Technology News 02.12.2025

China Claims 1 Gbps Laser Downlink from GEO, 5x Starlink, Using 2W Transmitter

December 2, 2025, 8:14 PM EST. Chinese researchers say they achieved a 1 Gbps laser downlink from a geostationary satellite using a 2-watt transmitter, potentially delivering fiber-like speeds from space. If scalable, this would put laser-based satellite internet well above today's RF links (Starlink tops ~200 Mbps). The team credits an AO-MDR synergy-combining Adaptive Optics to correct turbulence with Mode Diversity Reception to recapture scattered light-for maintaining high data integrity through the atmosphere. The work by Professor Wu Jian (Peking University of Posts and Telecommunications) and Liu Chao (Chinese Academy of Sciences) is experimental, but it hints at a future where optical links could bypass RF bottlenecks and improve efficiency (satellites typically use 1,000-1,500 watts). Challenges remain, including atmospheric variability and system scaling, before widespread GEO laser internet becomes practical.

Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max Impresses With 100km Zoom Shots: Dual Telephoto Cameras and 100x Digital Zoom

December 2, 2025, 8:12 PM EST. A Weibo tipster tests the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max and its zoom prowess, capturing landmark China Zun (CITIC Tower) from about 105km away in Tianjin. Despite the vast distance, the results reportedly stay sharp and detailed. The phone sports a dual telephoto system (50MP + 50MP) with 4x and 6.2x optical zoom, delivering a combined zoom of 12.4x, plus a 100x digital zoom to preserve image quality at extreme reach. The tester attributes the performance to an extremely long telephoto setup, excellent visibility, and an advanced camera kit. Share your thoughts on whether these shots are worthy of attention.

How AI Is Transforming Work at Anthropic: An Internal Look at AI-Augmented Engineering

December 2, 2025, 7:56 PM EST. An August 2025 study of 132 Anthropic engineers and researchers, plus 53 in-depth interviews and Claude Code usage data, shows that AI use is radically reshaping the daily work of software teams. The gains include faster progress, broader skill sets, and higher learning and iteration speed, with engineers becoming more full-stack and tackling previously neglected tasks. But tensions emerge: risk of eroding deep technical competence, greater reliance on supervising Claude outputs, and shifts in collaboration that could hollow out face-to-face mentorship. Anthropic's perspective is privileged-early access to cutting-edge tools in a stable AI field-but the findings may foreshadow broader societal change. At the time, Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4 were the top models. The post outlines initial steps and policy considerations in the Looking Forward and policy discussions.

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-95 Mission From Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

December 2, 2025, 7:54 PM EST. SpaceX has launched the Starlink 6-95 mission from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, continuing the company's rapid deployment of the satellite internet constellation. The mission adds more Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit to expand coverage and reduce latency for users worldwide. Liftoff occurred on schedule, with satellites deployed into an optimized trajectory for global connectivity. The launch exemplifies SpaceX's ongoing cadence of Starlink missions and commitment to expanding access to high-speed internet. Ground teams reported a smooth countdown and successful deployment, with tracking set to monitor satellite health and orbital positioning.

Apple Music Replay 2025: Top Songs, Artists, and Personal Insights

December 2, 2025, 7:42 PM EST. Apple Music rolled out its 2025 Replay on December 2, highlighting users' most played songs, albums, and artists of the year, plus year-end charts. The No. 1 song across the platform's Top Songs of 2025: Global is Rosé and Bruno Mars' APT., a track released in 2024, which also leads the Top 100: Shazam, Global Radio, and Lyrics charts. Tyler, the Creator is named 2025 Artist of the Year, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA shine with multiple entries. Lola Young breaks through UK and global charts with Messy. Apple Music also adds personalized data like Discovery, Loyalty, and Comebacks, plus total minutes, favorite genres, and listening streaks. Access requires iOS 18.1 on iPhone.

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son cried while offloading Nvidia stake to fund AI bets

December 2, 2025, 7:40 PM EST. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son revealed he was crying when SoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake for $5.83 billion, saying he'd rather not sell a single share but needed cash to invest in AI projects like OpenAI and related ventures. The move, part of strengthening SoftBank Vision Fund's liquidity, accompanies aggressive AI bets, including Stargate data centres and Ampere Computing. Son stressed confidence in Nvidia despite the sale and hinted SoftBank could enlarge its OpenAI stake if valuations permit. The remarks address concerns about an AI bubble while Son argues AI could contribute a significant portion of global GDP in the long run.

Amazon's Nova Forge Lets Cloud Clients Customize AI Models Mid-Training for $100K/Year

December 2, 2025, 7:36 PM EST. Amazon Web Services' Nova Forge lets organizations customize AI models in training, enabling customers to inject their own data earlier in the process. The service costs $100,000 per year and does not include expert assistance. Clients can refine open-weight models and tailor models via training data on AWS, without Amazon performing the work. While building a large language model from scratch can cost hundreds of millions or more, Nova Forge offers a more affordable path, running through Bedrock for on-cloud deployment. Internal AWS teams, Reddit, Booking.com, Nimbus Therapeutics, Nomura, and Sony are among users. Market context from Menlo Ventures places Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta ahead of Amazon Nova in enterprise LLM share. At AWS Reinvent, Nova 2 Pro was introduced as a new reasoning model with strong early performance.

Apple Music Replay 2025 Returns with Deeper Listening Stats and Shareable Highlights

December 2, 2025, 7:34 PM EST. Apple Music Replay 2025 returns with expanded listening stats, letting you see your new artists, the ones you revisited, and who made a comeback in your year of music. The update is accessible in-app (and at replay.music.apple.com), and adds details like your most-listened-to songs, total artists, top genres, and how much time spent listening. A shareable highlight reel lets you post to Instagram or TikTok. The feature joins similar year-in-review options from YouTube Music and Amazon Music, and comes ahead of a potential Spotify Wrapped drop. There's also an artist Replay with listener growth and year-over-year performance. To check yours, open Apple Music and go to Replay on the homepage.

Massive Samsung Galaxy S26 leak reveals key specs for S26 family

December 2, 2025, 7:30 PM EST. With 2025 nearly over, Ice Universe leaks reveal three Galaxy S26 models: the standard S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The trio centers on a chipset upgrade to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600, plus a battery boost and refined optics. Base storage on the S26 reportedly drops the 128GB tier, with 256/512GB options across the lineup. Displays span 6.2-6.3" for the S26, 6.7" for the Plus, and 6.9" for the Ultra, all at 1-120Hz with 2,600 nits brightness. RAM stays at 12GB on base models, with the Ultra offering 12/16GB. The main camera remains 50MP on the S26, while the Ultra gains a larger 3x Telephoto sensor. Battery capacities rise to 4,300mAh (S26), 4,900mAh (Plus), and 5,000mAh (Ultra), with charging up to 60W on the Ultra and 45W on the others. Colors aren't confirmed yet.

Muon Space's FireSat Aims for Global Wildfire Detection With Starlink and Zinc-Propulsion

December 2, 2025, 7:28 PM EST. Muon Space, a California startup that builds small-satellite constellations, is reimagining wildfire response with FireSat. In collaboration with Google and the Earth Fire Alliance, FireSat aims to observe every point on Earth twice daily and every 20 minutes in fire-prone regions, cutting detection lag from hours to minutes. The FireSat Pathfinder launch validated the system's ability to detect fires, map spread, and deliver actionable intelligence to first responders. By 2029, a 52-satellite network should reach full capacity by 2030, backed by Muon's zinc-fueled propulsion from Starlight Engines and data delivery via Starlink terminals. A SpaceX deal enables ultra-fast, ground-station-free transmission, accelerating real-time wildfire response.

AI-Driven Dynamic Targeting Enables Cloud-Free Satellite Imaging for Space Missions

December 2, 2025, 7:26 PM EST. SpaceNews' Icon Awards highlight Space-Tech advances, including NASA JPL's Dynamic Targeting which lets satellites adjust in flight using AI and edge processing to acquire cloud-free imagery. The system analyzes ahead along an orbital path, considers Earth's rotation and curvature, and tasks sensors to re-point within 50-90 seconds. Collaborations with UK startup Open Cosmos and Irish startup Ubotica Technologies used CogniSat-6's hyperspectral sensor to detect clouds and guide the payload. This approach promises more flexible, efficient missions where satellites can focus on thermal anomalies, wildfires, or volcanic activity. As Chien notes, future missions may routinely operate with this targeted, on-the-fly decision-making, transforming how we gather Earth observation data.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Gets Mega Lucario Z and Mewtwo Side Mission Ahead of Mega Dimension DLC

December 2, 2025, 7:24 PM EST. Game Freak reveals Mega Lucario Z and adds a Mewtwo side mission plus Mystery Gift rewards in Pokémon Legends: Z-A ahead of the Mega Dimension DLC launching December 10. Before starting the new quest, players can grab Mewtwonite X and Mewtwonite Y via Mystery Gift to evolve Mewtwo into Mega Mewtwo X/Y. The Lumiose mission then leads to a fight and catch of the legendary, adding it to your party. A new trailer showcases Mega Lucario Z, exclusive to the upcoming DLC. The Mega Dimension DLC arrives December 10 for $29.99 on Switch 2 and Switch. Fans can revisit earlier reveals like Mega Zeraora while awaiting hands-on with the new content. What do you think of Mega Lucario Z's design?

Three friends launch an AI startup and vow a beer pact if it fails

December 2, 2025, 7:22 PM EST. Three best friends launch an AI startup, risking it all on bold ideas and hard work. The trio built a company from scratch, chasing product-market fit, customer wins, and funding challenges while keeping their friendship intact. In a playful twist, they've vowed to drink one beer if the venture collapses, signaling their commitment to transparency and shared fate. The story sheds light on startup life in AI, balancing ambition with risk, resilience with humor, and the human side of tech entrepreneurship.

Cyber Monday 75-inch+ TV Deals Still Available – Big Screens at Bargain Prices Before the Sale Ends

December 2, 2025, 7:20 PM EST. Looking for a blockbuster-screen experience? These Cyber Monday offers cover 75-inch and larger TVs with top-tier HDR support. The model features an AI Light Sensor that adjusts brightness to your room and compatibility with multiple HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG. Dolby Vision delivers scene-by-scene optimization, while HDR10+ Adaptive tailors brightness to your space so you don't need to block out the sun. HDR10 remains the standard for most content, and HLG targets live broadcasts like sports. Save a substantial amount – up to $1,281 off the regular price – with the lowest price ever. Don't miss this chance to upgrade to a cinematic large-screen experience before deals end.

Evangelion: Δ Cross Reflections Opens In-Person Focus Group Tests Across US and Japan

December 2, 2025, 7:14 PM EST. Evangelion: Δ Cross Reflections is inviting in-person focus group tests across the US and Japan this month. The VR game, based on Neon Genesis Evangelion, will explore a new story set around episodes 1-11 and centers on an original pilot character. Pixelity Inc. announced that applications are now open via the game's X account. Japan's session runs December 19-21 in Tokyo, while the United States hosts a single day on December 19 in California. The tests support VR and mixed reality gameplay and mark the first installment in a planned trilogy covering all 26 episodes. A public demo is planned for the first half of 2026, with platforms to be announced.

Cosmonaut Removed from SpaceX Crew 12 Over ITAR Violations, Report Says

December 2, 2025, 7:08 PM EST. A Russian cosmonaut, Oleg Artemyev, was removed from SpaceX's Crew 12 after allegedly violating ITAR and other national security rules, according to The Insider. The decision reportedly came as he was reassigned to another job, but Roscosmos noted the change as a routine personnel transfer. The Insider says an interdepartmental investigation was launched after Artemyev allegedly photographed SpaceX documentation and used his phone to export classified information during training at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. Crew 12 is a NASA contract mission to the ISS scheduled no earlier than Feb. 15; Artemyev's replacement is Andrei Fedyaev, who will fly with ESA's Sophie Adenot and two unnamed astronauts. NASA and SpaceX had not commented at publication. The Insider's reporting cites Telegram channels and launch analyst Gregory Trishkin.

One UI 8 Watch update arriving soon for Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro

December 2, 2025, 7:02 PM EST. Samsung's One UI 8 Watch update is headed to the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro after the beta closed on Dec. 1 in the U.S. and Korea. A public rollout should arrive in the coming days or weeks. The update fuses Wear OS 6 improvements with Samsung tweaks such as Bedtime Guidance, Antioxidant Index, and the Now Bar. The AI-powered Running Coach is also making its way to older models. To update, go to Watch settings > Watch software update > Download and install. Rollouts are regional, but Samsung typically pushes the public build soon after beta ends.

Marvell in Talks to Acquire AI Startup Celestial AI; Shares Rise

December 2, 2025, 7:00 PM EST. Marvell Technology shares rose about 2% after reports that the chipmaker is in advanced discussions to acquire Celestial AI, an AI startup known for its Photonic Fabric optical interconnect technology. The deal could be worth multibillion-dollar range, potentially topping $5 billion, according to sources cited by The Information. A formal agreement could come as early as this week. Celestial, based in Santa Clara, has raised roughly $520 million and aims to speed data movement between processors and memory while reducing energy use. Investors include Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan on Celestial's board, with backers such as AMD, Samsung Catalyst Fund, BlackRock, and Fidelity. Any deal would broaden Marvell's position in enterprise AI hardware and interconnects, subject to due diligence.

SteamOS 8GB GPUs hit RAM bottleneck; Valve works on fixes for Steam Machine

December 2, 2025, 6:58 PM EST. Valve's Steam Machine targets 1080p-1440p and occasional 4K via FSR, but 8GB GPUs are hitting a RAM bottleneck. In current SteamOS betas, GPUs like the RX 7600 and RX 7600 XT struggle more than Windows 11 at the same settings. The 8GB RX 7600 especially shows tighter memory ceilings, while the 16GB RX 7600 XT fares better. Valve says it's working on fixes, and a stable Steam Machine platform could spill over to other hardware with similar configurations. Progress is welcome, but substantial work remains to address memory-bound performance as developers optimize for SteamOS.

Indiana government site briefly hosted AI deepfake porn instructions; content removed; policy crackdown underway

December 2, 2025, 6:52 PM EST. Documents with instructions to create AI deepfake sexual images were briefly hosted on Indiana's state government site and surfaced via Google searches. The files, found on the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) portals, were not the result of a hack; officials cited bot activity and have since removed most items and are working to purge them from search results. The incident involved government public portals and search indexing, with Granicus not implicated. Indiana's 2024 law makes creating or distributing non-consensual deepfake porn a misdemeanor, and federal law also targets revenge porn. The state continues auditing and monitoring to prevent future disclosures and restore search results.

TSA Warns Don't Use Free Public Wi-Fi: Evil-Twin Attacks Target Smartphones

December 2, 2025, 6:26 PM EST. Travelers are urged to skip free public Wi-Fi after Google flagged messaging attacks and unencrypted networks, echoing a warning from TSA. An evil twin access point can imitate a legitimate network, luring users to connect and funneling data to attackers. Recent reports describe an in-flight setup where such attackers captured personal material aboard a plane. While much traffic on public networks is encrypted, an evil twin attack can bypass that protection by routing traffic through the attacker's server. Experts note that attackers use readily available tools to create convincing APs in airports, hotels, and cafés. With holiday travel underway, readers should avoid unknown networks and verify before login to reduce risk.

IDC projects global smartphone shipments to fall in 2026 as memory costs rise

December 2, 2025, 6:24 PM EST. IDC projects global smartphone shipments to decline 0.9% in 2026 as memory chip prices stay high and average selling prices climb to a record $465. The downturn follows a stronger 2025, with shipments up 1.5% to about 1.25 billion units, driven by Apple's strong performance and a rebound in China. Apple is on track for a record year in 2025, with shipments rising about 6.1% to 247 million units, backed by demand for the iPhone 17 series. In China, iPhone demand pushes Apple's regional share above 20%. IDC notes the 2026 decline reflects component shortages and Apple delaying its next base iPhone model to early 2027, which could curb iOS shipments by more than 4%. Total market value could hit a record $578.9B.

iOS 26 adds screenshot-powered event creation to Apple Calendar

December 2, 2025, 6:22 PM EST. With iOS 26, Apple tails its OS with a new way to turn screenshots into events. The update adds a 'Add to Calendar' button to the fullscreen screenshot UI whenever a calendar event appears. Using Apple Intelligence, the event details in your image are converted into an actionable calendar entry you can preview, then tap Create Event or Edit to adjust the details (such as which calendar to use). The feature appears only in the default fullscreen mode, not the thumbnail view. It pairs best with the Apple Calendar app, though you can link third-party calendars via Settings. For fans of screenshot workflows, this offers a compelling new advantage for Apple's built-in calendaring experience.

