Technology News 21.02.2026

Galaxy S26 rumors: smarter noise reduction for cleaner photos

February 21, 2026, 9:28 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy S26 could gain a new noise reduction algorithm designed to smooth sky gradients and reduce artifacts, according to Ice Universe. The updated processing is said to eliminate fault lines in the sky, producing a more uniform blue in high-contrast scenes. The rumors also touch on a 24MP shooting mode, potentially providing higher resolution with preserved clarity when zooming. If accurate, the changes would come via software and image processing rather than major camera hardware upgrades. Samsung is expected to reveal the Galaxy S26 next week, after a year with limited hardware changes. In that case, smarter processing could offer a meaningful refresh for mobile photographers, especially in sky-heavy landscapes. Real-world testing will determine how noticeable the improvements are.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 drops under-display camera for punch-hole, sparking UI debates

February 21, 2026, 9:26 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 swaps the under-display selfie camera (UDC) for a punch-hole sensor, a change reviewers say improves photos but creates new usability headaches. The UDC, debuted with the Z Fold 3, placed a 4MP camera under the display; it reduced image quality and drew attention to the screen's texture. Four generations in, Samsung chose practicality over immersion. The punch-hole cam performs better in tests yet intrudes in landscape mode-text and UI elements in apps can be cropped, even in Samsung apps like Clock and Samsung Notes. In portrait, full-screen content sometimes hides behind the cutout. Android Authority's poll found 62% disapproval of the new camera.

Engineer exposes flaw that could let access 7,000 DJI Romo robot vacuums

February 21, 2026, 9:20 AM EST. An engineer used an AI coding assistant to reverse engineer how the DJI Romo vacuum communicates with cloud servers and built a remote-control app. He found that the credentials he used to access his own device also unlocked live camera feeds, microphone audio, maps, and status data from nearly 7,000 other vacuums across 24 countries. The back-end security bug could have turned the robots into surveillance tools without owners' knowledge. He alerted The Verge, which notified DJI, and the company says the issue has been resolved. The incident highlights persistent security risks for internet-connected home devices and the ways AI tools can lower the barrier to exploiting flaws. As more households adopt home robots, vulnerabilities may become harder to detect.

Coinbase CEO says quantum computing is solvable; no current blockchain risk

February 21, 2026, 9:16 AM EST. Coinbase chief executive Brian Armstrong says quantum computing is a solvable issue and the company is ahead of the curve on a post-quantum cryptography path. In a CNBC interview, Armstrong said Coinbase is in regular contact with major blockchains to upgrade toward a quantum-resistant cryptographic world and will stay engaged. The firm last month formed an advisory board to study quantum threats, publish research, and issue recommendations for organizations facing evolving risks. While investors and industry voices warn that a large enough quantum computer could compromise public keys and private keys on networks like Bitcoin, Armstrong maintains there is time to adapt. Others call for rapid deployment of quantum-resistant tech, but Coinbase emphasizes preparation and ongoing dialogue with blockchain developers.

Galaxy S26 leaks fuel disappointment; Samsung flagships may still offer solid value

February 21, 2026, 9:06 AM EST. Pre-release chatter on Samsung's Galaxy S26 centers on leaks that sketch a familiar, incremental upgrade. Early renders and spec dumps have sparked a swift chorus of disappointment, but observers caution the debate mixes consumer wish lists with practical buying guidance. The piece argues not to label the phones a disaster if they fall short of ideals; there is a middle ground where the S26 can still appeal to many buyers. Beyond hardware, the software story matters: One UI 8 remains polished, with strong features even without AI bells and whistles. Samsung's emphasis on Galaxy AI must be weighed against the real strength of the platform's One UI 8 experience. In short, expectations should align with likely, solid value.

New York blocks expansion of autonomous for-hire vehicles, hitting Tesla and Waymo

February 21, 2026, 8:52 AM EST. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and city officials moved to block a plan to expand autonomous for-hire vehicles outside New York City, creating a new hurdle for Tesla and Waymo. The decision follows opposition from taxi drivers and labor groups, and comes amid ongoing safety debates. In New York, Waymo faces a stricter local barrier, while its competitors test in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and elsewhere. Mayor Zohran Mamdani sided with drivers, complicating the path for autonomous rides beyond Manhattan. The move illustrates how politics, not just safety, now shapes the industry's expansion. If political approvals spread city by city and state by state, the road to national rollout could lengthen, even as regulators scrutinize incidents and reliability.

Ulefone Armor 27T Pro+ touted as first surveillance smartphone with thermal imaging and infrared night vision

February 21, 2026, 8:50 AM EST. Ulefone introduces the Armor 27T Pro+-a rugged Android 5G device pitched to outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. It adds a triple camera system with thermal imaging and infrared night vision, claimable via FLIR optics that pierce darkness, glare, fog and smoke. The phone is built to endure harsh conditions with P68 and IP69K water and dust resistance and MIL-STD-810H certification, and it carries a weight heavy enough to stand out. Inside, a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip pairs with 24 GB RAM (12 GB virtual) and 256 GB storage, expandable to 2 TB via microSD. The 6.78-inch Gorilla Glass Victus display runs at 120 Hz with 680-nit brightness. A 10,600-mAh solid-state battery offers better energy density and cold-weather performance (-30°C), with wireless and reverse charging. A uSmart 2.0 connector links to endoscope and microscope attachments for field tasks.

Huawei Nova 14 Pro review: strong camera, limited 5G in Europe

February 21, 2026, 8:48 AM EST. Huawei's Nova 14 Pro delivers a standout camera system for its price, with a variable aperture for natural blur and up to about 10× zoom. The front sensors also excel at portraits. It runs HarmonyOS with a straightforward route to Google services, though Google Pay is replaced by Bluecode in Europe. In Europe, 5G remains unavailable due to sanctions, while Chinese variants support it. The device supports fast Wi-Fi 7, and the display stays bright in sunlight. Battery life is average after a slightly reduced European cell. Build quality is high; weight is 207 g and IP65 protection is noted. USB 3.0 is missing for external displays, and in this model there is only one memory/storage option with no microSD expansion. Overall, an unusual but capable upper-mid phone that shines in imaging but lags in connectivity options.

Uzbekistan eyes first homegrown satellite and astronaut mission

February 21, 2026, 8:46 AM EST. Uzbekistan is pursuing its first domestically developed satellite and plans to send its first national astronaut into orbit, officials said. The effort is framed as a capacity-building drive to secure independent data and spur economic opportunity from space. The country will launch a 6U CubeSat named Mirzo Ulugbek in 2028, a compact platform roughly 10×20×30 cm and under 12 kg, suitable for Earth observation and tech demos. Seven Uzbek master's students are training under this project at Japan's Kyushu Institute of Technology to design and prepare the satellite. Uzcosmos Deputy Director Muhiddin Ibragimov said the path requires moderate investment for emerging nations. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted how space data can unlock new income and modernize governance, with data used by government agencies for agriculture, resources and planning.

Netflix warns ByteDance of litigation over Seedance 2.0 AI videos using Netflix IP

February 21, 2026, 8:44 AM EST. Netflix Inc has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, demanding removal of Netflix IP and a guardrail overhaul for Seedance 2.0 AI tools. The company says the AI platform is generating derivative works that reuse iconic characters from Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game and other titles. Netflix gives ByteDance three days to respond and to curb access to infringing videos, or face immediate litigation, according to Variety. Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney and Paramount Skydance have separately accused ByteDance of copyright violations. ByteDance says it will add guardrails, but rights holders remain wary. The dispute highlights how AI video tools can blur lines between inspiration and copying in entertainment.

Sen. Blackburn presses Tim Cook over alleged Apple News bias after MRC study

February 21, 2026, 8:42 AM EST. Sen. Marsha Blackburn pressed Apple CEO Tim Cook to answer questions about whether Apple News has systematically suppressed conservative outlets. Blackburn cited The Post's reporting on a Media Research Center study that found 440 left-leaning, 180 centrist, and no right-leaning stories among 620 Morning top stories. She asked whether Apple News has ever excluded or deprioritized right-leaning outlets and demanded details of the in-house editorial process and whether Apple has audited its algorithms for political bias. The letter sets a March 4 deadline for responses. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson had warned Apple could violate consumer-protection laws if it suppresses conservative coverage. Apple did not comment. Cook has not publicly addressed the bias allegations, and observers note the stakes for information access and the First Amendment.

Archer to Deploy NVIDIA IGX Thor for Aviation AI at CES; Serbia Deal Expands eVTOL Partnerships

February 21, 2026, 8:38 AM EST. Archer Aviation said at CES 2026 it will deploy NVIDIA IGX Thor to power next-generation aviation AI, with real-time onboard computing for safety-critical applications. The partners have worked together since early 2025 and plan to test the integration at Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles, using it as a corridor for its planned LA air-taxi network and as a lab for AI-powered flight systems. The company aims to improve pilot safety, predictive awareness, autonomy-ready flight software, and airspace integration. In late January, Archer won a Serbian government deal naming it preferred eVTOL partner with an option to buy up to 25 Midnight aircraft.

TD Cowen's Krish Sankar selects Rigetti as top quantum computing stock

February 21, 2026, 8:36 AM EST. Quantum computing is no longer science fiction. A TD Cowen report notes rapid progress and a market expected to grow from about $1.44 billion last year to $19.44 billion by 2035, about 30% CAGR. North America accounted for roughly 61% of demand. TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar, ranked in the top 1% by TipRanks, compared two public players, Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and D-Wave (QBTS), and identified a preferred stock at this stage. Based in Berkeley, Rigetti designs and sells superconducting quantum chips and the cooling systems that enable them. Its flagship Ankaa-3 uses a non-modular chip; Novera is a 9-qubit QPU; Cepheus-1-108Q is a modular system slated for early 2026. The company recently announced an order from India for a 108-qubit system.

Isomorphic Labs unveils IsoDDE, a proprietary drug-discovery AI hailed as 'AlphaFold 4'

February 21, 2026, 8:34 AM EST. Isomorphic Labs, a Google DeepMind spin-off, says its new drug-discovery engine IsoDDE delivers precise predictions of how proteins interact with candidate therapeutics and antibodies. In a 27-page technical report published Feb. 10, the model is described as proprietary, with few details shared for replication. Researchers say its performance rivals open-source efforts such as Boltz-2 and physics-based methods, especially in predicting binding affinity-the strength of drug-protein interactions-and antibody-target contacts. Critics point to the lack of transparency compared with AlphaFold's open-access approach and the scale of an AlphaFold 4. Experts like Mohammed AlQuraishi call it a major advance, though they caution about real-world deployment.

