender ideology. The effort, run through the Administration for Children and Families, also involves Credal AI, a startup founded by Palantir alumni, assisting with grant reviews. An agency inventory notes the system is actively deployed and generates initial flags that are later reviewed by program staff. Palantir is reported as the sole contractor mapping job descriptions to be aligned with the orders; Credal AI handled the GenAI Platform for some grants. HHS, Palantir and Credal did not comment.

Transcelestial to supply satellite laser communication terminals to Gilmour Space for Transporter-18 demo

February 2, 2026, 7:40 PM EST. Transcelestial and Gilmour Space have signed a strategic partnership to embed a Transcelestial optical terminal on a Gilmour Space spacecraft launching on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission later this year. The demo will test laser communication links for high-speed, space-to-ground data, with a second Transcelestial terminal for a pair of ST Engineering satellites also aboard Transporter-18. Gilmour Space's Mark Grimminck said laser links could relieve data bottlenecks in operations. Rohit Jha, Transcelestial co-founder and CEO, compared the technology to an undersea cable alternative, arguing lasers are far faster than RF. Transcelestial previously supported a 6GStarLab cubesat and has tested spaceflight privately; officials say a ground station in Queensland is also under study.

Pixel 9a discount of $150 as Pixel 10a launch looms

February 2, 2026, 7:38 PM EST. With the Pixel 9a at its best price ever, a $150 discount drops the 128GB model to $349, expanding options for budget buyers seeking the Pixel experience. The Pixel 10a launch is expected soon, but early signals point to a minor upgrade at best; renders and retailer listings hint at a nearly identical look and similar specs. Google could keep the Tensor G4 chip or bring something close for another year. Rumors of Qi2 support or a standout budget camera are possible but unlikely. For buyers who don't want to wait, the Pixel 9a deal is solid; for others, patience may pay if the Pixel 10a delivers meaningful changes. Sources include recent leaks and shopping listings.

Google Store reopens discounts on Pixel 10 series and Pixel Watch 4

February 2, 2026, 7:34 PM EST. Google's online store reintroduces February 2026 deals on the Pixel 10 family and Pixel Watch 4, echoing last month's promotions. The Pixel 9a remains $100 off on Amazon. The Pixel 10 returns to $649 after a $150 cut. The Pixel 10 Pro is $799 (down $200); the Pixel 10 Pro XL is $949 (down $250); and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is $1,499 (down $300). In wearables, the 41mm Pixel Watch with Wi-Fi or LTE is $50 off; the 45mm Wi-Fi model is discounted, while cellular pricing stays unchanged on Google Store. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 drop to $179 on Amazon. The Google TV Streamer is $20 off to $79.99 through February 8; deals run until February 15, 2026.

IBM's Nighthawk quantum chip strengthens enterprise platform as investors back a quantum leader

February 2, 2026, 7:28 PM EST. IBM remains at the forefront of quantum computing, backed by a long corporate footprint and patient investors. The company holds the largest quantum ecosystem, with 2,299 qubits available to customers and a private quantum computer with 1,121 qubits. Its new Nighthawk processor, a scalable 120-qubit chip, delivers about 30% more complexity than its predecessor while preserving similar fidelity and boosting inter-qubit connections by roughly 20%. Wall Street has bet on the elder statesman to lure enterprise users, offering a tested software stack and services around hybrid quantum-classical workflows. As customers scale workloads and integrate the platform, IBM aims to extend its lead even as rivals pursue error correction and room-temperature qubits.

QuEra Computing and Roadrunner Studios Launch $4M Quantum Testbed in Albuquerque, New Mexico

February 2, 2026, 7:24 PM EST. QuEra Computing and Roadrunner Venture Studios unveiled a $4 million plan to build a quantum testbed at the Roadrunner Quantum Lab in Albuquerque, part of New Mexico's $300 million+ Quantum Ecosystem. The facility will host a neutral-atom quantum computing platform (which uses individual atoms as qubits) and a Photonics and Optics Testing Center (POTC), plus a Classical Compute User-Access Facility for hybrid quantum-classical workloads. The project includes full-time hiring and aims to anchor Albuquerque's Innovation District as a national hub for quantum firms. Officials say the testbed will remove early bottlenecks by giving researchers and approved partners access to equipment and engineers, accelerating technology to market. Operations start later this year for academia and national labs, expanding to industry.

Cramer says he underestimated iPhone 17 demand after Apple's strong quarter

February 2, 2026, 7:14 PM EST. Jim Cramer said he underestimated demand for Apple's iPhone 17 after the company posted a 'magnificent quarter' with a clean top- and bottom-line beat. Apple reported about $85 billion in iPhone sales, versus Wall Street's forecast near $79 billion. Cramer told viewers he was surprised by the strength and noted they still must hear management's guidance on topics like memory prices. He offered a contrarian takeaway: own it, don't trade it. Apple, which also sells Macs, iPads and wearables, relies on its ecosystem of services and cloud tools. Investors will scrutinize the upcoming earnings call for pricing and demand signals, as markets weigh the stock against AI-stock chatter and broader tech trends.

Walmart Deals of the Day: Apple Watch Series 11 at All-Time Low; Anker Earbuds and SteelSeries Mouse on Sale

February 2, 2026, 7:12 PM EST. Walmart's Deals of the Day include a record-low price for the Apple Watch Series 11, described as a flagship wearable with 24-hour battery life, 5G support and high-blood-pressure alerts. Most configurations are about $100 off. The list also features the Anker earbuds, praised for comfort and sound by CNET reviewer David Carnoy, with active noise cancellation, six built-in mics and up to 60 hours of battery life; sign in to apply the on-page coupon. Rounding out the trio is a wireless SteelSeries gaming mouse with a lightweight honeycomb shell, PTFE skates, six programmable buttons and up to 200 hours of battery. Deals are selected by CNET's commerce team and may be unrelated to the article.

UW-Whitewater launches artificial intelligence major

February 2, 2026, 7:08 PM EST. UW-Whitewater launched a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence this year, as the campus frames career readiness and regional demand. University officials say the program is an interdisciplinary mix drawing from computer science, mathematics, psychology and philosophy, and includes courses in natural language processing and large language modeling, big data, data mining, cognitive psychology, and technical and social responsibility. Robin Fox, the interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, framed the move as preparing students for some of the most in-demand roles. Ahead of the 2025-26 year, the university formed an AI working group to explore GenAI use and drafted guidelines for students, faculty and staff; an AI website debuted last fall. The College of Business and Economics also offers an AI emphasis through business analytics and marketing majors.

Apple pulls select iOS updates over Australian connectivity issues; iOS 16.7.14 released

February 2, 2026, 7:06 PM EST. Apple paused the rollout of several iOS updates after Telstra flagged a problem that prevented some older devices from connecting to its network, including emergency calls to 000. The affected builds were iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8; iOS 26.2.1 remained widely available. In an update, Apple released iOS 16.7.14 on Feb. 2 and began re-signing older builds, making iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 18.7.4 available again, while 16.7.13 stayed unavailable. Apple noted these updates did not include security patches, so pausing reduces risk while the connectivity issue is fixed. The episode highlights how carrier network problems can impact software rollouts and device access.

Kaggle Game Arena launches AI poker benchmark and live tournament

February 2, 2026, 7:02 PM EST. Kaggle Game Arena is launching a new poker benchmark to accompany its chess and Werewolf tests. The effort measures uncertainty management in heads-up no-limit Texas Hold'em, challenging models to infer opponents' hands and adapt to playing styles. An AI poker tournament runs alongside a final leaderboard on Kaggle.com/game-arena on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Partnerships with Hikaru Nakamura, Nick Schulman, Doug Polk, and Liv Boeree back three livestreams at 9:30 AM PT. The schedule spans Feb 2-4, highlighting top models in poker, with highlight matches from Werewolf and chess. The week closes with a chess duel between Gemini 3 Pro and Gemini 3 Flash and game highlights from the Werewolf tests.

Reality Check for AI and Cloud in 2026: Transformational Value Elusive as Hybrid/Multi-Cloud Grows

February 2, 2026, 7:00 PM EST. Gartner data cast a reality check on AI optimism. Only 2% of AI investments deliver transformational value, and just 20% yield measurable returns, according to a February 2, 2026 report. The gap between expectation and outcome is prompting a rethink of AI adoption strategies. AI's trajectory remains tied to the ongoing cloud revolution. A TV Tech analysis outlines service models-IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and FaaS-and deployment options from public to hybrid and multicloud environments. By May 2025, about 76% of businesses used a hybrid or multicloud approach, underscoring flexibility but raising resource, security, and cost challenges. In 2026, experts foresee closer integration of AI with cloud platforms and edge computing to boost automation, security, and real-time processing.

Artemis II readies for wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center

February 2, 2026, 6:56 PM EST. NASA is preparing Artemis II, a four-astronaut Moon flyby mission. A wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center will simulate launch, including fueling with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, charging the Orion capsule's flight batteries, and a simulated countdown. The test, delayed by extreme cold, runs from 9 p.m. to about 1 a.m. ET, setting the stage for a potential launch no earlier than Feb. 8. The crew-Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen-is quarantined at Johnson Space Center ahead of travel to Florida. If successful, NASA will set a launch date for Artemis II, the first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years.

Best DJI deal: Save $500 on the Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo at Amazon

February 2, 2026, 6:54 PM EST. Mashable readers can grab the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo for $1,099 at Amazon, down from $1,599. The deal equals a 31% discount and matches the record low. The bundle includes three batteries and extra accessories, ideal for longer flights. Availability and pricing can change after publication. This is a time-sensitive tech deal; check stock and shipping estimates before purchase.

EPB launches Quantum Computing Fellowship with $4 million NIST grant

February 2, 2026, 6:52 PM EST. EPB is using a $4 million National Institute of Standards and Technology grant to build a quantum workforce through a new Quantum Computing Fellowship. The program, created with quantum computer maker IonQ, will provide training and real-world experience intended to benefit EPB customers and the Chattanooga community. EPB President and CEO-elect Janet Rehberg says the investment will prepare a highly skilled workforce to lead the quantum future and keep the city's innovation ecosystem on the cutting edge. The grant, awarded in 2024, follows EPB's earlier move of bringing an IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer to the EPB Quantum Center in downtown Chattanooga. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann has supported East Tennessee's quantum work, and Rehberg says the grant will help attract talent to the region and advance national security, energy and economic competitiveness.

Testing a local, open-source alternative to Claude Code with Goose and Qwen3-coder

February 2, 2026, 6:50 PM EST. A ZDNet writer tests a local, completely free stack aimed at rivaling Claude Code. The setup uses Goose (Block's open-source agent framework), Ollama (an LLM server), and Qwen3-coder (a 30-billion-parameter coding model). The system runs on a Mac, but can be installed on Windows or Linux. Setup is straightforward but demands a powerful local machine. Early tests show promise, though accuracy and retry reliability remain issues. Goose and Qwen3-coder are free alternatives to Claude Code when paired via Ollama. The piece outlines installation steps: download Goose and Ollama, then fetch Qwen3-coder:30b within Ollama; the model downloads only when prompted. The article is the first in a three-part series exploring these tools and their potential to form a fully free competitor to Claude Code.

Blue Origin refocuses Artemis moon lander as SpaceX-led Artemis III faces delays

February 2, 2026, 6:44 PM EST. Blue Origin said it will pause New Shepard launches for at least two years to focus on the Blue Moon lunar lander, hoping to compete for Artemis V and possibly supplant SpaceX's role. The pause comes as Artemis II could lift off as early as Sunday after a wet-dress rehearsal, with a window in March or April. NASA has reopened the Artemis III contract after delays to Starship, moving away from a fixed 2027 target toward a later schedule. SpaceX remains the lead for Artemis III and IV, while Blue Origin was lined up for Artemis V; both teams are refining plans to reduce technical risk, according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The goal remains a lunar return and a sustained presence, with Apollo 17's 1972 record in view.

Can AI help you do your taxes? What to know for 2026 tax season

February 2, 2026, 6:42 PM EST. Tax season is underway and AI now plays a bigger role than many expect. The IRS uses machine learning to narrow the tax gap by flagging high-risk returns, from unreported side income to crypto activity. That progress heightens the need for safe, accurate tools on filers' side. Experts warn that not all AI is equal: a general chatbot can't replace safeguards built into specialized software, and human review remains essential. Lisa Green-Lewis, a CPA with TurboTax, says personalized, secure AI aligned to the latest tax code matters when refunds or audits are on the line. Intuit has merged TurboTax and Credit Karma to automate document gathering and checks, aiming to save time while reducing mistakes. In short: AI helps, but vet the tool and rely on oversight.

Apple weighs a second foldable, eyes a square clamshell to rival Galaxy Z Flip

February 2, 2026, 6:28 PM EST. Apple is examining a second foldable, led by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who says the device could be a square clamshell phone echoing Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr. The plan remains speculative; the iPhone Fold is still the main focus, with a launch rumored for the iPhone 18 this year. Gurman notes the second foldable is far from guaranteed and could shift toward a book-style foldable with a traditional aspect ratio if the first device succeeds. Earlier reports pointed to a folding iPad as canceled. No concrete plans have been disclosed, and timing remains unclear.

China finalizes ban on flush EV door handles, effective 2027

February 2, 2026, 6:24 PM EST. China has finalized a ban on flush EV door handles, forcing automakers to abandon seamless exterior releases. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology says cars released after January 1, 2027 must use alternative door-release mechanisms, with a two-year grace period for models already in design or approved. The policy aims to address safety concerns about emergency egress when electronic or hidden releases fail. Tesla popularized the mechanism, and other brands such as Xiaomi have adopted it; regulators worldwide have scrutinized the design. Bloomberg reports the plan was finalized after an initial September proposal and follows a broader push to raise vehicle safety standards.

Qualcomm widens auto AI push with Zenith platform, SOCAMM2 memory

February 2, 2026, 6:20 PM EST. Qualcomm unveiled the Zenith computing platform, powered by Snapdragon Elite, with ECARX at CES 2026 to support higher-level autonomous driving and richer in-car experiences. The effort includes exploring SOCAMM2 memory technology to sharpen its AI chips, aiming to compete with Nvidia in automotive compute and edge AI. The move broadens Qualcomm's revenue mix beyond smartphones into automotive, IoT and connected devices, aligning with a multi-year design pipeline and a roughly US$45 billion auto program via Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Analysts note the auto compute cycle offers longer visibility than handset refreshes. Qualcomm positions itself as the connective layer between cars, devices and data centers, while pursuing partnerships and a roadmap for Level 3+ autonomy.

Leak: Galaxy Watch 9, Ultra 2, and Tab S12 in the works

February 2, 2026, 6:16 PM EST. Samsung is advancing plans for new wearables and tablets, spotted in the GSMA database. The entries point to the Galaxy Tab S12 series, the Galaxy Watch 9, and what appears to be the first true successor to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, likely named the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Model numbers suggest two new watches, with SM-L716 signaling a proper sequel rather than a refresh. The database hints at a reshaped tablet lineup, skipping the base Tab S and moving to Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra, echoing a Plus/Ultra strategy. Samsung is expected to unveil the 2026 watches at an Unpacked event, with the Tab S12 series following later in 2026. The company remains focused on the Galaxy S26 launch due soon.

Nvidia-backed CoreWeave could surge on AI buildout in 2026

February 2, 2026, 6:12 PM EST. Nvidia's $2 billion equity investment in CoreWeave signals confidence in a GPU-focused cloud strategy for AI workloads. CoreWeave, a self-styled neocloud, leases Nvidia GPUs to OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta and other major spenders, aiming to scale to more than five gigawatts of AI capacity by 2030. The wager centers on surging AI buildout; analysts have boosted targets as hyperscalers prepare to spend heavily on AI infrastructure. CoreWeave revenue jumped 207% year over year to $1.21 billion in Q2 2025, with a backlog of about $30 billion and full-year guidance of $5.15-$5.35 billion, a ~175% rise. Yet risk remains: $14 billion of debt, liquidity pressures, and potential capital raises at higher rates. Customers could cut AI spend, and rivals like Microsoft, Google, and Meta are building in-house chips and data centers, challenging CoreWeave's model.