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket from Florida's Coast

December 2, 2025, 6:20 PM EST. SpaceX successfully launches the Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's coast, marking a notable milestone in commercial spaceflight. The article underscores the mission's implications for satellite deployment and rapid reusability. Additionally, WKMG highlights its commitment to innovation, detailing how it uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance news gathering, reporting, and presentation. The piece offers a glimpse into how AI tools can streamline newsroom workflows while bringing readers the latest aerospace milestones.

Inmarsat Maritime Expands NexusWave Capacity With ViaSat-3 and Intellian VS60

December 2, 2025, 6:12 PM EST. Inmarsat Maritime will dramatically expand its NexusWave bonded connectivity with new capacity from the ViaSat-3 network. The VS60 maritime terminal, built by Intellian, will enable enterprise networking and video streaming onboard. The second ViaSat-3 satellite is set to more than double the capacity of Viasat's network, with the satellite en route to cover the Americas; a third satellite will cover the Asia-Pacific region. NexusWave blends capacity from GEO Ka-band, LEO, LTE, and L-band into a single, intelligent solution. Viasat CFO Gary Chase noted a large base of orders to be installed and ongoing installations; as of the latest quarter, total installed vessels across Inmarsat Maritime stood at 13,650. The joint focus remains reliability, security, and scalable capacity for global fleets.

Iridium Secures Up to $85.8M Space Force Contract for EMSS Ground Upgrades

December 2, 2025, 6:10 PM EST. Iridium has won a contract from the U.S. Space Force worth up to $85.8 million to modernize the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) ground service center. The award, issued by Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office, is a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract named System Infrastructure Transformation and Hybridization (SITH). It is one of three core contracts for EMSS, the program that provides unlimited voice and narrowband data across the Iridium network. The SITH effort will upgrade the EMSS ground infrastructure, with security enhancements and lifecycle updates, and acts as a successor to the 2019 Gateway Evolution contract. Iridium says the award reflects a broader trend of the military turning to industry for resilient satellite communications, as executives highlight serving every layer of the warfighter's P.A.C.E. plan.

To AI or Not to AI? A History Professor Questions Its Role in College Learning

December 2, 2025, 6:08 PM EST. A college history professor argues that relying on AI in the classroom can erode critical thinking and authentic learning, framing the present debate about whether students should embrace or limit AI tools. The piece explores how AI can change assignment design, assessment, and the student experience, highlighting concerns about plagiarism, shallow understanding, and diminished writing discipline. It also invites readers to consider the attitudes of college students toward the question: do they value independent analysis, or do they want quick, AI-assisted answers? The conversation touches on broader questions about policy and pedagogy in higher education, urging educators to balance innovation with foundational skills. A sponsor message accompanies the piece.

Google tests AI-generated headlines in Discover, fueling debate over editorial control

December 2, 2025, 5:50 PM EST. Google is running a small UI experiment in Discover that replaces original headlines with AI-generated headlines. The Verge's Sean Hollister reports this can turn stories into misleading, four-word clickbait, often without disclosure that AI rewrites headlines. Examples cited include Steam Machine price revealed and AMD GPU tops Nvidia, which misstate the articles' content. Some headlines are passably informative ('Origami model wins prize'), but many lack context and strip editors of agency to market their work. The piece argues headlines should responsibly encapsulate the news and help readers understand why it matters. Google's experiment raises questions about transparency, editorial control, and the balance between automation and journalistic integrity in Discover.

Google's AI Race Strategy: Hyper-Personalization Across Gmail, Maps, and Beyond

December 2, 2025, 5:40 PM EST. Google is betting that the next wave of AI dominance hinges on hyper-personalization. Robby Stein says people use AI mainly for advice and recommendations, so Google aims to know you better to be uniquely helpful. The plan would let Gemini models tap connected services like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Maps to build a detailed profile of your likes and routines, enabling targeted product suggestions and seamless task execution. Gemini is already embedded in Workspace apps, YouTube, WhatsApp, Spotify, and a newly launched Chrome with an agentic AI that can browse and act on your behalf. The vision envisions ongoing conversations rather than isolated searches, with the AI remembering preferences across apps. Some queries remain non-personalized, but the move signals a broader shift toward assistant-like search.

Amazon bets on real-world AI utility over benchmarks with Nova Forge at re:Invent

December 2, 2025, 5:36 PM EST. Amazon's AI chief Rohit Prasad shifts focus from leaderboard fever to real-world utility. At AWS re:Invent, Amazon unveiled Nova Forge, a service letting firms train custom AI models using Amazon's Nova checkpoints across pre-training, mid-training, and post-training. The goal: enable domain-specific customization without building from scratch or risking regression, by letting teams inject proprietary data early when learning capacity is highest. Forge aims to democratize frontier model development at a fraction of prior costs, relaxing the need to fine-tune closed models or train from scratch. This move fits Amazon's pattern of turning internal tools into external services, with Reddit already adopting Forge for safety models trained on decades of moderation data.

Colorado awarded $420.6M by federal government for fast rural internet under BEAD program

December 2, 2025, 5:34 PM EST. Colorado Broadband Office said the federal government approved the state's reworked BEAD plan totaling $420.6 million, about half the original award, with an estimated 96,000 Coloradans set to benefit. The final proposal was rewritten after June rules changes under the Trump administration that deprioritized fiber in favor of wireless or satellite and required the lowest-priced option meeting minimum speeds, per the NTIA. The plan would let providers build out speeds of at least 100 Mbps down / 20 Mbps up. Colorado's initial award was $826.5 million in 2023, later trimmed as parts of the program shifted to satellite providers like Amazon (Project Kuiper) and Starlink, to serve substantial shares of households. Fiber subsidies could reach up to $13,000 per location, with tribal spots around $13,355.

Best Cyber Monday tablet deals 2025: Tracking 15+ live sales

December 2, 2025, 5:30 PM EST. Cyber Monday returns after Black Friday with the biggest tablet discounts of the year. This roundup tracks 15+ tablet deals still live, highlighting those at 20% off or more and those rarely on sale. Our process combines price trackers, customer reviews, and hands-on testing to verify the discount and value. The piece explains when Cyber Monday sales run and why tablets like the iPad and Kindle often see their deepest discounts during this week. The goal is to help shoppers compare offers, avoid fatigue, and snag deals before they sell out. Expect updated picks as new price drops appear throughout the week.

Honor Magic 6, Magic 5, and 400 Series to Get Separate Charging Feature in Upcoming Update

December 2, 2025, 5:28 PM EST. Honor has announced a separate charging feature for the Magic 6, Magic 5, and 400 series to improve gaming performance. The feature temporarily suspends charging during task-intensive gaming, reducing heat and stabilizing performance, then automatically resumes charging once a user-defined threshold is reached. The update will first roll out to the Magic 6 and 400 series by late December or early 2026, with expansion to the Magic 5 series and other models later. Users have welcomed the feature, noting improved battery health and sustained gameplay during charging. The move follows favorable feedback from earlier devices, signaling a broader rollout of charging separation across Honor's lineup and its growing focus on gaming experiences and longevity.

Android 16 lands with AI notification summaries, customization options, and parental controls for Pixel devices

December 2, 2025, 5:26 PM EST. Google's Android 16 rollout adds AI-powered notification summaries that condense long messages and automatically group chats into quick overviews, plus a new Notification organizer that silences low-priority alerts. The update expands customization with icon shapes, themed icons, and auto-darkening for apps without native dark themes. A new Parental Controls area lets parents set screen time limits and usage schedules. Additional features include Call Reason, a flag for time-sensitive calls; Expressive Captions that tag emotion in speech; improved controls to exit unwanted groups; Pinned tabs in Chrome; and Circle to Search with an AI Overview that flags suspicious messages. Accessibility gains include Guided Frame refinements in the Pixel camera app.

Android's Call Reason beta adds 'urgent' call flag for contacts

December 2, 2025, 5:24 PM EST. Android's Phone app is testing a new feature called Call Reason that lets you mark calls as urgent. The flag appears on the receiver's incoming call screen and in the caller's call history if the call isn't answered. It works only between people saved in your Contacts and only if both parties use Google's default Phone by Google app. Currently in beta and rolling out selectively, it aims to help you tell others when a conversation is time-sensitive without texting. Availability varies by manufacturer; you can update via Google Play Store and ensure the default calling app is set in Settings.

Google Pixel December Update Brings Android 16 QPR2 to Pixel 6-10

December 2, 2025, 5:22 PM EST. Google has released the December Pixel update, which is Android 16 QPR2, rolling out today to the Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 families. This is a substantial quarterly patch, with at least 32 bug fixes and noticeable changes, unlike last month's feature drop. If you joined the QPR2 Beta early, you've already been on this software since August. The update targets multiple devices across Global, EMEA, and Japan regions, with build numbers such as BP4A.251205.006 (Global) and variants like BP4A.251205.006.A1 (EMEA) or C1 in Japan. Google also notes 9 new Pixel features, and a full write-up is available. In short: expect performance refinements and fixes across Pixel 6-10 devices without any promotional ads this cycle.

Pixel December 2025 Update: Fixes 33 Issues, Battery Limit, UI Improvements, and Security Patches

December 2, 2025, 5:20 PM EST. Google's Pixel December 2025 update arrives alongside Android 16 QPR2, delivering bug fixes across Battery & Charging, Display, UI, System, and more. A key fix ensures the 80% charge limit is respected on all devices (and resolves a mystery battery status '?' icon). Pixel 10 series displays should no longer flash, go black, or freeze. The release also closes a large wave of security issues: 51 fixed in the 2025-12-01 patch and 56 in the 2025-12-05 patch, ranging from High to Critical severity, with a dedicated bulletin listing 28 extra fixes. Global, EMEA, and Japan regional builds for most Pixel models (from Pixel 6 to Pixel 10 Pro/Fold/Tablet) receive version BP4A.251205.006.

LoRaTube: Five-Year, Off-Grid LoRa Repeater in PVC Pipe Powered by D Cells

December 2, 2025, 5:18 PM EST. Bertrand Selva's LoRaTube packs a fully autonomous LoRa repeater into a weatherproof PVC pipe, with a stack of D-sized alkaline cells feeding a supercap-buffered power supply. Out the top sits the antenna, while the rest houses the radio, microcontroller, and supporting electronics. Thanks to ultra-low standby current, the rig is billed to last roughly five years on battery power, offering an off-grid, inexpensive alternative to solar-charged systems. The approach trades complexity for rugged simplicity: no solar controller, fewer failure points, but a higher upfront cell count (eighteen D-cells). Source code and CAD files live on the project page, and a video shows a range test.

Qilimanjaro Joins CERN Open Quantum Institute to Expand Global Access to Quantum Computing

December 2, 2025, 5:10 PM EST. Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech has joined CERN's Open Quantum Institute (OQI) to broaden global, responsible access to quantum computing. The move enables cloud access to its multimodal analog-digital platform via SpeQtrum Quantum-as-a-Service and supports OQI's education and outreach efforts under the Access for All pillar. The platform combines fluxonium superconducting analog qubits, digital QPUs, and classical HPC in a unified environment to democratize quantum tech. This partnership reinforces Qilimanjaro's roadmap of early quantum access through cloud and on-prem deployments, empowering users to co-design next-gen quantum applications. Through OQI, the initiative aims to accelerate applications for humanity and build capacity with global, neutral governance for responsible quantum development.

Tesla expands Semi sales team with hires from Windrose and rivals

December 2, 2025, 5:06 PM EST. Tesla is expanding its Tesla Semi sales team, hiring two industry veterans-Jason Gies and Mac Burns-to key roles in the heavy trucking division as it shifts toward volume production at Gigafactory Nevada. The moves signal a transition from pilot programs to a full-fledged sales infrastructure, with Tesla recruiting from rivals in electric trucking such as Windrose Technology, Navistar, and ABB E-mobility. The hires come as the company's Semi program remains delayed (now aiming for production in 2026), but indicate growing emphasis on selling and supporting the truck amid intensifying competition in the electric truck market.

Akamai Acquires Fermyon to Accelerate Edge Computing With WebAssembly

December 2, 2025, 5:04 PM EST. Edge provider Akamai is buying Fermyon to supercharge its WebAssembly-based edge compute. Spin translates source code to WebAssembly bytecode and runs it across target platforms, keeping WebAssembly's performance and security intact while abstracting underlying tech. WebAssembly has moved from browser sandbox to server-side execution, with WebAssembly 3.0 signaling a major unblock for enterprises. Production-grade compilers now support Rust, JavaScript, C, C++, Go and Python, with Java coming via Oracle and .NET in beta. Akamai joins Cloudflare and Fastly in leveraging WebAssembly at the edge, driven by demand for more powerful compute, better developer experience, and broader language support. The long-running partnership with Fermyon will deepen its edge offerings and broaden the range of languages and runtimes available at the network edge.

Elon Musk Warns Legacy Automakers Over Tesla FSD Licensing, Echoing EV Lessons

December 2, 2025, 5:02 PM EST. Elon Musk says he's warned legacy automakers and even offered to license Tesla's FSD, but they don't want it, highlighting resistance to disruptive autonomous driving tech. Tesla remains a leader in self-driving capabilities in the U.S., with a robust FSD suite aimed at broad coverage, while incumbents push in-house development. The stance echoes how traditional carmakers discounted EVs a decade ago, only to scramble later as demand grew. Musk's licensing push-via subscriptions, free trials, and pilots-has drawn limited interest amid concerns about cost, regulatory risk, and competitive dynamics. The piece underscores a familiar pattern: pioneers disrupt, others hesitate, then race to catch up as the landscape transforms.

Amazon unveils Trainium3, strengthens Nvidia ties as cloud capacity takes center stage

December 2, 2025, 5:00 PM EST. Amazon Web Services unveiled Trainium3, the latest in-house AI accelerator, at AWS Re:Invent 2025. AWS says it delivers four times more compute performance, energy efficiency, and memory bandwidth than prior generations, with early customer testing showing up to a 50% reduction in AI training and inference costs. Alongside Trainium, AWS is deepening ties with Nvidia and introduced AWS Factories-on-premise AI infrastructure that bundles Trainium accelerators with Nvidia GPUs to provide a full stack. The two-track approach aims to fuel cloud growth amid fierce competition from Microsoft and Google Cloud. As capacity constraints ease, investors see this as a potential tailwind; analysts call Trainium3 critical to closing the gap with rivals while accelerating AI deployment.

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z TriFold: A New Era of Foldable Mobile Innovation

December 2, 2025, 4:46 PM EST. Samsung unveils the Galaxy Z TriFold, its latest foldable phone engineered for the AI era. The device unfolds twice to reveal a 10-inch display, delivering seamless productivity for mobile work and immersive cinematic viewing. Built on an inward-folding design with a precise folding mechanism, it protects the main screen while offering smooth opening with on-screen alerts. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy, it features a 200MP camera and a 5,600 mAh three-cell battery with 45W fast charging across three panels to balance power. Samsung emphasizes decades of foldable innovation, aiming to balance portability, performance, and creativity in a single device.

Huawei-style chip stacking could help China rival Nvidia GPUs, expert says

December 2, 2025, 4:44 PM EST. China is pursuing chip self-sufficiency by pairing mature 14nm logic chips with high-performance memory and a new computing architecture. Wei Shaojun, VP of the China Semiconductor Industry Association and Tsinghua professor, outlined a 'software-defined near-memory computing' approach that stacks 14nm logic chips with 18nm DRAM using 3D hybrid bonding. The goal: rival Nvidia's 4nm GPUs for AI training while cutting cost and power. This mirrors Huawei's strategy of 'stacking and clustering' chips amid US export controls that hinder cutting-edge node production. If realized, the architecture could narrow the gap between older nodes and cutting-edge GPUs by leveraging memory bandwidth and novel architectures rather than node-for-node advances.

SpaceX begins redevelopment of Launch Complex 37 for Starship at Cape Canaveral

December 2, 2025, 4:42 PM EST. SpaceX has secured approval to redevelop Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to support the Starship/Super Heavy program. Construction on Space Complex 37 is underway, though no completion timeline was given. The project aims to enable missions for the Starship spacecraft to support NASA's Artemis program and future crewed missions to Mars. The Air Force approved the redeployment with mitigation to protect environmental impacts, and an additional assessment will examine effects on Florida aviation amid up to 76 annual launches and 152 booster landings. The site, tied to Apollo-era operations, remains a cornerstone of the region's space heritage, even as locals raise safety concerns. The FAA has proposed up to 44 Starship launches per year, with significant airspace and community disruptions.