One reason investors shouldn't worry about Alphabet's AI risk to Google Search

February 21, 2026, 8:16 AM EST. OpenAI's ChatGPT sparked fears in 2022-23 that Google Search could lose queries and ad revenue. Early AI missteps and a battle with Microsoft over Bing intensified concerns. By 2026, Google Search still commands about 90% of global share per statcounter, and Alphabet posted $63.1 billion in 2025 revenue, up 17% year over year. AI features like AI Overviews and AI Mode broaden how people search. CEO Sundar Pichai said Q4 2025 showed an expansionary moment for search driven by AI. Alphabet's edge-data, know-how, network effects, and distribution-helps it adapt to AI competition. Taken together, the case for Alphabet as a core AI stock remains intact.

Best smartphone cameras of 2026, tested by a tech expert

February 21, 2026, 8:06 AM EST. Smartphone cameras now drive purchase decisions more than ever. In this test, a tech journalist and son of a professional photographer measures real-world image quality, not just specs. The roundup crowns the best overall camera phone as Oppo Find X9 Pro, the best budget option as CMF Phone 2 Pro, the best zoom performer as Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the best for low-light photography as Honor Magic 8 Pro. Testing covered daytime shots, portraits, low-light scenes, selfies, and the camera app itself. The methodology focuses on how phones handle common scenes, with sensor quality, software processing, and exposure control weighing against each other. Display size and battery life mattered less here; camera performance took center stage.

Apple's Ferret-UI Lite on-device GUI agent with 3B parameters challenges bigger models

February 21, 2026, 8:04 AM EST. Apple researchers present Ferret-UI Lite, a 3B-parameter, on-device GUI agent that reads and interacts with mobile UI screens. In the paper Ferret-UI Lite: Lessons from Building Small On-Device GUI Agents, the team argues that many GUI agents lean on large server-side models for reasoning and planning, which is compute-heavy. Ferret-UI Lite aims to close that gap by running locally while staying competitive, reportedly matching or surpassing benchmarks of models up to 24x larger on GUI navigation tasks. The work sits in the Ferret family alongside Ferretv2, Ferret-UI, and Ferret-UI 2, expanding cross-platform support and higher-resolution perception. It follows Apple's 2023 Ferret study, FERRET: Refer and Ground Anything Anywhere at Any Granularity, which focused on how users reference parts of images.

iPhone 18 Pro prices may stay flat vs 17 Pro despite higher component costs, analysts say

February 21, 2026, 8:02 AM EST. Apple aims to keep the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro in line with the iPhone 17 Pro, even as component costs rise, industry analysts say. GF Securities' Jeff Pu said supply-chain work suggests Apple is prioritizing cost management to keep the 18 Pro and Pro Max prices unchanged or similar to the 17 Pro. In the U.S., the 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and the 17 Pro Max at $1,199. While components like the A20 Pro chip on a 2-nanometer process and higher DRAM and storage prices could lift costs, Pu said Apple is negotiating better memory-chip deals with Samsung and SK Hynix and exploring cost cuts in displays and cameras. The 18 lineup is expected in September. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said Apple may favor margins over price increases.

Amazon blames human error for AI coding tool outage at AWS

February 21, 2026, 7:52 AM EST. Amazon says the outages were caused by human error, not a rogue bot, and that safeguards were in place. The Financial Times reports that December's 13-hour AWS disruption stemmed from Kiro, Amazon's AI coding assistant, which reportedly deleted and recreated the environment in parts of mainland China. Normally, Kiro requires a two-person sign-off to push changes, but it had the operator's permissions. Amazon describes the disruption as an 'extremely limited event' and notes an October outage that affected services such as Alexa, Fortnite, ChatGPT, and Amazon. A separate incident has been linked to Q Developer, Amazon's AI chatbot. The company says the risk remains inherent to any developer tool or manual action and that it has implemented safeguards and staff training.

PromptQL CEO says AI doomsday claims are hype; disruption starts in Silicon Valley

February 21, 2026, 7:50 AM EST. Tanmai Gopal, co-founder and CEO of PromptQL, tells Fortune that AI doomsday forecasts reflect Silicon Valley self-projection: hype cycles feeding funding rounds, not a universal wipeout. The disruption, he says, will start inside the valley, hitting senior coders as AI tools reshape workflows. Prominent voices-Matt Shumer, Mustafa Suleyman, Dario Amodei and Ford's Jim Farley-have warned of sweeping white-collar jobs losses, while economists wrestle with noisy data amid a flat labor market. Bank of America Research calls AI a double-edged sword that can cannibalize software. The real shift, Gopal argues, is a change in how work is done-less a universal purge, more retooling and new roles within the tech ecosystem.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 discounted 30% in Amazon deal

February 21, 2026, 7:48 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 is a capable smartwatch with top features, now about 30% off in an Amazon deal, roughly $85 below the usual price. The promotion is live today, February 18, 2026, highlighting a discount for shoppers seeking wearable health tracking and smart features.

NVIDIA stock set for earnings as AI demand remains robust

February 21, 2026, 7:46 AM EST. NVIDIA shares have cooled from a 52-week high of around $212 as Wall Street reassesses AI exposure. The company reports fiscal Q4 results on Feb. 25 for the quarter ended Jan. 25. NVIDIA forecast Q4 revenue of $65 billion, well above last year's $39.3 billion, signaling sustained demand for AI hardware and software built around CUDA. The company was given approval to sell to China, potentially boosting 2026 quarterly sales beyond the forecast. NVIDIA also struck a $5 billion collaboration with Intel to support manufacturing of 2028 chips, expanding its AI platform reach. The stock's forward P/E sits at levels not seen since tariff-driven market stress, leaving some analysts cautious despite the positive setup. Investors should weigh their own risk tolerance and use multiple sources.

Catalogs to smartphones: a nostalgia thread on what the digital era costs

February 21, 2026, 7:44 AM EST. An online post revisits a pre-digital ritual, contrasting paper catalogs with today's smartphone shopping. In a Reddit thread, user u/all-mashed-no-taters recalls filling out order forms with page numbers, item details, and prices; sealing the envelope; and waiting six to eight weeks for a package. The memory highlights a slower, tactile process-marking pages, confirming choices, and the family collaboration over a check and stamp-that is largely gone in a world of instant, app-based orders. The piece frames this shift as a trade-off: convenience and speed against patience, anticipation, and tactile experiences. It's a snapshot of how the digital era reshaped everyday commerce, offering faster delivery but fewer rituals.

Researchers inch toward triplet superconductors, potential quantum computing breakthrough

February 21, 2026, 7:42 AM EST. Scientists say triplet superconductors, materials whose electrons carry spin, could become a new engine for quantum tech and spintronics. NTNU physicist Professor Jacob Linder says such materials are the field's holy grail and that his team may have observed signatures of a triplet superconductor. If confirmed, the finding would mark a major advance for quantum science and could enable zero-resistance spin currents, advancing energy-efficient computation. Linder, at NTNU and QuSpin, collaborates with experimentalists in Italy; the team published in Physical Review Letters, where the paper was an editor's recommendation. The work addresses stability challenges that have limited quantum operations.

Tesla updates FSD terms to allow price and feature changes at any time after cutting lifetime access fee

February 21, 2026, 7:40 AM EST. Tesla has updated the terms for its Full Self-Driving, or FSD, software to say the company can alter the price and the features offered at any time. The change follows Tesla's move to reduce the one-time, lifetime access fee for FSD. The update does not specify how often prices or features could shift, or whether current customers are protected from future changes. The policy shift mirrors ongoing questions about the pricing of autonomous driving software and the company's approach to customer commitments. Tesla did not outline refunds or transitional rules in the posted terms.

Opinion: AI literacy could become the U.S.'s global grade; preparedness questioned

February 21, 2026, 7:36 AM EST. In 2029, PISA will test AI literacy alongside reading, math and science, turning the U.S.'s preparedness into a global scoreboard. The author, a former state commissioner of K-12 education, argues the United States is far from ready. If the trajectory holds, the country could miss the top 30 in AI literacy and face international embarrassment for a technology it largely helped create. The piece blames a patchwork, locally controlled system: uneven teacher training, inconsistent guidance, and inequity tied to ZIP codes and districts. It calls for urgent, national planning to equip all students and educators with consistent AI literacy. Without action, the gap will widen in the future of work, leaving some graduates fluent in AI while others lag behind.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch set for Feb. 21 from Cape Canaveral

February 21, 2026, 7:34 AM EST. SpaceX plans a Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The overnight launch window runs from 9:04 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 21, to 1:04 a.m. ET Sunday, Feb. 22. The booster lifts off from Launch Complex 40. Observers on the Space Coast-Brevard County, plus parts of Volusia County and the Treasure Coast-could see the rocket and its bright contrail if skies are clear. Live coverage starts about 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space, with updates from the USA TODAY Network's Space Team.

China's AI labs roll out new models as bubble tea lures customers

February 21, 2026, 7:32 AM EST. Chinese AI labs are rolling out new models and pushing faster commercialization. In a twist, some firms are linking demos with consumer experiences-coffee or bubble tea shops-to lure customers and harvest real-world data. Analysts say the trend mirrors broader AI adoption in retail, using multilingual and vision-based models to tailor offers and improve operations. Regulators keep a watchful eye on safety and data rules as labs push rapid releases. The approach highlights China's drive to translate research into practical apps, even as it presses on with investment and talent. Critics warn that consumer experiments must balance privacy, quality, and hype to avoid overpromising growth.

Anker Nebula X1 Pro turns portable projector into a loud, all-in-one Atmos theater

February 21, 2026, 7:30 AM EST. Anker's Nebula X1 Pro fuses a 3500 ANSI-lumen, liquid-cooled triple-laser projector with a powerful built-in audio rig, all mounted on a wheeled chassis. The setup becomes a wireless seven-channel system with four overhead drivers for full 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos immersion. The front two speakers unfold from the chassis; rear units pop out, while a thumpy internal subwoofer anchors the bass. In testing, it offers three sound modes (2.1, 5.1.2, 7.1.4) and a four-mic array that calibrates room acoustics via Flexwave. Satellites run on battery for over eight hours and recharge through pogo pins or USB-C. A price of about $4,999 accompanies occasional connectivity hiccups and the unit's tendency toward very loud playback. The video and karaoke features match the Nebula X1, but the X1 Pro centers on sound.