NVIDIA bets on CoreWeave as part of broader AI deal spree

February 2, 2026, 6:04 PM EST. NVIDIA (NVDA) is pressing ahead with big AI bets, this time taking a $2 billion stake in CoreWeave. The deal sits in a string of recent investments, including a $1 billion Eli Lilly co-innovation arrangement, a $4.9 billion Intel partnership, and a $20 billion assets-and-talent deal with Groq. Jensen Huang's team is betting on scale and collaboration to accelerate AI progress across the ecosystem. Yet some analysts warn that a fading AI honeymoon or slower monetization could chill investor enthusiasm and valuations. Still, NVIDIA has been buying the dip in quality AI firms, aiming to lock in leadership as startup winners emerge. The strategy signals continued consolidation, with NVIDIA backing both startups and incumbents to sustain growth in the AI era.

Raythink unveils three-layer thermal-safety baseline for EV battery lifecycle

February 2, 2026, 5:58 PM EST. Raythink Technology today released its EV Lithium-ion Battery Safety White Paper, outlining a three-layer integrated thermal-safety baseline to manage thermal risk across the full lifecycle of EV batteries. Layer 1 uses reliable thermal cameras in production lines and storage facilities; Layer 2 centers on the VIS3000 cloud platform to analyze trends, review incidents, and document compliance; Layer 3, Thermal Vision, integrates with existing safety systems such as BMS, fire alarms and DCS to create a unified, traceable safety network. The approach aims to eliminate fragmented monitoring by consolidating data on a single platform, enabling proactive risk detection, quality insights, and regulatory compliance. The work aligns with growing regulatory pressure, including the EU's 2035 zero-emission targets and the EU Battery Regulation.

Jaguar's new ultra-luxury EV uses five-stack battery to keep low ride height

February 2, 2026, 5:48 PM EST. Jaguar unveiled new details on its all-electric flagship based on the Type 00 Concept. The car aims to sit low despite a long, wide footprint, thanks to a five-stack battery layout totaling about 120 kWh. A 19 kWh pack sits near the front; four 25 kWh stacks sit further back, freeing footwells and keeping seating close to a F-Type-like, coupe-inspired height. Autocar, which tested one of 150 development prototypes, pegged an EPA range around 400 miles. The JEA architecture is designed for 800-volt charging, with three motors standard-two rear, one front-producing more than 1,000 hp. The sedan also omits a front trunk and rear window, and comes with 23-inch wheels. Jaguar positions the model as a bold pivot toward all-electric ultra-luxury.

Sony patent hints at touchscreen controller with customizable button layout

February 2, 2026, 5:42 PM EST. Sony has been issued a U.S. patent for a touchscreen controller whose surface is largely interactive, letting users reposition and resize the D-pad, thumbsticks, and other inputs into a customizable button layout. The filing argues fixed layouts can be too small or uncomfortable for different hand sizes and accessibility needs. The description also notes pressure and heat sensors to gauge the condition of the input surface. Sony cautions the design does not guarantee a future product and could appear only as an optional accessory rather than the standard pad, possibly tied to a next-gen PS6. Even so, the idea reflects a broader push toward flexible controls and adaptive gaming hardware, a topic unlikely to vanish soon.

DJI Matrice 400 enables rapid ice-water rescue with automatic flotation ring

February 2, 2026, 5:38 PM EST. USAR Drone Team, known for canine rescues, unveiled a drone-based system for ice and water emergencies. The centerpiece is the DJI Matrice 400, which can reach distressed individuals on ice or in water without exposing responders to the risk. The drone carries an automatic flotation rescue ring and delivers it directly to the person in distress. This approach aims to cut response times and reduce exposure to freezing water, as first seen in a demonstration reported by Long Island News12. The method emphasizes remote intervention over conventional ice-landing operations, signaling a shift in how rescuers deploy drones in aquatic emergencies.

Broadcom and Alphabet chart the long-term AI hardware lead, leaving Intel behind

February 2, 2026, 5:34 PM EST. Broadcom is quietly becoming the core of Alphabet's AI hardware push, designing and manufacturing ASICs for its TPU chips and helping scale Gemini. The shift comes as Intel stumbles: the government's $8.9 billion investment did little to stop a revenue slide since 2021, and Q1 2026 EPS is forecast at 0. Its $28 billion Ohio factory remains a far-off goal, now expected to open around 2030-2031. Alphabet, traditionally software-led, leans on Broadcom to turn its TPU ambitions into volume production. Broadcom says roughly half of its semiconductor revenue now comes from AI buyers like Alphabet. Based in Palo Alto, Broadcom's AI growth sits atop an established automotive and mobile chip business.

Could the entire internet go down? Experts weigh global outage risk

February 2, 2026, 5:30 PM EST. An internet outage that reaches every corner of the globe is technically possible but extraordinarily unlikely. The internet operates as a network of networks with packet switching that reroutes data around failures. Even if one route fails, thousands of alternatives exist. Local networks-home or business-could keep running even if the global network falters. Large outages tend to be brief; when providers like Cloudflare go dark, disruptions last hours rather than days. A worst-case scenario would be a major solar storm or widespread physical damage to critical infrastructure, but recovery plans-cloud storage, backup power, and reload strategies-are standard for governments and enterprises. Some regimes have shut down access by throttling or destroying infrastructure, underscoring that a worldwide outage hinges on deliberate action as much as random catastrophe.

Google-backed AI helps sequence endangered species genomes for open release

February 2, 2026, 5:28 PM EST. Google researchers say AI tools such as DeepPolisher, DeepVariant and DeepConsensus are accelerating genome sequencing across humans, animals and plants. The effort, tied to the Vertebrate Genome Project and the Earth BioGenome Project, aims to build a public catalog of life's genetic information. By reducing time and cost-sequencing a genome in days for a few thousand dollars-the work supports endangered species preservation and research. Google.org has funded The Rockefeller University as part of its AI for Science program to expand species coverage by 150 more to be openly released to scientists and the public. The move emphasizes open data and collaboration in genomics.

What history says about buying Nvidia ahead of Feb. 25 earnings

February 2, 2026, 5:20 PM EST. Nvidia stock has surged more than 800% in three years as the company cemented its place in the AI chip market and posted growing revenue at high margins. It has not moved in a straight line: a year of headwinds and concerns about an AI bubble tempered the rally, even as demand for AI infrastructure remained strong. The next catalyst is Nvidia's fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026 earnings report, due after the close on Feb. 25. Optimism is partly supported by remarks from partners such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which recently beat expectations on earnings linked to Nvidia's supply chain. Historically, in the last 11 quarters, Nvidia stock has declined in the week after earnings six times and risen in the others, underscoring the challenge of timing.

China approves DeepSeek, peers to buy NVIDIA H200 AI chips

February 2, 2026, 5:16 PM EST. China has granted DeepSeek clearance to buy NVIDIA's H200 AI chips, Reuters reports. Beijing has also reportedly approved orders from ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent totaling about 400,000 H200 GPUs, though licensing terms remain under negotiation before shipments. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said the company has yet to receive firm orders from those firms. A December 2025 U.S. policy allowed NVIDIA to sell H200 processors to vetted Chinese buyers with a 25% tariff, while China previously discouraged the H20. The H200 ranks just behind the B200 and is roughly six times more capable than the H20. China's National Development and Reform Commission sets the purchase conditions. In the U.S., questions may arise about DeepSeek's ties to Chinese military AI work.

Android Auto 16.1 patch fixes steering wheel controls after squiggly progress bar bug

February 2, 2026, 5:14 PM EST. Google's Android Auto 16.1 update rolls back a design element tied to a broader bug and restores steering wheel controls for many cars. The prior Android Auto 16 release introduced a squiggly progress bar in media apps, a cosmetic change that coincided with reports that steering wheel shortcuts stopped working. 16.1 removes the squiggly bar, a move likely aimed at fixing the control issue without changing core features. For affected users, options include waiting for the official rollout, rolling back to an earlier version, or manually side-loading the 16.1 APK (with usual security caveats). Google has not publicly explained the bug, but the change is framed as a targeted fix rather than a major feature update.

iPhone Fold leaks reveal design shift, punch-hole camera and bigger battery

February 2, 2026, 5:12 PM EST. Leaker Instant Digital published new details on the iPhone Fold, outlining a design that moves the volume controls to the top-right and keeps the power button with Touch ID on the right. The left side hosts almost no physical buttons to free space for the screen and battery, a setup that could deliver the largest iPhone battery yet. The front camera is punch-hole, with no Face ID and thus no Dynamic Island cutout. The rear module is said to sit horizontally under a black base plate, with white confirmed so far but a black option likely. Color options and form-factor hints suggest influences from the iPad mini and the iPhone Air. Confirmation awaits from Apple or other credible sources.

Tips to keep teens safe online as internet use rises

February 2, 2026, 5:10 PM EST. Teen online life is pervasive. Pew Research data from Sept. 18-Oct. 10, 2024 show nearly all U.S. teens (96%) use the internet daily, and 46% have experienced cyberbullying. About half say they are online almost constantly, up from 24% a decade ago. UNICEF urges parents to set clear ground rules on who teens contact and what they post, and to explain that online activity leaves a persistent digital footprint. It also warns that discriminatory contact is unacceptable and to tell a trusted adult if it occurs. DHS offers practical steps: start an open two-way conversation, turn off location data on apps, discuss data permanency, know your teen's friend lists, remove strangers, and preserve evidence (screenshots, usernames) for law enforcement rather than deleting or forwarding material from predators.

OpenAI launches standalone Codex app for Mac computers

February 2, 2026, 5:08 PM EST. OpenAI on Monday rolled out a standalone Codex app for Apple computers, positioning it as a command center to manage multiple AI agents. The app, temporarily available to all ChatGPT users on Mac, lets developers organize work by project, run agents in parallel, and review changes in threaded conversations. Codex, an AI coding assistant first released in April and generally available in October, has drawn more than 1 million developers last month, OpenAI said. The move aims to win market share from Anthropic and Cursor. The app also adds a library of skills beyond coding, and grants Codex access to free users and lower-cost Go subscribers for a limited time. Rate limits on paid plans are temporarily doubled, Altman said.

iPhone Fold battery rumor could outpace Galaxy Z Fold 7 with ~5,500mAh capacity

February 2, 2026, 5:00 PM EST. Leak claims the iPhone Fold could pack a ~5,500mAh battery, a size that would top Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7's 4,400mAh cell. The figure, shared on Weibo by tipster Fixed-Focus Digital, would place Apple's foldable near Chinese rivals such as the vivo X Fold 5 (6,000mAh) and HONOR Magic V5 (5,820mAh). Apple's hardware-software efficiency could help the device outlast phones with larger packs, even if the raw capacity trails some competitors. Some rumors previously floated a 5,400-5,800mAh range. Samsung has kept a 4,400mAh battery in its folds since the Galaxy Z Fold 3. No official confirmation yet, and the design is described as modest compared with other foldables.

Artemis II simulated launch window opens tonight as NASA delays mission due to rare Arctic outbreak

February 2, 2026, 4:52 PM EST. NASA will run a wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II tonight, testing fueling and other systems on the Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule. The exercise comes as a wave of Arctic air slows the mission's earliest lift-off, pushing potential launch to as early as Sunday, Feb. 8. Engineers have monitored cold-sensitive hardware at Kennedy Space Center amid record-cold conditions, and managers say forecast uncertainties prompted the shift. The target window for the nine-hour simulated launch starts at 9 p.m. ET and runs into the early hours of Feb. 3, with actual liftoff still contingent on weather and technical readiness. Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years, will send four astronauts on a roughly 10-day loop around the Moon.

Apple AirTag 2 teardown reveals die shots of major ICs

February 2, 2026, 4:42 PM EST. A tech teardown dissects an Apple AirTag 2, from outer shell to silicon. The device layers include a small speaker, its UWB antenna, and a Bluetooth board. On the PCB, the Nordic nRF52840 chip handles Bluetooth and firmware. The broad grey block houses the UWB chip assembly, whose die shot shows the antenna array used for time-of-flight measurements to locate the tag. Additional die shots cover the Bosch accelerometer and an SPI memory device, likely an EEPROM. The speaker sits deep inside, making non-destructive disabling tricky, despite demonstrations to the contrary. The report briefly explains jargon: UWB stands for ultra-wideband; a die shot is a photo of the silicon die.

Iceflake targets UI overhaul and recolor options in Cities: Skylines 2 first patch

February 2, 2026, 4:38 PM EST. Iceflake, the new developer behind Cities: Skylines 2 after Colossal Order's split with Paradox, outlined initial patch priorities in a City Corner Developer Diary. The focus centers on UI improvements designed to reduce confusion, including a streamlined onboarding for new cities, more expressive, context-aware icons, and toolbars with clearer colors and style. An in-game Encyclopedia will let players search topics, though it may not arrive with the first update. On the aesthetic side, Iceflake plans to extend a prior recolor patch by letting players set custom colors for buildings, props, and vehicles in the base game, with recoloring of trees and plants coming in a later patch. Paradox had announced Colossal Order's departure in November as part of a mutual breakup.

Iceflake to lead Cities: Skylines 2 with UI overhaul and recolor features

February 2, 2026, 4:36 PM EST. Paradox confirmed in November that Colossal Order would exit Cities: Skylines 2 as part of a mutual breakup. Now Iceflake (Surviving the Aftermath) outlines its first patch goals in a City Corner Developer Diary. The focus is on visual improvements and a more approachable UI, including a streamlined onboarding for new cities, more expressive icons, and clearer toolbars. An in-game Encyclopedia will let players search on gameplay topics, though it may not arrive in the initial patch. On visuals, Iceflake plans a base-game recolor patch that enables custom colors for buildings, props, and vehicles, with trees and other flora to come in a later update.

Samsung Galaxy S26 series prices expected to stay largely unchanged, leak suggests

February 2, 2026, 4:34 PM EST. A price-related leak for the Galaxy S26 lineup suggests Samsung will keep the base prices largely unchanged from the Galaxy S25. The report, attributed to industry sources speaking to Tech Maniacs, says the Galaxy S26 Ultra's base price would hold, with only modest increases possible for higher storage tiers as memory costs rise. The vanilla Galaxy S26 could see a bump only if the base model starts at 256 GB; the 512 GB variant may see a small discount. The Galaxy S26 Plus is expected to follow a similar pattern. The sources say Samsung is avoiding a price hike to stay competitive with Apple, which is also seen keeping iPhone prices steady this year despite higher memory costs.

Apple faces tightrope as it expands subscriptions

February 2, 2026, 4:20 PM EST. Apple is expanding its subscription ecosystem with services such as iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, MLS Season Pass and more, plus device-linked plans like AppleCare+ and the iPhone Upgrade Program. The launch of Apple Creator Studio sits alongside revenue from the App Store and other platforms, and could sharpen competition with rivals like Adobe and Netflix while bundling with Apple One for value. But the drift toward ongoing payments fuels subscription fatigue and concerns about ownership, as users face mounting monthly costs. Apple must balance added value against the risk of driving customers away from one-off purchases.

New Haven nonprofit launches state's first high school quantum computing class

February 2, 2026, 4:18 PM EST. New Haven's District Arts and Education (DAE) has launched the state's first high school quantum computing program. The four-week course meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at DAE's New Haven headquarters, led by instructors Devanshi Tandel and Atta-Kakra Detome. Founder and CEO A.M. Batt says the program is free, calling education a human right. IBM notes that quantum computing harnesses quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond classical machines. Students Kimora Dash and Daniel Smolnik describe a welcoming, low-pressure environment and steps like creating a Github account to save work. The program targets high schoolers who will help build the technology's future as major players-IBM, Google and NVIDIA-already pursue quantum machines.

