Innovation 7 December 2025 - 3 January 2026

SpaceX will attempt its first Starlink launch since a December 17 anomaly disabled satellite 35956, with Falcon 9 set to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 1:07 a.m. EST. Engineers have issued software updates after the incident, which left the satellite largely intact but produced debris expected to reenter soon.

A woman says she was dehumanized after Grok AI was used to digitally remove her clothes, according to the BBC. UK authorities are moving to ban such nudification tools, with possible prison terms and fines. XAI, the maker of Grok, did not comment beyond an auto-reply. Ofcom says platforms must assess risk and remove illegal content but has not confirmed investigations into X or Grok.

Nubia launched the RedMagic 11 Pro+ Golden Saga edition in China, featuring a gold-plated vapor chamber, carbon fiber rear, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. Apple is preparing for leadership changes in 2026, with Tim Cook expected to move to chairman and a new CEO set to take over.

Gizmodo named pop-out mobile controllers, 360-camera drones, and Soundpeats Air5 Pro+ earbuds among December’s top gadgets. Lorenz and DS STREAM used AI and advanced analytics to overhaul category management in FMCG, replacing traditional BI with predictive models. A widely promoted AI translator failed tests, and CES 2026 is expected to highlight new TVs, laptops, and AR glasses.

Nvidia said three years of US export controls on AI chips have cost US taxpayers billions and strengthened foreign competitors, including China. Xiaomi unveiled the 17 Ultra with a Leica-powered triple camera and 1-inch sensor, priced around $950. Riot Games’ 2XKO is set for a console launch on January 20, 2026, according to a leaked trailer. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 is expected in early 2026, with leaks showing minor design and camera upgrades.

LG will debut its canvas-style Gallery TV at CES 2026, featuring Mini LED panels, customizable magnetic frames, and a Gallery+ art subscription. The TV offers 4K resolution, generative AI for custom images, and glare reduction, targeting rivals like Samsung’s The Frame.

Security researchers report active exploitation of MongoBleed (CVE-2025-14847), a critical MongoDB flaw allowing unauthenticated remote data leaks. Censys estimates 87,000 vulnerable servers worldwide, with a working exploit circulating since December 26. Patches are available. Organizations are urged to update and monitor systems.

Nvidia will pay nearly $20 billion to license Groq's AI chip technology, its largest deal to date. Groq CEO Jonathan Ross and key engineers will join Nvidia as part of the agreement. The move comes as tech giants ramp up investments in AI infrastructure.

IO Interactive has delayed 007: First Light to May 27, 2026, citing the need for further polishing. Nvidia will enforce a 100-hour monthly cap for paid GeForce Now members starting in 2026, requiring extra payment for additional hours. Pre-orders for 007: First Light are open, with a standard edition at $69.99 and a special edition at $299.99.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold is now on sale in the UAE through Etisalat for 11,999 AED ($3,267), with online stock sold out and limited in-store supply. The device, first launched in Korea on December 12, is set to reach the US, Singapore, Taiwan, and China in the coming weeks.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said doubling computing power could double company revenue, citing compute as the main bottleneck. Enterprise API revenue now exceeds consumer products, with over a million enterprise users. Altman described OpenAI’s shift toward an enterprise AI platform in a podcast interview.

China approved its first Level-3 autonomous vehicle models on Dec. 15, excluding Tesla while listing domestic brands like Changan and Arcfox. Regulators tightened standards on safety, data, and system integration, reclassifying Tesla’s technology and requiring further compliance. Larian Studios’ CEO denied plans to use AI in the final Divinity game after backlash, stating all content will remain human-made.

Nvidia’s H200 AI chip export approval is expected to boost China’s cloud providers including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance, analysts say. The H200 outperforms Nvidia’s H20 and domestic chips, but Huawei and Moore Threads remain in the race. Huawei’s Ascend 910C and Alibaba’s PPU 2.0 are cited as emerging local competitors, though scaling remains unclear. The move may expand cloud capacity rather than favor one supplier.

Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max will launch with a rear secondary display, 7,500mAh battery, and 100W charging, while the 17 Ultra is rumored to feature a 1-inch camera sensor. Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold introduces a tri-fold design with three screens. Reviewers report Android music apps remain cluttered with ads and subscriptions, lagging behind iPhone in user experience.

Amazon has removed AI-generated Video Recaps from Prime Video after viewers found factual errors in a Fallout recap. The feature, launched in November, was being tested on several series. The Fallout season two page no longer shows the recap, and no video recaps are available on the web. Amazon has not issued a public statement.

Porsche unveiled the 911 GT3 90 F.A. Porsche, limited to 90 units and priced at $387,000, honoring Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. Samsung Galaxy Watch models, including the Watch8 and Watch Ultra, saw significant price drops for a limited time. Cornell professors José F. Martínez and Mor Naaman were named ACM Distinguished Members. Fortnite returned to the Google Play Store after five years amid ongoing legal action.

D-Wave Quantum announced its Qubits 2026 Quantum Computing User Conference for January 27-28 in Boca Raton, Florida, with a virtual livestream offered. Meta will cut Reality Labs costs by 30% in January, shifting focus to gaming and a high-end Quest 4. AYANEO unveiled the Pocket PLAY gaming phone with a built-in gamepad, launching via Kickstarter with no specs or pricing disclosed.

Apple seeded a second iOS 26.2 release candidate, build 23C54, ahead of public rollout. U.S. Attorneys General urged Apple, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft to strengthen AI safeguards, citing child safety and privacy concerns. Reddit began limited testing of grey checkmark verification for notable users. Minecraft: Bedrock Edition launched new community challenges and announced a New Year's Marketplace sale.

Hinge CEO Justin McLeod is leaving to launch Overtone, an AI dating app backed by Match Group, with Jackie Jantos taking over as Hinge chief. AirPods Pro 3 dropped to $219.99, matching their all-time low, while Silent Hill F for PS5 and other gadgets also see discounts. Vivo partnered with National Geographic to showcase the X300 series’ camera in India’s wild terrains. Apple’s iOS 26 update introduces a Liquid Glass redesign and new AI features.

Tesla shares have climbed over 40,000% since its 2010 IPO, outpacing many tech peers. The company expanded beyond vehicles into charging, solar, and home storage, with investors watching future bets on self-driving and robotics. Amazon, Apple, and NVIDIA also posted major gains since their IPOs, each building global businesses in different tech sectors.