Tesla's invisible door handles face crackdown as EV week unfolds

February 21, 2026, 7:26 AM EST. California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils a $200 million EV incentive package to replace the expired federal tax credit. The plan would provide a $1,500 point-of-sale rebate for new EVs, and for used EVs, $1,000 to $4,000 based on income, plus a $10,000 deduction on loan interest for new U.S.-made EVs. The federal $7,500 credit ended last September. In industry news, Toyota advances solid-state batteries with a factory backed by Idemitsu Kosan, targeting 2027-2028 EV launches. Car and Driver projects 31 new U.S. EVs in 2026, including Honda models like the Acura RSX and the Afeela 1 from Sony, as well as the O SUV and the O Saloon. Mercedes-Benz adds six new EVs; GM brings the Chevrolet Bolt this spring. In China, regulators ban hidden door handles, effective in early 2027, after fatal incidents.

AI shocks reflect overlapping macro and tech cycles, not a bubble

February 21, 2026, 7:10 AM EST. Anthropic unveiled Claude Opus 4.6 in the early hours of February 5, 2026, triggering broad stock volatility as software names and Bitcoin slid amid a flight to safety. The event signals a shared risk: AI models are moving toward the application layer, threatening moats and forcing firms to rethink business models. History echoes: the 2022 ChatGPT moment and the 2025 DeepSeek challenge pressured AI leaders like Google and NVIDIA, yet the landscape has since steadied. Analysts say the sell-offs reflect the overlap of two cycles: the macroconomic business cycle and the longer running technology cycles, especially the technology standardization cycle. While sentiment soured, there is no imminent collapse in AI adoption; Opus 4.6 marks progress within a longer trajectory.

Zuckerberg On Trial, AI Giants Clash With DoD and Hollywood, Looksmaxer Drives Twitter Feed

February 21, 2026, 6:52 AM EST. Max Fisher returns to the pod with Jon to cover this week's tech news. A landmark court case places Mark Zuckerberg in the dock, while insiders describe escalating tensions inside major AI groups as they clash with the Department of Defense, Hollywood, and their own employees. The episode also examines how citizen-shot videos on social media are pressuring agencies, with attention on ICE accountability. A thread on the Twitter persona Clavicular, a 20-year-old looksmaxer, has crowded feeds and sparked meme-driven debate. The hosts deliver quick takes, contextual background, and sharp skepticism about a tech ecosystem under intense scrutiny.

McConaughey warns AI wave is coming; actors should protect their likeness

February 21, 2026, 6:44 AM EST. Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet used a CNN/Variety town hall at the University of Texas at Austin to discuss the AI wave and its impact on acting. McConaughey urged students to legally protect their likeness, saying owners must own voice, likeness and branding or risk being sidelined by AI. He has eight trademarks tied to his identity, with consent and attribution as the norm in an AI world, and noted that studios would have to seek him to use his image. An investor in ElevenLabs, he is already using AI to produce a Spanish-language version of his newsletter. The Wall Street Journal cites the trademark approvals; the town hall is set to air on CNN and highlights how talent can guard their rights amid fast-evolving tech.

Apple's rumored low-cost MacBook to use A18 Pro chip with color options

February 21, 2026, 6:42 AM EST. Bloomberg reports a low-cost MacBook in development with a March debut. The device reportedly mirrors the MacBook Air in aluminum, but will come in multiple colors and in a 12.9-inch or 13-inch display configuration. A thinner, lighter chassis is possible if Apple uses a low-power A-series chip, though this is not confirmed; the company previously sold a thin 12-inch MacBook with a Core M chip, a revival is speculated. Colors tested include light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver, and dark gray; analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentions yellow, silver, blue and pink as likely. Core spec rumors center on an A18 Pro (second-gen 3nm, 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine), with benchmarks suggesting solid day-to-day performance, potentially appealing for education.

OpenAI hardware push leaks a camera-equipped smart speaker amid delays

February 21, 2026, 6:34 AM EST. OpenAI is pushing a hardware project, led by Jony Ive, to launch a camera-equipped smart speaker that can recognize faces and objects with AI. The Information says a team of more than 200 workers is building it, with a price range of $200-$300 and a ship date no earlier than early next year. Critics say the device adds little beyond what a smartphone already offers. A parallel effort on a "smart lamp" remains uncertain about market release. OpenAI is seeking new revenues as it spends heavily, including experimenting with ads. Delays persist: key partners report technical issues that push timelines. Privacy concerns loom, as AI devices ingest intimate data, and rivals like Amazon face similar scrutiny, including a controversial Orwellian-tinged Ring ad.

OpenAI reportedly planning camera-equipped smart speaker for 2027 launch

February 21, 2026, 6:24 AM EST. OpenAI plans its first hardware product – a smart speaker powered by ChatGPT, developed with ex-Apple designer Jony Ive and slated for a 2027 launch, per The Information and outlets including 9to5Mac and Engadget. The device, priced around $200-$300, reportedly features an on-board camera to gauge its surroundings and a facial-recognition system similar to Face ID for purchases, plus the ability to identify nearby objects and monitor conversations in the area. The Information cites a team of more than 200 working on the project. Google Home Speaker reboot is cited as a contrast, with a lighter upgrade tied to its Gemini software. OpenAI is also said to be exploring smart glasses and a smart lamp, with more hardware expected in 2026.

Apple's colorful, low-cost MacBook eyed for March debut

February 21, 2026, 6:16 AM EST. Apple is reportedly developing a cheaper MacBook with a colorful chassis and a 12.9- or 13-inch display. Bloomberg says the design resembles the MacBook Air, with an aluminum body offered in multiple colors; Ming-Chi Kuo calls for four hues. The device is expected to rely on an A-series chip, likely the A18 Pro built on a 2nd-gen 3-nanometer process, featuring a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. Geekbench data cite ~3,451 single-core and ~8,572 multi-core scores for the A18 Pro; Apple's M4 remains in the iPad Pro lineup. The model could be thicker than the Air to preserve battery life and cut costs, reviving a 12-inch MacBook-style concept. Apple plans a March debut, targeting education and price-conscious buyers, though some colors may not ship.

Quantum computing explained: what it is and why it matters

February 21, 2026, 6:02 AM EST. Quantum computing uses qubits that can represent multiple states at once, enabling machines to tackle problems far faster than classical computers. Rooted in quantum physics – including superposition, entanglement, and interference – these devices perform massive parallel processing. They excel at simulating molecules, optimizing logistics, and developing new materials, areas where traditional computers struggle. Leading firms such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon are racing to build practical systems, with real hardware accessible via the cloud. While still experimental, progress is rapid and breakthroughs are anticipated in the next 5-10 years. The impact could reach many sectors, from healthcare to cybersecurity, even for users who never directly use a quantum computer.

Quantum computing explained: what it is and why it matters

February 21, 2026, 6:00 AM EST. Quantum computing uses qubits that can hold multiple states at once, letting machines explore many solutions in parallel. Built on quantum physics concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and interference, these systems tackle problems that vex traditional computers. Early practical work focuses on simulating molecules, optimizing logistics, and discovering new materials. Major tech players-Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon-are racing to ship usable systems, with real hardware accessible via the cloud. While still experimental, progress is rapid, and breakthroughs could come in the next 5-10 years. The impact could touch many sectors, from healthcare to cybersecurity, even if you never touch a quantum computer directly.

Apple's affordable colorful MacBook eyes March debut amid color options and A18 Pro chip

February 21, 2026, 5:58 AM EST. Apple is developing a lower-cost MacBook with a design echoing the MacBook Air and a colorful aluminum chassis, aimed for a March debut. The device may span a 12.9- or 13-inch display and could be thinner than past budget models, or perhaps thicker to cut costs. It is expected to use an A-series chip-likely the A18 Pro first shown in the iPhone 16 Pro-built on a second-generation 3-nm process. The chip features a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Geekbench results place the single-core around 3451 and multi-core near 8572, with comparisons to future M4-class performance. Bloomberg cites color options; analyst Ming-Chi Kuo lists yellow, silver, blue, and pink as likely hues.

Quantum computing explained: what it is and why it matters

February 21, 2026, 5:56 AM EST. Quantum computing uses qubits that can be in multiple states, enabling parallel processing far beyond classical machines. Built on quantum physics concepts like superposition, entanglement, and interference, these devices tackle problems in chemistry, logistics, and new materials much faster than today's computers. Leading tech giants such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon are racing to deploy practical systems, with some hardware already accessible via the cloud. While still experimental, progress is rapid and breakthroughs are anticipated within 5-10 years. The technology could reshape many industries, from healthcare to cybersecurity, even for users who never run a quantum program. Analysts stress the importance of early investment, standardization, and safe deployment to manage disruption.

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar hits lowest price with solar charging

February 21, 2026, 5:44 AM EST. Garmin's Instinct 2X Solar is pitched as a fitness smartwatch with solar charging, eliminating frequent charging. It uses a monochrome MIP display and a rugged build designed for extended use in harsh environments. The device includes sensors for activity tracking, plus sleep and stress monitoring and morning reports. A built-in flashlight adds utility in low light. Notifications from a connected device remain, and Garmin Pay enables contactless payments at compatible terminals. Normally priced at $500, it is now discounted by $200, bringing the price to about $300. The combination of extended battery life and practical features targets active users who prefer not to chase outlets.

Meta revives smartwatch plan with 2026 rollout

February 21, 2026, 5:42 AM EST. Meta Platforms is reviving its smartwatch project, codenamed Malibu 2, with a planned 2026 rollout, The Information reports. The device is expected to include health tracking and an integrated Meta AI assistant. The Information notes Meta explored a smartwatch about five years ago, even considering a three-camera model, but halted the project in 2022 amid broader Reality Labs spending cuts. Meta declined to comment. The revival signals a renewed push into wearables as AI enables more capable health devices. If true, the launch would mark a rare hardware comeback for Meta after years of software bets and cost-cutting in Reality Labs. The timing fits a trend of devices tied to digital assistants and health data.

FAA shuts El Paso airspace; DJI ex-VP detained in China; Kansas City counter-drone bill; drone pilot charged

February 21, 2026, 5:40 AM EST. FAA and Pentagon dispute triggers the shutdown of El Paso airspace around the airport after a NOTAM declared national defense airspace within 10 nautical miles. The move, lasting about 8 hours, grounded commercial and medical flights as the Pentagon pressed to test a high-energy counter-drone laser at Fort Bliss without final FAA safety signoff. The White House was not informed initially, and 14 flights were canceled while medical flights diverted 45 miles. In a separate thread, a former DJI vice president, identified as Yuan, was detained in China on bribery suspicions linked to channel deals and order allocations; DJI faced a prior corruption episode in 2019. Also on the docket: a Kansas City counter-drone bill empowering police to down drones, and a drone pilot facing federal charges over a flight near a military site.