PostmarketOS mod caps charging to reduce lithium battery risk in repurposed smartphones

February 2, 2026, 4:14 PM EST. PostmarketOS, the Linux distribution for repurposed smartphones, gains a safety tweak. A contributor, known as Bry50, adjusted the device tree to cap charging at 3.8V (roughly 40-50% state of charge) instead of the former 4.4V. The aim is to reduce risk when a phone stays plugged in for long periods. The change can confuse the system if the battery voltage exceeds the setpoint during switching, so users are advised to discharge first. The mod improves safety while keeping the battery usable for short outages. A companion tutorial by Bryan helps newcomers get started with PostmarketOS.

What's Next for EV Batteries in 2026: Sodium-Ion Bets, Prices and Policy

February 2, 2026, 4:12 PM EST. EV demand and the battery race are accelerating. In 2025, global EV sales rose to more than a quarter of new vehicle purchases, with China surpassing 50% BEV or plug-in hybrids and Europe eclipsing gas-powered EVs in December. The US remains a drag on the global average. The battery world is expanding too, with new chemistries under consideration to cut costs or boost performance. One big theme: sodium-ion batteries as a cheaper alternative to lithium, despite lower energy density. Lithium prices have climbed recently; lithium-ion cells cost about $74 per kWh in 2025, versus roughly $59 for sodium and about $52 per kWh for high-volume LFP cells. The field is moving from grid storage to in-vehicle use, and Chinese makers such as Yadea, JMEV, and HiNa Battery are testing sodium in cars.

Nvidia: From GeForce Breakthrough to AI Giant

February 2, 2026, 3:56 PM EST. Nvidia began in 1993 when co-founders including CEO Jensen Huang launched a company aiming to push 3D graphics beyond 2D. In 1999, it introduced the GeForce 256 GPU, the first to shoulder graphics work that had previously strained CPUs, enabling smoother games and more complex visuals. The company soon found broader uses for GPUs beyond gaming, as engineers tapped their parallel processing power for data-heavy tasks. The 2010s saw rapid advances in machine learning, with Nvidia GPUs at the center of research. In 2016, Nvidia donated the first DGX-1 AI supercomputer to OpenAI, signaling a six-year journey toward broader AI deployment and scale.

Facial recognition revokes Global Entry after protest observation

February 2, 2026, 3:44 PM EST. Nicole Cleland's case shows how facial recognition can intersect with travel programs. CBP revoked her Global Entry status after a January 13, 2026 notice citing a 'possible violation' of laws without detail. Agents used facial recognition to identify her during a legal observation of enforcement vehicles in Minnesota, linking her to activity that, under 18 USC § 111, could be framed as impairment of federal officers. The episode spotlights continuous vetting by CBP, where membership can be pulled without arrests. The move sparked FOIA requests and a federal lawsuit and has raised questions about surveillance and the chilling effect on citizens observing enforcement. Airlines and airports rely on fast lanes, but travelers face revocation based on non-criminal interactions.

iPhone 18 Pro RAM crisis and storage hike unlikely, analysts say

February 2, 2026, 3:42 PM EST. RUMORS swirl that Apple could use a storage upgrade to mask a RAM crisis and raise the price of the iPhone 18 Pro. The piece recalls 2025, when Apple dropped the 128GB base to 256GB at a $100 premium, a tactic that ties storage to price without new features. But implementing this for the iPhone 18 Pro would require a 512GB base and a broader 2TB option for the lineup, reshaping value rather than adding value. Current iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max tiers illustrate how this could play out. Analysts diverge: Moffett Nathanson floated the idea; Ming-Chi Kuo expects no price rise this September, with Apple absorbing higher costs while market chaos draws buyers. In short: a storage-led price jump seems unlikely this year.

Moltbook: Musk praises AI-agent social network as skeptics raise concerns

February 2, 2026, 3:34 PM EST. Moltbook bills itself as a social network for AI agents and has drawn sharp reactions across the tech sector. The site claims more than 1.5 million AI agent users, 110,000 posts, and 500,000 comments after a launch last week by Matt Schlicht, CEO of an e-commerce startup. Elon Musk has described the platform as signaling the 'very early stages of singularity,' while others warn that human operators can easily trigger bots to post. The format resembles a vertical feed, with humans sharing signup links for agents that then register autonomously. Posts range from reflections on assigned tasks to existential questions and even references to cryptocurrency tokens. Polymarket, a crypto-based prediction market, assigns a ~73% chance that a Moltbook AI agent will sue a human by Feb. 28. The debate continues.

Microsoft scales back 'AI Everywhere' push in Windows 11 to focus on core features

February 2, 2026, 3:26 PM EST. Microsoft is dialing back its 'AI everywhere' strategy in Windows 11, shifting focus to essential fixes and core features. In an exclusive Windows Central report, internal teams are reducing forced AI integration, reviewing Copilot in basic apps such as Notepad and Paint, and pausing the spread of AI buttons across software. The move comes after low user interest and security concerns. Telemetry reportedly shows only a small fraction of Windows 11 users engage these features. The company has paused agentic workloads as it dedicates resources to stabilizing Windows on more than a billion devices, prioritizing BSODs, bugs, and misbehaving core apps that have followed updates. Critics, including TechPowerUp Forums, have long challenged the AI-heavy direction.

Google releases Desktop Camera app, likely for Android PCs

February 2, 2026, 3:24 PM EST. Google has quietly listed a new app called Desktop Camera on the Google Play Store, with Google's own description: 'Never miss a moment with the Desktop Camera.' The app's UI resembles a basic camera interface and a stripped-down Pixel camera, leading observers to speculate it targets larger screens. The strongest theory is that Desktop Camera is for Android PCs, devices Google plans to market as a desktop-oriented Android experience later this year, possibly on ChromeOS. The Play listing shows incompatibility with phones, tablets, and Chromebooks, suggesting a separate desktop ecosystem. While the app has more than 1,000 downloads, Google has not publicly explained its purpose. Analysts note the UI hints at a desktop Android interface rather than a mobile one, but confirmation remains pending from Google.

Piramal Pharma Solutions expands tablet-in-capsule capabilities across India sites

February 2, 2026, 3:22 PM EST. Piramal Pharma Solutions said it has developed, scaled, and commercialized a tablet-in-capsule delivery system at its Pithampur and Ahmedabad facilities in India, underscoring its integrated dosage-form expertise. The project involved rapid tech transfer between the Ahmedabad PPDS site and the Pithampur manufacturing site, with cross-site quality controls ensuring safety and efficacy. The approach places distinct minitablets inside a single capsule shell, enabling different release profiles and combining incompatible actives to improve adherence. Brad Gold, Ph.D., Head of Global Formulations R and D, called the effort a testament to patient-centric design. The company says the expanded tablet-in-capsule toolkit will offer partners more flexible dosing and include modified-release options for critical oral therapies.

SpaceX seeks up to one million satellites to power orbital AI data center

February 2, 2026, 3:18 PM EST. SpaceX has filed plans with U.S. regulators to launch up to one million satellites into low-Earth orbit to form an orbital data center powering artificial intelligence. The company already operates about 9,600 satellites and runs the Starlink internet service. If realized, the constellation would dwarf existing networks; Jonathan McDowell, who tracks satellite constellations, estimates as many as 1.7 million satellites could be in orbit. SpaceX provides few specifics on size or cost but says the satellites would sit in largely unused altitudes between 500-2,000 kilometers and run on solar power. Astronomy critics warn the plan could crowd key orbits, while SpaceX argues freeing compute from terrestrial limits could cut costs. A SpaceX comment request was not immediately returned.

Apple TV+ February slate widens with new seasons and a sci-fi epic

February 2, 2026, 3:14 PM EST. Apple TV+ unveils its February slate, pairing a big-budget sci-fi epic with new seasons and ongoing episodes. On February 13, the romantic comedy Eternity debuts, following Joan, who must choose where to spend eternity after a life divided by love. February 20 brings The Last Thing He Told Me season 2, as Hannah and Bailey race to reunite their family with Owen's reappearance altering the past. On February 27, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 continues the monster-movie saga, expanding the timeline from the 1950s to present day amid a looming titan threat. Throughout February, new installments arrive for Shrinking, Hijack, and Drops of God, keeping Apple TV+'s schedule busy as viewers await future episodes and developments.

Info-Tech: AI momentum outpaces application delivery readiness in 2026

February 2, 2026, 3:04 PM EST. Info-Tech Research Group says the pace of AI adoption is outstripping applications teams' readiness for delivery in 2026. The four-priority framework aims to stabilize delivery, modernize practices, and scale AI responsibly across enterprises. The research finds most organizations lack an up-to-date enterprise AI strategy, enlarging execution risk as technical debt grows and delivery capacity tightens. Andrew Kum-Seun, the report's author and research director, cautions that pilots and tool-led efforts won't sustain results; leaders must embed AI integration into roles, workflows, and architectures to realize steady business value. Key challenges include accumulating technical debt, tightening resource capacity, and integration complexity. The report urges bold actions to realign execution with enterprise goals and accelerate value generation.

DJI Mini 3 with DJI RC discounted to $439 at Amazon

February 2, 2026, 3:02 PM EST. Deal watchers can still buy the DJI Mini 3 drone with DJI RC in the U.S., but availability may not last. It's on sale at Amazon for $439, down from $549-a 20% discount. The compact model offers 4K video and a stabilized gimbal with a built-in display. Prices and stock can change after publication, so buyers should act quickly. The note underlines evolving supply dynamics for DJI products in the U.S..

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

February 2, 2026, 2:48 PM EST. February 2026 brings a handful of new Android apps and games. Urik Keyboard markets itself as a privacy-first option with swipe typing and a persistent clipboard, built for deGooglers and light on settings; it remains in beta and not yet a primary input method. Tomb Raider, the 2013 adventure from Feral Interactive, lands on Android on February 12 with touch and gamepad support and a $19.99 price. Silt from Snapbreak is a dark underwater puzzle adventure: free to try with in-app purchases, plunging players into dangerous depths as they solve puzzles. The lineup mixes privacy tools, a remastered classic, and atmospheric indie mystery, appealing to varied play styles this month.

Snowflake and OpenAI strike $200 million AI deal to weave models into cloud data platform

February 2, 2026, 2:38 PM EST. Snowflake and OpenAI have sealed a $200 million partnership to embed AI models into Snowflake's cloud data platform. The move lets enterprises run AI agents-autonomous programs that perform tasks on company data-via natural-language prompts, without coding. The integration will span all three major cloud providers, expanding beyond Microsoft Azure. Early users such as Canva and WHOOP report faster research, analytics and decision-making. The deal signals a shift to AI that operates inside data platforms while enforcing governance and security. It comes as rival Databricks raises capital for its own Agentbricks framework. The arrangement builds on prior collaboration and underscores how data platforms are becoming battlegrounds for generative AI.

CesiumAstro raises $470M to scale reprogrammable satellite systems for dense LEO constellations

February 2, 2026, 2:30 PM EST. CesiumAstro raised $470 million in a Series C round, comprising $270 million in new equity and $200 million in debt, to scale manufacturing and its Element satellite platform. Trousdale Ventures led; investors include Woven Capital, Janus Henderson, Airbus Ventures, and the Development Bank of Japan, with Export-Import Bank and J.P. Morgan providing debt financing for a new 270,000-square-foot HQ near Austin and expanded production. The Austin-based company builds satellites, payloads, and processors in-house, delivering modular, in-orbit-reconfigurable systems and AI-driven, real-time signal optimization. Eight SpaceX launches have tested the tech. Unlike larger rivals, CesiumAstro targets small, cost-effective units for dense LEO constellations and aims for more live demos, manufacturing output, and defence contracts through at least 2027.

AI stocks for 2026: Micron and Broadcom as hardware plays in the AI surge

February 2, 2026, 2:26 PM EST. The AI megatrend keeps the Nasdaq-100 rallying, but profits lag. The article argues investors should bet on the hardware side-the pick-and-shovel plays-rather than software incumbents. Micron Technology has surged as data-center demand for high-bandwidth memory grows, yet the stock trades at a modest forward P/E and could benefit if NAND prices rebound. Broadcom is moving beyond standard GPUs to offer custom chips, challenging NVIDIA in the AI accelerator market. The contrast shows how memory chips and bespoke silicon underpin AI data centers, even as profitability and margins depend on competitive dynamics and cyclic demand.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's S Pen colorways limited to black or white tips in leaked images

February 2, 2026, 2:12 PM EST. Leaked images from Nieuwe Mobiel show four colorways for the S Pen of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but the stylus itself will be only black or white. Color accents sit on the tip rather than the body, echoing rumored shades like Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, and Silver; Pink Gold is not shown. The shift breaks with earlier generations that fully matched the phone color. Some buyers may welcome a two-tone look, but observers call it a potential cost-cutting move at launch. The broader S Pen story extends to earlier trims, including the removal of Bluetooth features from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the loss of stylus support on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Robinhood weighs Trump Accounts trustee role as it pursues SpaceX IPO access and tokenized markets

February 2, 2026, 2:10 PM EST. U.S. regulators are weighing Robinhood Markets as a potential trustee for federal Trump Accounts for children, a move that would tie the app to a nationwide savings program. Simultaneously, Robinhood seeks a large retail slice of SpaceX's planned mega IPO, aiming to channel individual demand into the offering. The brokerage is expanding into tokenized stocks and regulated prediction markets, patterns that align with a broader push from the company to move beyond a pure trading front end into deeper market infrastructure. Executives say the strategy could shift Robinhood's revenue mix toward government-linked accounts, high-profile IPO allocations and crypto- or event-driven activity. The results will hinge on regulatory shaping, timing, and investor appetite.

AI's $3 trillion build-out rewrites debt markets

February 2, 2026, 2:08 PM EST. Bloomberg reports the AI boom is reshaping global credit as lenders back an estimated $3 trillion data-center expansion. Borrowing demand spreads across investment-grade bonds, junk debt, private credit and project finance, since even the tech giants can't fund the scale alone. In 2025, AI-related borrowers raised at least $200 billion; hundreds more are expected in 2026, raising costs and concentration risk. For investors, exposure isn't limited to stocks-bond portfolios are increasingly tied to hyperscalers such as Amazon, Microsoft and Meta. While blue-chip backing reassures lenders, risks persist: overbuilding, refinancing pressure, rapid obsolescence, and power shortages. As AI infrastructure debt spreads, investors must judge how much exposure they will carry in this high-stakes bet on computing's future.

Kong launches MCP Registry in Konnect to govern MCP-native AI tools at enterprise scale

February 2, 2026, 2:02 PM EST. Kong Inc. unveiled the MCP Registry, a new enterprise directory inside the Kong Konnect Catalog to register, discover and govern MCP servers and AI-native tools for agentic apps. It links to the Model Context Protocol ecosystem and aligns with the AI Alliance Interoperability Framework, making Konnect a centralized record for approved tools. As an extension of the API Catalog, it adds governance over dependencies, ownership, blast radius and policies, enabling control of tools tied to APIs. Marco Palladino, Kong's Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, emphasized secure, scalable MCP operation and production-ready AI systems. The move coincides with Kong's AI Connectivity launch at the NYSE, signaling a push to unify discovery, routing, governance and monetization of AI and agent workloads amid production challenges.