Utah Gov. Cox launches 'pro-human AI' initiative amid federal regulation debate

December 2, 2025, 4:40 PM EST. Gov. Spencer Cox unveiled Utah's plan to deploy a 'pro-human AI' approach, arguing that state values should shape AI's development and use. The administration will launch a six-area initiative-workforce, industry, state government, academia, public policy, and learning-and create a pro-human AI academic consortium to spur human-centered breakthroughs. Utah will invest $10 million to develop curricula to ensure the workforce is AI-ready, with emphasis on energy and deep tech sectors like semiconductors and quantum computing. The plan expands AI use in state government, and lawmakers may pursue regulations to address transparency and privacy concerns. Cox argues government should not regulate development but must guard kids and data, while urging Congress to act; if not, states will lead.

Nvidia faces competitive pressures as Seaport reiterates sell rating on NVDA

December 2, 2025, 4:38 PM EST. Seaport's Jay Goldberg is the lone analyst with a sell rating on Nvidia (NVDA), setting a $140 target about 21% below Friday's close of $177. The stock has risen ~33% this year but slipped ~12% in the past month. Goldberg warns of opaque accounting and growing sales mechanisms, pointing to Nvidia's $26B pre-paid cloud compute expenses tied to R&D and DGX offerings as potentially rebate-like. He notes rising working capital but flags large investments and commitments to customers-$6B this year, another $17B, and an OpenAI deal that could add up to $100B-illustrating a widening competitive landscape. He also cites Google TPUs that may outperform Nvidia on some metrics. Still, the majority of analysts (59 of 66) maintain a strong buy/buy view on NVDA.

Native Union Debuts Fall/Winter 2025 iPhone 17 Case Range with Sustainable Materials

December 2, 2025, 4:36 PM EST. Native Union unveils its Fall/Winter 2025 range of iPhone 17 accessories, expanding the line with (Re)Classic Case, (Re)Classic Wallet, Active Case, and (Re)Clear Case options. Built with new high-endurance, animal-free materials containing 40% recycled content, they deliver stain- and water-resistance without sacrificing tactile feel. The lineup offers colors like Apricot Crush, Slate Green, Sandstone, and Black, plus Tan and Navy hues across models. The Active Case features a dotted design and precise camera controls, while the (Re)Classic Wallet/Wallet Stand pairs with magnetic attachments for card storage and phone stand. Native Union also introduces Rise Magnetic Qi2 Wireless Chargers to round out the ecosystem, with a case-friendly, wireless-charging-friendly setup.

Last Chance: Galaxy S25 Ultra Deals Vanish After Cyber Monday

December 2, 2025, 4:34 PM EST. Still shopping for one of the best Android phones? The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra remains on sale after Cyber Monday. This 256GB model runs a refreshed Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with integrated AI features, including Google Gemini and Galaxy AI, at a notable discount. The huge 6.9-inch Dynamic OLED 2x display peaks at 2,600 nits and supports the included S Pen for notes and doodling. Photographers get a strong camera setup: 200-MP main with optical image stabilization, 100x space zoom, plus a 50-MP ultrawide and a 10-MP telephoto. With the price near $900, this is a rare post-Cyber Monday deal that won't last, so act fast before these discounts vanish.

OnePlus 15 Pre-Orders Begin December 4 with Free Gifts and Trade-In Deals

December 2, 2025, 4:32 PM EST. Pre-orders for the OnePlus 15 kick off December 4 at 11am ET after FCC approval. Buyers get free gifts like a OnePlus Watch 3, Buds Pro 3, an AIRVOOC 50W charger, and a phone case. Trade-ins can fetch up to $899 top value, plus an instant $100 credit on any phone in any condition. At $899 price, the device offers strong battery life, top-tier specs for 2025/2026, and a premium feel, with a camera that's strong in certain conditions. It differentiates from Pixel/Galaxy, which may appeal to some buyers. Our full review notes the differences and helps weigh the purchase. Two days to go.

Apple makes iOS 26.1 the recommended default update for iPhone users on iOS 18

December 2, 2025, 4:30 PM EST. Apple is nudging iPhone users on iOS 18 to install the latest major release, iOS 26.1. Previously, iOS 26.x updates appeared behind an iOS 18.7 banner and required scrolling to see the newer option. Now the Software Update screen prominently features iOS 26.1, with iOS 18.7.2 relegated to an alternate version. Users may see a badge but must manually confirm the upgrade, even with Automatic Updates on. The shift comes ahead of iOS 26.2's imminent launch and the upcoming holiday break, signaling Apple's aim to broaden exposure to the latest software and address potential issues before the holidays. What's your experience with updating to iOS 26 so far?

Google Pixel December Patch Fixes 32 Issues Across Audio, Display, Battery, and More

December 2, 2025, 4:24 PM EST. Google's latest Pixel patch delivers 32 bug fixes across core areas, aiming to improve reliability for many users. The update targets issues in audio, battery and charging, Bluetooth, camera, and display/graphics, plus improvements to the framework, sensors, and system stability. Highlights include a fix for occasional audio crashes, a steadfast battery icon, and a more stable camera experience, along with fixes for screen flicker and freezes, and faster unlock from the Always-On Display. Other changes address Extra Dim toggling, memory management, PiP during display changes, and better network and emergency calling performance. Overall, the patch tightens reliability and polish across Pixel devices.

Peter Thiel Sells Nvidia, Bets on Microsoft and Apple After 13F Filing

December 2, 2025, 4:16 PM EST. Based on the latest 13F filing, billionaire Peter Thiel's hedge fund Thiel Macro dumped its entire Nvidia stake and redirected the proceeds into Microsoft and Apple. The move shows a shift away from AI-champion Nvidia amid AI-bubble chatter, even as Nvidia remains a leader in GPUs. Thiel bought 49,000 Microsoft shares, making up about 34.09% of his portfolio, while Apple also features in the new mix. Microsoft has integrated AI copilots into its software, boasts a strong cloud presence, and posted solid Q1 results: revenue $77.7B (up 18%), EPS $4.13, cloud revenue $49.1B (up 26%), Azure up 40%. Nvidia had fallen about 13% that month and traded near $179. Analysts debate AI demand and chip pricing, with questions about Nvidia's longer-term leadership.

Google Deploys Urgent Android Patch as Two Zero-Days Hit, 100+ Fixes in December Update

December 2, 2025, 4:14 PM EST. Google has issued a rapid Android security update after confirming two high-severity zero-days (CVE-2025-48633 and CVE-2025-48572) that could allow remote denial of service without extra privileges. The company will deliver new source code to OEMs within 48 hours, as part of December's bumper release that includes 100+ patches. The flaws affect Android's framework and are believed to be under limited, targeted exploitation; Google says no further details will be released until updates ship. The rollout marks a shift to omnibus quarterly updates, with some delay in Samsung devices compared to Pixel and iPhone. Users should follow OEM instructions and install the update ASAP, and consider upgrading if devices stop receiving security updates. Regulators like CISA typically add such flaws within 24-48 hours.

SpaceX cleared to redevelop Cape Canaveral launchpad for Starship operations

December 2, 2025, 4:10 PM EST. SpaceX has won approval from the Department of the Air Force to redevelop Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for Starship operations, marking a major expansion of the company's Florida launch footprint. The authorization allows construction, prelaunch activities, and flights at SLC-37 after an environmental review, with potential for up to 76 launches and 152 landings annually once the FAA completes its site analysis. SpaceX says it has already begun work on a three-pad Florida network to enable "airport-like operations" and to support national security missions and Artemis goals. Separately, Kennedy Space Center is building a Starship complex to host heavy-lift launches, with readiness anticipated in the coming year as the range adapts to growing demand.

Valve's Fex and SteamOS push to bring Windows games to Arm devices

December 2, 2025, 4:08 PM EST. Valve is quietly funding open-source tech to let Windows PC games run on Arm chips, potentially bringing Windows gaming to Arm phones, tablets, and laptops. In a conversation with The Verge, Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais explains that Valve has been funding open-source tools such as Proton and the Fex emulator to bridge x86 Windows software to Arm devices. The stack already powers the Steam Frame and could let developers avoid heavy porting work if successful. While the Steam Deck proved a Linux-based route works, this broader Arm push could normalize Windows games across devices-from mobile to desktop-under Valve's open-source leadership.

Amazon Rolls Back AI Anime Dubs After Public Backlash

December 2, 2025, 4:04 PM EST. Amazon Prime Video quietly rolled out a beta that generated AI dubs for several anime titles in English and Spanish, sparking a public furor over the quality and impact on human performers. The backlash prompted removal of many English-language dubs, with some Spanish versions remaining on a few titles as of writing. Industry observers note this as another reminder that heavy-handed generative AI integration can backfire publicly and reputationally. The incident echoes broader cautions around copyright and PR risk as studios like Disney contemplate AI features on streaming platforms, underscoring that consumer trust is fragile. io9 is seeking comment from Amazon and will update on responses.

Google Pixel Watch 4 at its lowest price yet – a standout smartwatch

December 2, 2025, 4:00 PM EST. Cyber Week deals linger: the Pixel Watch 4 is discounted up to 22%, with the 41mm Wi-Fi down to $300 and the 45mm model to $350; LTE variants match Wi-Fi pricing. After weeks of use, I'd pick it over the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel Watch 3 for style, brightness, and health features. It's bright (AMOLED, up to 3,000 nits), legible, and pairs with Gemini health coach and Fitbit data for sleep and activity insights. The battery life is solid, and Google and iFixit note the battery and display are replaceable, making it the most repairable smartwatch I've tried. If you're Android, this is a compelling all-around wearable.

Stock market signals Google is winning the AI race over OpenAI and Nvidia

December 2, 2025, 3:56 PM EST. The stock market is signaling that Google may be pulling ahead in the AI race. Alphabet and Broadcom shares are climbing as Google's new Gemini 3 AI model debuts, with proxies for OpenAI (via Nvidia and Microsoft) underperforming. Gemini 3 is said to match or exceed several ChatGPT/GPT benchmarks, and Google has rolled out its 7th-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), nicknamed Ironwood, with chatter that TPUs could be offered to external customers beyond Google Cloud. The market is pricing Gemini/TPU stocks at a premium to ChatGPT/GPU peers for the first time in years, suggesting investors see Google as leader. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned of a 'code red' to boost ChatGPT quality, while Nvidia faces concerns about Google's chips potentially eroding GPU dominance, aided by Meta exploring Google's chips.

OECD: Tariffs and AI Boom Test Global Economic Resilience

December 2, 2025, 3:54 PM EST. The OECD's Economic Outlook says global growth remains firmer than feared as an AI investment boom cushions tariff shocks, but risks persist from renewed trade tensions. It pegs global growth at about 3.2% in 2025, easing to 2.9% in 2026 and rebounding to 3.1% in 2027. The impact of US tariffs has been modest so far, but costs will rise as firms unwind inventories. The OECD also flags an unsustainable US fiscal trajectory-large deficits and rising debt that will require a step change. After adjustments, the forecast shows the US at ~2.0% in 2025 and 1.7% in 2026. Regional pictures vary: China around 5.0% in 2025, 4.4% in 2026; euro area 1.3% then 1.2%; Japan ~1.3% then 0.9%. Global trade growth slows from 4.2% to 2.3% as policy uncertainty persists; inflation converges toward targets by mid-2027.

Netflix Removes Casting from Most TVs and Smart Devices

December 2, 2025, 3:50 PM EST. Netflix says it is dropping support for casting from mobile devices to TVs and streaming devices. The company has not publicly stated the reason, but a Help page appears to push viewers to use built-in Netflix apps on TVs/devices. Some devices (older Chromecast models) and older app versions may still support casting, while others no longer show the Cast button. In testing, an LG TV that previously supported casting no longer does. Reports note that only users on non-ad-supported basic plans may access any remaining casting on older devices. The change comes as prices rise and churn grows in streaming, and Netflix did not immediately respond for comment.

YouTube Debuts Personal Video Recap With Personality Types and Trend Charts

December 2, 2025, 3:48 PM EST. YouTube launches a first-ever Recap for videos watched on the main service, offering up to 12 personalized cards that spotlight your top channels, interests, and evolving viewing habits. It also assigns a personality type to viewers, with labels like Skill Builder, Sunshiners, Trailblazers, Wonder Seeker, Connector, and Dreamer. Users can see their top artists and songs, while YouTube Music Recap handles deeper music insights. The feature rolls out first in North America with a global rollout this week. Recaps live on the homepage under the You tab on mobile and desktop. Trend charts showcase top creators (MrBeast), top podcast (The Joe Rogan Experience), and top song Die with a Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.

Nvidia: $100B OpenAI Investment Framework Not Finalized; Talks Continue

December 2, 2025, 3:46 PM EST. Nvidia says its agreement to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI is still in negotiation, with CFO Colette Kress emphasizing terms are not finalized. Speaking at the UBS Global Technology and AI Conference, Nvidia noted ongoing discussions since the September letter of intent. The proposed framework calls for deploying at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems capacity, aimed at powering more than 8 million U.S. homes. OpenAI is one of Nvidia's largest chip customers, alongside major cloud providers, and the deal would add to Nvidia's backlog beyond the currently disclosed $500 billion in chip bookings through 2026. Nvidia stock rose about 2.6% on the update. The plans follow scrutiny of AI investment structures; Nvidia has also pledged up to $10 billion to Anthropic.

Android 16 QPR2 rolls out with December 2025 security update to Pixel lineup

December 2, 2025, 3:44 PM EST. Google is rolling out the stable Android 16 QPR2 for a broad Pixel lineup with the December 2025 security patch. The rollout spans Pixel 6/6 Pro/6a, 7/Pro/7a, tablets, Fold, 8/8 Pro/8a, 9/9 Pro and XL variants, and the Pixel 10 family, reflecting Google's shift to more frequent OS updates. Key changes include lockscreen widgets accessed from a left feed, a new notification organizer that categorizes alerts, and Themed/Expressive icons via Material 3 Expressive. Long-press app icons add quick shortcuts; the Pixel Launcher search bar is tweaked for larger icons; Live Caption sits at the bottom of the volume control. Settings gain Notification history and separated Parental controls from Digital Wellbeing, plus bolder visuals and color tweaks. The goal: faster feature delivery with improved privacy and polish.

Raspberry Pi raises prices as AI-driven RAM demand spikes

December 2, 2025, 3:42 PM EST. Raspberry Pi is raising prices on several single-board computers, effective immediately, as demand for memory from the AI infrastructure boom pushes RAM costs higher. The Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 modules see price bumps ranging from $5 to $25 depending on model and RAM. The Compute Module 5 16GB variant climbs by $20 to start at $140. A new 1GB Raspberry Pi 5 variant arrives at $45. CEO Eben Upton notes the RAM pressure is driven by the AI rollout and says price increases should unwind once the pressure abates. While higher prices are unwelcome, the company emphasizes ongoing interest in affordable compute for hobbyists and developers, even as AI RAM demand persists across the industry.

Nvidia GPUs: Who Makes Them and Where They're Manufactured

December 2, 2025, 3:40 PM EST. Nvidia has grown from a fan favorite to a tech powerhouse, riding the AI hardware wave. Although Nvidia designs its chips and architecture, it relies on a global network of manufacturing partners to fabricate and assemble them. Key players include TSMC in Taiwan and Samsung in South Korea, along with other fabs and memory suppliers. After wafers are produced, they are diced into GPU dies and sent to AIBs such as ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and EVGA to receive memory, PCBs, cooling, and branding. The result are the finished Nvidia GPUs you see in stores, but stock and MSRP can be hard to come by due to high demand in AI and gaming.

IDC Forecast: Smaller iPhone 18 lineup signals shift for Apple in 2026-27

December 2, 2025, 3:38 PM EST. IDC's 2025 forecast suggests Apple may skip the traditional fall base iPhone launch, signaling a shift in 2026-27. The report shows strong iPhone 17 sales driving a 6.1% YoY rise, but it projects a 4.2% decline in iPhone shipments next year as Apple moves the base iPhone 18 launch to early 2027 and pairs it with the iPhone 18e. If so, next fall could feature only three flagship models: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold/Ultra, with the iPhone Air replacing the Plus. The change could boost revenue in 2026 despite shrinking shipments, with a rebound expected in 2027 as the base iPhone 18 and Air 2 debut. Market response remains uncertain as customers weigh price against new form factors.