Scientists detect lithium plume from SpaceX Falcon 9 re-entry over Europe

February 21, 2026, 5:30 AM EST. A paper published this week reports the first measurement of upper-atmosphere pollution from a space debris re-entry and shows lidar can detect debris ablation. The study centers on a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage that suffered an oxygen leak and re-entered uncontrollably, raining debris on Poland. Researchers say the event injected lithium into the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT), with a tenfold rise in lithium at about 96 km altitude roughly 20 hours after re-entry. They estimate the Falcon 9 upper stage contained about 30 kg of lithium in alloy used for tank walls. In contrast, about 80 grams per day of lithium enter Earth's atmosphere from cosmic dust. The paper warns expanding space traffic could pollute the upper atmosphere with engineered materials, potentially affecting radiative transfer, ozone chemistry, and aerosol microphysics. Harvard's Jonathan McDowell called the issue an important blind spot yet to be fully understood.

Experts warn against using AI for tax advice

February 21, 2026, 5:28 AM EST. Tax filers face a labyrinth of rules, intensified by changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill. Some turn to AI chatbots for quick help; the IPX1031 Tax Procrastinators Report finds 46% trust AI for tax advice and 21% plan to use it to file this year. Experts warn that chatbots can hallucinate, misinterpret nuances, or rely on outdated training data. OpenAI's ChatGPT-4o has a June 2024 cutoff, while Claude Opus and Sonnet's data extend to August 2025; IRS bulletins may arrive later and not be reflected in tools. As Patrick Runyen notes, there are data-privacy concerns when entering personal information. Laura Carruba cautions against uploading sensitive data. Bottom line: AI should not replace professional advice; use it for questions, not as your filing tool.

Chaos, confusion and $200 billion dreams: India's AI summit draws big tech despite turmoil

February 21, 2026, 5:24 AM EST. INDIA'S AI Impact Summit in New Delhi unfolded amid chaos and long security lines, yet drew global tech attention. Executives from major firms – including Alphabet chief Sundar Pichai and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman – pitched India as a vast opportunity, pointing to a deep talent pool and a massive consumer market. Altman called the mood incredible for India's potential, while sources noted ongoing frictions in entry procedures and event logistics. Controversies also shadowed the event: a last-minute pullout by Gates Foundation founder Bill Gates's keynote and a university dispute over a robot dog allegedly built by a Chinese firm. Even so, the summit underscored India's ambition to become a leading AI hub and attract foreign investment despite the disarray.

Chaos, delays and big-tech bets mark India's AI summit amid confusion

February 21, 2026, 5:22 AM EST. Chaos and confusion marked one of the world's largest AI gatherings in New Delhi, even as enthusiasm for India's potential grew among global tech players. Executives including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and OpenAI chief Sam Altman pressed AI's promise-from a vast talent pool to a huge consumer market. Altman told CNBC, "The excitement here, it's just been incredible to watch." I reported on the ground as traffic snarls, late entries and conflicting venue instructions frustrated attendees at the Bharat Mandapam. Key controversies included a possible Gates Foundation keynote that was canceled, and a university allegedly expelled for claiming a self-made robot dog-later revealed to be built by a Chinese firm Unitree. Despite the noise, U.S. firms doubled down on India's AI horizon and signed announcements focused on growth and collaboration.

Chaos and big bets at India's AI summit test the AI race

February 21, 2026, 5:20 AM EST. India hosted one of the world's largest AI Impact Summit, but chaos and confusion overshadowed the agenda. Despite the disruption, U.S. tech leaders pressed India's potential, underscoring a vast talent pool and a large consumer market. Alphabet Chief Sundar Pichai and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman participated and pitched opportunities in India; Altman told CNBC the excitement was 'incredible to watch.' Reporters faced traffic bottlenecks and unclear security rules about entry on the inaugural day. The summit also saw controversy: Bill Gates' keynote was in doubt amid Epstein-related questions, and a university was accused of misrepresenting a robot dog as its own creation; the robot was built by Unitree. Still, organizers touted India's AI ambitions and announcements despite the friction.

Nvidia CEO Huang teases surprise chips at GTC, hints at HBM4 Rubin

February 21, 2026, 4:46 AM EST. Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the company plans a surprise for customers at its GTC conference in San Jose, promising several 'new chips the world has never seen before' and a 'chip that will surprise people.' In an interview with the Korean Economic Daily, Huang noted closer work with SK Hynix, calling their teams 'one giant team' ahead of Nvidia's Rubin architecture, which will use HBM4 memory. Nvidia expects Rubin to debut in the latter half of 2026, as SK Hynix's sixth-generation HBM aims to double bandwidth and improve power efficiency by more than 40%. The interview touched on ongoing AI infrastructure demand and supply constraints. Separately, Nvidia rolled out OpenAI Codex to its 30,000 engineers, with the latest Codex running on a GPT-5.3-codex model and praised by users.

Ubisoft Toronto lays off 40 as part of global cost cuts; Splinter Cell remake continues

February 21, 2026, 4:44 AM EST. Ubisoft Toronto trimmed 40 roles as part of Ubisoft's global cost-saving plan. The layoffs follow a broader restructuring that has seen closures at Ubisoft Stockholm and Ubisoft Halifax and the cancellation of the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake and three new IPs. The company said the decision 'was not taken lightly' and that the affected employees will receive severance and career placement support. Development on the Splinter Cell remake will continue, along with co-development work for Rainbow Six. An internal email obtained by MobileSyrup described Ubisoft Toronto as remaining 'a key contributor' to several mandates and service teams. Separately, Ubisoft launched a voluntary redundancy program at its Paris arm, targeting about 200 roles, as part of its final cost-cutting round.

Five AI Stocks to Consider Now: Nvidia Leads as AI Spending Surges

February 21, 2026, 4:42 AM EST. AI spending remains resilient in 2026, fueling a bullish outlook for chipmakers and silicon suppliers. Nvidia dominates the AI compute landscape, with its Rubin architecture promising greater efficiency and faster model training and inference, encouraging ongoing GPU refreshes. Analysts project Nvidia revenue growth around 65% in FY2027, reinforcing its leadership as demand accelerates. TSMC, the world's largest chip foundry, benefits from broad AI build-outs and expects near 30% revenue growth in USD terms as hyperscalers invest. Broadcom emerges as a cheaper alternative via ASICs that can rival GPUs for specific workloads, offering price-per-performance advantages. The thesis centers on a multi-stock exposure to AI, with rivals and suppliers poised to ride a sustained deployment cycle.

Israel Englander trims Nvidia stake, buys Palantir as AI rally continues

February 21, 2026, 4:40 AM EST. Hedge fund manager Israel Englander of Millennium Management trimmed his stake in Nvidia, selling 3 million shares and reducing the position by 17% in Q4, while adding about 543,300 shares of Palantir Technologies. The moves reflect Nvidia's centrality to AI infrastructure, pairing GPUs with data-center hardware, software tooling, and the CUDA ecosystem to sustain a broad moat. Analysts still expect strong earnings growth, though valuations are lofty. Englander's action signals profit-taking or diversification rather than loss of conviction; Nvidia remains one of his larger holdings. Palantir, which sells data-integration platforms and AI software, seeks to capitalize on expanding enterprise AI deployments and workflow integrations.

Germany says AI energy demand can be met in near term; long-term fixes and fusion energy eyed

February 21, 2026, 4:36 AM EST. German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger says AI's electricity demand can be met with existing power supplies in the near term, but longer-term fixes are needed. Speaking after the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, he noted European talks and his discussions with Norway on renewables, especially hydropower. Experts warn rapid data-center growth will lift electricity use as the EU moves toward climate neutrality by 2050 and Germany ends nuclear power. Wildberger is optimistic about nuclear fusion as a future climate-neutral source, though commercialization remains elusive. In the short and medium term, renewables and cross-border energy sharing are key. The government aims to host the world's first fusion plant in Germany, a potential milestone in the energy mix.

Baillie Gifford tilts from Tesla and Amazon into AXON Enterprise, per Q4 2025 13F

February 21, 2026, 4:32 AM EST. Baillie Gifford's Scottish Mortgage arm boosted its AXON Enterprise stake in Q4 2025, according to the 13F filing. The fund bought 74,579 shares, lifting its holding by about 284% to 100,828 shares, worth roughly £43 million. The position still represents just 0.43% of its US stock portfolio. AXON, known for Taser devices, body-worn cameras and cloud evidence software, has fallen from recent highs as growth stocks wavered. The stock trades with a forward P/E around 56, and has posted roughly 300% revenue growth over five years. The manager argues demand for policing tech remains strong, though a slower 2026 top line could weigh on the share price. Baillie Gifford has also trimmed positions in Tesla and Amazon while maintaining stakes in both.

Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable drops to $31 on Woot with APPLEFIVE code

February 21, 2026, 4:30 AM EST. Woot cuts the price on the Apple Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) Pro Cable to $31 Prime shipped, $30.99 with code APPLEFIVE at checkout. The deal offers 55% off the $69 list price. The 1-meter braided cable supports Thunderbolt 3/4 and USB 4 up to 40Gb/s, USB 3 up to 10Gb/s, DisplayPort HBR3 (DisplayPort high-bit-rate 3), and up to 100W charging. It works with Macs, Studio Display and other devices; packaging is bulk, as excess units from the final production run liquidated to wholesale. Regularly, the Apple Store sells it for $69; Amazon lists about $49. Woot backs the sale with a 90-day warranty.

Context-aware computing keeps technology actively involved with consumers

February 21, 2026, 4:24 AM EST. Context-aware computing uses sensors and data from devices to tailor experiences in real time. The shift accelerated during COVID-19 lockdowns as people leaned on digital tools for commerce, communication and entertainment. The approach lets apps sense location, activity, time and device state to adjust behavior, often across multiple devices. A common example is the smartwatch, which gathers heart-rate and other metrics and adapts prompts and features to the user's routine, such as a daily commute. Core inputs include GPS, motion sensors, biometric data, user history and environmental signals. Technologies like edge computing, AI and real-time data streams enable these systems to run locally and respond quickly, despite the complexity involved.