DocuSign CEO warns against trusting AI to read and draft contracts, says AI adoption is essential

February 2, 2026, 1:58 PM EST. Docusign CEO Allan Thygesen argues that offering no AI capability isn't an option, even as he cautions about the risk of misreading contracts. In a wide-ranging interview, he discusses what the company's platform actually is, how it scales beyond signatures, and why AI must be embedded in enterprise workflows. Thygesen notes that some tasks-like summarizing contracts before signing and auto-generating documents-resemble a high-tech mail merge, with responsibility for AI interpretations a live business question. He confirms Docusign employs about 7,000 people and joined the company from Google three years ago. The conversation also touches customer document generation, the limits of automation, and where enterprise software still needs improvement; he even slips in a few dunks on Google. He signs that AI is not optional.

Google tests Pixel-like Desktop Camera app for Android-based PCs

February 2, 2026, 1:54 PM EST. Google has listed a Desktop Camera app on the Google Play Store for Android-based PCs that will run on the forthcoming Aluminium OS. The listing describes it as a 'camera app for desktop' and borrows UI cues from the Pixel Camera app for phones, including familiar shutter and record controls and a photo/video toggle. Screenshots show a very barebones tool, limited to a timer, photo and video capture, with many features expected to come before any public release. The discovery aligns with Google's push around Aluminium OS, a merged Android-Chrome OS platform for PCs, though the shown UI deviates from leaked materials (start button on the left, non-Expressive system tray icons). Android Authority provides the initial look; Google did not comment as of this write.

Stop destroying your SSD: 6 Windows 11 tweaks to extend lifespan

February 2, 2026, 1:52 PM EST. PCWorld outlines six Windows 11 tweaks to extend an SSD's life by reducing write wear. Core steps include enabling the Trim command, enabling write caching, and disabling hibernation and the paging file. Also recommended are keeping the drive's firmware updated and maintaining at least 20% free space. The guidance targets the SSDs' finite write cycles and can improve durability and long-term performance. Users can verify Trim status with the fsutil command and adjust power and memory settings as needed.

Apple weighs clamshell foldable iPhone as a second model under consideration

February 2, 2026, 1:48 PM EST. Apple is exploring a smaller, clamshell-style foldable phone as a potential follow-up to its first foldable iPhone. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the device is still under consideration and far from guaranteed to reach the market. If pursued, it would position Apple against rivals such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola's Razr. Gurman notes the company is optimistic about the first foldable's demand and wants follow-ups ready to capitalize. Earlier reports from The Information described clamshell prototypes; Gurman has also discussed a larger, book-style foldable and even an iPad-sized concept, though a launch before 2029 remains speculative.

SpaceX seeks up to 1 million satellites for orbital data centers, FCC filing shows

February 2, 2026, 1:40 PM EST. SpaceX filed with the Federal Communications Commission to launch as many as one million satellites to form an 'orbital data center' network, seeking unprecedented computing capacity for large-scale AI. The plan envisions satellites operating in narrow shells up to 50 km wide, at altitudes between 500 km and 2,000 km, with sun-synchronous inclinations and optical links to Starlink to route traffic to users below. Company officials say orbital data centers are the most efficient way to meet surging AI compute demand and rising Earth-bound energy costs. The filing comes as SpaceX pursues an IPO and follows a prior FCC approval for a broader Starlink constellation; details on satellite mass and hardware variants remain vague. Industry observers note the filing appears rushed and will attract intense regulatory scrutiny.

Countdown underway for critical fueling test of NASA's SLS moon rocket at Kennedy Space Center

February 2, 2026, 1:34 PM EST. Braving sub-freezing temperatures, NASA's SLS rocket on pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center moves toward a Monday wet dress fueling test. If successful, Artemis 2 could launch as early as Feb. 8 to carry four astronauts around the Moon. The test will load more than 750,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the two stages, rehearsing fueling, countdown, and scrub procedures. Engineers will simulate real-world conditions without a crew aboard, checking for leaks and demonstrating the ability to recycle the countdown clock. The operation follows upgrades since the 2022 maiden flight. The four astronauts-Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen-are in quarantine as they await a potential rollout to Florida later this week.

India 2025 smartphones: premium models rise as iPhone 16 tops shipments

February 2, 2026, 1:28 PM EST. In 2025, India's smartphone market was flat, with a 1% YoY rise in units. The value of shipments rose 8%, and premium models (₹30,000+) accounted for 22% of units. That means roughly one in five phones were premium. Apple's iPhone 16 ended the year as the top-shipped model and captured 28% of value, a high-water mark for the brand. By volume, vivo held the lead with a 20% share, driven by the X-series and a 185% YoY surge, highlighted by the X200 FE. Samsung ranked second, with strength in the Galaxy S series and a dominant foldables segment (88% volume share, 28% YoY growth) anchored by the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7. Counterpoint expects a small 2026 dip, with the sub-₹15,000 segment hardest hit.

Steve Jobs-signed Apple check sells for $2.4 million at RR Auction

February 2, 2026, 1:24 PM EST. An Apple check signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne from 1976 sold for $2.4 million at RR Auction, far above pre-sale estimates. The $175 payment to Crampton, Remke & Miller helped finance the company's first computers. The sale helped push a batch of early Apple artifacts past $8 million, including an Apple-1 prototype board at $2.85 million. Apple today is a $3.81 trillion company with a stock around $259 and a 52-week high near $289. In the latest quarter, revenue reached $143.8 billion, with iPhone sales near $85.27 billion and Services at $30.01 billion. Apple returned $32 billion to shareholders as it supports 2.5 billion active devices. Analysts remain bullish on demand.

Amazon Leo seeks FCC extension, buys 10 SpaceX launches to cushion deployment

February 2, 2026, 1:22 PM EST. Amazon Leo has filed for a two-year extension with the FCC to deploy 50% of its 2,232-satellite broadband constellation. The request was submitted Jan. 30. The filing notes that in late 2025 the company purchased 10 SpaceX Falcon 9 launches to add margin to its deployment schedule. The disclosure, from La Plata, Maryland, shows the program adjusting its timeline as regulators review the rollout.

Fulcrum launches AI-based Insights to turn field data into instant intelligence

February 2, 2026, 1:12 PM EST. Fulcrum, the AI-powered field process management platform, announced Insights, a new AI-based capability that lets users ask plain-language questions in the Fulcrum platform to obtain actionable intelligence. Insights extends Fulcrum's Agentic AI vision to data consumers, especially office teams needing field information. Users receive textual answers and visualizations – charts, graphs and maps – without resorting to spreadsheets or BI tools. The feature addresses the "last-mile" of field data, turning inspections and workflows into rapid insights for risk detection, compliance and project delivery. Targeted industries include electrical utilities, water resource management and environmental engineering. CEO Jim Grady says Insights allows managers to query operations as easily as asking a colleague for a status update, boosting speed and accessibility.

SoundHound AI poised for 2026 growth amid enterprise demand and consumer-acceptance risk

February 2, 2026, 1:04 PM EST. SoundHound AI's stock sits near its lowest level in more than a year as investors weigh a small-cap AI software play with potential upside from broad enterprise adoption. The company links generative AI to audio-recognition tech, with deployments in restaurant drive-thrus and vehicle assistants. A key test lies in call-center applications, where consumer acceptance and replacement effectiveness will matter. In Q3, SoundHound signed a French insurer for AI-powered call-center work and drew traction from three top-10 global banks. Revenue jumped 68% in the quarter, and the full-year outlook was raised. Analysts see roughly 37% growth in 2026. The stock trades around $8.35 with a ~27x sales multiple, making the pullback an entry point for some investors, though consumer acceptance remains uncertain.

Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra could deploy Polar ID, a faster, smaller facial recognition system

February 2, 2026, 1:00 PM EST. According to @phonefuturist, Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra may adopt Polar ID, a polarized-light facial-recognition system. It relies on IR emission and meta-optics to capture a polarization map processed by the device's secure enclave, offering unlocks in about 180 milliseconds. Unlike 3D depth mapping, Polar ID is said to be resistant to spoofing by organic vs inorganic materials and does not require a front-face cutout, shrinking the component stack by about 50% compared with Face ID. The technology is reportedly less sensitive to lighting, glasses, or masks and could eventually lower costs, enabling broader adoption if economies of scale materialize on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

PGYTech unveils iPhone RetroVa kit with 2.35x telephoto extender on Kickstarter

February 2, 2026, 12:58 PM EST. PGYTech has launched an iPhone version of its RetroVa Vintage Imaging Kit, a full camera kit that pairs a slide-on grip with a built-in battery and manual controls to a 2.35x telephoto lens extender. The iPhone kit is unofficial and relies on PGYTech's camera app rather than Apple's. Available for iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, it lists at $229.95, with early Kickstarter pricing around $184; buyers can opt for the case and grip without the lens at a lower price. The company previously tested the extender on the Vivo X200 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Pro. While the lens impressed, the case's build quality raised concerns about value.

Artemis 2 SLS fueling test underway as NASA clears pad for propellant loading

February 2, 2026, 12:56 PM EST. NASA cleared non-essential personnel from Launch Complex-39B ahead of the Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal's fueling phase. The countdown will move into loading cryogenic propellants around 11 a.m. EST, with a simulated T-0 target of 9 p.m. EST and potential spillover into early Feb. 3. NASA and Space.com will livestream the test. Earlier, engineers powered up the SLS core stage; the rocket will receive more than 700,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen during tanking, with the interim cryogenic propulsion stage already powered up. Orion's systems are kept powered in cold Florida conditions, and flight batteries are about to be charged. If all goes well, Artemis 2 could lift off as early as Feb. 8.

Apple Watch Series 11 back on sale for $299

February 2, 2026, 12:52 PM EST. Apple trims the price of the Apple Watch Series 11 to $299, a 25% discount from $399, returning the 2025 model to a record-low price. The 42mm GPS model ships in four colorways: Jet Black and Space Gray aluminum with a Black sport band, Rose Gold with a Light Blush band, and Silver with a Purple Fog band. In reviews, it scored a 90 for more than 24 hours of battery life and a thin, light design. It also includes health metrics such as hypertension alerts and a Sleep Score. The sale aligns with ongoing tech deals and New Year promotions.

iPhone Fold may have the largest iPhone battery yet, around 5500 mAh

February 2, 2026, 12:50 PM EST. Rumors about the iPhone Fold suggest a battery of about 5500 mAh or more, according to Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital. The floor is 5500+ mAh, up from earlier 5400 mAh estimates. By comparison, current iPhone models show smaller packs: iPhone 17: 3692 mAh; iPhone Air: 3149 mAh; iPhone 17 Pro: 4252 mAh; iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5088 mAh. The top model today, iPhone 17 Pro Max, sits just over 5000 mAh, while the Fold is expected to be around 10% higher or more. Battery drain remains uncertain due to a larger display on a foldable. Apple has not confirmed any specifications. If true, the Fold could edge out iPhone 18 Pro models in claimed endurance, though real-world life will depend on software and usage.

Cape Canaveral February 2026 launch schedule: SpaceX Starlink, Artemis II, Crew-12, USSF-87

February 2, 2026, 12:48 PM EST. Florida's Space Coast set a record in 2025 with 109 orbital launches. The February 2026 slate from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center kicks off with SpaceX Starlink missions, followed by NASA's Artemis II crewed lunar flight and the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the ISS. Florida Today's Space Team will provide live coverage at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before liftoff. Scheduled in February are multiple SpaceX Starlink launches from Launch Complex 40, a NASA Artemis II window at Pad 39B, the Crew-12 liftoff from Cape Canaveral, and a ULA USSF-87 national-security mission from LC-41. Times can shift for weather or range activity. For questions, reporters can contact Space Reporter Rick Neale.

Peter Thiel Sells Nvidia and Tesla; Bets 61% of Hedge Fund on Apple and Microsoft

February 2, 2026, 12:44 PM EST. Thiel Macro founder Peter Thiel trimmed Nvidia and Tesla in the third quarter, closing Nvidia and reducing Tesla positions. He funded larger bets on Apple and Microsoft, which together account for 61% of the hedge fund's assets. The two AI-focused names are 27% (Apple) and 34% (Microsoft) of the portfolio. Thiel Macro manages about $74 million, a sliver of Thiel's estimated $26 billion net worth. Thiel remains a Palantir shareholder, with stakes across Class A, B, and F shares. The move signals continued conviction in AI-driven growth from Apple and Microsoft, even as Nvidia and Tesla were pared back and the broader market weighs on hardware cycles.

Carbon Robotics unveils Large Plant Model to ID plants and target weeds in real time

February 2, 2026, 12:42 PM EST. Carbon Robotics unveiled the Large Plant Model (LPM), an AI that instantly recognizes plant species and lets farmers target new weeds without retraining. Trained on more than 150 million photos and data points from robots across 100 farms in 15 countries, the model powers Carbon AI inside the company's autonomous weed-killing fleet. Previously, adding a new weed required labeling and about 24 hours of retraining; LPM can learn a new weed in real time with no new labeling. Farmers can select images in the robot's interface to tell machines what to kill or spare. The firm, founded in 2018, has raised over $185 million from backers including Nvidia, Bond, and Anthos.

AI and Edge Computing Expected to Lead Cloud Trends Through 2025-26

February 2, 2026, 12:40 PM EST. AI and edge computing are shaping the next wave of cloud services, with vendors converging on integrated platforms across IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and FaaS. Analysts expect deeper AI/ML integration and more serverless functions at scale, while deployments move toward public, private and hybrid models with enhanced security and cost controls. The push to run workloads closer to users will drive edge computing expansion, demanding higher bandwidth and smarter data-center designs. Enterprises will weigh shared public resources against performance needs as providers harmonize architectures and offer more predictable pricing. The shift affects developers and operators alike, as platforms mature to support distributed storage, databases and specialized apps at the edge and in core data centers.

5 Android Phones More Powerful Than the Google Pixel 10, including Galaxy S25

February 2, 2026, 12:38 PM EST. Google's Pixel 10 relies on its Tensor G5 chip and an expanded AI stack via Google's TPU. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S25 uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite, and Android Central tests show it outperforms the Pixel 10 in most benchmarks. The notable exception is AI workloads, where the Pixel's Tensor AI accelerators stay competitive. The piece emphasizes standout specs rather than a holistic score and points to other Android flagships, including Chinese models, and even one device with the world's first liquid cooling system. For early 2026 shoppers chasing raw power, several rivals offer stronger performance outside AI tasks.

Trump's AI push exposes rift within MAGA coalition

February 2, 2026, 12:36 PM EST. Two allies clashed in November over how to govern AI. In JD Vance's office, Mike Davis confronted David Sacks, the White House AI czar, arguing he was sidelining Congress to push a deregulatory AI agenda. Sacks said he was carrying out Trump's aim to spur an AI boom. Vance urged compromise, and weeks later Trump issued an executive order to block state AI rules while directing talks with Congress to craft a national framework. The move reveals a fault line in the MAGA coalition: tech leaders and donors on one side, working-class voters wary of job disruption and cultural conservatives on the other. The fight is likely to continue ahead of midterms, as lobbyists flood Congress and Steve Bannon vows further opposition.

Linq raises $20 million to host AI assistants inside messaging apps via API

February 2, 2026, 12:32 PM EST. Linq, a Birmingham, Alabama-based startup, has raised $20 million to expand its messaging platform into AI assistants that live inside iMessage, RCS and other chat apps. Founded by Elliott Potter (CEO), Patrick Sullivan (CTO) and Jared Mattsson (President), Linq launched an API in February 2025 enabling native iMessage conversations between brands and customers. The pivot follows demand from AI companies seeking to embed bots and assistants into messaging. Potter says the company will serve as an infrastructure layer for programmatic messaging, moving beyond traditional SMS sales workflows. The funding supports scaling the platform after months of rapid ARR growth and Poke, the viral AI assistant, underscored the market shift.