Hurry: DJI Mavic 4 Pro Cyber Monday Deal – $500 Off While Stocks Last

December 2, 2025, 3:36 PM EST. Don't miss the Cyber Monday deal on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, still discounted by $500 and almost sold out. This top-tier drone packs three cameras with 6K video and 100MP stills, plus omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, Return to Home, and precise hover. With a top speed over 60 mph and a flight time ranging up to about 51 minutes, it delivers pro-grade footage and rock-solid performance. Space.com calls it one of the best drones on the market for serious flyers. Act fast-the last few units remain at the lowest-ever price before stock runs out.

Still-available Cyber Monday TV deals: Samsung S90F QD-OLED, LG B5 OLED, Hisense and more

December 2, 2025, 3:34 PM EST. Cyber Monday may be over, but a selection of top TV deals remains live. Highlights include Hisense U65QF (55-inch) for $398 at Amazon, with the 65/75/85-inch models at all-time lows, and a comparison note against TCL QM6K for contrast. The brighter Hisense U75QG (55-inch) at $498 brings mini-LED brightness and four HDMI 2.1 ports, though some reviews flag HDR and motion drawbacks. The budget-friendly LG B5 (55-inch) at $897 offers classic OLED contrast and wide angles with a 120Hz panel. Higher-end picks include the Samsung S90F with a QD-OLED panel. For gamers, watch for late-season savings, including streaming gear.

BJP Defends Sanchar Saathi as Security App, Rejects Snooping Claims

December 2, 2025, 3:32 PM EST. The BJP dismissed allegations that the Sanchar Saathi app would enable surveillance, stressing it is a tool to enhance security for mobile devices and users, not to access personal data. Spokesperson Sambit Patra said the app has helped detect and disconnect about 1.75 crore fraudulent connections, trace around 26 lakh stolen/missing phones, and recover 7.5 lakh devices. He argued the app cannot read messages, listen to calls, or extract personal data, and installation is optional. Sanchar Saathi supports reporting suspicious calls, blocking spam, recovering devices, detecting IMEI duplications, flagging numbers used with forged identities, and providing verified helplines. Critics allege it implies compulsion and secrecy, but Patra said stakeholders were consulted and denied any hidden background monitoring.

Your Apple TV Is Probably Plugged Into The Wrong HDMI Port – Here's Why

December 2, 2025, 3:30 PM EST. If you want the best picture and sound from your Apple TV 4K, connect it to your TV's HDMI ARC or eARC port and use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable rated up to 48Gbps. The eARC standard offers higher bandwidth for less compressed audio, letting you enjoy lossless audio up to 48kHz. Note that older, non-4K Apple TVs don't support ARC/eARC. If you're not on ARC/eARC, you may still get audio, but with reduced quality and potential HDR issues depending on cable quality. Plugging the Apple TV into ARC/eARC helps the TV treat it as a top-priority device, reducing glitches and improving signal paths. If HDR problems occur, swapping to the ARC/eARC port is a simple fix.

MKBHD to shut down Panels wallpaper app; code to go open source

December 2, 2025, 3:28 PM EST. Tech YouTuber MKBHD announced the closure of his subscription mobile wallpaper app Panels, which offered digital wallpapers for a monthly fee. Launching in September 2024, it reached milestones like two million downloads, but faced scrutiny over pricing and privacy. Brownlee said the project didn't become the vision of a vibrant ecosystem for artists and wallpapers, citing its niche appeal. The shutdown is set for December 31, with refunds for active subscriptions and the ability to keep downloaded wallpapers. Crucially, the app's code will become open source, allowing others to spin off new projects from the platform. He thanked involved artists and encouraged further innovation beyond Panels.

Intel stock climbs on report it will supply Apple's M-series chips

December 2, 2025, 3:26 PM EST. Intel's stock jumped more than 7% after TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested Intel could start building Apple's M-series chips for the MacBook Air and iPad Pro as soon as early 2027. If true, the move would mark a major vote of confidence for Intel's foundry business, which generated about $4.2 billion in revenue last quarter compared with its larger product segment. The deal wouldn't immediately dethrone TSMC, but it would show Intel's ability to serve high-profile customers using its upcoming 18A-P process. Apple previously used Intel chips before switching to its own designs manufactured by TSMC. Intel has enjoyed strong stock gains this year amid backers like the U.S. government and significant investments from Nvidia and SoftBank.

Google rolls out Android 16 update to Pixels with Material 3 theming and new features

December 2, 2025, 3:24 PM EST. Google is rolling out the second Android 16 update to Pixels, expanding Material 3 to unify theming and making all icons theme-friendly. The update thickens dark mode support across more apps, adds new icon shapes, and brings an easier on-device way to manage parental controls via the managed device, with PIN-based access and enhanced Family Link options. The broader rollout also brings updates for all Android devices: Chrome for Android gains tab pinning, Messages streamlines group chats with quick info and one-tap leave/report, and the Dialer on Pixels (and Play Store) adds a call reason field and an Urgent label that appears in history. Overall, Google aims to tighten integration and accessibility across devices and apps.

5 wallpaper apps to try after MKBHD Panels shuts down

December 2, 2025, 3:16 PM EST. Tech YouTuber MKBHD announced that Panels, his wallpaper app, will shut down on December 31 after a turbulent run marked by ads, permissions, and a subscription model. Purchases and downloaded wallpapers will still be accessible, but the app will no longer offer new content. With Panels dead, readers can explore alternative wallpaper apps that offer quality imagery and customization. The article highlights five strong options: Backdrops (strong UI, optional Pro for ad-free and syncing), WallsPy (vast library, color/customization tools, WallPy Studio), Tapet (dynamic wallpaper generation), Pix Wallpapers, and Google Wallpapers (Google's curated collection). Each comes with its own balance of free features vs. paid perks like ad removal or exclusive packs. In short: if you valued Panels, these rivals provide solid replacements and ongoing updates.

How Tor Improves Online Privacy and Anonymity

December 2, 2025, 3:14 PM EST. Tor is The Onion Router, a network of volunteer-run servers designed to anonymize web traffic. Instead of sending a direct request, your data hops through multiple nodes and is wrapped in layers of encryption, so no single intermediary sees both who you are and what you're accessing. The result is greater privacy and anonymity online, which can help when you're in censorship-heavy regions or researching sensitive topics. The Tor Browser-a Firefox-based client-simplifies access to the Tor network by routing traffic automatically through these relays. The trade-off can be slower speeds, and users should still follow best practices for safe browsing. This approach contrasts with direct connections via conventional browsers and highlights how Tor protects identities.

Forget Heart Rate: The Best Reason to Buy a Smartwatch – Tap-to-Pay with NFC

December 2, 2025, 3:10 PM EST. Smartwatches are changing how we pay. This piece shows how NFC mobile payments on smartwatches work, letting you tap your wrist near a terminal with no wallet or phone needed. Brands covered include Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 with Samsung Wallet, Pixel Watch with Google Wallet, and Apple Watch with Apple Pay. You can add multiple cards, switch between them, and pay with a single tap. The contactless approach keeps the screen safe and avoids extra taps. For many users, wrist payments feel faster and more convenient-though not every watch supports NFC, so confirm compatibility before buying.

Android 16 introduces a faster, more frequent release cadence for third-party Android devices

December 2, 2025, 3:08 PM EST. Google's latest Android 16 update marks the move away from a strict annual schedule toward a more frequent release cadence. The new QPR2 minor update expands features for notifications, icons, and calling screens, signaling the start of Google's plan to push more frequent platform updates. Biannual SDK releases will accompany occasional major launches, with Android 16 debuting in an earlier quarter than before. For third-party phones, the change means faster access to new features that already exist on Pixel devices, as OEMs gain more time to prepare launches. Google says the shift will drive faster innovation in apps and devices, and developers may have more reasons to adopt the latest features across more devices, not just Pixel phones.

Google Prepares AI-Powered Summaries on More Android Devices

December 2, 2025, 3:06 PM EST. Google is rolling out AI-powered notification summaries on Android 16, initially limited to Pixel phones for longer texts and group chats, with plans to reach third-party devices. The feature condenses longer messages and conversations into quick snippets. Google is also adding a notification organizer to silence lower-priority alerts, plus Android 16 brings home-screen customization, expanded dark mode, and consolidated parental controls. Other updates include Circle to Search to spot scams, an urgent-call alert in Phone by Google, Expressive Captions on YouTube with emotion tagging, TalkBack-activated voice dictation in Gboard, and one-tap Fast Pair for hearing aids. Google continues to expand accessibility and control across devices.

IBM CEO: Trillion-dollar AI data centers won't pay off at today's infrastructure costs

December 2, 2025, 3:04 PM EST. IBM's CEO argues that trillion-dollar AI data centers may not pay off at today's infrastructure costs, highlighting the challenging economics of scaling AI. With rising energy, cooling, and hardware expenses and ongoing maintenance, the business case for large on-site data centers looks strained. The stance suggests enterprises may favor hybrid cloud deployments, model optimization, and tighter cost controls over fully centralized, massive builds. If economics shift, vendors and policymakers could adjust funding, timelines, and incentives for AI initiatives. The remarks underscore the need for innovations in efficient architectures, software optimizations, and alternatives like smaller, purpose-built AI accelerators that balance performance with cost. Companies may pursue phased investments and scalable designs rather than racing to build ever-bigger data centers.

China's Battery Giants Lead Global EV Battery Market in 2025

December 2, 2025, 3:00 PM EST. A new report shows Chinese battery titans dominating the race to power electric vehicles. In the first ten months of 2025, total EV battery capacity reached 933.5 GWh, with six of the top ten suppliers based in China and combined market share of about 68.9% (644.4 GWh). Leading the pack, CATL commands 38.1% of the market with 355.2 GWh, while BYD ranks second at 16.9% (157.9 GWh). Other Chinese players such as Gotion High-tech, CALB, EVE Energy, and SVOLT are climbing. Non-Chinese suppliers-LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, SK On, and Samsung SDI-remain significant but have ceded some ground. The trend emphasizes strategic local production and long-term material sourcing to strengthen near-term expansion for EVs worldwide.

Switch 2 sale persists at Walmart and Amazon ahead of the holidays

December 2, 2025, 2:58 PM EST. Amazon and Walmart are extending Cyber Monday savings on the Nintendo Switch 2 bundle, now priced at $449.99 with a bonus free digital copy of Mario Kart World. Walmart requires you to sign in to view the discount, a common hurdle for popular items. The deal, which previously hit hard during Cyber Monday, remains viable as the holidays approach. The Switch 2 spotlights a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD, improved performance, and magnetic Joy-Con controllers, while keeping compatibility with most original games. Expect a growing library with titles like Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Act quickly, as this promotion may not last long.

Pokémon Go Fans Accuse Niantic of Secretly Helping Cheaters

December 2, 2025, 2:56 PM EST. A wave of accusations has erupted in the Pokémon Go community, with fans alleging that a Niantic employee may be helping a group of resellers trade rare monsters for real money. The dispute began on the CasualPokemonTrades subreddit, with posts claiming impossible monsters caught in odd Poké Balls and tied to a friend who supposedly works on the game's dev team. Critics say the discussions have sparked harassment and even doxxing, as screenshots surface of private chats, Facebook groups, and other platforms coordinating sales. Reddit threads have been downvoted and moderators have removed related posts, while Kotaku reports additional DMs describing sales and private "services." Niantic has not publicly commented, and the situation highlights tensions around cheating, moderation, and player trust in the game.

Cyber Monday: 2025 M5 MacBook Pro at $1,349 on Amazon, cheaper than 2024 M4

December 2, 2025, 2:54 PM EST. Cyber Monday shoppers can snag the 2025 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip and 512GB SSD for $1,349 on Amazon, a $250 drop from its usual $1,599 list price. The deal represents a record-low price for this model and remains live as of Dec. 2, 2025, even beating the 2024 M4 version on price in many configurations. With the M5 performance in a portable chassis, it's a strong pick for power users during the holiday shopping window.

Alibaba Launches Quark AI Glasses to Rival Meta's Ray-Ban Display

December 2, 2025, 2:50 PM EST. Alibaba rolls out its first smart glasses, Quark AI Glasses, aiming to rival Meta's Ray-Ban Display. The lineup ships in two models: S1, with dual monochrome green micro-OLED displays and up to 4,000 nits, and G1, which omits displays. Powered by the Snapdragon AR1 and driven by a Qwen AI model, the S1 includes a five-microphone array, bone-conduction audio, 3K video capture upscaled to 4K, and hot-swappable batteries. Alipay integration enables QR-code payments. Unlike Ray-Ban Display, S1 provides monochrome output and lacks an input like Meta's Neural Band, limiting UI interactions. Prices in China start at ¥3,799 (~$540) for S1 and ¥1,899 (~$270) for G1. Global availability outside China remains uncertain.

Apple names Amar Subramanya as VP of AI to steer Apple Intelligence

December 2, 2025, 2:48 PM EST. Apple has named Amar Subramanya, a veteran of Google and Microsoft, as its new vice president of AI, succeeding John Giannandrea who retires in spring 2026. Subramanya will report to Craig Federighi and oversee Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and AI Safety and Evaluation, with those duties redistributed to COO Sabih Khan and Eddy Cue. He brings more than two decades in machine learning and large-scale AI systems, including leadership on Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, and time at DeepMind. His path spans India and the U.S., with a PhD from the University of Washington in semi-supervised learning. Apple's move highlights pressure to close gaps with rivals like Google, Microsoft, and AI upstarts in the generative-age.

Leak suggests Apple Health data could power ChatGPT answers

December 2, 2025, 2:42 PM EST. New leak hints that the iPhone ChatGPT app could connect to Apple Health to tailor answers using your health data. The latest app build reportedly includes an image of the Apple Health icon and a file name suggesting a link to activity, sleep, diet, breathing, and hearing data. While not confirmed, the image in ChatGPT's code implies a possible integration with health data from the Health app. Currently, ChatGPT already supports Peloton via connectors, but broader health-focused options are rare. If launched, users could see more personalized guidance, especially around New Year fitness goals. No official confirmation yet; status remains uncertain as a leak uncovered by Aaron Perris and reported by MacRumors' Joe Rossignol. Would you connect your Apple Health data to ChatGPT?

SmartTube YouTube Android TV app hit by signing-key breach, pushing malicious update

December 2, 2025, 2:40 PM EST. The popular open-source SmartTube YouTube client for Android TV was compromised after the developer's signing keys were stolen, enabling a malicious update to be pushed to users. Play Protect flagged the app on affected devices, and developer Yuriy Yuliskov confirmed the keys were compromised and said the old signature would be revoked while a new version with a separate app ID would be released. Investigations found a hidden native library named libalphasdk.so inside the build, not present in public source code, likely injected during release. The library runs quietly, fingerprints devices, and communicates with a remote backend through encrypted channels, raising privacy and security concerns. Users should disable auto-updates, reset accounts, and await a transparent post-mortem and safe builds on the new app ID.

Denver Public Schools Students Attend AI Conference to Learn Responsible Use

December 2, 2025, 2:36 PM EST. Denver Public Schools hosted its first AI conference at CSU Spur, drawing about 100 students to explore how to use AI and practice responsible habits. The event highlighted applications from health care to sustainability and everyday life, with teachers stressing careful guidance as technology evolves. Participants discussed collaboration and innovation to push for a more just and inclusive future with AI, underscoring the leaders' aim to teach students not just how to use the tool but how to use it ethically and collaboratively.

Anthropic acquires Bun as Claude Code hits $1B run-rate in six months

December 2, 2025, 2:34 PM EST. Anthropic announces the acquisition of Bun, the high-performance JavaScript runtime, to accelerate Claude Code as it hits a remarkable milestone: $1B run-rate revenue within six months of public release. The deal deepens integration between Bun's fast runtime and Claude Code's AI-powered development tools, promising faster performance, improved stability, and new workflows for developers. Since its May 2025 general availability, Claude Code has attracted top customers like Netflix, Spotify, KPMG, L'Oréal, and Salesforce, aided by Bun's infrastructure optimizations and millions of monthly downloads. The collaboration underscores Anthropic's strategy to bolster technical excellence through targeted acquisitions, while reaffirming Bun's role as essential tooling for modern, AI-driven software engineering.

30 practical smart home gifts that make everyday life a little easier

December 2, 2025, 2:32 PM EST. From gadget-driven chores to a touch of whimsy, this smart home gift guide spotlights ideas that simplify daily routines. Practical picks include a robot vacuum, a smart oven, and a Dash Rapid egg cooker for quick breakfasts, plus a Blink Video Doorbell for peace of mind and a Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Lite to turn almost any device into a smart gadget. For organization and decor, there are adjustable bookends and a color-changing lamp that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. The lineup also features a TV-style wall art option and other thoughtful gifts across budgets. It's a blend of functional tech, home aesthetics, and ideas that help recipients enjoy a smarter, easier home.