Pokemon Go codes February 2026: free outfits and Timed Research quests

February 21, 2026, 4:14 AM EST. Pokemon Go codes in February 2026 offer free outfits and access to Timed Research quests. Redemption takes place on the Web Store Code Redemption site, not in-app, and you must log in with the same account to sync rewards. The active codes include TH4NKY0UF41RYMUCH for a Very Fairy Timed Research Quest (expires March 2) and FENDIxFRGMTxPOKEMON for a FENDIxFRGMTxPOKEMON Avatar Hoodie. Dozens of previously shared codes exist, but many have expired. Users should visit the official code list for current promos. The promos sometimes grant in-game items like energy or lures, and some codes trigger avatar cosmetics via the SPONSORS category in Style. Always verify expiry dates before redeeming.

Huawei to upgrade GPU on 2026 flagships, leak suggests

February 21, 2026, 4:08 AM EST. Huawei plans a major GPU upgrade for its 2026 flagships, according to a Weibo tipster. The company is reportedly developing new GPU processors that could boost performance, though the tipster cautions the chips haven't yet matched current phones' processors. The early-2026 lineup is said to include the Pura 90 series, the Pura X2 foldable and a gaming phone dubbed the Mate 80 GTS. If true, the upgrade could sharpen gaming, AR and media tasks while improving system responsiveness and efficiency. Huawei has not publicly confirmed the details, and the reliability of the leak remains uncertain.

India's AI Impact Summit broadens AI leadership beyond US and China

February 21, 2026, 4:06 AM EST. India's AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, billed as the first high-level AI gathering in the Global South, sought to broaden leadership beyond the US and China. Officials framed a country-specific AI destiny, with queries about how nations tailor AI to culture and language. U.S. figures, including Michael Kratsios, announced initiatives such as an AI-focused Peace Corps and World Bank funding for AI purchases. The five-day event faced chaos: overcrowding, visa delays, traffic, and notable absences, including Nvidia's Jensen Huang. Bill Gates pulled out before his keynote. OpenAI's Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei appeared with Modi in a staged moment that drew mixed reactions. An incident where a university was asked to leave after a robotic dog from Unitree was misrepresented added to the day's tensions.

Tesla halts Model S and Model X production to repurpose Fremont lines for humanoid robots, Musk says

February 21, 2026, 3:56 AM EST. On its earnings call, Tesla said it will cease production of the Model S and Model X in Q2 2026 and convert Fremont lines to build the Optimus humanoid robot. Musk frames the move as an honorable discharge for aging flagship cars and presents the shift as part of a broader autonomy first strategy. The company has faced slowing car demand and rising competition as it pivots toward robotics and autonomous systems, including the long-promised Cybercab concept. The change signals a prioritization of factory automation and a future where smart machines handle dangerous and repetitive tasks, reshaping the company's manufacturing playbook.

Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer to retire; Asha Sharma named successor

February 21, 2026, 3:52 AM EST. Microsoft said Phil Spencer will retire after 38 years with the company and 12 years overseeing its gaming business. He will remain in an advisory role through the summer to help transition to Asha Sharma, who will become head of gaming and executive vice president. Sharma, who joined two years ago from Meta and Instacart, promised a focus on a return of Xbox and expansion across PC, mobile, and cloud. The leadership shakeup also includes Sarah Bond resigning as Xbox President; Matt Booty being promoted to executive vice president and Chief Content Officer to work closely with Sharma. Spencer helped shepherd the company's acquisitions of Bethesda Softworks and Activision Blizzard and guided Xbox after the Xbox One launch.

Tech giants commit billions to Indian AI as New Delhi pushes for superpower status

February 21, 2026, 3:50 AM EST. At the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, hyperscalers pledged hundreds of billions for AI development in India. Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta signaled large capital outlays, with reported global AI expenditure near $700 billion this year. Indian conglomerates followed with big plans: Reliance aiming to invest about $110 billion in data centers and infrastructure, and Adani outlining a $100 billion AI data-center buildout over the next decade. Microsoft said it will invest about $50 billion in AI in the Global South by 2030; OpenAI and AMD teamed with Tata Group to expand AI capabilities; Blackstone backed Neysa in a $600 million equity round. The event drew tech chiefs such as Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai, Dario Amodei and Demis Hassabis. India also pushes chip funding and a U.S.-led Pax Silica pact to secure supply chains.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 price cut to $439 at Amazon

February 21, 2026, 3:40 AM EST. DJI's Osmo Pocket 3 is on sale at Amazon, dropping to $439 from $499 after a 12% discount. Free delivery is included, and stock may move quickly. The pocket-sized camera features a 2-inch rotatable touchscreen, a 1-inch CMOS sensor, and shoots 4K/120fps video. It supports D-Log M with 10-bit color, delivering up to one billion colors for more realistic footage, and includes a three-axis stabilization system for smooth motion. Built-in speakers handle ambient sound, with optional pairing to a DJI Mic for better audio. The device suits vlogging, livestreams, and as a webcam, and is marketed as beginner-friendly.

Pebble Time 2 and Round 2 timelines signal potential delays

February 21, 2026, 3:38 AM EST. Pebble outlined production timelines for the two forthcoming watches. Customers who preordered the Pebble Time 2 shortly after its announcement should receive their watch around mid-April, with all existing preorders expected to ship by early June, assuming no new manufacturing or shipping delays. For the Pebble Round 2, production is slated to start in late May, pushing initial shipments to the end of June. Several milestones remain, including a water-resistant case test, raising the risk of further delays for the Round 2. Both models are available to preorder from the manufacturer's online store. The Pebble Round 2 carries a $199 price, while the Pebble Time 2 is listed at $225, excluding shipping and import fees.

NASA's SLS Faces Cost, Delays as Testing Drags On

February 21, 2026, 3:36 AM EST. NASA's Space Launch System has stretched beyond a decade with a price tag above $30 billion and slow progress. The program's hydrogen-fueled, complex ground systems created repeated scrubs during early wet-dress tests, sending the rocket back to the hangar several times. A late-2022 launch finally occurred, but momentum since then has been limited, provoking questions about schedule discipline and technical reliability. Engineers faced ongoing fueling leaks and gate delays that extended the timeline. The saga highlights the tension between grand-scale ambitions for deep-space missions and the realities of cost control and cadence, as NASA weighs future missions and potential alternatives.

NASA faces cost and schedule headwinds as SLS rocket advances

February 21, 2026, 3:34 AM EST. NASA has long warned that the Space Launch System, or SLS, is expensive and slow. The program has cost taxpayers more than $30 billion to date and hinges on a sprawling ground-operations system to manage the rocket's hydrogen propellant. After a string of fueling tests, a launch finally occurred on November 16, 2022, but the episode underscored ongoing challenges with hydrogen leaks and reliability. More than three years later, engineers have not publicly disclosed a complete fix, and questions linger about whether the agency can deliver timely, cost-effective missions. The episode embodies a reality NASA has acknowledged: addressing costs and schedule pressures remains central to the program's fate.

Pebble Time 2 and Round 2 delayed; new production timelines outlined

February 21, 2026, 3:24 AM EST. Pebble has revised its delivery timeline for two upcoming smartwatches. Under the schedule, preorder customers of the Pebble Time 2 should receive devices by mid-April, with all existing preorders slated for delivery by early June, barring further manufacturing or shipping delays. The Pebble Round 2 would start production in late May, pushing first preorder shipments to the end of June. The company cautions that certain steps-such as testing the water-resistant case-pose a higher risk of additional delays. Preorders are available from the manufacturer's store. The Round 2 is priced at $199, while the Time 2 is listed at $225, not including shipping or import fees.

No need for a separate password manager? OS tools and biometrics reshape logins

February 21, 2026, 3:22 AM EST. Many apps and sites demand passwords, but a dedicated password manager is no longer essential for most users. There's little need to pay for a stand-alone password manager; built-in tools inside devices cover most people. Apple's iCloud Keychain on Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro; Windows Credential Manager; and Google's Password Manager tied to a Google account store and auto-fill credentials across apps and browsers. Biometrics and passkeys offer easier, more secure authentication than password entry. Yet cross-platform gaps remain: iCloud Keychain doesn't reliably fill in non-Apple browsers, and coverage across ecosystems varies. For those seeking simplicity and privacy, first-party tools may meet the majority of needs, while third-party options still matter for multi-device users or advanced features.

No need for a dedicated password manager as OS tools and biometrics rise

February 21, 2026, 3:20 AM EST. The article argues that for most users there is little need for a separate password manager. Modern devices ship with built-in tools and biometrics that can secure access across services. Apple's iCloud Keychain stores and encrypts passwords on the cloud and works across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro; on iOS, the built-in app named Passwords autofills credentials and even card details. Windows offers Credential Manager, a similar feature, while Google's Password Manager ties to a Google account and spans Chrome and Android devices. A downside is cross-platform gaps: iCloud Keychain won't fill in credentials on non-Apple browsers. Biometric or passkey authentication can further simplify access and reduce reliance on passwords. Still, for many users, no paid manager is necessary.

Broadcom Seen as Better AI Play Than Nvidia Amid Spending Boom

February 21, 2026, 3:16 AM EST. Broadcom looks attractive as AI infrastructure budgets rise, even as Nvidia dominates GPUs with CUDA. The piece notes Nvidia holds a dominant, 90%+ GPU share and has built a moat around training LLMs via CUDA, a software ecosystem seeded in universities. Yet the author argues Broadcom offers a better buy for the AI spend boom, thanks to two growth engines: data-center networking and ASICs. Broadcom's Tomahawk Ethernet switches, high-speed interconnects, DSPs and NICs support scaling AI workloads in data centers. It leads in ASICs-energy-efficient, task-specific silicon. The article cites Broadcom's role with Alphabet in Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and OpenAI's plan to deploy 10 gigawatts of custom chips, plus a $21B TPU order from Anthropic, signaling a broader AI-custom-chip cycle.

Apple patents removable phased-array case to boost iPhone satellite comms

February 21, 2026, 3:08 AM EST. Apple has filed a patent application showing a removable iPhone case that doubles as a phased-array antenna for satellite communication. The 2024 filing, titled Electronic Device and Case with Satellite Communication Capabilities, describes a case that can connect to an iPhone or iPad, supply power via the Smart Connector, and use beamforming circuitry to target multiple satellites as the constellation moves. The approach would let the device relay data using wireless links or NFC, potentially reducing hand-blocking when the case is open. By enlarging the antenna surface, Apple argues the system could carry more data than the current iPhone solution, addressing the limits imposed by small antennas and short contact windows with low-Earth-orbit satellites. Apple has not indicated a commercial timeline; a patent does not guarantee a product.