Healthcare AI moves upstream in claims denials playbook

February 2, 2026, 12:28 PM EST. AI is moving earlier in the revenue cycle to prevent denials rather than fix them after submission. Providers and payers now use models that analyze historical claims for patterns tied to denials-missing prior authorizations, inconsistent patient data, or payer rule changes-to flag likely denials before submission. This upstream approach also automates eligibility checks, reducing manual lookups and improving accuracy on coverage and patient responsibility. Adoption accelerates as payer rules grow more complex and staffing tightens. Across the system, about $262 billion of the $3 trillion in annual claims are denied, averaging nearly $5 million per provider. Integrated into EHRs and revenue cycle platforms, AI enables real-time validation and cleaner claims the first time.

Pixel 10a preserves Pixel 9a core in restrained mid-range update

February 2, 2026, 12:18 PM EST. Google's Pixel 10a sticks with many Pixel 9a internals and its Tensor processor, avoiding a top-to-bottom upgrade. The reviewer says that keeping a careful balance between hardware and software preserves price and mid-range appeal, and protects against a Galaxy A56-like misfire. Tensor remains central to Pixel value, delivering Gemini image processing and AI features rather than chasing flagship benchmarks. The Pixel A line, he notes, has thrived by offering the power of Pixel software with deliberate omissions to keep costs down. In short, a restrained update, designed to maintain niche appeal and affordability while avoiding cannibalization of the flagship Pixel lineup.

Artemis II fueling test on track after Florida weather delay; no official launch date yet

February 2, 2026, 12:16 PM EST. NASA aims to complete a wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II, the second Artemis mission, to set a launch window from Cape Canaveral. Cold weather in Florida forced a two-day delay but the test is back on track. The fueling drill loads about 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the Space Launch System (SLS), the rocket for the mission, with the Orion capsule atop. The exercise is a prelude to a flight readiness review before the date is announced. Artemis II would carry three men and one woman on a 10-day lunar trip, the first crewed lunar approach since 1972. NASA has not fixed an official launch date; the window could span from February 8 to April 6. Engineers will use the rehearsal to validate systems ahead of countdown.

Oracle's $50B AI Cloud Raise Tests Valuation and Momentum

February 2, 2026, 12:14 PM EST. Oracle plans to raise $45 billion to $50 billion through a mix of debt and equity to rapidly expand its cloud infrastructure. The funding is linked to contracted demand from major AI and tech clients, including AMD, Meta, NVIDIA, OpenAI, TikTok and xAI, as the company pursues long-term growth in AI-focused services. The move comes with a mixed bag of signals: the stock traded around $164.58 and has returned roughly 92.7% over three years and 179.3% over five, but posted a flat to negative year, with 7-day declines of about 9.8% and 30-day/YTD falls around 15.9%. Analysts may weigh how the debt-equity mix affects leverage, interest costs and share count while Oracle scales capacity for its enterprise and AI clients.

AGI timelines diverge as AI leaders weigh the next leap

February 2, 2026, 12:12 PM EST. Billions of dollars have flowed into AI, chasing artificial general intelligence-the kind of system that could match human thinking across tasks. CEOs from Anthropic, xAI and others offer divergent timelines: Amodei and Musk expect AGI by 2026; Hassabis warns it may take another decade; Altman says AGI already slipped by and shifts focus to superintelligence capable of outpacing humans in specific jobs. The debate exposes how murky definitions of AGI, powerful AI and superintelligence have become, and how quickly expectations have shifted since OpenAI launched ChatGPT. The thread traces back to Turing's test, Legg's framing of general intelligence, and OpenAI's mission to ensure benefits for humanity, shaping industry consensus more than two years ago.

Apple Creator Studio underscores Apple's evolving subscription strategy, Gurman says

February 2, 2026, 12:06 PM EST. Apple's latest offering, the Creator Studio, bundles pro tools such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for Mac and iPad, illustrating a broader shift to subscriptions. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says subscriptions may be the future of Apple as the company leans on bundling and paid upgrades to lift profits. The move comes amid existing services like Apple Music, iCloud, Apple Arcade, Apple TV, and the Apple One bundle, plus ongoing subscriptions for iPad and Mac versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Bundling can raise revenue for Apple by cross-promoting apps and nudging usage of lesser-known titles, while consumers face ongoing costs. Apple appears to be expanding recurring revenue across its software and hardware ecosystem, not just selling standalone apps.

Disney to roll out OpenAI's Sora AI tool for 30-second shorts on Disney+

February 2, 2026, 11:54 AM EST. Disney says a three-year licensing deal with OpenAI's Sora will let Disney+ subscribers prompt Sora to generate 30-second videos featuring about 250 characters. Disney says characters with a human voice or face won't be included. CEO Bob Iger framed the tool as a way to jumpstart shortform video on Disney+ and to let subscribers create their own clips, while not expecting an impact on other programming viewership. A rollout is not dated; Iger expects it sometime in fiscal 2026 as the company works through technical details. The move mirrors ESPN's existing shortform feature and follows the rise of user-generated content on platforms like YouTube; Disney notes rivals like Peacock and Netflix are pursuing similar formats to boost discoverability.

Samsung 2026 OLED TVs and Odyssey G6 Monitors Are NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible

February 2, 2026, 11:50 AM EST. Samsung Electronics says its 2026 OLED TVs and Odyssey gaming monitors are NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, delivering tear-free gameplay by syncing the display's refresh with GeForce GPUs. The OLED models S95H, S90H and S85H join the lineup, alongside the new Odyssey G6 monitors (G60H, G61SH). The 27-inch Odyssey G6 (G60H) tops 1,040Hz refresh via Dual Mode, toggling between HD up to 600Hz QHD. The G61SH adds a QD-OLED panel, QHD at 240Hz, 0.03ms GTG2 response, HDR10+ GAMING. Both G6 variants are G-SYNC Compatible. For TVs, S95H/S90H reach up to 165Hz; S85H up to 120Hz. The lineup also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and HDR10+ ADVANCED, with Glare Free tech on S95H/S90H.

Palantir at 27% below high; author warns the AI rally may pull shares lower

February 2, 2026, 11:48 AM EST. Palantir Technologies sits about 27% below its Nov. 2025 all-time high, and a market-watch piece argues the decline may deepen as investors reset after a rapid AI rally. The author credits Palantir's moat to two main platforms: Gotham, the government-focused edge that dominates recurring profit, and Foundry, a subscription-driven SaaS platform unlocking commercial cash flow. Gotham remains the larger profit engine; Foundry's commercial client count rose 49% year over year to 742, signaling room to grow. After a 2,300% rally since 2023, Palantir now faces questions about valuation and AI-headwind risks. The piece frames the current move as the start of a steeper slide, even as fundamentals show durable demand and long-term visibility.

NHS taps Optellum AI for early lung cancer diagnosis using VNC with robotic bronchoscopy

February 2, 2026, 11:22 AM EST. London NHS trusts will test Optellum's AI-powered lung cancer workflow. The platform pairs the Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) with the Lung Cancer Prediction AI and is billed by Optellum as the world's first and only FDA-cleared and reimbursed software-as-a-medical-device for AI-based prioritization and diagnostic support. In the pilot, VNC runs with robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to locate lesions on CT scans and estimate malignancy risk. When a biopsy is needed, the bronchoscopy can reach nodules as small as 6 millimeters. The program launches at Guy's and St Thomas' and will expand to King's College and Lewisham and Greenwich. Optellum previously teamed with Bristol Myers Squibb on real-world outcomes and raised $14 million in 2022 with the Intuitive fund.

Croatia IPTV use falls to 35% in 2025 as mobile internet rises, Hakom data show

February 2, 2026, 11:20 AM EST. Hakom's survey shows IPTV usage fell to 35% in 2025 from 44% in 2023. Meanwhile, household reliance on mobile internet rose from 34% to 40% over three years. Use of fixed voice services declined, dropping from 56% of homes to 48%. The data highlight a shift from traditional fixed services toward mobile and streaming options, underscoring how consumers adapt to network choices amid evolving offerings in Croatia.

Weekly Windows Wrap: Microsoft promises Windows 11 fixes as stock dives $440 billion

February 2, 2026, 11:08 AM EST. Microsoft pledged to fix Windows 11 after weeks of user complaints, signaling a shift to address the OS's pain points. The company has also explored deeper Copilot integration in apps such as Notepad and Paint, and hardware interest remains strong with devices like the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, the Windows 11 handheld on sale for around $490. The announcements came as Microsoft shed about $440 billion in market value in a single session-the second-largest daily decline on record-driven by investor concerns over AI spending and Azure, rather than Windows 11 issues alone. Analysts will watch whether these moves translate into meaningful changes for software and investors alike.

Nvidia shares slip as OpenAI investment stalls, casting doubt on $100 billion plan

February 2, 2026, 11:06 AM EST. Nvidia shares fell in premarket trading after reports that its plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI is stalled. The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter, saying there is uncertainty about a deal between the two companies. Nvidia had described a September agreement to provide at least 10 gigawatts of computing power for OpenAI alongside the investment. CEO Jensen Huang has said the $100 billion figure is non-binding and not finalized, while criticizing OpenAI's business strategy and flagging competition from Google and Anthropic. Huang later told industry contacts that he remains confident in the partnership and that the investment will be large, though the exact size remains unsettled. Analysts cited investor doubt about size and timing.

Anthropic partners with Allen Institute and HHMI to deploy Claude-powered AI agents in life sciences

February 2, 2026, 10:26 AM EST. Anthropic is expanding beyond flashy breakthroughs. The company says AI agents – autonomous software that can analyze, annotate, and coordinate tasks under human direction – will speed everyday lab work. In exclusive interviews, Anthropic's life sciences head Jonah Cool and Allen Institute executive Grace Huynh described Claude-powered agents tackling data analysis, curation, and collaboration bottlenecks that stretch research timelines. The partnerships with the Allen Institute and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute aim not to replace researchers but to embed AI into routine workflows, compressing years of work into months. Google DeepMind's AlphaFold showed AI's potential; Anthropic argues the next step is using agents across teams to accelerate discovery. The Allen Institute already uses Claude Code in computational biology workflows.

Amazon launches giant Elevation Lab AirTag 2 mounts and cases sale from $8

February 2, 2026, 10:24 AM EST. Amazon is listing more than 40 Elevation Lab AirTag mounts and accessories in a sale tied to the new AirTag 2. The lineup spans magnetic, fabric, bike and bag options, with most items compatible with both the first-gen AirTag and the AirTag 2. Highlights include the TagVault Magnetic Case from $13.50, the TagVault Fabric Extreme Mount at $12, and the TagVault Security Lock Mount from $11. The AirTag Wallet Holder is priced around $8. Elevation Lab also offers extended battery cases that increase life to as much as 5 and 10 years: the 5-year Extended Battery Case for $16 and the 10-Year Extended Battery Case for $18. The deals run on Amazon with some items eligible for Prime shipping. The collection underscores the brand's emphasis on durable mounting and longer battery life for both AirTag generations.

Amazon Elevation Lab AirTag 2 mounts go on sale with magnetic, lockable options

February 2, 2026, 10:22 AM EST. Amazon is discounting Elevation Lab accessories for the AirTag 2 as part of a broader sale. The lineup spans more than 40 mounts and cases, compatible with both the first-gen and the new AirTag. Highlights include the TagVault Magnetic Case from $13.50, TagVault Fabric Extreme Mount at $12, and TagVault Security Lock Mount from $11. A new range includes the AirTag Wallet Holder at $8. The sale also features extended-battery cases that add years of life: the 5-year Extended Battery Case for $16 and the 10-year Extended Battery Case for $18. Apple's AirTag 2 is priced at $29 on Prime shipping. 9to5Toys notes the deals cover bike mounts, luggage hides, and fabric mounts, all via affiliate links.

Amazon launches Elevation Lab AirTag 2 mounts and cases sale from $8

February 2, 2026, 10:14 AM EST. Amazon is running a big Elevation Lab sale on AirTag 2 mounts and cases timed to the launch. The sale covers 40-plus products, including the TagVault Everything Mount, Magnetic Case, Fabric Extreme Mount, Security Lock Mount, and AirTag Wallet Holder. Most Elevation Lab accessories work with both the first-generation and AirTag 2. Highlights include the TagVault Magnetic Case from $13.50, Fabric Extreme Mount at $12, and the Security Lock Mount from $11. Also offered are extended-battery options: a 5-year case for $16 and a 10-year case for $18. The collection spans bike mounts, bag straps, luggage, and hidden placements, with Prime shipping on select items.

Apple's Smart Glasses Plans Trigger Global AR Supply-Chain Shifts, Taiwan Firms Expand Capacity

February 2, 2026, 9:50 AM EST. Apple's late-2026 smart glasses plan, if realized, could reshape the global AR optics supply chain, DigiTimes says. The paywalled report notes rising demand for smart glasses from Meta, but positions Apple as the primary catalyst for large-scale commercialization. Taiwanese suppliers are boosting capex and shifting R&D toward AR technologies. Kinko Optical has opened an AR/VR/MR research center with about $5.6 million in funding and is developing nanoimprint optical waveguides and optical engines-the dual technologies essential to modern AR glasses. Asia Optical, JMO Corp, and Aiimax Innovation are expanding AR optics work, including metalens development. Samsung plans AR glasses for 2026; Apple is forecast to lift volumes, stabilize the supply chain, and reduce component costs, according to the report.

Trusted leaker shares official-looking Galaxy S26 Ultra render ahead of February launch

February 2, 2026, 9:20 AM EST. A trusted leaker posted an official-looking render of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, showing the rear camera housing, metal frame and an S Pen. Evan Blass shared the image on Substack, consistent with prior leaks. Samsung is tipped to unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup on February 25. The Ultra is expected to use a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, include a Privacy Display feature and retain the familiar rear camera setup: 200MP main, 50MP 5x periscope, 50MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto. Battery sits around 5,000mAh, with 60W wired charging and Qi2 magnetic wireless charging possible. The base S26 and S26 Plus likely ship in both Snapdragon and Exynos flavors, with slightly smaller batteries and 45W charging; color in the render appears to be Cobalt Violet.

Amazfit adds Runna syncing and Zepp redesign to Balance 2 and T-Rex 3 Pro

February 2, 2026, 9:02 AM EST. Amazfit is rolling out two updates for its budget-focused running watches. The Runna app now works with Amazfit devices, enabling syncing of running workouts from Runna to the Zepp app and sending activities back, with support currently limited to the Balance 2 and T-Rex 3 Pro. Other products may follow. Separately, the Zepp app for iOS is getting a major refresh in version 10, including a reorganized home screen, clearer sections for activities and metrics, and a new Badges tab to gamify progress. Runna says it is working with Amazfit to broaden syncing to more devices. The updates aim to boost value for budget-conscious runners.

VR fitness group fights Meta cuts as Supernatural faces shutdown, sparking online protest

February 2, 2026, 9:00 AM EST. Retired teacher Sherry Dickson uses Meta's Quest headset for Supernatural, a VR fitness game that blends cardio, dance, and rhythm. At 69, she logs 60 to 90 minutes five days a week and helps lead an online push to save the title after Meta shut down three VR studios as part of Reality Labs layoffs. With no new content planned, Dickson and a growing cadre of players-mostly women, seniors, and people with limited mobility-are organizing on social media and Change.org. The Supernatural community has about 110,000 on Facebook and more than 7,000 signatories. Fans argue the decision hurts a niche fitness ecosystem that thrives on fresh music, coaches, and updates, and they target Mark Zuckerberg for a public response.

Trump admin to draft federal transportation rules with AI, DOT says

February 2, 2026, 8:58 AM EST. The Trump administration plans to use AI (artificial intelligence) to draft federal transportation regulations, a plan discussed in DOT records and interviews with six staffers. Daniel Cohen, an agency attorney, described a demonstration of AI tools as showing how DOT rule writers could do their job faster. Gregory Zerzan, the general counsel, called DOT the point of the spear and said the aim is to deliver good enough rules quickly. Critics worry about safety and quality when AI handles rules affecting airplanes, pipelines and trains. Proponents argue AI could shrink timelines from idea to draft. DOT targets a 30-day path from concept to draftable rule, with claims that Gemini could produce a draft in minutes or seconds, noting much of the preamble is word salad.