AWS unveils frontier agents to extend software development teams

December 2, 2025, 2:30 PM EST. AWS introduces frontier agents, a new class of AI agents designed to act as an extension of your software development team. The Kiro autonomous agent serves as a shared resource, integrating with your team's repos, CI/CD pipelines, and tools like Jira, GitHub, and Slack to preserve context as work progresses. It continually learns from every code review, ticket, and architectural decision, refining its understanding of your codebase, products, and standards. By staying in sync with changes, frontier agents help teams maintain consistency, improve collaboration, and accelerate decision-making, becoming more capable over time as it ingests context across the development lifecycle.

Sony PS VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle Drops to $299 on Amazon, After Cyber Monday

December 2, 2025, 2:28 PM EST. Shop smarter: the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle has slashed to $299 on Amazon from its $400 list price, a 25% drop that's open to both Prime and non-Prime shoppers. In addition to the PS VR2 headset and Sense controllers, you get the Horizon Call of the Mountain game, with visuals up to 4K HDR at up to 120fps. The kit leverages eye tracking, immersive 3D audio, and a built-in haptic motor for tactile feedback, plus adaptive triggers in the controllers. There may be a trade-in option for older hardware to stack savings. Stock is reported to be limited, so act quickly to lock in this price before it ends.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Discount Brings Budget 11-inch Tablet to $150

December 2, 2025, 2:26 PM EST. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, Samsung keeps discounts alive: the Galaxy Tab A9+ is down to $150 (normally $220), a ~32% cut. The slim, lightweight design makes it ideal for on-the-go use. It features an 11-inch LCD display with 1200p resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals, plus Dolby Atmos-enhanced audio. Storage options include 64 GB or 128 GB, with Android OS enabling easy multitasking and features like Quick Share for fast transfers. The tablet also caters to families with the Samsung Kids app, offering a safe space for children. A strong value for a budget Android tablet focused on practicality over profit.

Apple Health Integration Rumored for ChatGPT: Health Data Could Personalize Answers

December 2, 2025, 2:24 PM EST. OpenAI appears to be testing an Apple Health integration for ChatGPT, with a hidden Health icon spotted in the latest iPhone app code. The image name hints that ChatGPT could connect to Apple Health to tailor responses using data from activity, sleep, diet, breathing, and hearing. It's not clear when this feature will launch, and it may live under Apps & Connectors in ChatGPT's settings. ChatGPT already connects to many third-party apps such as Box, Dropbox, Gmail, Google Drive, Notion, and Slack. No public release date yet.

Tesla Charging Costs vs. Gas: A Chevy Trax Monthly Cost Comparison

December 2, 2025, 2:22 PM EST. New analysis from GOBankingRates compares the monthly cost of charging a Tesla vs fueling a Chevrolet Trax. Based on 12,000 miles per year (about 1,000 miles a month), a Tesla averages 330 miles per full charge and would need roughly three charges monthly. The Trax, at about 30 mpg, requires ~33.3 gallons. Local gas prices in Tennessee (~$2.64/gal; national avg ~$3.04) push the gas bill toward $88/month. For electricity, home charging at ~$0.17/kWh yields a full charge of ~$18-$22, or about $60/month; public charging at ~$0.25/kWh runs ~$38-$42 per charge, about $120/month. The result: roughly $90 for the Tesla vs $88 for the Trax-effectively similar. If savings matter, traditional fuel gas may still win.

Jensen Huang urges Nvidia staff to automate with AI, dismisses job fears

December 2, 2025, 2:20 PM EST. During an all-hands meeting following another record quarter, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang urged employees to automate every possible task with AI, saying concerns about job losses were unrealistic. He dismissed internal reports of managers telling teams to use less AI and warned that avoiding AI would be insane. The message comes as investors question the durability of AI demand, even as Nvidia posted strong results and a stock move the next day. Nvidia engineers rely on the coding assistant Cursor, and Huang encouraged continued use of AI tools across repetitive workflows. The stance mirrors a broader tech sector shift toward AI-driven productivity, though long-term prospects remain debated.

Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold offers 50% off one-time display repair-but details are murky

December 2, 2025, 2:18 PM EST. Samsung's just-announced Galaxy Z TriFold comes with a built-in perk to ease damage costs: a one-time display repair at a 50% discount for buyers. But details are still fuzzy. It's unclear whether the benefit covers the foldable display (the 10-inch panel) and/or the 6.5-inch cover screen, and Samsung has not publicly confirmed the exact pricing or eligibility terms. The policy appears aimed at reducing the barrier to entry for foldables, but until Samsung clarifies the scope and conditions, prospective buyers should wait for a definitive breakdown. We'll report when official terms are disclosed.

Metroid Prime 4: A Technical Marvel Struggling with Design

December 2, 2025, 2:14 PM EST. Metroid Prime 4 is a technical marvel built on the Nintendo Switch 2, but its design choices mar the experience. In handheld mode you can switch between a higher-resolution 60 FPS mode and a 720p 120 FPS option, with colors that pop, light that gleams, and a lush ambient score. However the game prioritizes action over puzzle solving and exploration, and its cast includes annoying side characters that overstay their welcome. The overworld feels desolate and lacking personality, making the mood feel off-brand for the series. The early sections are aggressively linear, including a 20-minute tutorial on Samus' motorcycle, Vi-O-La, before any freedom appears. The desert hub adds lore but hampers navigation. Still, Prime 4 demonstrates how art and music can lead performance, offering a model for industry balance.

Fallout 2 designer Chris Avellone on early game development and the player-first approach

December 2, 2025, 2:12 PM EST. In a recent interview, Fallout 2 designer Chris Avellone recalls tinkering in garages and dissecting engines to learn game development. He describes early attempts to repurpose an adventure game framework and the constant stream of errors that followed, turning failures into lessons. Central to his design ethos is a player-first mentality: understand who the players are and what power fantasy drives them. He argues every player should shine, having moments where their choices shape the story and let them be a hero. Importantly, games must honor diverse playstyles-whether a min-maxer or a heavy role-player-and avoid penalizing players who skip dialogue or story points. Games, he says, should be a shared experience between developer and player, not the designer's solo story.

Charging a Kia at a Tesla Supercharger Signals the End of Charging Silos

December 2, 2025, 2:10 PM EST. Non-Tesla EVs are finally joining the Tesla Supercharger ecosystem thanks to a NACS port and an adapter, as seen on the Kia EV6 GT-Line. Range matters, but proximity to fast chargers now largely governs trip planning, and relying on CCS-only charging in the past could be crippling. The opening of the Supercharger network to other automakers-starting with Ford-dissolves a Tesla moat and lets non-Tesla drivers access faster, more convenient charging in familiar locations. The experience feels smoother and more elegant than many CCS stations, with a charge-and-go flow that minimizes fuss. In short, expanding the NACS/Supercharger access marks a shift toward universal, convenient EV charging for everyone, not just Tesla owners.

AWS launches DevOps Agent, an AI tool to speed outage recovery

December 2, 2025, 2:06 PM EST. AWS unveiled DevOps Agent, an AI-enabled tool designed to help clients understand and recover from outages faster. The service uses Amazon's in-house models and external providers like Datadog and Dynatrace to predict outage causes and suggest fixes. Available in preview ahead of pricing, the tool automates work distribution to SREs, delivering an incident report with a preliminary investigation and remediation options before on-call engineers jump in. A Commonwealth Bank of Australia pilot reportedly found the root cause in under 15 minutes, far quicker than a veteran engineer could. AWS frames DevOps Agent as part of a broader push to embed generative AI in cloud ops, alongside similar moves from rivals ahead of events like AWS Reinvent.

YouTube deepfake detector could train Google's AI, experts warn over biometric data use

December 2, 2025, 2:04 PM EST. Experts are raising alarms about YouTube's new deepfake detector, a safety feature that could allow Google to train its AI models using creators' biometric data. The tool lets users submit a video of their face for identity verification and to flag unauthorized deepfakes, while YouTube says the data is used only for this feature. However, reports suggest the biometric uploads could be used to train Google's AI, including generative models. YouTube says the privacy policy governs data use and will review signup language to clear up confusion, with takedowns remaining low. The controversy adds to ongoing debates about AI training data, creator consent, and platform transparency.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4 leak: dual sensors, no preview screen, December launch teased

December 2, 2025, 2:02 PM EST. According to a leaker, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 will pair a main 1-inch, 50 MP sensor with variable aperture from the Action 6 with a secondary 1/1.3-inch sensor-likely a square format to aid vertical video. A leaked image reportedly shows a secondary screen, but the tipster says it won't be an image preview; it may display camera settings instead. The update reportedly includes up to 20% longer video times thanks to a bigger battery, while the unit remains as compact and lighter than the Pocket 3. Launch is planned for December, though tariffs and an upcoming FCC ban in the US (Dec 23, 2025) could push the release into 2026. Source: Photorabz on YouTube.

Sony A7 V brings partially stacked sensor, silent shooting and 4K60 to a versatile hybrid full-frame

December 2, 2025, 2:00 PM EST. Sony's A7 V debuts with a partially stacked sensor, preserving a 33MP full-frame sensor while enabling total silent shooting through an electronic shutter and 30fps bursts. It pairs this with a Bionz XR2 processor and an AI autofocus chip, a new tilt screen, and improved 5-axis image stabilization up to about 7.5 stops. The camera supports pre-capture up to one second and a handy speed boost button. The EVF is a 3.68M-dot panel now at 120fps, and the NP-FZ100 battery delivers ~630 shots (EVF) or 750 (LCD). Video uses oversampling from 7K to deliver 4K 60p with minimal crop and 4K 120p slow-motion. Price is $2,899 body-only (late December); kit with a 28-70mm arrives in February. This is a versatile hybrid for stills and video.

Apple Cyber Monday Deals Still Alive: Watch Series 11, AirPods 4, iPad Pro Discounts

December 2, 2025, 1:56 PM EST. Cyber Monday may be over, but a handful of Apple deals linger. The standout is the Apple Watch Series 11, now at a fresh all-time low with about $70 off. The AirPods 4 (without ANC) are listed around $99, roughly an $80 discount. Also discounted: the iPad Pro (M5, 11-inch, 256GB) at about $899 (a $100 drop). And the Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) around $199. Availability varies by retailer (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy). These prices undercut the post-Black Friday totals, but supplies may be limited, so act quickly if you're still shopping for Apple gear.

Elon Musk predicts AI will make work optional within 20 years

December 2, 2025, 1:54 PM EST. Elon Musk envisions a future where AI and robotics make traditional work optional within 10-20 years. On the People by WTF podcast, he said AI like ChatGPT and Google Gemini will reduce time spent on data cleaning and administrative tasks, with a 2029 survey suggesting up to 12 hours saved per week. He said you could grow vegetables at home or buy them, and living near a city would be optional, funded by Universal High Income. Other leaders like Bill Gates, Eric Yuan, and Jensen Huang also predict shorter workweeks as AI accelerates productivity, from two to four days.

Windows 11 KB5070311 Preview Update fixes File Explorer freezes, search issues

December 2, 2025, 1:52 PM EST. Windows 11 users can install the optional KB5070311 preview cumulative update, addressing File Explorer freezes, search issues, explorer.exe/taskbar hangs after notifications, and LSASS instability. The update is non-security and rolls out at month-end for testing before December/January Patch Tuesday. After installation, devices on 25H2 and 24H2 unlock builds 26200.7309 and 26100.7309 respectively. Highlights include a larger search results menu with a scroll bar, Windows Studio Effects on additional cameras, and a Spotlight context menu with new options. File Explorer gains more consistent dark mode. Note: no December 2025 non-security preview; security updates resume January 2026. A known issue affects password sign-in on the lock screen.

Claude for Nonprofits: Discounted AI Access, Connectors, and Free AI Fluency Course

December 2, 2025, 1:50 PM EST. Claude for Nonprofits offers up to 75% discount on Team and Enterprise plans, plus connectors to nonprofit tools and a free AI course. In partnership with GivingTuesday, it helps organizations maximize impact while protecting privacy and staying affordable. Early beneficiaries include the Epilepsy Foundation serving 3.4 million Americans, and the International Rescue Committee, which uses Claude to connect with partners and analyze field data faster. IDinsight reports up to 16× faster work; SkillUp and Robin Hood use Claude for coding and admin tasks. The package includes three pillars: discounted access to Claude Sonnet 4.5 and Haiku 4.5 (Opus 4.5 on request for Enterprise), connectors to Benevity, Blackbaud, and Candid, and a free course, AI Fluency for Nonprofits. Additional partners: Bridgespan, Idealist, Vera Solutions, Slalom.

Apple Faces EU Class-Action Threat After EU Court Ruling on App Store Jurisdiction

December 2, 2025, 1:46 PM EST. Apple Inc. faces renewed class-action risk in the EU after the bloc's top court ruled that Dutch App Store users can sue in the Netherlands regardless of location. The EU Court of Justice said an Amsterdam court could hear claims by two foundations alleging anticompetitive App Store commissions up to 30% per sale. While the decision centers on jurisdiction in the Netherlands, it could spur similar cross-border actions across the 27-nation bloc targeting other App Store versions. The court noted that the virtual space of the App Store NL where purchases occur determines damage location. Apple argued damages occurred outside the Netherlands and called the ruling purely jurisdictional. Bloomberg coverage notes updates and company responses.

SpectraONE Launches AI-Driven Platform to Redefine Supply Chain Planning

December 2, 2025, 1:42 PM EST. SpectraONE today launches an AI-driven supply chain platform designed for real-world complexity. The modular AI features enable faster, proactive planning with no long data-cleanse or core-system overhauls. The platform combines transformer models and LLMs to power demand forecasting, anomaly detection, inventory optimization, and more, with built-in explainability. Its adapter-first ingestion layer connects to existing ERP and WMS and planning tools for quick rollout. Modules at launch include demand forecasting, anomaly detection, multi-feature forecasting, and inventory insights, with more on the way. Built for privacy with isolated environments, SpectraONE supports compliance and industry needs across retail, pharma, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. A 30-day pilot offers KPI tracking, plus access to a success engineer and the Founders Circle for early feedback.

Sony a7 V Brings 33MP Partially Stacked Sensor and Faster Bionz XR2 Processor

December 2, 2025, 1:38 PM EST. Sony's a7 V marks a major update with a 33MP partially stacked, backside-illuminated sensor and the new Bionz XR2 processor that merges image and AI processing. The result is faster AF, improved subject recognition, and a more responsive workflow. Ergonomics borrow from the a7R V with a revised grip, while the EVF remains the same size but benefits from the new processing power to offer blackout-free shooting up to 30fps. The camera adds dust and moisture resistance, a built-in graphite heat sink for sustained 4K recording, and dual card slots (CFexpress Type A + UHS-II SD). At roughly 695 g, it sits near its predecessor in size and targets enthusiasts seeking high-end performance with a modern imaging pipeline.

Amazon Unveils Nova 2 Omni, Nova Forge, and Nova Act: A Unified Multimodal Frontier for Custom AI Models

December 2, 2025, 1:36 PM EST. Amazon unveils Nova 2 Omni, a unified multimodal model that processes text, images, video, and speech while generating text and images. It supports up to 750,000 words, hours of audio, long videos, and hundred-page documents, enabling simultaneous analysis of product catalogs, testimonials, brand guidelines, and video libraries in one workflow. The platform also introduces Nova Forge, a service for organizations to build their own models, and Nova Act, for constructing autonomous agents. According to early demos, Nova 2 Omni shows strengths in multimodal reasoning across documents, images, videos, and audio and can generate high-quality images on par with leading image-generation models. Marketing teams can leverage the workflow to create complete campaigns-headlines, copy, social posts, and visuals-instantly.

UK Journalists Use AI Weekly: Transcription, Research and Idea Generation Highlighted in Reuters Institute Survey

December 2, 2025, 1:34 PM EST. UK journalists are increasingly integrating AI into daily work. A UK-wide survey by the Reuters Institute finds that 56% use AI professionally on a weekly basis, with 27% using it daily and only 16% having never worked with AI on a journalist task. Language processing tasks (transcription, translation, grammar checks) lead the field, but AI is also used for substantive work: over 20% for story research, 16% for idea generation and drafting parts of articles. Usage is higher among men, younger reporters, and those with management roles. Photojournalism shows less AI use, while graphics and animation contexts see more. Some users report AI creating new, low-level tasks, challenging the idea of freeing time for deeper work.