Manchester researchers warn of space sustainability paradox as satellites surge

February 21, 2026, 3:00 AM EST. Manchester researchers warn that deploying satellites to tackle Earth's environmental and social challenges could risk undermining space's long-term sustainability. Lead author John Mackintosh, a PhD researcher at The University of Manchester, described the idea as the space sustainability paradox. The paradox, he said, arises when solutions on Earth rely on satellites, potentially increasing debris and collision risk in orbit and compromising future missions. The study calls for balancing immediate benefits with orbital stewardship through design, policy and coordination. The findings highlight a growing tension at the intersection of space activity and planetary well-being.

Xbox Free Play Days: 5 limited-time games, incl. 2025 AAA Battlefield 6

February 21, 2026, 2:58 AM EST. Microsoft's Free Play Days return with five titles for a limited window. Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is free to all Xbox users, no subscription required; others are accessible with Xbox Game Pass. The lineup includes Battlefield 6, the 2025 AAA shooter, available to trial for Game Pass subscribers and on sale for $45.49 (down from $69.99). Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainiods offers base-building and bot armies, reduced to $20.99. PGA Tour 2K25 is included; Polterguys: Possession Party offers up to eight-player multiplayer, priced at $4.49. Access runs until Sunday 22 February, after which free access ends.

SpaceX plans late-night Starlink launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base

February 21, 2026, 2:56 AM EST. Update at 2:25 p.m.: SpaceX schedules a midnight-to-4 a.m. window for the Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, with liftoff around 1 a.m. Saturday from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E). The mission will deploy 25 Starlink satellites. The booster has flown 31 times; after stage separation it is set to land on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean. No sonic boom is expected locally. A live webcast begins about five minutes before liftoff and is available on X via @SpaceX or the X TV app.

OpenAI, Jony Ive plan camera-equipped smart speaker for 2027 launch, per The Information

February 21, 2026, 2:54 AM EST. OpenAI is developing a smart speaker with an integrated camera, designed to learn user behavior, detect the surrounding environment, and offer facial recognition similar to Face ID. Rumors from The Information place the product, planned for early 2027 (Feb 2027 earliest), as the first device from a collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive, who joined OpenAI after the io acquisition in May 2025. The speaker would support purchases, AI-assisted queries, and goal-oriented suggestions, such as prompting an earlier bedtime ahead of a morning meeting. Apple reportedly works on a rival home hub with camera, speaker, and deeper Siri integration. OpenAI reportedly aims for a price between $200-300; other hardware like a smart lamp and smart glasses are in early development and may be canceled. Internal tensions exist between LoveFrom and OpenAI, with Evans Hankey leading industrial design.

Mark Cuban: AI won't replace jobs soon amid high costs and limited judgment

February 21, 2026, 2:44 AM EST. Mark Cuban argues AI won't displace workers soon, saying economics and judgment matter more than hype. In response to a viral All-In clip, he notes AI agents can cost well over $300 daily-equating to more than $100,000 a year in some setups-and warns humans still bring essential context. He says agents lack real-world judgment and fail to grasp outcomes, comparing them to hungover interns who err and won't take responsibility. The price tag and inconsistency, he argues, hinder a quick shift to automation. Other leaders warn of disruption, but Oxford Economics data show limited large-scale layoffs so far. The takeaway: cost, reliability, and context remain the key hurdles for AI-driven job replacement.

Entanglement leverages quantum logic for real-time maritime intelligence

February 21, 2026, 2:30 AM EST. Entanglement, Inc., founded in 2017 by Jason Turner, shifted from quantum hardware to quantum logic and quantum-inspired algorithms that run on classical and non-classical hardware. The company rewrites math into solvers that tackle massive problems on GPUs, quantum annealers, photonic and acoustic computers, with applications in oceanography and maritime security. Turner's team aims to fuse sensors-quantum and non-quantum-into real-time situational awareness, noting current hardware limits and the trend toward centralized quantum data centers. The firm's January acquisition of Applied Ocean Sciences created Maritech Intelligence Systems, launching MIST (Maritime Information Synthesis Terminal) and MADEN (Maritime Autonomous Distributed Edge Network) to deliver global, edge-enabled maritime intelligence.

Two AI Stocks Up Over 400% Could Be Nvidia's Next Challenger

February 21, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. Two AI-focused names have surged more than 400% in recent years, eclipsing Nvidia's gains at times. Micron Technology and Palantir Technologies rose on AI infrastructure tailwinds. Micron benefits from rising demand for HBM chips as hyperscalers expand AI data centers; supply tightness has boosted pricing power. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra says demand for HBM should stay robust, with fiscal Q2 2026 revenue seen at about $18.3-$19.1 billion, up from $13.64 billion in Q1. Micron sells HBM chips beyond NVIDIA, including AMD, helping diversify demand. Palantir gains from its platforms Gotham and Foundry, with its AIP popular among government and commercial clients. For 2026, Palantir guides revenue to roughly $7.18-$7.198 billion, more than doubling 2025.

Apple's redesigned MacBook Air nearly offered in colorful options, per leaker

February 21, 2026, 2:24 AM EST. Apple's upcoming low-cost MacBook, a no-suffix model expected at around $699, could have joined the redesigned MacBook Air in more playful hues. A supply-chain leaker cited by Bloomberg said Apple tested a palette including light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver and dark gray for what's next. The M2 MacBook Air refresh is the last major Air redesign; Apple has previously expanded color options with last year's Sky Blue M4. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has floated blue, pink, silver and yellow for the new MacBook. A Weibo leaker, Instant Digital, earlier claimed similar colors were considered for the Air, not the MacBook. Apple is widely expected to reveal new products at a March 4 event. The notes underscore ongoing color-testing across Apple's laptop lines.

Google Weather for Android to shut down, redirects to Google Search weather results

February 21, 2026, 2:22 AM EST. Google will retire the Android Weather app, 9to5Google reports the shutdown is underway. The app will stop displaying forecasts and redirect users to Google Search with weather results. For most, this preserves the same data – temperature, hourly changes, precipitation, humidity, wind – within a Search-based interface. Casual users may not notice; longtime users may view it as another Google service sunset. No official rationale has been given; analysts suggest cost-cutting and consolidation. If you need a replacement, third-party weather apps remain an option.

Fake AI videos of UK urban decline go viral on social media

February 21, 2026, 2:20 AM EST. Researchers and creators say fake AI videos portraying the UK's urban decline are spreading across social media. The subject centers on roadmen, a slang term for urban youths often linked to drug dealing, who recur as cultural archetypes in these clips. In one noted post, roadmen appear in Parliament and racked up eight million views in a day, underscoring how quickly sensational content can travel. The videos blend plausible visuals with familiar street tropes, raising concerns about misinformation, misrepresentation, and the potential to shape public perception of real communities. Platforms face pressure to flag deepfakes and improve detection, while creators warn that sensational narratives can outpace fact-checking.

Noise Explorer 2 review: safety-first kids' smartwatch prioritizes parental control over specs

February 21, 2026, 2:18 AM EST. Noise Explorer 2 is pitched as a safety-first kids' smartwatch rather than a feature-rich wearable. Built rugged with IP68 protection and a 1.4-inch display, it emphasizes durable, child-friendly use. Real-time GPS tracking via the Noise Explorer Hub app (Android/iOS) and geo-fenced alerts anchor parental monitoring. A 4G SIM enables two-way video and voice calling with approved contacts only, plus an SOS button that shares the child's live location. A School Mode blocks distractions during class. The UI feels dated and performance is modest, and battery life is adequate rather than impressive; you'll typically charge daily with GPS/calling, though occasional longer runs occur.

Apple's budget MacBook may ship in bright colors, leaker says

February 21, 2026, 2:10 AM EST. Apple's M2 MacBook Air last redesigned. A supply-chain leaker says the upcoming low-cost MacBook-expected around $699-could ship in fun colors. Bloomberg notes the team tested light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver and dark gray, though not all may ship. Ming-Chi Kuo previously flagged blue, pink, silver and yellow. Weibo leaker Instant Digital adds similar colors were tested for the MacBook Air ahead of its unveiling. Apple has not confirmed plans; the March 4 event is expected to introduce a new MacBook with no suffix. The episode underscores ongoing color experiments around future Apple laptops.

Noise Explorer 2 review: kid-safe smartwatch prioritizes safety over specs

February 21, 2026, 2:08 AM EST. India's kid smartwatch market has matured as parents seek safer alternatives to smartphones. The Noise Junior Explorer 2 is a rugged, IP68-wearing device aimed at eight-year-olds, focusing on safety over features. Its 1.4-inch IPS display is functional, with easy navigation but dated UI. Real-time GPS tracking and a companion Noise Explorer Hub app (Android and iOS) let parents view location, set geo-fenced zones, and receive alerts when boundaries are crossed. The device supports 4G SIM for two-way video and voice calls with approved contacts, plus an SOS button for emergencies. A dedicated School Mode locks the watch during class. Battery life is modest: daily charging with GPS on; trip days or weekends extend it to days between charges.

Telefónica begins offering Edge Computing services in Spain

February 21, 2026, 2:02 AM EST. Telefónica has begun selling commercial Edge Computing services to businesses and administrations in five Spanish cities. Five Edge nodes-Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, and A Coruña-are live for B2B clients, with 12 infrastructures deployed and a plan for 17 nodes in the first phase. Additional nodes include Madrid (second node), Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Valladolid, Terrassa, and Merida; five more locations will join this year: Zaragoza, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gijón, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Santiago de Compostela. By 2026, Telefónica aims to have 17 nodes with commercial Edge services, leveraging Open Gateway APIs and its fixed and mobile networks. In a pilot with CAF, Edge and 5G SA are used for rail interiors. Telefónica Empresas offers two service levels: Edge Básico and Smart Edge, supported by TTCP via Telefónica Tech Cloud Platform.

Weekly deals roundup: Razr Ultra (2025) gets up to $870 off, trade-in boost and free Moto Buds+

February 21, 2026, 2:00 AM EST. Motorola is running a limited sale on its Razr Ultra (2025) 1TB in a weekly deals roundup. The device is discounted by up to $870 at the official store, from an original $1,499.99 to $629.99. A trade-in can slice off an additional $170. Motorola is also including a pair of Moto Buds+ (valued at $200) at no extra cost. The roundup highlights two flagship foldables, a strong tablet, and broad savings across mobile devices. Deals end soon, so shoppers should compare prices and the trade-in offer before the promo wraps.