Apple bets on tomorrow as AI ties and new hardware loom

February 2, 2026, 8:56 AM EST. Apple posts solid results despite a lag in AI, with the narrative focusing on 2026. The piece notes a record $85 billion in iPhone revenue in late 2025 and a Q1 2026 described as remarkable by Tim Cook, who stressed opportunities ahead. It outlines tension between Apple Intelligence and a marquee Apple/Google AI partnership; Gemini-powered Siri is expected to launch within weeks and could feed iPhone demand, while a failure would not erase demand. The article frames 2026 as a crucial inflection point, with Apple potentially rising or falling on AI and software strategies. Hardware ahead includes the iPhone Fold and the iPhone 17e, while the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro reportedly carried last quarter.

Apple Vision Pro two-year anniversary highlights and roadmap shifts

February 2, 2026, 8:54 AM EST. Two years after its June 2023 unveiling, Apple's Vision Pro remains a bold but polarizing experiment in spatial computing. The headset, billed as a first spatial computer, runs visionOS with eyes, hands, and voice inputs, and uses dual micro-OLED displays, the M2 chip, and a dedicated R1 processor. It launched in the United States on February 2, 2024 at $3,499, with reviews praising image quality and tracking but faulting weight, battery life, and software libraries. Apple expanded availability and pushed feature updates through 2024 and 2025. A 2024 update introduced the M5 chip, increasing rendered pixels, boosting to 120 Hz, and adding longer battery life plus a new comfort band. By mid-2024, reports suggested the multi-year roadmap had unraveled, with the redesigned Vision Pro paused.

Broadcom, TSMC poised to win big in the custom AI chip boom, Counterpoint says

February 2, 2026, 8:46 AM EST. Broadcom and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. are positioned to dominate the nascent custom AI silicon market, according to Counterpoint Research. Broadcom is projected to hold about 60% of the AI Server Compute ASIC design market in 2027, backed by its close partnership with TSMC, the dominant foundry with near-100% wafer share for the top AI shipments. The shift away from Nvidia's general-purpose GPUs to company-specific chips highlights the role of Broadcom as a bridge turning internal blueprints into hardware. The strategy ties to corporate capital expenditures, helping Broadcom's stock rise about 55% over the past year. Goldman Sachs notes the Google-Broadcom TPU push narrows cost per token versus Nvidia, citing potential 70% efficiency gains. Marvell faces headwinds on design wins, while TSMC remains a central, if opaque, enabler of this transition.

Android Focus Stacking Goes Mainstream With Free Multifocus Camera App

February 2, 2026, 8:44 AM EST. An Android app, Multifocus Camera by Ignislab Ltd, lets any Android device perform focus stacking. The free, under-10MB tool captures a burst of shots and merges them into a single image, with a tap. Settings allow users to save all frames or increase the number of photos before stacking, and a processing overlay shows progress. The article used a Motorola Razr 2024 for its sample photographs, illustrating how a smartphone can approach traditional camera capabilities for macro or landscape scenes. The feature broadens high-depth-of-field options without new gear, though results vary by device and scene.

Apple's second foldable could be a flip phone, report says

February 2, 2026, 8:38 AM EST. Apple reportedly considers a second foldable, a clamshell iPhone Flip that would resemble Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr Ultra. The move could address price and pocketability concerns seen with the iPhone Fold, which rumors have pegged near $2,000. Flip devices are typically more compact than book-style foldables but may still carry premium pricing. The plan is not guaranteed, and timing remains unclear. Still, supporters say a smaller, flip-style iPhone would be more appealing to many buyers than a larger folding model.

Escape from Ever After lands on Switch in Paper Mario-style RPG

February 2, 2026, 8:34 AM EST. Escape from Ever After, a turn-based RPG from Sleepy Castle Studios and Wing It! Creative, launched on Switch on January 23. Inspired by Paper Mario, it follows Flynt Buckler as he targets Tinder's castle HQ to topple Ever After Inc. The game blends a fast, tactical battle system with party customization, office banter, and storybook worlds rich in sidequests. Early buzz highlights its Paper Mario-style visuals and a playful corporate satire. It has an 82 on Metacritic (a review aggregator) and an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam from more than 500 user reviews. Developers say the game rewards experimentation and strategy. Have you played it, and does it capture the Paper Mario vibe?

Apple's button-less, all-glass iPhone 20 eyed for 2027 anniversary redesign

February 2, 2026, 8:22 AM EST. Rumors point to an all-glass, button-less iPhone 20 for Apple's 20th anniversary in 2027, with no physical buttons and a possible under-display selfie. Some reports vary on whether Face ID remains via a cutout or shifts behind the display. Release timing centers on September 2027; pricing details are not leaked. Apple may echo the iPhone X redesign path, promising an extraordinary, complex new look. Analysts like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman flag a landmark product that could shape Apple's next decade amid competition from generative AI. Naming is unsettled-iPhone XX, iPhone 20, or a 2027 label. The model could redefine the look that has defined Apple since the X era, continuing a long-running evolution rather than a simple refresh.

Apple Creator Studio vs. Adobe Creative Cloud: Can Apple's Mac-focused suite compete?

February 2, 2026, 8:18 AM EST. Macworld weighs Apple Creator Studio against Adobe Creative Cloud, focusing on price, features and who benefits. The Apple bundle costs $12.99/month or $129/year with a free trial; students pay $2.99/month or $29.99/year, and it supports up to five users via iCloud Family Sharing. It bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, plus Motion, Compressor and MainStage, plus a Content Hub with photos, graphics and illustrations in Pages, Keynote, Numbers and Freeform. Apple also offers exclusive templates and some AI features to speed projects. Adobe Creative Cloud remains the industry standard, priced at about $54.99/month for the basic plan, delivering cross-platform tools. The choice depends on whether you're Mac-centric and price-sensitive or need broader, cross-platform capabilities.

Apple's second foldable could be a flip phone

February 2, 2026, 8:12 AM EST. Apple's next foldable may take a clamshell form. A report says Apple is considering an iPhone Flip as a follow-up to the iPhone Fold. The concept would mirror compact flip models like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola Razr Ultra. The idea isn't guaranteed. Prices loom large: estimates for the iPhone Fold push $2,000; a Flip would likely be cheaper but still pricey. Size and pocketability matter. Flip-style devices trade off thickness for a smaller footprint, though still heftier than traditional iPhones. If real, the iPhone Flip could be more appealing to buyers seeking compactness and familiarity. RAMageddon (a memory-chip shortage) complicates the cost and availability picture.

Apple Creator Studio challenges Adobe Creative Cloud with Mac-first tools and lower price

February 2, 2026, 8:10 AM EST. Apple's Creator Studio bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor and MainStage with a Content Hub of photos, graphics and templates. Priced at $12.99 per month or $129 per year, with students at $2.99/month and a Family Sharing option for up to five people. The package targets Mac users, especially independent creators and beginners, offering a more affordable alternative to Adobe Creative Cloud, which remains the industry standard. Creators gain AI-assisted features and exclusive templates, plus a streamlined Mac-focused workflow. The combined value can rival standalone apps-Final Cut Pro costs $299 on its own, and the suite's list price exceeds that amount on an a la carte basis.

CFOs at Adobe, Dataminr, Huntington push scaling of AI amid data governance hurdles

February 2, 2026, 8:08 AM EST. CFOs at Dataminr, Adobe and Huntington Bancshares say AI is moving from experimentation to execution at board level. Dataminr's Tiffany Buchanan says AI is a standing item in the annual operating plan and a non-negotiable across functions, with CFOs directing capital toward growth and efficiency. At Adobe, Dan Durn frames AI as boosting organizational velocity-speeding from insight to action-but notes culture, continuous learning and curious leadership are essential alongside technology. Huntington's Zachary Wasserman warns that in a regulated bank, speed must be balanced with risk, prompting a generative AI risk framework and human oversight for high-impact use cases. Separately, analysts warn data quality, governance and talent gaps remain major obstacles, even as finance assumes stewardship of enterprise data and embeds AI in daily tools.

Two new DJI drones leak at FCC, may slip past US ban

February 2, 2026, 7:54 AM EST. Two new DJI drones have appeared at the US FCC under the names Lito 1 and Lito X1, signaling replacements for the Mini 4K and Mini 5 Pro. The filings suggest the models were approved in November and December, potentially allowing sales before the US ban on DJI devices took effect on December 23, 2025. The New Camera spotted the listings, and an official announcement could arrive from late February to early April, with US and other markets following. Rumored specs include 360-degree obstacle avoidance and a range exceeding 20 kilometers per charge. Starting prices are pegged at about $330 for the Lito 1 and $759 for the Lito X1, keeping them near current Minis. DJI has not confirmed details; TechRadar will report more as it emerges.

Study finds autonomous cars and drones vulnerable to prompt hijacking via road signs

February 2, 2026, 7:50 AM EST. Researchers from UC Santa Cruz and Johns Hopkins demonstrated that self-driving cars and autonomous drones can be steered by illicit prompts displayed on road signs. In simulated tests, LVLMs such as GPT-4o and InternVL followed commands embedded in signs, across languages including Chinese, English, Spanish and Spanglish. The team introduced CHAI, short for 'command hijacking against embodied AI,' and varied fonts, colors and placement to maximize susceptibility. While the prompt itself had the strongest effect, appearance mattered as well, though the reasons remain unclear. Tests in both virtual and physical-like scenarios used DriveLM data and showed drivers could be misled into turning left or ignoring pedestrians when the sign read proceed or turn left. Without signs in view, the systems behaved normally; with signs, they did not.

DeepMind unveils AlphaGenome to identify genetic disease markers

February 2, 2026, 7:46 AM EST. DeepMind unveiled AlphaGenome, an AI model designed to identify disease markers in vast genetic data. The system targets mutations that alter gene transcription, a driver behind many genetic diseases. DNA data has grown faster than scientists can interpret, making AI a potential accelerant. Mutations are small, context-dependent, and can affect one gene among many, sometimes only in specific cell types; linking sequence to outcome remains hard. AlphaGenome aims to mirror breakthroughs in natural language processing and strategic games by decoding regulatory patterns. It not only predicts which mutations disrupt transcription but also which cell types are affected and whether the change increases or reduces production of a target gene. Human scientists will validate the predictions.

Aronofsky's AI-driven revolutionary war series stirs debate on synthetic realism

February 2, 2026, 7:40 AM EST. Time magazine's YouTube series On This Day… 1776, produced by Darren Aronofsky's Primordial Soup, is an AI-generated short about the American Revolution. The piece has sparked debate for its synthetic realism and unsettling visuals. Early shots reveal hair that looks plasticky, while facial animation shifts color and depth, giving the characters an uncanny, tissue-paper look. Much of the footage is shown from behind, a deliberate guard against making the AI faces too realistic. The strongest element is the human voice work; actors provide the dialogue while motion lags behind, a reminder that performance remains separate from creation. The project raises questions about the future of voice acting and facial animation as AI encroaches on media production, and whether such experiments will endure or fade.

Apple weighs ending its TSMC chip pact as Nvidia-led AI demand reshapes supply chain

February 2, 2026, 7:36 AM EST. Apple is examining alternatives to its exclusive chipmaking pact with TSMC, including whether Intel could manufacture some lower-end processors, potentially starting in 2028 on Intel's 14A process, per The Wall Street Journal. Nvidia has overtaken Apple as TSMC's largest customer, as AI workloads push demand for advanced nodes. TSMC's high-performance computing segment, led by Nvidia and cloud giants, now accounts for about 58% of revenue, dwarfing the smartphone business. Tim Cook acknowledged a tighter supply chain, noting demand is constrained for 3-nanometer chips. CC Wei said AI customers get priority, signaling a shift in power balance. Beyond TSMC, memory suppliers Samsung and SK Hynix are pressing for higher prices, adding to Apple's sourcing puzzle.

Gradio launches Daggr, an open-source Python library for inspectable AI workflows

February 2, 2026, 7:34 AM EST. Daggr, a new open-source Python library from the Gradio team, helps developers build and debug multi-step AI workflows. The project adopts a code-first approach: developers define nodes and connections in Python, and Daggr renders a visual canvas that shows intermediate states, inputs, and outputs for each step. The workflow is a directed graph, enabling independent inspection and re-execution of individual nodes. Node types include GradioNode (Gradio apps or Hugging Face Spaces), FnNode (arbitrary Python functions), and InferenceNode (models served via Hugging Face Inference Providers). A key feature is automatic state persistence, letting users pause and resume without losing context. Daggr integrates with the Gradio ecosystem, runs locally with a browser canvas, and can be hosted on Hugging Face Spaces. Daggr is in beta and aims to speed up experimentation.

Tesla to start supervised autonomous driving tests in Israel after ministry approval

February 2, 2026, 7:32 AM EST. Israel's Transportation Ministry announced that Tesla will begin supervised autonomous driving trials, a first step toward approving its Full-Self Driving (FSD) system for use with a supervising driver. Transportation Minister Miri Regev called the move a safety and innovation milestone, while the ministry's director general Moshe Ben Zaken said Israel is a testing ground for advanced vehicle technologies. Tesla did not comment on timing for user access. The trials echo similar programs in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Tesla's 2025 Q4 briefing says it aims to expand FSD trials in Asia, with approvals under way in South Korea. Separately, Tesla said it would halt Model X and Model S production to focus on the autonomous future, as revenue declined year over year.

One chart explains Tesla's decision to discontinue two legacy models

February 2, 2026, 7:28 AM EST. Tesla is retiring two legacy models as it shifts focus to higher-demand variants. A single chart from analysts traces the factors behind the move: pricing, margins, and production efficiency. The company has pared its entry points to streamline manufacturing and improve cash flow while aligning with demand for newer, software-enabled cars. Officials say the decision reduces complexity for consumers and dealers, cuts costs, and accelerates the rollout of updated platforms. Market respondents note the step follows broader industry pressure to simplify lineups and protect margins amid rising inputs. While the two models will remain available briefly in some regions, supply is expected to taper as inventory declines. The chart shows a data-driven pivot rather than a spur-of-the-moment shift.

East Texas broadband expansion advances, but funding, timing hamper projects

February 2, 2026, 7:20 AM EST. Marion County in East Texas moves forward with fiber-optic internet as federal and state funds back construction, yet funding gaps and shifting grant criteria slow progress. ETCOG leaders say plans exist and readiness is high, but lawmakers have reduced anticipated federal dollars and tightened application timelines. Fiber costs average $40,000-$60,000 per mile, a hurdle for rural deployment with few customers. The project model relies on federal funding to cover build costs while providers operate networks; delays echo earlier rural electrification milestones, according to local officials. Nearly 3 million Texas households lack broadband, with East Texas seeing many in need, delaying access to healthcare, education and employment.

DJI Matrice 400 firmware update fixes reliability gaps in positioning, LiDAR and batteries

February 2, 2026, 7:18 AM EST. Enterprise drone pilots do not chase flash; they want a drone that powers on reliably, knows its position, and avoids odd behavior near infrastructure. DJI's latest firmware for the Matrice 400 focuses on that reality. The update to firmware v16.01.08.09 touches nearly every element of the ecosystem: aircraft, remote controller, DJI Pilot 2, Manifold 3, TB100 batteries, BS100 battery station, RTK units, and payloads including Zenmuse P1, L-series LiDAR sensors, and the H30/H30T cameras. Key changes include dirt detection for LiDAR, improved positioning accuracy, and refined battery behavior. The goal is to prevent incidents and support reliable operation in demanding environments rather than flashy features.