Nvidia CFO: OpenAI megadeal still not definitive two months after hype

December 2, 2025, 1:30 PM EST. Two months after Nvidia and OpenAI unveiled plans to deploy up to 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems and as much as $100 billion in investments, Nvidia CFO Colette Kress told UBS attendees that the deal remains at the letter-of-intent stage and has not produced a definitive agreement. The announcement helped spark an AI infrastructure rally, lifting Nvidia shares on expectations of a long, multi-year rollout of GPUs and data-center capacity. Nvidia reiterates the risks disclosed in its latest filing: there's no guarantee the investment will be completed on expected terms; supply chains, energy, and capital constraints could delay deployments or create excess inventory. The timeline and funding hinge on customer demand and the ability to scale infrastructure.

Microsoft's Windows 11 Update Improves Dark Mode but Triggers White Screen in File Explorer

December 2, 2025, 1:28 PM EST. In the latest Windows 11 update, Microsoft adds dark mode support to File Explorer dialogs and other UI elements, but introduces a problematic white flash when opening File Explorer after KB5070311. Microsoft acknowledges the issue and says a fix is in progress. The change aims for a more consistent dark mode experience across Windows 11, including the Run dialog and progress bars, but users are getting a brief blank screen before files load. No workaround details in the update-Microsoft is working on a fix as of December 2, 2025.

YouTube Recap launches like Spotify Wrapped, rolling out today

December 2, 2025, 1:26 PM EST. YouTube is rolling out Recap, a feature that mirrors Spotify Wrapped by summarizing your past year's viewing on the platform. The rollout starts today in North America and will expand worldwide this week. Recap uses your watch history to generate up to 12 cards highlighting your top channels, topics, and viewing habits, plus a personality insight based on what you loved. It may include music if you listened a lot this year, and is accessible on mobile (YouTube v18.43+) and desktop at youtube.com/recap. The feature reflects feedback from creators like Hank Green and Marques Brownlee and appears under Home/You on mobile.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold announced with 10-inch main display, US launch planned for early 2026

December 2, 2025, 1:22 PM EST. Samsung today unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold, its most ambitious foldable yet, combining a 6.5-inch outer screen with a massive 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when opened. The device weighs about 309 g and tapers to just 3.9 mm thick at its thinnest point. Specs include Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB-1 TB storage, a 200 MP main camera, and a 5,600 mAh battery. Samsung promises a true tablet-like multitasking experience with resizable apps and three side-by-side windows. The TriFold will launch in South Korea on December 12, with China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the UAE to follow; a US release is targeted for Q1 2026. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Trainium3 UltraServers Debut: Faster AI Training at Lower Cost for Enterprises

December 2, 2025, 1:20 PM EST. Amazon has unveiled Trainium3 UltraServers, enabling customers to train and deploy AI models faster while cutting costs. Early adopters such as Anthropic, Karakuri, Metagenomi, NetoAI, Ricoh, and Splash Music report up to 50% reduction in training expenses compared with alternatives. AWS Bedrock, Amazon's managed foundation-model service, is already running production workloads on Trainium3, highlighting the chip's enterprise readiness. The solution aims to accelerate model development, inference, and deployment at scale, helping organizations accelerate AI initiatives and reduce total cost of ownership.

Nebius: The AI Infrastructure Stock Surging Beyond Nvidia on Megadeals and Capacity Expansion

December 2, 2025, 1:18 PM EST. Investors chasing AI infrastructure can eye Nebius for its rapid growth potential. While Nvidia remains the Wall Street favorite for AI hardware, Nebius has delivered substantially higher returns over the past year and is positioned to extend those gains. The company rents AI-optimized data-center capacity, including dense GPUs, liquid cooling, and an enterprise software stack, to hyperscalers and enterprises for training and inferencing workloads. Nebius is reporting strong demand, with Q3 revenue up around 355% year over year and AI infrastructure revenues up about 400%. Mega contracts with Microsoft (multiyear GPU capacity deal) and Meta Platforms (AI infra deal) boost revenue visibility. Capex guidance has risen to $5B for 2025 as Nebius plans to add 0.8-1 GW of connected power and 2.5 GW of contracted power by 2026. The stock's volatility reflects its capital-heavy model, yet demand trends look compelling.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs Apple foldable iPhone: Specs, rumors, and 2026 release window

December 2, 2025, 1:16 PM EST. The foldable war heats up as Samsung and Apple gear up for 2026. Samsung is launching the Galaxy Z TriFold, a foldable phone with two hinges and a large inner display, headed to the U.S. in early 2026. Apple is also rumored to be developing a foldable iPhone for the same year. While details remain scarce, early teasers suggest Samsung's design focuses on a roomy, uninterrupted tablet-like screen, while Apple's approach reportedly aims to blend compact smartphone usability with a flexible display. Both are shaping what's next for foldables, with official specs and pricing to follow. Stay tuned for hands-on impressions and performance tests as launch windows approach.

iOS 26.2 adds three new customization features: Lock Screen Glass, Screen Flash, and Reminders Urgent

December 2, 2025, 1:14 PM EST. iOS 26.2 brings three notable customization options for iPhone users: an expanded Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen clock (adjusting opacity beyond previous limits with the clock set to Glass), a new Screen Flash for Alerts under Accessibility that briefly lights the display for incoming notifications, and a new Urgent toggle in Reminders with configurable behavior. By default, an Urgent reminder triggers a Lock Screen alarm with Snooze and Stop, but Settings → Apps → Reminders lets you swap Snooze for a Complete button to instantly mark the task done. These features boost personalization and accessibility while keeping core behavior familiar.

Goldman Sachs: AI's macro effect on layoffs is modest, but AI-focused chatter signals hiring pullback

December 2, 2025, 1:12 PM EST. New Goldman Sachs analysis of Q3 earnings commentary across almost all S&P 500 firms finds a bifurcated picture: the economy-wide impact of AI on labor remains modest, but firms discussing AI in the context of their workforce have cut job openings more sharply this year. The study notes that although AI-driven layoffs were a minority in Q3, the share of AI-linked layoffs rose to a little over 15%. Managers increasingly view AI as a strategic component of human capital, potentially pre-empting hiring in new roles. The broader labor market shows softness and modest wage pressure, suggesting a shift toward 'jobless growth' as a macro feature of the post-pandemic environment.

Google may show IMEI on the lock screen – a security trade-off to watch

December 2, 2025, 1:08 PM EST. Code in Google's Personal Safety app points to a new Device info option that would display your IMEI on the lock screen without unlocking the device. The change contradicts Google's earlier stance that exposing such PII risks could invite misuse, yet proponents argue it could speed up recovery for lost or stolen devices and assist law enforcement without wiping data. Critics warn that making the IMEI easily accessible could invite misuse by criminals. While the feature could aid device return, it raises concerns about privacy and security, and Google will need to balance convenience for responders with protection against abuse.

OnePlus 15 US pre-orders start Dec 4 with free bundles

December 2, 2025, 1:04 PM EST. OnePlus 15 goes up for pre-order in the US on December 4 at 11 AM ET, after FCC certification finally cleared following the government shutdown. At launch, US buyers can choose one of four free bundles with their purchase: OnePlus Watch 3 43mm, OnePlus Buds Pro 3, AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger, or OnePlus 15 cases. These offers are first-come, first-served and subject to limited stock. The device is priced at $900, with extra launch incentives including trade-in credits and accessory discounts. This marks a continued push of the OnePlus flagship in the U.S. ahead of the holidays.

Apple Watch SE 3 Gets 20% Off During Cyber Week Deal

December 2, 2025, 1:02 PM EST. During Cyber Week, Apple unveils a budget-friendly smartwatch: the Apple Watch SE 3. The deal slashes the price by 20%, saving you $50. The wearable features an always-on display, sleep tracking, and fast charging, making it a strong pick for fitness enthusiasts and everyday users alike. With long battery life and essential health sensors, this discount adds up for shoppers seeking value in a capable smartwatch. Availability is limited while supplies last, so act fast to grab this Cyber Week bargain.

Simular raises $21.5M Series A to build PC-level AI agents for Mac and Windows

December 2, 2025, 1:00 PM EST. Simular, a startup building AI agents for Mac OS and Windows, just closed a $21.5 million Series A led by Felicis with NVentures and existing backers. Unlike browser agents, Simular targets the PC itself-its agents can move the mouse and click to automate tasks like transferring data into spreadsheets. The company released a 1.0 Mac version and is collaborating with Microsoft to build a Windows agent, joining five firms in the Windows 365 for Agents program (Manus AI, Fellou, Genspark, TinyFish). Co-founders Ang Li (a ex-DeepMind scientist) and Jiachen Yang bring continuous learning and reinforcement learning expertise. To curb LLM hallucinations, Simular lets agents explore a trajectory while a human in the loop optimizes, yielding deterministic workflows once successful.

Nvidia CFO says OpenAI deal not finalized yet

December 2, 2025, 12:58 PM EST. Nvidia's chief financial officer Colette Kress said at the UBS conference that the proposed up-to-$100 billion investment in OpenAI is not yet definitive. The framework is being worked on and a definitive agreement has not been signed. The deal would involve deploying at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems for OpenAI, powering more than 8 million U.S. homes. OpenAI is a major customer for Nvidia chips, adding to the company's bookings which already total about $500 billion through 2026. Nvidia's stock rose about 2.6% after the remarks. The company has also announced up to $10 billion for Anthropic, further shaping its AI ecosystem and concerns about circular deals.

Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold: a 10-inch pocketable three-panel foldable

December 2, 2025, 12:56 PM EST. Samsung unveils the Galaxy Z TriFold, a three-panel foldable that folds into a pocketable 12.9 mm thick device with a 10-inch tablet-style interior screen and a 6.5-inch external cover. Equipped with an improved Armor FlexHinge to handle the three panels of varying shapes, the TriFold prioritizes daily durability. Weighing about 309 g, it's heavier than typical phones but aims to offer tablet-like productivity in a compact form. It folds with left and right panels tucking behind the cover display, unlike Huawei's Mate XT Z-fold. The device ships first in South Korea this month and lands in the US in early 2026.

Bridging the AI Velocity Gap: Infrastructure vs. Enterprise Adoption

December 2, 2025, 12:54 PM EST. The article argues that the AI market runs on two clocks: rapid infrastructure build-out and slower enterprise adoption. While hardware and models advance every six to 12 months, businesses face a prolonged J-curve where early investments yield modest returns and the big payoff from new products and reinvention remains distant. The result is a race to close the gap, with a new breed of players-the AI builders-tasked with accelerating AI absorption inside companies. Global spend on AI data centers, chips, and power could exceed $5 trillion by 2030, fueling a potential overbuild unless uptake keeps pace. History shows similar cycles (fiber, satellites, mainframes), where rapid supply outpaced demand before widespread adoption and value creation. The path forward is to compress the J-curve and speed real-world impact.

NVIDIA Expands Partnership with Synopsys with $2B Equity Investment

December 2, 2025, 12:52 PM EST. AI chipmaker NVIDIA is deepening its collaboration with Synopsys, announcing a $2 billion equity investment and an expanded partnership to accelerate AI-powered chip design tools. The deal sparked a rally in Synopsys shares, which surged as investors priced in the expanded tie, even as the stock remains down for the year after a softer earnings report. Synopsys noted a tough 2025 backdrop and weaker demand for IP, while NVIDIA's stock has faced pressures from worries about AI infrastructure spend. Executives say the alliance will help engineers re-engineer design workflows and bring faster AI innovations to market. The move underscores NVIDIA's growing ecosystem of AI partnerships influencing chipmakers and suppliers in 2025.

Fanuc and Nvidia push 'physical AI' for voice-enabled industrial robots

December 2, 2025, 12:50 PM EST. Fanuc and Nvidia are teaming to develop AI-powered industrial robots that respond to verbal commands, a push dubbed physical AI that blends AI with factory hardware. As the world's leading industrial robot maker, Fanuc has shipped over 1 million units and aims to enable on-floor tasks to run more autonomously. The collaboration targets natural-language instruction and real-time decision-making to shrink cycle times and reduce operator load in manufacturing environments. The move underscores a broader drive toward smarter, more capable factory automation powered by Nvidia's AI platforms, while raising questions about safety, reliability, and update cadences on the shop floor.

Nvidia to invest $2B in Synopsys to boost design and simulation

December 2, 2025, 12:48 PM EST. Nvidia is investing $2 billion to buy Synopsys common stock, reinforcing a long-running collaboration that aims to place GPUs at the heart of design and simulation workflows. The move will expand Nvidia's reach into semiconductor design, physics simulations, and electronic design automation (EDA) via CUDA-X libraries, NeMo, and NIMs. Synopsys reports dramatic speedups-from weeks to hours-in circuit simulations when using Nvidia's Blackwell accelerators in PrimeSIM and Proteus workflows. The agreement includes broadening hardware support and the development of digital twins for industries such as semiconductor fabrication, robotics, aerospace, automotive, and energy, leveraging Nvidia GPUs across more applications. Nvidia has also threaded its ecosystem with OpenAI and Anthropic partnerships, but this Synopsys deal is not exclusive.

US battery manufacturing could meet domestic BESS demand within a few years

December 2, 2025, 12:46 PM EST. Industry sources say the US is ramping up domestic battery cell production fast enough that Chinese cells may not be needed for BESS. With the EV consumer tax credit set to shrink, capacity is being repurposed from EVs to grid-scale storage, despite the costs of repurposing gigafactories. LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On are expanding local cell production and signing BESS supply deals, while Fluence and Eos are building local integration chains. The Manteno (Illinois) facility shows lines can switch to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells in 2026. Solar Media estimates 100+ GWh of US energy storage manufacturing by end-2026, alongside new lithium mining/refining projects. FEOC compliance and ITC still pose pricing/regulatory hurdles.

Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold to launch in the U.S. in Q1 2026 with a 10-inch tablet foldable

December 2, 2025, 12:44 PM EST. Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold is official with a two-hinge design that unfolds into a 10-inch tablet. It will launch in the U.S. in Q1 2026, with price not announced. Folded thickness is about 12.9mm and it weighs 309g. The 6.5-inch cover screen is AMOLED, FHD+ 2520×1080, 120Hz, up to 2,600 nits. The 10-inch inner display is AMOLED, 2,160×1,584, 120Hz, up to 1,600 nits. Inside, Samsung uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, with 16GB RAM and either 512GB or 1TB storage. Cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x tele, plus 10MP selfies on both screens. Battery: 5,600mAh. Price will be announced later.

Elon Musk cites truth, beauty and curiosity as AI's three safeguards

December 2, 2025, 12:42 PM EST. Elon Musk warned that AI could be potentially destructive and outlined the three ingredients needed for a safer future: truth, beauty, and curiosity. Speaking on a podcast with Indian billionaire Nikhil Kamath, the Tesla, SpaceX and xAI founder argued that AI should pursue accuracy and avoid absorbing misinformation that could lead to flawed reasoning. He stressed that sticking to truth helps prevent AI hallucinations and misjudgments, while also noting that appreciating beauty and nurturing curiosity may keep AI aligned with reality. The comments echo Musk's long-running cautions on AI risks, even as he leads multiple AI ventures, including Grok from his xAI project.

Month Offline: A smartphone-abstinence club goes national with flip phones and support groups

December 2, 2025, 12:38 PM EST. Shadowy startup Dumb and Co. is pushing Month Offline, a month-long experiment where participants swap smartphones for a flip phone and join a support group. Based in Washington, DC at the bar Hush Harbor, the program charges about $100, includes a new number with a 404 area code, and a guided curriculum plus weekly dial-in radio. A national expansion is underway, with a call for cohorts from anywhere and a Month Offline Brooklyn start in January 2026. The movement sits alongside smartphone alternatives like the Light Phone 3 and the Brick, and apps such as Freedom, One Sec, and Forest. Critics say true change requires new habits, not just a momentary retreat-"AA for smartphones."

Best Cyber Monday laptop deals still live: 47+ last-minute savings to snag

December 2, 2025, 12:36 PM EST. Didn't think the Cyber Monday rush was over? Think again. There are still Cyber Monday laptop deals at all-time lows, including the M4 MacBook Air at Amazon with $250 off, the Dell 14 Premium at $550 off, and a dirt-cheap Chromebook for just $44 at Walmart. After more than six years covering Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I've learned some deals stick around longer than the main event. This roundup highlights last-minute picks across MacBook deals, gaming laptops, Windows laptops, and Chromebook deals, plus tips to shop the live blog before prices jump again. Check the live blog for the latest updates and save big before these offers vanish.