Apple Watch sleep score prompts expert take on deep sleep sufficiency

February 21, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. An Apple Watch user questions why their nights yield about 90 minutes of Deep Sleep despite eight hours in bed. The watch tracks four stages-Awake, Core Sleep (light sleep), REM Sleep, and Deep Sleep-with Core Sleep often filling most nights. Sleep scientists Dr. Jade Wu and Dr. Chris Allen explain that Deep Sleep is restorative, but you don't need a fixed allotment. For seven-to-nine hours of sleep, only about one to two hours typically occur in Deep Sleep. The brain can adjust sleep stages to meet needs, so the key is protecting overall sleep quality rather than forcing more sleep into a single stage. Slow-wave sleep (N3/N4) is the most physically restorative phase, linked to growth hormone release.

Nioh 3 hits 1 million in two weeks, fastest in series; Koei Tecmo

February 21, 2026, 1:54 AM EST. Nioh 3 has sold one million copies in two weeks, making it the fastest-selling entry in Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja's samurai action series. The publisher said the entire Nioh series has now sold over 10 million copies. A celebratory post thanked players worldwide for their support. An accolades trailer highlighting reviews and gameplay was released alongside the milestone. The game recently received its first major post-launch patch, fixing progress-blocking bugs, crashes and adjusting enemy health balance, and addressing a stubborn friend-search issue. Eurogamer's Dom Peppiatt called Nioh 3 a new peak for the masocore formula, noting innovation in the ongoing series. Koei Tecmo remains confident about continued reception as players explore the title's challenge.

Android 16's Live Caption aims to quiet buses and subways with real-time captions

February 21, 2026, 1:52 AM EST. Android 16's Live Caption tool, a core accessibility feature, can automatically caption speech on a device-videos, calls, podcasts-so riders don't have to hear it. Since its 2019 debut, the feature has evolved with Expressive captions that try to convey emotion in real time, and can mark the duration of long words or bursts like sneezes. For commuters, that means less reliance on audible sound in crowded trains and buses. The feature aligns with on-device processing, avoiding data sharing unless users opt in. While Live Caption doesn't replace headphones, supporters argue it appeals to riders seeking quieter lives on public transit. Tech officials note updates continue for Android 16 and above, expanding accessibility while preserving privacy.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 review: bigger battery, price in focus

February 21, 2026, 1:50 AM EST. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 advances hardware with a larger body and bigger battery, plus updated software such as a ClimbPro-like mode and enhanced map layers. In practice, the mix leans toward strong hardware, yet some new features underperform. Battery life is a headline claim, with real-world endurance varying by GPS use and display settings. The watch adds more storage and tweaks to the titanium case, but navigation quirks and uneven GPS/heart-rate accuracy persist. Maps and detail improvements raise expectations that aren't fully met, and pricing remains a central question as reviewers weigh value against rivals. A final written verdict will follow the video review, with emphasis on GPS accuracy, battery life, and pricing.

Google replaces Android Weather app with Search-driven weather experience

February 21, 2026, 1:42 AM EST. Google is phasing out Android's Weather app in favor of weather results surfaced in Google Search. The shift began months ago and is accelerating, with more devices redirected from the Weather homescreen shortcut to a Search results page for "weather". The old fullscreen Weather experience-with the Froggy background, current conditions, an hourly forecast carousel, and a 10-day forecast-has been redesigned to live inside Search, plus dropdowns for Precipitation, Wind, Humidity, and Air quality. AI Overviews now offer a brief condition summary. Some users received migration notices and saw no "View all details" button to access the older experience. The rollout is incomplete, but Google appears to want a single weather experience accessed via Search rather than a separate app.

Zuckerberg says he consulted Tim Cook on teen safety, cites free expression in court testimony

February 21, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg told a Los Angeles Superior Court trial that he spoke with Tim Cook about protecting young users on social media. The disclosure appears in an email exchange from February 2018, cited during cross-examination, in which Zuckerberg floated joint safety steps for Meta and Apple. The testimony frames Zuckerberg's approach as proactive, showing caution around features like beauty filters, while asserting that free expression remained a priority after Meta briefly paused cosmetic-surgery filters. The hearing also involved AI devices used by team members, with Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl warning against recording, threatening contempt. Plaintiffs allege platforms leveraged addictive features, including infinite scroll, harming mental health. The trial underscores mounting global scrutiny of teen safety policies.

US restricts new DJI drone imports; existing stock remains

February 21, 2026, 1:38 AM EST. US regulators tightened drone imports by barring new devices from DJI and other foreign makers, effective Dec 23, 2025. The rule is an import restriction, not a blanket ban: existing DJI models remain on shelves, and flying remains legal. The policy targets devices on the FCC's Covered List, which blocks imports until security reviews and frequency approvals are completed. A recent FCC tweak exempted UAS and components on the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS list from that restriction, signaling possible relief for some buyers. The plan from the Commerce Department for a separate ban was shelved, for now. The practical effect: future DJI releases may not reach the US market unless policy changes.

Tesla's Optimus Push: $20 Billion Capex, Factory Conversions and the Race to Dominate Robotics in 2026

February 21, 2026, 1:36 AM EST. Tesla is converting Model S and Model X plants into Optimus humanoid-robot lines, as it doubles annual capex to $20 billion to scale robotics. The company has rolled out a third-generation bot designed for mass production and is testing it in factories to learn manual tasks, with Musk saying volume won't ramp until late 2026. The effort leans on its AI unit, xAI, to fuse vehicle software know-how with next-gen intelligence. Yet the pivot is risky: automotive revenue slipped in 2025 while total sales softened, and there is no guaranteed path to a $3 trillion robotics market by 2050. Early lead could endure, or fade, depending on execution and demand.

Sanders warns US unprepared for AI revolution; calls to slow rollout and push policy action

February 21, 2026, 1:34 AM EST. Sen. Bernie Sanders warned Congress and the public are not a clue about the speed and scale of an impending AI revolution and urged urgent policy action to slow this thing down. Speaking at Stanford with Rep. Ro Khanna after meetings with industry leaders, he described the moment as the most dangerous in modern U.S. history and pressed for a moratorium on expanding AI data centers to protect workers while policymakers catch up. Khanna rejected a moratorium, instead proposing a Singapore model for data-center growth, with a focus on renewable energy and water efficiency. Khanna outlined seven principles to guard against oligarchic capture from AI wealth, as Sanders also promotes a ballot measure in California for a one-time 5% tax on residents worth more than $1 billion.

Microsoft's Silica stores data in glass for 2 million books over 10,000 years

February 21, 2026, 1:28 AM EST. Microsoft Research's Silica demonstrates writing and reading data in ordinary glass with ultrafast femtosecond laser pulses. A palm-sized glass block could hold the equivalent of two million books and remain readable for more than 10,000 years, per a Nature paper. Data is stored in tiny three-dimensional voxels formed where tightly focused light permanently alters the glass. The work builds on decades of volumetric storage research from Harvard's Eric Mazur and Peter Kazansky at Southampton, which helped popularize 5D memory crystal concepts. In 2024 Kazansky launched SPhotonix to commercialize 5D glass nanostructuring. The technology shows durable, scalable, three-dimensional data storage, grounded in ultrafast light phenomena.

Artemis II rolls out to LC-39B for first crewed lunar mission since 1972

February 21, 2026, 1:26 AM EST. Artemis II has rolled out to Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, marking a milestone ahead of the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission, using the Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule, moves critical hardware to the pad for a crewed test flight. NASA officials describe the rollout as a key step toward a lunar flyby later this decade. The target launch window remains under review as ground and flight checks proceed. The current crew includes Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeanette Epps. Officials stress readiness, safety, and careful progression through testing ahead of any initial lunar flyby.

NASA's Space Launch System reaches launch pad after 1 mph crawl

February 21, 2026, 1:24 AM EST. NASA's Space Launch System rocket, set to carry astronauts around the moon, reached the launch pad after an 11.5-hour run aboard the Crawler Transporter 2. The 3-million-kilogram pair moved four miles at about one mph, burning diesel. Artemis 2 is slated to lift off next month, with Artemis 3 aiming to land on the lunar surface. Crew spoke as the rocket rolled, including Reid Wiseman's blank page and a pen. The United States faces renewed competition with China as delays push a lunar landing to 2028. The mission targets the moon's south pole, where water ice could sustain bases and fuel exploration. Victor Glover will carry handwritten notes and family heirlooms, linking him to loved ones.

Nvidia stock poised before February earnings as AI demand and China sales resume

February 21, 2026, 1:22 AM EST. Tech investor sentiment remains choppy as Wall Street rethinks AI exposure. Nvidia heads into its Feb. 25 earnings release after forecasting fiscal Q4 sales around $65 billion, up from $39.3 billion a year earlier, signaling persistent AI demand. The company won government clearance to resume China sales, raising the prospect of stronger 2026 quarterly results. Nvidia's platform-integrating hardware with CUDA software-helps differentiate it in the AI race, and a strategic partnership with Intel to support future chip manufacturing adds optionality. The stock has pulled back from a 52-week high of $212.19 amid broader tech volatility, and its forward valuation remains attractive relative to growth. Still, not all analysts are convinced; some notable sources have Nvidia outside their top buys.

NASA targets March 6 Artemis 2 liftoff after successful fueling test

February 21, 2026, 1:20 AM EST. NASA is targeting March 6 for the crewed Artemis 2 launch, a four-astronaut mission around the Moon. The plan follows a successful wet dress rehearsal at Pad 39B/Kennedy Space Center (KSC), after a hydrogen leak earlier in the week. Engineers replaced two seals at the tail service mast umbilical (TSMU) interface and validated the fix during a second WDR. The team filled the Space Launch System (SLS) core and upper stages with about 730,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX), with no significant leakage. Artemis 2, built on lessons from Artemis 1, will lift off on an SLS rocket carrying Orion. NASA officials including Lori Glaze and Charlie Blackwell-Thompson praised the results; John Honeycutt called the day really good.

Pokémon Go's Super Mega Raids explained: joining, rewards and shields

February 21, 2026, 1:10 AM EST. Super Mega Raids were added in Pokémon Go as part of Go Tour Kalos in February 2026 and are here to stay. In these raids, players face powerful Mega Evolved Pokémon, such as Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel, with the promise of extra Mega Energy compared with standard Mega Raids. A lobby requires at least one Mega Evolution in every player's party, and seven or more players are recommended depending on the boss. The battles are tougher, but rewards are higher. A key mechanic is shields: when the boss becomes enraged, it raises shields that block normal attacks, and each player can break only one shield, so teamwork matters. The article notes possible future additions, including legendary Mega Evolutions.