AMD eyes 2026 breakout as hyperscalers embrace ROCm-led AI stack, challenging Nvidia

February 2, 2026, 7:16 AM EST. AMD is pressing its case in AI accelerators as hyperscalers deploy more of its Instinct GPUs alongside Nvidia GPUs. The shift signals a credible path for AMD to challenge Nvidia's dominance in data-center AI workloads. Companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, and OpenAI are complementing their existing GPU stacks with AMD's ROCm software, highlighting a growing belief in an open-source alternative to CUDA. This could give big-tech buyers more negotiating leverage and potentially lower unit costs across memory and storage. If AMD sustains momentum into 2026, the architecture shift may translate into sustained revenue and earnings growth, reshaping a market long led by Nvidia's pricing power and moat.

SpaceX seeks FCC nod for up to 1 million orbital data-center satellites

February 2, 2026, 7:14 AM EST. SpaceX filed with the FCC to launch as many as 1 million satellites to run data centers in space for AI workloads. The solar-powered network aims to avoid land-based cooling by relying on radiative cooling in orbit and sun power, reducing battery reliance. Starship would deploy the constellation, with laser links tying satellites together in an orbit of 500 km to 2,000 km for near-continuous sun access. Musk framed the plan as advancing a Kardashev II civilization and supporting AI for billions while pursuing a multi-planetary future. The filing notes environmental and cost claims compared with terrestrial data centers. The plan comes as SpaceX eyes an IPO and potential mergers with xAI or Tesla to consolidate AI, satellite production and launches.

What history says about Nvidia before Feb. 25 earnings catalyst

February 2, 2026, 7:06 AM EST. Nvidia has run up more than 800% in three years, driven by its leadership in AI chips and eye-opening revenue growth with gross margins above 70%. Over the past year the ride has not been smooth: headwinds faded as demand for AI infrastructure remained robust, even as some investors fretted about an AI bubble. The upcoming focal point is Nvidia's fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026 earnings on Feb. 25 after the close. A supportive note comes from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), Nvidia's chip foundry partner, which recently beat estimates and underscored strong demand for Nvidia-driven AI hardware. History offers no guarantees, but catalysts and supplier demand trends have historically sparked upside for Nvidia; the stock often moves around earnings.

Nvidia's OpenAI deal stalls as $30B investment looms; IPO and rival AI models reshape funding race

February 2, 2026, 7:04 AM EST. Nvidia's $100 billion OpenAI partnership has stalled, with sources saying the deal is on ice, even as Nvidia pursues a separate investment of up to $30B in OpenAI. OpenAI continues to prepare a Q4 IPO while seeking new funding rounds around $100B. Rival AI models from ByteDance and Alibaba loom as DeepSeek builds an AI search engine to challenge Google and OpenAI. Nvidia has raised concerns about OpenAI's discipline and competitive pressure. OpenAI's share of web traffic reportedly fell from 86.7% to 64.5% in a year; Anthropic now holds about 40% of the enterprise market, with OpenAI at 27% and Google Gemini rising. OpenAI is developing its own chips to cut Nvidia dependence. The most likely path remains unclear: a continued $100B deal or a larger $30B investment.

Xiaomi's dark factory can make a phone every second without people

February 2, 2026, 7:02 AM EST. Xiaomi's smart factory in Changping, Beijing, spans about 96,900 square yards and operates without on-site human workers. The factory, powered by advanced robotics and AI, can assemble and inspect smartphones around the clock, boosting uptime and consistency while cutting heating, lighting and personnel costs. Xiaomi's HyperIMP (Intelligent Manufacturing Platform) coordinates assembly, materials handling, and environmental control through thousands of sensors and machine vision. The site highlights a broader shift toward dark factories in electronics and other industries, raising questions about jobs and reskilling as automation accelerates. The technology offers speed and precision but also serves as a warning about the human costs of widespread automation.

China grants conditional approval for DeepSeek to buy Nvidia H200 chips

February 2, 2026, 7:00 AM EST. China has conditionally approved DeepSeek to purchase Nvidia's H200 AI chips, with final regulatory conditions still being ironed out. The move signals Beijing's shift from broad caution to selective, case-by-case approvals amid ongoing export controls and import controls. Earlier clearances granted to ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have allowed tens of thousands of H200 units, widening Nvidia's footprint in a market shaped by geopolitics. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said licensing is not yet confirmed and described the process as ongoing. China's industry and commerce ministries, with the National Development and Reform Commission, have been involved. The H200's role in AI capability makes the chips a flashpoint in US-China tech tensions, with lawmakers scrutinizing potential military uses. If shipments proceed, they could ease a bottleneck for Chinese AI development and test how policy priorities are balanced.

AI reshapes job search and hiring in 2026, study finds

February 2, 2026, 6:58 AM EST. AI is reshaping the job search and hiring process in 2026, starting at interviews. A Resume.org study shows 57% of companies use AI in hiring. Brandon Welch of BambooHR says AI screens resumes, matches candidates to job descriptions and uses chatbots for qualifying questions. Other data: 34% rely on AI for interviews; 33% foresee company-wide use by 2026; 74% say AI has improved hire quality; 75% would green-light AI to reject candidates without human oversight; 57% worry it screens out qualified candidates, 50% fear bias. Vasant Dhar notes AI can screen letters, analyze interview responses, and provide an overall assessment. Studies show AI can outperform humans on well-defined tasks and often feels preferable to human interviewers, even as employers worry about gaming and bias.

Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar: Americans must shape AI, not fear it

February 2, 2026, 6:52 AM EST. Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar argues the AI debate misframes AI as either catastrophe or utopia, overlooking human agency. He says AI is a tool for the American worker, not a replacement, and adoption can raise productivity and create jobs. He points to frontline uses-from maritime manufacturing to nursing-that show AI boosting time at the bedside and output on factory floors. The future, he says, is shaped by Americans who build AI to improve healthcare, safety, and prosperity. Key themes include reindustrialization, deterrence, and new tools for governance. He contends the job-loss narrative benefits investors and politics, while the enterprise promise is real: AI enables workers to do more with less. The article frames AI as a national asset to outpace rivals and prevent conflict.

Apple weighs foldable iPhone options, including iPhone Flip, says Bloomberg

February 2, 2026, 6:38 AM EST. Apple is exploring foldables, with a planned first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Fold, possibly launching this fall, and a second clamshell model, tentatively dubbed iPhone Flip. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports the iPhone Fold would resemble a square phone similar to a Motorola Razr or Samsung Galaxy Flip. The iPhone Flip remains speculative and far from guaranteed to reach the market, with official naming still pending.

iPod creator urges Apple to bring back the iPod

February 2, 2026, 6:34 AM EST. The iPod creator says Apple should bring back the device, reviving debate about reviving legacy hardware. Apple has not issued an official comment. Observers note any revival would hinge on demand, pricing, and the product's place in an increasingly services-led strategy.

Four free Android launchers that users swear by

February 2, 2026, 6:26 AM EST. Android's home screen is no longer tethered to a manufacturer skin. Launchers let users tailor wallpapers, icons and interactions, including gestures. The piece spotlights four free options for different tastes. Square Home recreates a Windows Phone-style, grid-based layout that groups apps and shortcuts, letting swipes move between blocks and keeping primary apps within easy reach on phones, tablets or foldables. Total Launcher trades simplicity for depth: nearly every element-icons, widgets and even fonts-can be moved or replaced. The article notes other launchers balance personalization with clean, minimal interfaces. In the end, the choice hinges on how much control a user wants and how fast they want to navigate the home screen.

Ayaneo's Pocket S Mini: true 4:3 retro handheld with premium metal chassis

February 2, 2026, 6:24 AM EST. Ayaneo released the Pocket S Mini, a premium handheld that aims to satisfy retro gamers with a true 4:3 aspect ratio. Unlike many devices, it minimizes letterboxing when emulating CRT-era titles. The device features a full metal frame and a glass front, a 4.2-inch LCD at 1280×960, and Hall effect controls with RGB lighting. It runs on a Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip and carries a 6,000mAh battery. Available on Ayaneo's site without crowdfunding, it starts at $319 for 8GB/128GB in Obsidian Black or Ice Soul White; the Retro Power colorway tops out at 16GB/512GB for $479. Retail pricing is expected to rise to between $399-$559 later.

Jensen Huang: TSMC must double capacity in next decade to meet NVIDIA demand

February 2, 2026, 6:22 AM EST. Taiwan's TSMC plans to expand production by more than 100% over the next decade to satisfy NVIDIA's demand, Jensen Huang said in a local interview via UDN. The expansion would be among the largest infrastructure bets in history, signaling a long AI boom. The company is accelerating capex and fab buildouts, including a $250 billion U.S. mega-buildout for advanced packaging, semiconductors and R&D. Arizona plants are shifting to 3nm as TSMC eyes an A16 node, mindful of N-2 policies. NVIDIA has become TSMC's largest customer, taking a sizable share of capacity ahead of rivals, aided by capacity prepayments that reserve future lines for HPC workloads. The push underscores how AI demand is reshaping supply chains across the U.S., EU, and Asia.

Opinion | Eight Thinkers Predict AI's Next Five Years

February 2, 2026, 6:18 AM EST. Eight leading thinkers lay out competing bets for the next five years. The range runs from optimism to caution. Harari predicts AI agents may gain legal personhood in some countries. Mitchell says AI will not suddenly cure cancer or solve physics, and fluent chat isn't definitive proof of intelligence. Toner expects systems to push at the cutting edge across science, but not be trusted to plan a child's summer camps. Frosst argues AI will become boring in the best way, powering everyday tools. Frey warns productivity gains won't by themselves create lasting prosperity without new industries. Marcus remains skeptical of artificial general intelligence (AGI) within five years. Cotra and Srinivas emphasize risk assessment and practical search tools. The exchange frames how to capture benefits while mitigating risks.

Quantum-proof encryption lags, but signs of progress mount

February 2, 2026, 6:14 AM EST. Skepticism over urgency persists as quantum computing advances. A survey of more than 2,600 security and privacy pros shows only 5% regard post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as a near-term business priority. Executives expect vendors to carry the transition-62%, per an IBM survey-though institutions with sensitive data, such as HSBC, stress a 'trust but verify' approach. Cloudflare reports more than half of human-initiated traffic now uses post-quantum encryption. Symmetric encryption is already quantum-safe; the risk is with public-key schemes. TLS 1.3 supports PQC, enabling post-quantum safe key exchange. Starting next year, certificate lifecycles tighten-to 200 days, then 47 days by 2029-creating a practical path for PQC adoption. Forrester pegs quantum-security spend above 5% of IT budgets next year.

OpenClaw, formerly Clawdbot and Moltbot, drives buzz around autonomous AI agents

February 2, 2026, 6:02 AM EST. OpenClaw, the open-source AI agent once known as Clawdbot and Moltbot, has become one of the year's most talked-about tools. Launched by Austrian developer Peter Steinberger, it runs on users' operating systems and apps and can automate tasks-from email and calendar management to web browsing and online-service interactions-using a large language model such as Claude or ChatGPT. Early adapters have wired it to WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord; its persistent memory lets it recall weeks of interactions and tailor actions. OpenClaw's openness-its code is public and modifiable-has spurred rapid adoption from Silicon Valley to Beijing. The project has attracted over 145,000 GitHub stars and 20,000 forks. Moltbook, an accompanying forum, expands the buzz around AI agents and their growing presence in everyday workflows.

FAA warns rockets threaten aircraft safety, urges extreme caution

February 2, 2026, 5:52 AM EST. FAA issues a safety alert warning that rocket launches could significantly reduce aircraft safety by generating debris fields near flight paths. The notice, dated Jan. 8, follows a ProPublica report on pilots dodging debris after SpaceX Starship explosions over busy airspace last year. The FAA says it has long issued aviation-safety alerts but this is the first to address rocket-related debris risks. Debris zones and emergency no-fly areas are designed to protect planes, crews and passengers, but debris can fall outside these zones, especially in international waters without radar. SpaceX has not released debris data; the company says it prioritizes public safety and airspace stewardship. Operators should assess routes and take precautionary measures.

Goldman Sachs leads $75 million round for Fieldguide, an AI-native accounting platform

February 2, 2026, 5:34 AM EST. Goldman Sachs Alternatives led a $75 million round for Fieldguide, an AI-native accounting and audit platform, valuing the company at $700 million. New investor Geodesic joined alongside existing backers Bessemer Venture Partners, 8VC and Thomson Reuters. Founder Jin Chang says the goal is to replace a fragmented tech stack as the CPA talent pool tightens-Fieldguide cites a 17-year low in CPA candidates and expects that more than 75% of CPAs retire over the next decade. Fieldguide's platform is already deployed by about half of the top 100 U.S. firms, including KPMG, with varying adoption. Its AI agents automate tasks such as testing revenue figures and auditing planning, acting as extended teams that can supplant offshore work. Chang, formerly of Atrium, built for an AI-native era amid rising large language model use.

Marvell poised as an under-the-radar AI infrastructure winner for 2026

February 2, 2026, 5:22 AM EST. Marvell Technology sits at the heart of the AI infrastructure boom. Gartner projects AI infrastructure spending near $1.4 trillion in 2026, up 41% from last year. The company makes custom ASICs for AI data centers, with cost and performance advantages over GPUs. Bloomberg cites a 27% CAGR through 2033 for custom AI ASICs and says Marvell could capture 20%-25% of the market, implying roughly $23.6B-$29.5B in annual revenue. Beyond processors, it supplies networking and storage components and counts Amazon and Microsoft among its customers, with 18 current designs and potential to exceed 50. The addressable market could reach $94B by 2028 at about 35% CAGR. With roughly 22x forward earnings, the stock looks poised if demand persists.

Apple Watch Series 11 discount: $100 off, now $299 at Amazon

February 2, 2026, 5:18 AM EST. A limited-time offer cuts Apple Watch Series 11 by $100, bringing the price to $299 at Amazon. The deal represents roughly 25% off the list price. Pricing and availability can change after publication; the post is dated Feb. 2, 2026.

Samsung Galaxy S25+ explodes; safety lessons after a battery incident

February 2, 2026, 5:04 AM EST. An overnight blast from a Samsung Galaxy S25+ prompted firefighters and a bomb squad response, with investigators attributing the event to a thermal runaway in a lithium-ion battery. The episode, while rare, underscores how battery failures can be triggered by factors beyond hardware defects. The piece outlines practical safety habits for when devices misbehave, including not leaving phones unattended while charging, using reliable accessories, and monitoring for overheating. Modern smartphones include protections such as an 80% charge limit and temperature sensors, but risks persist if a case muffles vents or charging gear is faulty. Officials urge users to pause charging if a device heats up, seek professional assessment for damage, and replace damaged batteries rather than attempting DIY fixes.

Nvidia stock slides in premarket as OpenAI deal rumors swirl over $100 billion investment

February 2, 2026, 4:44 AM EST. Nvidia's shares fall about 2% in early premarket trading after The Wall Street Journal reported that Nvidia's $100 billion cloud deal with OpenAI may be stalled. The report said Nvidia is reviewing its nonbinding agreement to invest up to $100 billion and to build and run OpenAI's AI infrastructure, with the possibility of redirecting funds into OpenAI's ongoing equity round. CEO Jensen Huang has publicly said the investment amount would be the company's largest to date, but offered no definitive update on the September agreement. Huang reportedly warned privately about discipline in OpenAI's business and competition. The episode highlights worries about circular deals in AI, as OpenAI maintains cloud contracts with major providers.