Google's Sundar Pichai: AI will reshape jobs and society; adaptation is essential

December 2, 2025, 12:32 PM EST. Google CEO Sundar Pichai tells the BBC that AI is the most profound technology and will bring societal disruption. He says all jobs- not just routine roles-will be touched as AI tools advance, even his own role as CEO. Google's Gemini 3 rollout is cited as evidence of rapid progress. Pichai urges widespread learning and adaptation, arguing that those who embrace AI tools will fare better across professions like teaching or medicine. The piece notes a cooling job market amid AI adoption, with Fed data showing a drop in postings and Gen Z shifts, underscoring the college-investment dilemma in an AI-driven economy. The takeaway: proactive upskilling and dialogue are crucial as workers navigate this transition.

Nvidia Shield TV Pro Drops to All-Time Low Price of $170 for Cyber Monday

December 2, 2025, 12:28 PM EST. Amazon and Best Buy have reduced the Nvidia Shield TV Pro to its all-time low of $170 for Cyber Monday (down from $200). This 4K streaming and cloud-gaming box pairs a Tegra X1+ processor (256-core GPU, 3GB RAM) with 16GB storage (expandable) and the new Shield Remote, featuring backlit buttons, a built-in mic, and a lost-remote locator. It runs Android 11 with Chromecast 4K built-in and supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. Connectivity includes Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, and 2× USB 3.0 ports. For gaming, you can use GeForce Now and Google Play Games. A cheaper Shield TV option is listed at $125; other deals include the Fire TV Stick 4K Max bundles and related streaming sticks.

Space Force Plans Dual GEO Constellations: RG-XX Reconnaissance and a Complementary Surveillance Fleet to Replace GSSAP

December 2, 2025, 12:26 PM EST. The Space Force is planning a two-constellation replacement for the aging GSSAP GEO fleet: a reconnaissance set, RG-XX, and a new surveillance constellation. The RG-XX satellites will be maneuverable and refuelable to better inspect targets in Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO), while the surveillance fleet will perform wide-area, long-duration monitoring with wide-field electro-optical sensors and autonomously search for and revisit Resident Space Objects around GEO. The effort aims to boost space-domain awareness, complementing ground radar networks. GSSAP began in 2014, with five active satellites after deactivating one in 2023; USSF-87's launch slipped to early 2026. The Space Force has released a draft solicitation for RG-XX and is exploring off-the-shelf options, including in-orbit refueling ports, though the surveillance RFI provides limited timing details and near-term decisions.

Alphabet Could Challenge Nvidia's AI Dominance With Google's TPUs and Meta's Potential Chip Push

December 2, 2025, 12:24 PM EST. Nvidia still dominates the AI era, powering most data centers and rallying a market cap near $4.3 trillion. But sustained competition is building. Alphabet's Google has long eyed custom AI silicon, and its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) are now a real alternative in cloud and on-prem environments. Rumors that Meta Platforms may buy billions in AI processors from Google signal a shifting ecosystem where customers seek more choices beyond Nvidia. A wave of rivals-AMD, Intel, Qualcomm, and Marvell-are also racing to scale mainstream AI chips. While one deal won't upend the landscape, it confirms that Alphabet can't be ignored as it moves from software to hardware in both data centers and AI workloads.

Sony A7 V launches with 33MP sensor, AI-powered Bionz XR2, and 4K/120p video

December 2, 2025, 12:22 PM EST. Sony's A7 V debuts as a mid-range flagship built for speed. It features a 33MP partially stacked full-frame Exmor RS sensor and a new Bionz XR2 processor with built-in AI, delivering what Sony calls its fastest, most accurate subject-detect autofocus yet. The camera shoots 14-bit stills at up to 30 fps with 16 stops of dynamic range. On video, it supports 4K 10-bit S-Log3 at 60 fps using full-frame width with 7K supersampling, and 4K/120p with an APS-C crop. A graphite heatsink enables about 90 minutes of 4K60 recording. Notably, there's no RAW capture (internal or external). Sony emphasizes usable 4K60 + fast AF over RAW or higher-res formats, contrasting with rivals that offer 6K/7K options.

Mega Lucario Z Revealed in Mega Dimensions Trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension

December 2, 2025, 12:20 PM EST. Pokemon fans get a new Mega Evolution: Mega Lucario Z, revealed in the Mega Dimensions trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension. The DLC, due December 10, 2025, introduces Z Mega Evolution, a mechanic where Pokémon require less time to charge moves after orders but burn through Mega Power quickly, favoring quick, decisive battles. Like classic Lucario, Mega Lucario Z remains a Steel/Fighting type, but aims for bigger attacks. In Legends Z-A, trainers can expect shorter attack cooldowns in battles and faster Mega Gauge depletion in GO when using Z Mega Evolutions. What do you think of the design and its potential in battles?

Sony A7V Leaks: 33MP, 4K120p, AI Autofocus, 30fps

December 2, 2025, 12:18 PM EST. The Sony Alpha 7 V is shown with a new 33-MP semi-stacked Exmor RS sensor, delivering up to 16 stops of dynamic range and extremely low ISO noise. Powered by a 2nd-gen BIONZ XR2 processor, it uses advanced AI autofocus to recognize humans, animals, birds, insects, and more, with full-body modeling and precise eye detection for both humans and animals. It offers up to 30 fps RAW+JPG with pre-capture, 7.5 stops of in-camera image stabilization, and 4K recording at 120p (Super 35) or 60p (full-frame) in 10-bit 4:2:2, plus cinematic options like S-Cinetone, S-Log3 Cine3, and LUT preview. The camera is built for real-life conditions with a reinforced grip and a tilting 3.2-inch LCD.

Apple slashes macOS security bounties amid rising Mac malware

December 2, 2025, 12:16 PM EST. Apple has reportedly slashed bounties for macOS vulnerabilities, halving payments across several categories as Mac malware grows. Security researcher Csaba Fitzl says the changes signal a lack of prioritization for the platform, risking more exploits being sold on the black market rather than reported to Apple. For example, full TCC (privacy) bypass rewards dropped from 30.5k to 5k, and individual TCC categories fell from 5-10k to 1k; macOS sandbox escapes are now 5k instead of 10k. Fitzl notes that few researchers focus on the Mac, potentially shrinking the pool of disclosures. Apple has not yet commented. The move comes as concerns about privacy, TCC vulnerabilities, and increasing Mac malware threaten the ecosystem.

Spectrum outage disrupts remote learning in southern Indiana as schools switch to asynchronous eLearning

December 2, 2025, 12:14 PM EST. An outage affecting Spectrum services disrupted remote learning for students in southern Indiana, prompting districts in Clark and Floyd counties to move from live instruction to asynchronous eLearning after winter weather. Reports began around 9 a.m., with families using hotspots to complete assignments on Google Classroom as classrooms shifted to posted work. Spectrum alerted customers that restoration was expected by 2:30 p.m., with updates every two hours; a later message noted possible intermittent issues during continuation work. Some Jefferson County residents reported outages, though JCPS said there were no problems with NTI coursework. The outage highlights how connectivity affects weather-related education plans.

Mistral closes in on Big AI rivals with new open-weight frontier and small models

December 2, 2025, 12:12 PM EST. Mistral unveiled its Mistral 3 family – a 10-model release featuring a large frontier model with multimodal and multilingual capabilities and nine offline-capable, fully customizable small models. The move expands open-weight AI as Mistral challenges closed rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. Co-founder Guillaume Lample says enterprises prefer starting with a large model and then fine-tuning smaller ones to cut cost and boost speed. While initial benchmarks may lag behind closed models, real gains come from customization that can match or surpass them. The Large 3 frontier model packs 41B active parameters, 675B total, a 256k context window, and a granular Mixture of Experts for efficient reasoning. It targets document analysis, coding, content creation, AI assistants, and workflow automation, with strong multimodal/multilingual capabilities.

AWS launches Trainium3 UltraServer, teases Trainium4 with Nvidia interoperability

December 2, 2025, 12:10 PM EST. At AWS re:Invent 2025, AWS announced Trainium3 UltraServer, powered by a 3nm Trainium3 chip. The system delivers more than fourfold performance and memory gains for AI training and inference, and supports thousands of UltraServers linked to as many as 1 million Trainium3 chips (each UltraServer hosts 144 chips), with 40% better energy efficiency. AWS says customers like Anthropic, Karakuri, Splashmusic, and Decart already see lower inference costs. The company previewed Trainium4, in development, promising another performance leap and NVLink Fusion interoperability with Nvidia GPUs, enabling mixed hardware deployments while using AWS's low-cost rack tech. CUDA remains the de facto standard, which could help attract Nvidia-focused AI apps to AWS. No Trainium4 timeline was announced; more at next year's conference.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Credits Reveal Next Level Games and a Wide Network of Assist Devs

December 2, 2025, 12:08 PM EST. In the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond credits, Retro Studios is joined by a broad network of assist devs, including Next Level Games (a Nintendo subsidiary) and Virtuos. The credited Next Level Games staff include Matt McTavish, Cavin Yen, Mark Blanchin, and Christopher Rice. Other studios listed span Territory Studio, Waterproof, Keywords Studios, Liquid Development, Volta, AMC Studio, GameSim, Smoking Gun Interactive, and more. Kensuke Tanabe at Nintendo contributed the in-game scan text, while Erin Yvette voices Samus and Krystle Martin performed motion capture; Jennifer Hale previously voiced Samus in the earlier Prime trilogy. The Switch 2 version earned a 9/10 in our review for its blend of classic discovery with new directions. Will you play Prime 4 this week?

Marvel Cosmic Invasion Xbox Achievements Finally Live: 35 Challenges, 1,000 Gamerscore

December 2, 2025, 12:04 PM EST. After a rollout hiccup, Marvel Cosmic Invasion's 35 Xbox achievements are finally live, totaling 1,000 Gamerscore. The beat 'em up from Tribute Games features 15 playable characters-including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America, Phoenix, Storm, Iron Man, and more-and supports solo or multiplayer play against Annihilus. The Cosmic Swap Tag-team system lets you pair two heroes per level and switch on the fly for unique combos and powerful specials. Access to the full list requires Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate and PC Game Pass). Expect a mix of straightforward tasks-completing the Prologue, beating the story with all characters, and team-based objectives-plus 10 secret achievements to uncover.

YouTube launches Recap, a Spotify Wrapped-inspired year-in-review for videos

December 2, 2025, 12:02 PM EST. YouTube is rolling out Recap, a Spotify Wrapped-inspired year-in-review for videos. The feature curates your viewing into up to 12 cards, highlighting top channels, interests, and how your taste evolved, and even assigns a personality type (e.g., Adventurer, Skill Builder, Creative Spirit). Launching in the US today and rolling out globally this week, Recap is available on mobile and desktop via the You button or the You tab. It also includes some music-watching stats without replacing the existing YouTube Music Recap in the YouTube Music app. YouTube shared trend charts showing hot topics, creators, podcasts, and songs, with MrBeast and The Joe Rogan Experience leading in their categories. The feature sits alongside existing analytics and trend tools.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mystery Gift Event Live – Mewtwonite X & Y, Project M

December 2, 2025, 12:00 PM EST. Today's Mega Dimension DLC drop unveils the next Mystery Gift for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The event is live now: open the in-game menu and select Receive via Internet to claim rewards. Players will receive the exclusive Mewtwonite X & Y Mega Stones and unlock the new Project M side mission, guiding you toward capturing Mewtwo. Access requires that you have rolled credits, but there's no announced end date, so you have time to dive in. The promotion is available to all players with the base game, not just DLC owners. Ready to grab these items and start on Project M?

Tesla hints at new camera sensor IMX00N, fueling FSD hardware doubts

December 2, 2025, 11:54 AM EST. New code in Tesla's latest firmware hints at a new camera sensor model, IMX00N, potentially replacing or augmenting the existing IMX963 sensors used in Hardware 4.0 (AI4) vehicles. The discovery by longtime researcher @greentheonly suggests Tesla is again shifting hardware in newer cars, which could widen fleet fragmentation and complicate the company's promise that owners have the hardware for Full Self-Driving (FSD). If real, IMX00N could be a custom Sony SKU or placeholder, with unknown specs. The upgrade would reflect efforts to boost resolution and data throughput, but it also renews concerns that FSD capabilities depend on hardware that isn't uniformly available, raising questions about "goalposts" for drivers and timelines.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Arrives in India: 3K Video, 8-Hour Battery, Hindi AI & Celebrity Voices

December 2, 2025, 11:52 AM EST. Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses hit India today, delivering sharper 3K Ultra HD video capture, ultrawide HDR, and upgraded Meta AI experiences. With up to 8 hours of battery life and fast charging (50% in 20 minutes) plus a charging case that adds up to 48 hours, they're designed for all-day use. New capture modes like hyperlapse and slow motion arrive via software updates. Styles include Wayfarer, Skyler, and Headliner with seasonal colors such as Shiny Cosmic Blue and Shiny Mystic Violet. The glasses support full Hindi interaction and voice commands, and feature a forthcoming UPI-Lite payments integration. Celebrity AI Voice options expand how users converse with Meta AI.

Apple gadgets ranked: The Vergecast's definitive list of Apple's best devices

December 2, 2025, 11:50 AM EST. On The Vergecast, The Verge editors attempt a definitive ranking of Apple's gadgets. From iPhone and iPad to Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, HomePod, Vision Pro, and AirTag, the panel weighs quality, market size, cultural impact, and relevance. Host David Pierce is joined by Victoria Song and Allison Johnson as they argue, debate, and even throw in some name-calling, aiming for a best-of-Apple list. The episode invites listeners to weigh in with their own picks and to explore links that explain each product's role in Apple's ecosystem. Bottom line: there's no single "best"-the ranking reflects tradeoffs, context, and personal use cases.

New AI-Driven Roles Emerge: Decision Designers, Digital Ethics Advisors, and AI Experience Officers

December 2, 2025, 11:48 AM EST. New AI-driven roles are surfacing to design human-AI collaboration rather than simply adding tools to old jobs. Titles like Decision Designer, Digital Ethics Advisor, and AI Experience Officer blend machine learning know-how with psychology, organizational design, and workflow management. Experts say the challenge is defining when human judgment should lead and how to train teams to work with AI as a teammate. As firms move from pilot projects to production, companies are building roles for a native AI era rather than retrofitting AI. Governance roles are appearing to ensure safe, strategic use, while an AI decision designer shapes how AI makes high-stakes calls-fraud detection, loans, credit decisions-keeping human oversight central.

Redwood Materials and GM unite to repurpose second-life EV batteries for US grid storage

December 2, 2025, 11:46 AM EST. Redwood Materials and General Motors announced a collaboration to expand low-carbon grid storage in the US by pairing second-life EV batteries with newly built GM modules. The deal aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and accelerate the deployment of grid-scale storage to meet rising electricity demand, including for AI data centers and other high-load applications. Through its new Redwood Energy unit, Redwood will integrate used packs and new modules into fast, affordable storage systems. The memorandum enables a fully domestic solution, with GM second-life packs already powering Redwood's 12MW/63MWh installation in Sparks, Nevada for Crusoe, North America's largest microgrid powered by repurposed EV batteries. The collaboration underscores the growing role of repurposed packs in energy resilience.

Morgan Stanley Boosts Nvidia Bullish View as Stock Struggles

December 2, 2025, 11:44 AM EST. Morgan Stanley has grown more bullish on Nvidia stock, even as the company faces near-term struggles. In a recent note, the bank argues that the long-term outlook for AI-driven demand and data-center GPUs could still drive upside, supporting a multi-quarter uptrend despite volatility. The stance underscores Nvidia's exposure to secular AI cycles while reminding investors to watch for catalysts like product cycles, margin resilience, and enterprise adoption that could re-rate the stock.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle Drops to $449 at Walmart for Cyber Monday

December 2, 2025, 11:38 AM EST. Walmart is still offering the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle for $449, a roughly $50 discount off the $500 price. The bundle, which also includes a voucher for the digital edition of Mario Kart World, is valued at about $530, making the game essentially free with the system. The deal has been pulled from Target and Best Buy online stores, and Amazon reportedly sold through units on Cyber Monday. Walmart's page notes the discount appears at checkout, with a potential end date looming as Nintendo indicated the bundle would run only through Fall 2025. In addition to the bundle, Cyber Monday sales extend to accessories: RDS Game Traveler Deluxe System Case for $25 and PowerA Slim Case for $15.