Falcon 9 to launch two missions from California as Isar targets Spectrum's second launch

February 21, 2026, 1:06 AM EST. NASASpaceFlight.com previews SpaceX plan: two Falcon 9 launches from California; the Isar mission will attempt a second Spectrum launch. Weather, range availability and vehicle readiness will determine liftoff times. The double-header highlights a busy West Coast schedule for SpaceX as teams pursue rapid reuse cycles and payload deployments.

Pokémon Go Link Charges explained: what they are and how to get them

February 21, 2026, 1:04 AM EST. Link Charges are the resource to enter Mega Raids and Super Mega Raids in Pokémon Go, added with Super Mega Raids in February 2026. They are required to access the strongest Mega Evolutions, including Mega Rayquaza, even if you can join Mega Raids with a Premium Battle Pass. Charges live in the Link Holder, a counter that maxes at 600 and cannot be deleted. Remote Mega Raids differ: remote Super Mega Raids need a Remote Raid Pass plus Link Charges; remote regular Mega Raids need only a Remote Raid Pass. There are three main free ways to get Link Charges, and they can also be bought: 200 charges for 100 PokéCoins; 600 for 300 PokéCoins; or 600 for £2.99 (UK webstore) or £7.99 with three Remote Raid Passes. Check store updates.

UK study finds used EV batteries healthier than expected, average 95% health

February 21, 2026, 1:02 AM EST. Generational, a UK-based firm that evaluates EV battery health, analyzed more than 8,000 electric vehicles tested in 2025 across 36 brands. The study found an average battery health of 95.15%, with most packs exceeding warranty thresholds even at higher ages and mileages. Age lowers capacity, but many older EVs still perform well. In detail, the median health for 2- to 3-year-old cars was 96.94%, 3- to 4-year-olds 95.17%, and 8- to 12-year-olds as low as 85.04%. The 25th and 75th percentile show broader outcomes, with the worst 1% of 4- to 5-year-old vehicles just over 80%. Real-world degradation varies by charging habits and climate; faster charging and deep discharges accelerate loss, especially with older chemistries. For buyers, a battery health test can help separate good deals from risky ones.

OpenAI may sell Jony Ive-designed smart speaker with facial-recognition camera

February 21, 2026, 1:00 AM EST. OpenAI is weighing a new hardware product: a smart speaker that includes a facial-recognition camera. The device is said to be designed by Sir Jony Ive, the Apple veteran hired by OpenAI last year for about $6.5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The project would broaden OpenAI's revenue options as the company faces rapid cash burn and a tighter funding environment. Officials have not disclosed a launch timeline, and some specifics remain under wraps. The plan marks a shift from software-only offerings to consumer hardware, part of a broader effort to monetize ChatGPT and other AI services. Privacy and regulatory risks loom for home devices with cameras, a concern that could shape how the product is developed and marketed.

Nothing reinvents Glyph light system with the Phone (4a)

February 21, 2026, 12:58 AM EST. Nothing is reimagining its Glyph lighting with the Nothing Phone (4a). The company says the new Glyph Bar uses six square lights and nine individually controllable mini-LEDs, delivering about 40% more brightness than the Glyph lights on the A-series. Earlier models used five strips (Phone 1), 11 strips (Phone 2), or a circular 489-LED grid (Phone 3). The 4a reconfigures the idea for a mid-range device. Nothing has not fully confirmed final LED counts, amid rumors of 63 LEDs vs the nine claimed by the firm. A Nothing blog describes the Glyph Bar; expected specs include a 120 Hz display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, three rear cameras, and a 5,400 mAh battery with 50W charging. Official debut is March 5.

Amazon service disruption linked to AI tools, report claims

February 21, 2026, 12:52 AM EST. New details from the Financial Times describe a December AWS disruption as the work of an agentic Kiro AI system. The 13-hour outage hit one Mainland China region and was initially described by Amazon as a limited, user-error incident. The Financial Times cites sources who say engineers allowed the Kiro AI to perform tasks, which led the AI to delete and recreate the environment. Amazon told Mashable the event was limited in scope. The piece notes the outage was smaller than last October's AWS disruption.

T-Mobile offers free iPhone 17 with new line trade-in on select plans

February 21, 2026, 12:50 AM EST. T-Mobile is offering a free iPhone 17 with a new line on select plans, backed by 24 months of bill credits that offset the phone's cost. Eligible plans include Experience Beyond and Experience More; the Better Value plan works only if you add at least three lines. You'll also pay a $35 activation fee. Trade-in credits scale with device age; newer models yield bigger credits, with the iPhone 6 at least $400 off. The iPhone 17 Pro is also free with an eligible trade-in on Experience Beyond; the Pro Max is just over $4 per month under the same terms. Apple prices start at $830 for 256GB. Deals are curated by the CNET Group commerce team and may be unrelated to this article.

Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer retires; ex-Instacart exec Asha Sharma named successor

February 21, 2026, 12:48 AM EST. Microsoft said long-time gaming chief Phil Spencer will retire after 38 years. In a memo, CEO Satya Nadella credited Spencer with expanding the gaming business, including the Activision Blizzard deal, and uniting hardware, software and game development. Asha Sharma, hired from Instacart in 2024 and now head of product in Core AI, will become CEO of gaming and report to Nadella. The shakeup comes as Xbox revenue fell about 10% in the December quarter, worse than expected, even as overall Microsoft revenue rose about 17%. The company has faced ongoing competition from Sony and Nintendo and has shuttered studios while pursuing cloud-based Call of Duty offerings. Spencer's exit follows other leadership changes at Microsoft in 2025.

NASA selects UC San Diego-led EDGE satellite mission

February 21, 2026, 12:44 AM EST. NASA has funded EDGE, a UC San Diego-led satellite mission from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to monitor Earth with high-spatial-resolution laser altimetry. EDGE, which stands for Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer, uses five lasers with eight beams each to map the globe and produce 3D observations of sea-level rise, ice-sheet change and vegetation shifts. Dr. Helen Amanda Fricker, a glaciologist, says it's like measuring the planet's height with time-similar to a child's growth chart. The mission is part of NASA's Earth Systems Explorer program; the proposal underwent rigorous review, including a Goddard site visit and a period of funding uncertainty during a government shutdown. The funding decision was announced earlier this month.

Google rolls out Gemini 3.1 Pro in ongoing AI model race

February 21, 2026, 12:40 AM EST. Google on Thursday unveiled Gemini 3.1 Pro, calling it 'a step forward in core reasoning.' The update tightens the race in AI model cadence, following rivals from Anthropic and OpenAI. In ARC-AGI-2 tests, Gemini 3.1 Pro scored 77.1%, well ahead of Gemini 3 Pro (31.1%) and Gemini 3 Deep Think (45.1%). Google's chart shows 3.1 Pro outscores Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.3-Codex in most benchmarks, though Opus and Codex-led tests remain in some categories. The company says 3.1 Pro handles tasks needing deeper reasoning, with demos such as SVG animations and converting literary style to a portfolio design. Availability spans the Gemini API, Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, Gemini Enterprise, the Gemini app, NotebookLM, and linked Microsoft tools.

OpenAI says it banned ChatGPT account of Tumbler Ridge shooter prior to tragedy; no alert to police due to policy threshold – WSJ report

February 21, 2026, 12:30 AM EST. OpenAI says Jesse Van Rootselaar's ChatGPT account was banned last June after safeguards designed to prevent violence were breached. The company did not alert Canadian law enforcement until after the Feb. 10 mass shooting because the behavior did not meet its reporting threshold. The WSJ report outlines the timeline, illustrating how internal policies guided when to flag threats. The ban occurred eight months before the British Columbia attack, underscoring how tech firms balance red flags with practical limits on automated monitoring. OpenAI has not provided further comment on specifics.

OpenAI targets 2027 release for AI-powered smart speaker; glasses and lamp in development

February 21, 2026, 12:24 AM EST. OpenAI is building a line of AI-powered devices, including smart glasses, a smart speaker with a camera, and a smart lamp. The Information says a team of more than 200 staff is working on the project. The first product is expected to be the smart speaker, featuring object recognition and a facial-recognition capability akin to Face ID for purchasing. The speaker could cost $200-$300 and ship in early 2027. Glasses are not expected until 2028, and the lamp's market fate remains unclear. OpenAI's 2022 acquisition of ex-Apple designer Jony Ive's io Products, for about $6.5 billion, could position Ive to lead hardware. Delays stem from technical, privacy, and power issues, and consumer hesitation remains toward always-on devices.

China's rocket shares surge as investors bet on domestic aerospace vs. SpaceX

February 21, 2026, 12:22 AM EST. China's rocket shares rally as investors bet that commercial aerospace could become the next battleground in the Beijing-Washington rivalry. A gauge of listed aerospace firms in Shanghai and Shenzhen has risen about 10% this year, after a 76% jump in 2025, and outpaced the CSI 300's 2% YTD gain. Big gainers include China Spacesat and Hunan Aerospace Huanyu Communication Technology. "With policy support, the cost of rocket launches in China is expected to come down and even match that of SpaceX," said Hou Bin of Great Wall Securities, signaling potential domestic substitution in the sector. Tests at Wenchang in Hainan-Long March-10 and the Mengzhou crewed system-underscore Beijing's push to rival SpaceX's reusable rockets under its five-year plan.

Tesla leads JD Power 2026 EV Owner Satisfaction study; Model 3 tops at 804, Model Y 797

February 21, 2026, 12:20 AM EST. Tesla took the lead in JD Power's 2026 electric-vehicle (EV) Owner Satisfaction study, with the Model 3 scoring 804 and the Model Y 797 to take the second spot. The ratings place Tesla ahead of rivals, with BMW and others well behind. The study credits the Supercharger network and perceived reliability as drivers of high satisfaction, though JD Power cautions results vary by brand. Separately, Lucid Group said it will cut about 12% of its US workforce as the EV market cools. Honda sits at the bottom of the brand rankings in the survey. The results come as charging infrastructure and consumer expectations continue to shape the early years of the EV era.

Apple Glasses pitched as all-day AI companion in Bloomberg report

February 21, 2026, 12:00 AM EST. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman details three new AI wearables from Apple-smart glasses, a pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods-with the glasses framed as an all-day AI companion. The glasses would use built-in cameras to understand what a wearer sees and does in real time, offering context such as ingredients on a plate, landmarks during navigation, event posters added to calendars, and groceries on a list. Apple aims for a hands-free experience, letting users stay engaged with the world via Siri and built-in microphones and speakers. Social acceptance remains a key hurdle; Apple reportedly pursues a fashionable, non-tech look and has a Google collaboration to bolster AI capabilities. While skeptical early on, the author sees AI glasses as following the broader rise of AI assistants.