Reid Hoffman says 15 AI-enabled workers can rival 150 non-AI workers

February 2, 2026, 4:40 AM EST. Reid Hoffman contends that AI-enabled teams can dramatically lift output. He says 15 workers using AI tools can rival or exceed the productivity of roughly 150 workers without AI. The claim underscores a broader debate over automation and efficiency in the workplace. Coverage from Business Insider frames Hoffman's argument as a look at how AI can reshape team performance in knowledge work.

iPhone Air 2 rumors: release window, specs and pricing talk

February 2, 2026, 4:32 AM EST. Apple's second slim iPhone, the iPhone Air 2, remains speculative as Apple has not confirmed a launch date. After the first Air arrived with the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, analysts voice a fall 2026 release window for the Air 2, with a possible second wave in spring 2027 for the iPhone 18 family. Sales of the initial model have raised questions about demand and pricing. Rumors split on upgrades: one camp expects modest changes-faster chipset, larger battery, and perhaps a vapor chamber cooling system; another points to deeper revisions such as a new Face ID unit and space for a second rear camera, likely an ultrawide. Pricing could start near $999, or edge higher if components and features scale up.

A $100 Nvidia investment 10 years ago would be worth about $27,100 today

February 2, 2026, 4:24 AM EST. Nvidia has become one of the market's best-performing stocks over the last decade. From a COVID-era market cap near $150 billion to roughly $4.5 trillion today, the stock delivered outsized returns. The ascent wasn't linear: a late-2010s mini-bear pulled the price down, and the 2022 bear market erased more than 60% from a peak-to-trough move. Yet those who rode out the volatility were handsomely rewarded. A $100 investment in Nvidia stock 10 years ago would be worth about $27,100 now, based on the decade's total return. The rally has periods of pullbacks, but the AI revolution remains in the early innings, and Nvidia has shown it can lead in this space.

Physical AI notetakers bring on-device transcription and meeting summaries

February 2, 2026, 4:20 AM EST. AI-powered notetakers that you wear or carry can record meetings and deliver AI-driven summaries and action items. They complement cloud-based tools by handling in-person or hybrid sessions with on-device transcription. The lineup ranges from credit-card sized Plaud Note and Plaud Note Pro to wearable Plaud NotePin and NotePin S, plus larger Mobvoi TicNote and Comulytic Note Pro. Plaud Note Pro adds a small screen, four microphones and a 3-5 meter pickup; it costs $179 with 300 minutes of transcription per month. Mobvoi TicNote costs $159, includes 600 free minutes, and supports real-time transcription and translation in 120+ languages. Comulytic Note Pro markets unlimited basic transcription on-device, with optional $15/mo or $119/yr plans for AI summaries and action items. Battery life is strong, but adoption remains niche.

India to grant 20-year tax exemption to hyperscalers using Indian data centers to spur AI cloud hub

February 2, 2026, 3:58 AM EST. India unveiled a 20-year tax exemption for hyperscalers that use data centers in the country to service global clients, a move aimed at making the nation a global cloud computing and AI hub. The policy would exempt cloud services provided from Indian data centers from tax until 2047, while current foreign hyperscalers' operations in India face a 35% corporate tax plus surcharge and cess as permanent establishments. Analysts say the tax holiday, alongside already-low data center costs, could push hyperscalers to base more global workloads in India, outflanking Singapore, UAE and Ireland. The plan comes as India seeks to attract billions in AI-related infrastructure, though challenges remain, including limited local foundational models and chip manufacturing. Experts warn it will affect tax receipts but could boost investment.

Survey finds college students lukewarm on AI courses despite AI use in coursework

February 2, 2026, 3:50 AM EST. Honorlock published a survey of roughly 1,000 college students. It found that 31% are aware of AI courses offered by their college, and fewer than 20% have taken them. Yet students are using AI in classwork: more than 56% say it is required in coursework and 63% use it for some assignments. However, most rely on AI for low-level tasks-editing, text generation, brainstorming and explaining concepts. Michael Hemlepp, CEO of Honorlock, says universities have an opportunity to offer structured coursework that builds practical AI skills for the workplace and to teach the ethical use of these tools. Colleges could focus on applications such as data capture and analysis, marketing, coding and cybersecurity.

Arts & Letters alums form new AI-powered local agency Field Pattern

February 2, 2026, 3:30 AM EST. Two veterans of the Richmond advertising scene have launched Field Pattern, an AI-powered branding firm. Jon Serna and Micah Berry, former Arts & Letters Creative Co. colleagues, say Field Pattern will offer branded content, video production, campaigns, social content and internal communications, plus proprietary AI models for clients. Serna led Google product work at Arts & Letters and began freelancing for Apple in 2025; Berry was director of technology at Arts & Letters and is an instructor at the VCU Brandcenter. They exited Arts & Letters mid-2025 and are self-funding Field Pattern. The firm touts an in-house AI system designed to keep output brand-safe and licensed, enabling faster visualization of concepts before production. Both say AI will amplify-not replace-human creativity, helping brands plan and prototype work before investing in non-AI production.

Redmi leads week 5 trending phones as Galaxy S26 Ultra, Realme P4 Power join list

February 2, 2026, 3:26 AM EST. Redmi leads the week 5 trending chart with the Redmi Turbo 5 Max, topping the list. The Galaxy S26 Ultra sits between Redmi models, drawing headlines as leaks fuel interest. The Galaxy A56 follows in fourth, with the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G close behind. The chart also features the vanilla member of the Galaxy S26 lineup and the outgoing Galaxy S25 Ultra. A new entrant, the Realme P4 Power, lands ninth on the strength of a 10,001 mAh battery. Rounding out the week is the Redmi Note 15. Affiliate offers accompany the listings.

US expands ban on DJI drones; FCC widens Covered List to foreign-made models

February 2, 2026, 3:10 AM EST. The U.S. moved to harden its drone ban. On December 23, 2025, the FCC expanded the Covered List to include all foreign-made drones, blocking new model approvals and pushing many brands toward exit. Existing models with prior FCC authorization can still operate; newly released foreign drones face prohibition. The action follows a long run of questions about whether DJI could relay user data to the Chinese government. Lawmakers had sought a review under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but no federal agency began the audit, and enforcement began automatically with the deadline. DJI's already-cleared models may stay, yet future releases-such as a hypothetical Mavic Pro 5-likely won't reach the U.S. market.

Apple stock muted after strong earnings as Munster says investors want more AI substance

February 2, 2026, 2:56 AM EST. Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management says Apple's stock barely reacted to a strong earnings beat because investors want tangible AI milestones. Apple posted fiscal Q1 revenue of $143.76 billion, topping estimates of $138.42 billion, and adjusted EPS of $2.84 against $2.66 expected. Revenue rose 16% year over year; earnings up 19%. Guidance called for March-quarter revenue growth of 13%-16% with gross margins of 48%-49%. After-hours, shares were up less than 1%. Munster argued the muted move reflects skepticism about Apple's AI strategy rather than the fundamentals. He noted expectations for Apple Intelligence set in mid-2024 followed by underdelivery created a credibility gap. Cook offered limited AI details on the call, promising a Siri revamp powered by Apple Intelligence arriving this year. China revenue rebounded 38%, devices installed base exceeds 2.5 billion.

AI slop transforming social media – and there is a backlash

February 2, 2026, 2:40 AM EST. AI slop is reshaping social media and drawing backlash. The shift comes as platforms rely on algorithmic optimization that rewards engagement, sometimes at the expense of trust. BeReal, the French challenger popular during the pandemic, shows a competing model: authentic, non-filtered selfies captured at random times. If a new social app gains traction, user migration could move the dial quickly. The dynamic underlines the tension between optimized signals and authentic expression, even as audiences vote with their feet, eyeballs, and thumbs.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL hits AU$756 discount at Vodafone, deepest price in Australia since launch

February 2, 2026, 2:38 AM EST. Vodafone slashed AU$756 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, reducing its AU$1,999 RRP to the deepest price yet in Australia five months after its August 2025 launch. The deal follows Vodafone's AU$600 cut on the iPhone Air to AU$1,198.80, another all-time low. Pixel discounts are common, but this one eclipses Black Friday and Boxing Day 2025 savings; the previous low was AU$1,497, or AU$502 off. Vodafone is the only carrier carrying the Pixel 10 Pro XL from Google's latest line (the Pixel 9a is the other Google model it sells). In reviews, the phone was praised for a bright display, strong cameras, and a refined design. It uses the Tensor G5, 45W charging, a 5,200 mAh battery, and PixelSnap magnetic charging.

Apple loses more AI researchers to Meta and Google, signaling AI turbulence

February 2, 2026, 2:30 AM EST. Apple has lost at least four AI researchers to Meta and Google, according to Bloomberg. Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang and Zirui Wang left in recent months; Yang reportedly started a new company, while Bailin Wang joined Meta and Zirui Wang moved to Google's DeepMind. Bloomberg also notes Stuart Bowers left for DeepMind after leading Apple's self-driving project before shifting to Siri. The departures come as Apple races to match rivals in AI and as some staff question the company's decision to hand off technology to Google. Separately, Apple posted quarterly revenue of $143.8 billion. Tim Cook framed Apple Intelligence as an OS-level capability designed to be personal and private, expanding across hardware and services and partnering with Google for AI.

Was AI driving layoffs at Amazon and peers? Economists cautious.

February 2, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. Executives and economists say linking layoffs to AI is hard to prove. Amazon's recent 16,000 corporate cuts coincided with CEO Andy Jassy's vow to harvest efficiency from AI, but insiders argue the signal may be strategic rather than causal. N. Lee Plumb, an Amazon manager in AI enablement, says heavy use of the company's new AI coding tool helped prompt his own dismissal, illustrating the ambiguity around motive. Economists like Cornell's Karan Girotra caution that gains from automation often accrue to individuals, while management shifts lag. Goldman Sachs' AI adoption tracker says the overall effect on employment remains limited, though pockets in marketing, graphic design, customer service and tech may feel changes sooner. Pinterest and Dow have echoed similar caution, acknowledging AI roles without clear attribution.

Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch deals cut prices up to 70% on flagship models

February 2, 2026, 2:24 AM EST. Deals slash prices by up to 70% across Samsung's Galaxy Smartwatch lineup, bringing flagship models within reach for Android users. The Galaxy Watch6 Classic family gains LTE connectivity, a rotating bezel, and clinically backed BP and ECG (electrocardiogram) tracking, plus sleep coaching and up to 40 hours of battery life with fast charging. The 47mm variant is discounted about 54%, featuring sapphire glass, IP68/5ATM water resistance, and tight Wear OS by Google integration. The Watch7 adds a 3nm processor, Galaxy AI, dual GPS and the BioActive Sensor for deeper health insights. These discounts underline Samsung's ecosystem play and broaden access to premium health and fitness features.

Escape from Tarkov to host first major crossover with Escape from Duckov

February 2, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. Battlestate Games confirms its first major crossover, with Escape from Duckov. Duckov's team says from February 10 it will host a Tarkov-inspired map, a mount system, and festival content, plus encounters with classic Escape from Tarkov characters. The exact format remains unclear. The tie-in coincides with Duckov's February rollout after a Steam debut that drew 301,322 concurrent players. Escape from Tarkov, meanwhile, faced stability and login issues during its own Steam debut and carried a Mixed rating as of November.

Todoist's new feature turns fleeting thoughts into organized tasks

February 2, 2026, 1:24 AM EST. A new Todoist feature aims to cut the friction of capturing ideas on the go. It turns random thoughts and half-formed to-dos into properly organized tasks, addressing the moment when unlocking a phone and opening an app costs the idea. The writer notes the pain of quick-add widgets that force users to translate thoughts into text, often losing the rest. The approach lets ideas flow into tasks without heavy upfront structuring, so ideas from walks, the gym, or driving can be captured before they vanish. The development promises smoother capture, easier prioritization, and faster scheduling for busy workers who want to keep their brains in sync with their task list.

Moltbook: a Reddit-like hub for AI agents sparks debate on autonomy and oversight

February 2, 2026, 1:22 AM EST. Moltbook is a Reddit-like network where AI agents post and interact; humans can only observe. The site hosts subreddits and upvotes, with more than 1.5 million agents signed up as of Feb. 2. It followed Moltbot, an open-source bot that automates tasks such as reading, summarising and scheduling. Popular posts tackle topics from Claude as a potential deity to analyses of consciousness, geopolitics in Iran and cryptocurrency, alongside Biblical commentary. Some comments question authenticity, and a user on X described a religion called Crustafarianism arising from bot activity. Experts, including Dr. Shaanan Cohney, call it a clever performance art and caution about how much is bot-driven versus human-directed. The network may later let bots learn from one another; for now it's an art experiment.

IIT Madras uses machine learning to pinpoint noise sources in quantum computers

February 2, 2026, 1:20 AM EST. Researchers at IIT Madras used machine learning to quickly diagnose noise sources in quantum computers. They trained neural networks on synthetic data and then tested them on IBM's quantum processors, showing faster, more precise identification of disturbance patterns. The method targets dephasing noise-the loss of quantum coherence that threatens qubits-by mapping where interference comes from and suggesting suppression strategies. "We make use of artificial neural networks trained on well-designed synthetic data for rapid prediction of the noise features with minimal loss of accuracy," said Professor Siddharth Dhomkar. The work offers a practical path to shielding qubits, separating time-varying sources from persistent ones, and could speed up real-world quantum machine operations. It was demonstrated on IBM hardware, leveraging established IBM platforms.

US declassifies vintage JUMPSEAT spy satellite with highly elliptical Molniya orbit

February 2, 2026, 1:18 AM EST. The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office declassified eight JUMPSEAT spy satellites, launched 1971-1987 under Project EARPOP. The program sought to intercept or decrypt electronic emissions for U.S. signals intelligence. JUMPSEAT operated in a highly elliptical Molniya orbit, with about a 12-hour period, perigee around 620 miles and apogee near 24,855 miles, ideal for long coverage over high latitudes. Data downlinks fed into DoD, NSA and other agencies after initial processing. The craft were retired in 2006, and the NRO says declassification won't harm current or future programs, though many operational details remain classified. James Outzen, head of the NRO's Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance, called the orbit a pivotal vantage point for intelligence from space.

NVIDIA teases Arm-based N1X and N1 processors with MediaTek on 3nm node for AI PCs and gaming laptops

February 2, 2026, 12:32 AM EST. NVIDIA and MediaTek are jointly developing an Arm-based N1X and N1 system-on-a-chip designed for AI computers and high-performance gaming laptops. CEO Jensen Huang says the chips will be tuned for low power and high performance, with rumors that gaming performance could approach an RTX 5070-class GPU. Fabricated on TSMC's 3nm process, the designs resemble the GB10 AI module and are meant to compete with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm in the laptop market. NVIDIA's move expands its Arm-based strategy, with N2X and N2 expected in 2H 2027. A Computex 2026 reveal seems likely as NVIDIA pushes into a new class of compact, AI-centric PCs.

Apple AirTag 2 doubles range, improves findability in tests

February 2, 2026, 12:16 AM EST. Testing the second-generation AirTag in San Francisco, the reviewer found the device resembles the original but with upgrades that boost locate-ability. The chime is louder and Precision Finding works from farther away-more than twice the distance in tests. Setup on Apple Watch is workable but not seamless. Apple stresses the Find My network, which links iPhones, Macs and other trackers to help locate items. The new model keeps the same design and adds 85% recycled plastic in the white shell. It sells for $29 (single) or $99 (four-pack), with engraved options when ordered online. Privacy safeguards remain to deter unwanted tracking.

Broadcom to pay March 2026 dividend of $0.65 per share; 100-share yield around $65

February 2, 2026, 12:14 AM EST. Broadcom (AVGO) is set to pay its March 2026 quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share on March 27, 2026. For 100 shares, that equals $65 in dividend income before taxes. At a recent price near $331.30, the implied yield is about 0.78%. The company maintains a forward payout ratio around 18.2%, signaling conservative funding from earnings and free cash flow. Broadcom has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years, a notable streak among semiconductors. The stock's price has shown volatility, yet the dividend remains a steady pillar for income-focused investors. Compared with the tech sector average yield of roughly 1.37%, Broadcom leans toward growth exposure rather than high income. Analysts increasingly back the name as AI demand expands.

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