News 21 January 2026 - 22 January 2026

Intel talks stall as AI chip startup SambaNova hunts up to $500 million in fresh funding
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Intel talks stall as AI chip startup SambaNova hunts up to $500 million in fresh funding

SambaNova is seeking $300 million to $500 million in new funding after takeover talks with Intel collapsed, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who also chairs SambaNova, is weighing whether Intel should invest further. A previous deal valued SambaNova at about $1.6 billion including debt. The company is pitching the round to tech firms and semiconductor manufacturers.
January 22, 2026
Bezos’ Blue Origin takes on Starlink with 5,408-satellite TeraWave network plan
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Bezos’ Blue Origin takes on Starlink with 5,408-satellite TeraWave network plan

Blue Origin announced plans to deploy TeraWave, a 5,408-satellite network for enterprise and government clients, starting in late 2027. The company says the system will deliver up to 6 terabits per second and has filed for FCC approval. TeraWave would join Amazon’s Leo network as a second Bezos-linked constellation, as SpaceX’s Starlink remains the market leader.
January 22, 2026
Northern Lights Tonight? NOAA says aurora could reach New York as solar storm lingers
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Northern Lights Tonight? NOAA says aurora could reach New York as solar storm lingers

NOAA extended geomagnetic storm warnings Wednesday after a rapid coronal mass ejection triggered by an X-class solar flare caused severe conditions. Auroras may be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California, with rare sightings in northern Italy and the UK. The storm reached G4 and S4 levels, threatening satellites, navigation, and polar flights. Forecasters say such intensity hasn’t been seen in over 20 years.
January 21, 2026
NASA’s Suni Williams retires after Starliner saga, ending a record-setting run
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NASA’s Suni Williams retires after Starliner saga, ending a record-setting run

NASA confirmed astronaut Sunita Williams retired Dec. 27, 2025, after 608 days in space and a record 62 hours of spacewalks for a woman. Her final mission, intended to last a week, stretched to nine months due to Boeing Starliner issues, forcing her return on SpaceX. NASA will delay crewed Starliner flights until technical problems are fixed, relying solely on SpaceX for now.
January 21, 2026
Microsoft’s Precision Imaging Network gets a lung-cancer AI upgrade with Bristol Myers

Microsoft’s Precision Imaging Network gets a lung-cancer AI upgrade with Bristol Myers

Microsoft and Bristol Myers Squibb will deploy FDA-cleared AI tools through Microsoft’s Precision Imaging Network to help detect lung cancer earlier in U.S. hospitals, with a focus on rural and community clinics. The system integrates into existing radiology workflows, automatically scanning X-rays and CTs for lung nodules and non-small cell lung cancer. Over half of patients with incidental findings currently miss follow-up care.
January 21, 2026
NASA interrupts TESS survey to track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as SPHEREx spots stronger gases
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NASA interrupts TESS survey to track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as SPHEREx spots stronger gases

NASA redirected its TESS satellite to observe interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from Jan. 15–22, interrupting its regular schedule. SPHEREx data show the comet’s activity surged after its October perihelion, with emissions of carbon monoxide, water vapor, cyanide, and organics increasing sharply. 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is only the third known interstellar object. Data from the TESS campaign will be publicly released.
January 21, 2026
OnePlus shutdown rumors spread fast after Oppo “dismantling” report — India chief calls it “false”
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OnePlus shutdown rumors spread fast after Oppo “dismantling” report — India chief calls it “false”

OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu denied reports that the brand is shutting down, calling them “false” and “unverified” on X. The rumors began after Android Headlines claimed OnePlus is being dismantled by parent company Oppo, citing unnamed sources and declining shipments. OnePlus did not address staffing or product plans in its response.
January 21, 2026
Apple Fitness+ finally launches in Japan with Japanese dubbing, ¥980 price and free trials
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Apple Fitness+ finally launches in Japan with Japanese dubbing, ¥980 price and free trials

Apple launched its Fitness+ subscription service in Japan, offering guided workouts with Japanese subtitles and digitally dubbed audio for ¥980 per month or ¥7,800 per year. New users receive a one-month free trial, with up to three months free on select device purchases. Partner deals include Anytime Fitness memberships and promotions with au and UQ mobile. The service supports Family Sharing for up to five users.
January 21, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak dumps Qi2 magnetic power bank details and six colors ahead of February launch
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak dumps Qi2 magnetic power bank details and six colors ahead of February launch

Leaked images show Samsung’s EB-U2500 magnetic Qi2 power bank, built for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, with 5,000mAh capacity and 15W wireless charging. The S26 Ultra is rumored to launch in six colors, including Sky Blue and Cobalt Violet. Reports point to a Feb. 25 launch and early March sales, but Samsung has not confirmed details.
January 21, 2026
Which U.S. states really ban phones at school? A new report card ranks them as UK tightens rules
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Which U.S. states really ban phones at school? A new report card ranks them as UK tightens rules

North Dakota and Rhode Island received top grades for “phone-free” school policies in a new national report card released Tuesday. Tennessee earned a “C,” while Montana and South Dakota scored zero. Thirty-eight U.S. states now have laws or policies regulating student cellphone use, Ballotpedia said. Britain ordered schools to go “phone-free by default” this week and launched a consultation on children’s social media use.
January 21, 2026
Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up
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Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up

Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher and is considering ads in the free version, while Nova Launcher Prime will remain ad-free. Users and tech sites report ad tracking code and new ad permissions in the latest update, with some already seeing ads in the app drawer. Instabridge says Nova is not shutting down and is exploring paid tiers. The app now lists Instabridge as developer on Google Play.
January 21, 2026
Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours
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Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours

Apple restored App Store and Apple TV services late Tuesday after an outage disrupted downloads, purchases, and streaming for some users. Developer tools, iMessage, iCloud Mail, and Apple Maps Traffic were also affected. Apple resolved the issues by about 11:04 p.m. ET but did not specify a cause. All services were operating normally early Wednesday, according to Apple’s status page.
January 21, 2026
China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety
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China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety

A Chinese app known as “Are You Dead Yet?” requires users to tap a button daily or it alerts an emergency contact after two missed days. The app’s viral growth follows a high-profile solitary death in Shanghai and rising concern over people living alone, with single-person households topping 100 million in 2024. Developers plan to rebrand the app globally after backlash over its blunt name.
January 21, 2026
Technology News 21.01.2026
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Technology News 21.01.2026

Microsoft unveiled Rho-alpha, its first robotics model from the Phi series, capable of translating natural language into robot control signals for bimanual tasks. Rho-alpha is being tested on dual-arm and humanoid platforms, with early access applications open and a release planned via Microsoft Foundry. A study of over 20,000 US adults found daily personal use of AI chatbots linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers reported a dose-response effect and warned AI is
January 21, 2026
Honor Magic 8 Pro reviews call it a Galaxy S26 Ultra rival — but you might not be able to buy it
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Honor Magic 8 Pro reviews call it a Galaxy S26 Ultra rival — but you might not be able to buy it

Honor’s Magic 8 Pro, featuring a 200MP telephoto camera and OLED display, launched in parts of Europe and Asia but not North America. Reviews praise its camera and battery but note quirks in software and display, including erratic auto-brightness. Specs and battery size vary by region. Pricing in Singapore starts at S$1,499.
January 21, 2026
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