Lawsuit Alleges Tesla Door-Handle Failures Led to Fatal Tacoma Crash

December 2, 2025, 11:32 AM EST. Tesla faces a new lawsuit over its electronic door handles after a fatal crash near Tacoma, Washington. The plaintiffs say the Model 3's flush door handles failed when the battery died, trapping Jeffery and Wendy Dennis inside as the vehicle caught fire. Despite bystander efforts, the powerless doors could not be opened, raising questions about survivability when systems rely on electrical power. The suit claims Tesla has known for years about potential entrapment and points to similar incidents across multiple states. Regulators, including the NHTSA, are examining the issue, and overseas regulators are tightening rules on hidden-handle designs. The case adds to broader scrutiny of EV design trade-offs between aesthetics and safety. Critics argue crash tests measure survivability in crashes, not escape afterward.

New Pediatrics study ties smartphone ownership by age 12 to higher mental health issues and obesity in tweens

December 2, 2025, 11:30 AM EST. A new study published in Pediatrics finds that smartphone ownership by age 12 or younger is linked to higher risks of mental health issues and obesity in early adolescence. Analyzing data from over 10,000 participants in the ABCD Study (2018-2020), researchers found younger owners had greater odds of depression and insufficient sleep than peers without devices. Led by Ran Barzilay (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) with collaborators at UC Berkeley and Columbia University, the work accounted for other tech use but the association persisted. The researchers caution parents to weigh potential health impacts when deciding whether and when to provide a device, acknowledging that smartphones can also offer safety and learning benefits.

French AI lab Mistral unveils new AI models to keep pace with OpenAI and Google

December 2, 2025, 11:26 AM EST. French AI startup Mistral unveiled a new suite of models on Tuesday to keep pace with OpenAI and Google. The release coincides with a major commercial deal with HSBC and follows a $1.7B euro funding round that propelled Mistral's valuation toward nearly €11.7B. The lineup centers on a large, claim-to-be-world's-best open-weight multimodal and multilingual model, plus a compact model called Ministral 3 designed for drones, cars, robots, and portable devices. Mistral says the small model delivers lower inference cost, reduced latency, and strong domain performance, and can run on a single GPU. The company envisions an era of distributed intelligence with model deployments for robotics, autonomous drones, and on-device workflows, as it accelerates commercial deals and enterprise adoption.

Apple Music Replay 2025: Global Top 5 Most Played Songs Revealed and More

December 2, 2025, 11:24 AM EST. Apple Music has launched its Replay 2025 recap, revealing the global top five most played songs of the year. The list includes ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – APT., Kendrick Lamar & SZA – luther, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile, Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us, and Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER. A full top 100 is available through a dedicated playlist. The charts cover plays from Nov 1, 2024-Oct 31, 2025. Apple also showcases regional top 100 playlists, Shazam data, and the most-read lyrics. Perks include $10.99/month or the Apple One bundle. Do you find the top list surprising?

Garmin Forerunner 165 Drops to $200 on Amazon Amid Leftover Stock

December 2, 2025, 11:22 AM EST. Garmin's Forerunner 165 is down to $200 on Amazon, a 20% cut from its $250 list price, with free shipping for Prime and non-Prime shoppers. The lightweight GPS smartwatch features a bright AMOLED display and traditional side buttons, plus Garmin Coach training plans across 25+ built-in sports. Running metrics include cadence, stride strength, and ground contact time, with real-time training effects and adaptive daily workout suggestions. Health tracking includes heart rate, sleep with a sleep score, and Body Battery energy insights. Safety features cover incident alerts to emergency contacts, along with contactless payments and smartphone notifications from your wrist. Battery life reaches up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours in GPS mode, making it a strong, affordable option for workouts.

Apple Music Replay 2025 debuts with Discovery, Loyalty, and Comebacks insights

December 2, 2025, 11:10 AM EST. Apple Music has rolled out its Replay 2025 feature, giving users a year-in-review of their listening with new sections like Discovery, Loyalty, and Comebacks. In addition to totals such as minutes listened and number of artists, users can see favorite genres and a new Home tab dashboard that also surfaces monthly Replays and yearly summaries, plus a Replay All Time playlist. Artists gain insights too, including listenership growth and year-over-year performance, with metrics like total listeners, countries, cities, and minutes. The top song of 2025 is ROSÉ and Bruno Mars' "APT," followed by Kendrick Lamar & SZA's "luther," Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars' "Die With A Smile," Kendrick's "Not Like Us," and Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather." Apple Music Replay arrives after YouTube and Amazon Music recaps and ahead of Spotify.

Michael Burry calls Tesla 'ridiculously overvalued' and targets stock-based compensation in tech

December 2, 2025, 11:06 AM EST. In a weekend blog post on his Substack, Michael Burry argues that Tesla is still ridiculously overvalued and blames the broader tech industry for routinely using stock-based compensation while excluding it from earnings. He notes share dilution of about 3.6% annually and predicts further dilution after Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package was approved. The critique extends to other giants like Palantir and Amazon, alleging that GAAP earnings hide real expenses. Burry quotes Warren Buffett on stock-based compensation and highlights his new Substack venture, "Cassandra Unchained," launched after deregistering his hedge fund. The piece argues that true profits must account for this cost rather than presenting skewed results.

Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev Dropped From SpaceX Crew-12 Amid ITAR Allegations

December 2, 2025, 11:04 AM EST. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been removed from SpaceX's prime Crew-12 lineup and replaced by Roscosmos colleague Andrey Fedyaev after reports he photographed confidential SpaceX materials in California, allegedly violating ITAR export controls. The Insider notes NASA did not publicly address the controversy, and Artemyev was pulled from SpaceX training in Hawthorne. No official comment has been issued by SpaceX or NASA on the ITAR allegations, which carry penalties for foreign nationals. The Crew Dragon mission is scheduled for February 15, 2026, under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, with a Roscosmos seat swap in play. Roscosmos described the replacement as a transfer to another job, while the article highlights potential diplomatic implications of the incident.

Del Mar College and Tesla Partner to Boost Skills, Careers, and Sustainability

December 2, 2025, 10:58 AM EST. Del Mar College and Tesla have launched a partnership to boost skills development and careers in Corpus Christi and the Bay Area. Through internships in Chemical Operations and Process Technology, students gain hands-on experience, real-time troubleshooting, and safety training while supporting the local supply of lithium and cathode materials in North America. The program, running through 2026, advances sustainability and regional energy resilience, helping build the next wave of chemical refining capability. Tesla plans ongoing cohorts and future opportunities for DMC students, empowering families and strengthening the workforce as the region grows its clean-energy ecosystem.

Inside Anthropic's nine-person safety team shaping AI's future

December 2, 2025, 10:56 AM EST. An intimate look at Anthropic's nine-person societal impacts team, the core group shaping how AI will affect daily life and global politics. Led by Deep Ganguli, a former Stanford AI researcher, the team writes papers on AI's economic effects, persuasion, elections risks, and discrimination, aiming to steer technology toward humane outcomes. Despite Anthropic's growth and eye-watering valuations, the unit operates with unusual freedom for a startup in the high-stakes world of AI safety. The piece contrasts the team's careful, publicly shared work with the profit-driven incentives of the broader industry, asking whether executives will heed caution when billions are at stake. The Verge frames how a handful of researchers at one of the leading tech companies grapple with balancing innovation and responsibility as OpenAI and others rush forward.

China's DeepSeek V3.2 Delivers Frontier AI Performance on a Fraction of the Compute Budget

December 2, 2025, 10:54 AM EST. China's Hangzhou-based DeepSeek unveils V3.2 and V3.2-Speciale, claiming frontier AI performance with far less compute than rivals. The models reportedly match or exceed GPT-5 reasoning benchmarks on AIME/HMMT and achieve gold medals at the 2025 Olympiads, thanks to DeepSeek Sparse Attention (DSA) and a lightweight architectural approach that lowers attention complexity from O(L²) to O(Lk). Despite export restrictions and limited chip access, the release shows that frontier capabilities can emerge from smarter design rather than brute-force scaling. The open-source availability enables enterprises to evaluate advanced reasoning and agentic capabilities while maintaining deployment control, signaling a potential shift in AI cost-efficiency and adoption strategies.

MongoDB jumps on AI-driven Atlas growth and cloud database momentum

December 2, 2025, 10:52 AM EST. MongoDB beat Q3 expectations, sending shares higher as its Atlas cloud database platform accelerates growth and the company raised its full-year forecast. The company posted adjusted earnings of $1.32 per share on $628 million in revenue, topping analysts' estimate of $0.80 and $592 million. Revenue rose 19% year over year. Atlas growth hit 30% YoY and accounted for about 75% of quarterly revenue, with more than 60,800 Atlas customers. Management raised full-year revenue guidance to roughly $2.434-$2.439 billion. CEO Chirantan Desai called it a "once in a lifetime" AI inflection point and said the focus remains on customer relationships and innovation. Bernstein raised the price target to $452 as AI demand and easing rates support upside; the stock has surged over 40% this year.

Cyber Monday smartwatch deals still live: Apple Watch, Whoop, and more

December 2, 2025, 10:38 AM EST. Cyber Monday 2025 is here with deals on smartwatches and fitness wearables. This piece explains when Cyber Monday lands (Dec 1) and why discounts can be strong across universal retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. It notes that gadgets from brands owned by Amazon, such as Kindle, Alexa, and Ring, often show up in sale rounds. The author, who tracks events like Black Friday and Prime Day, highlights that older models (e.g., a few generations behind) often see steeper discounts. How deals are chosen: ZDNET focuses on items at least 20% off, verified by price trackers and customer reviews, with testing and research to recommend products you'll actually use. This is a shopper's guide to smart, careful savings on wearables.

Crypto Wins 2024 Inspire a Big AI Push: a16z Launches Leading The Future Super PAC

December 2, 2025, 10:34 AM EST. After a 2024 win for crypto interests, Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz used their influence to back crypto-friendly candidates via the Fairshake Super PAC, contributing $22M each. The effort helped secure a Democratic nomination for a crypto ally in California and flip an Ohio Senate seat, signaling a strategy of political power to protect tech bets. Flush with success, the a16z partners now aim to export this model to artificial intelligence. This August they launched Leading The Future (LTF), a Super PAC promising to keep the US at the forefront of AI innovation, development, and governance. With a $100 million outside spending budget, LTF is backed by OpenAI chief Greg Brockman, Palantir's Joe Lonsdale, Ron Conway, and Perplexity. LTF's leaders, Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto, tie crypto influence networks to AI policy ambitions.

Tuesday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Amazon, Cloudflare and more

December 2, 2025, 10:22 AM EST. Tuesday's biggest analyst calls span software, cybersecurity, and consumer stocks. Key moves: Morgan Stanley initiated Danaher as overweight, citing durable long-term growth; Rosenblatt started OneStream and BlackLine as Buy due to margins and growth potential; Jefferies initiated Kinetik Holdings as Buy as an M&A target; BTIG started D.R. Horton as Buy on its land-light, market-share advantages; Citi reiterated Nvidia and Synopsys as Buy after a Nvidia-Synopsys partnership; Wells Fargo reiterates Amazon as Overweight amid cloud expansion; Truist upgrades Six Flags to Buy on management and turnaround catalysts; Morgan Stanley initiates Solaris Energy Infrastructure as Overweight; Barclays initiates Cloudflare as Overweight citing its role in internet security and cloud edge.

Lightpath Expands AI-Grade Network Footprint in Greater Columbus with 150 Route Miles

December 2, 2025, 10:20 AM EST. Lightpath announced an expansion of its AI-grade network in Greater Columbus, adding approximately 150 route miles of high-density fiber to strengthen connections to new AI data center deployments. The project doubles Lightpath's fiber footprint in the region and accelerates its nationwide strategy to interconnect key AI and hyperscale corridors. Engineering and construction are underway, with a phased route completion planned from late 2026 through mid-2027. Executives highlighted Columbus as a top destination for data center and AI investment, underscoring Lightpath's commitment to scale, reliability, and speed for enterprise, carrier, and hyperscale customers. The expanded network will integrate underground, multi-conduit systems and high-count fiber to support metro and regional workloads across the Midwest.

AMD and HPE Expand Collaboration to Accelerate Open Rack-Scale AI Infrastructure

December 2, 2025, 10:18 AM EST. AMD and HPE have expanded collaboration to accelerate open, rack-scale AI infrastructure. HPE will be among the first OEMs to adopt the AMD Helios architecture-an open, full-stack AI platform engineered for large-scale workloads-and will integrate a purpose-built HPE Juniper Networking switch in collaboration with Broadcom for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity. The stack combines AMD EPYC Venice CPUs, Instinct MI430X GPUs, and Pensando networking, unified by the ROCm software stack to enable scalable AI and HPC workloads. The effort supports the Herder supercomputer on the HPE Cray GX5000, featuring AMD GPUs and next-gen CPUs, and builds on the Open Rack Wide design to deliver up to 2.9 exaFLOPS per rack. This aims to accelerate deployments and flexibility for research, cloud, and enterprise customers.

Samsung Galaxy A16 5G at $149 is Cyber Monday's best cheap Android phone deal

December 2, 2025, 10:12 AM EST. Cyber Monday is winding down, but the bargain hunt continues with the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G at $149 (save $50) on Amazon. Ranked among the best Android phones under $200, this model edges out the Moto G 2025 on display quality and software guarantees: a 6.7-inch 1080p OLED panel, IP54 water resistance, and an expected six years of software updates. The Moto G 2025 may be cheaper up front, but it uses LCD and promises only three years of updates. If you can stretch, the Galaxy A36 at around $275 adds a faster 45W charger, brighter display, and tougher glass. Overall, the A16 offers solid value for budget buyers who want longevity and a better screen.

GE HealthCare expands AI-powered imaging with NVIDIA at RSNA 2025

December 2, 2025, 10:08 AM EST. GE HealthCare and NVIDIA are expanding collaboration to integrate AI-powered imaging across modalities, including CT, PET, cardiac, mammography, and ultrasound, with devices such as Photonova Spectra1, SIGNA Sprint with Freelium, SIGNA Bolt, Vivid Pioneer, and Pristina Recon DL. At RSNA 2025, they're gathering feedback on autonomous workflow concepts to streamline tasks and reduce radiologist burnout. Leveraging NVIDIA's accelerated computing and edge AI, the partnership aims to shorten scan times, enhance diagnostic clarity, and improve patient care while addressing data fragmentation: healthcare generates ~30% of world data but uses ~3%. The joint co-development spans simulation, segmentation, and real-time image reconstruction, driving smarter, faster imaging workflows.

Anthropic offers nonprofits substantial Claude AI discounts for Giving Tuesday

December 2, 2025, 10:04 AM EST. Anthropic announced Giving Tuesday discounts for nonprofits, offering Claude AI models at about 70%-75% off, with tools tailored to nonprofit needs. The move places Anthropic alongside Google and OpenAI in expanding access to enterprise-grade AI for the sector. Discounts vary by product, with Claude pricing aligned to support grantmaking, data analysis and program design. The company highlighted collaboration with nonprofits like Robin Hood and Tipping Point during pilots, and the IRC is among early beneficiaries. Officials say these tools can accelerate training, reporting and donor communications while maintaining quality. Anthropic's head of beneficial deployments, Elizabeth Kelly, framed the program as a path to greater social impact through AI.

Anthropic Empowers Nonprofits with Practical AI Tools and Partners

December 2, 2025, 9:54 AM EST. AI will transform society, but access remains limited for nonprofits with small teams. At Anthropic, a public benefit corporation, we're building practical AI that fits real-world workflows. Over the past year we've partnered with almost 100 organizations to create a new AI program for nonprofits. Projects include the Epilepsy Foundation using Claude for 24/7 support reaching 3.4 million Americans, the International Rescue Committee improving partner communication, and Robin Hood handling coding and admin tasks. We've designed AI Fluency for Nonprofits-a free course on Anthropic Academy-and three new connectors to nonprofit tools. Real impact comes from listening first, integrating with existing tools, and building for the mission-driven realities of these organizations.

Zafran Security raises $60M to fight AI-driven cyber threats

December 2, 2025, 9:50 AM EST. Zafran Security, a cybersecurity startup founded by Sanaz Yashar, an Iranian-born former spy, has raised $60 million in a round led by Menlo Ventures with participation from Sequoia Capital and Cyberstarts. The funding comes as the speed of cyberattacks accelerates amid the AI boom. Zafran uses AI and automation to manage threat exposure and has more than tripled its ARR since its last round in September 2024, bringing total funding to about $130 million since its 2022 founding. The company will use the proceeds to hire more staff. Yashar noted that cohesive security tools that talk to each other could have blocked past attacks, underscoring the demand for integrated security platforms. Zafran counts healthcare, financial services, and Fortune 500 firms among its customers.

SpaceX wins key approval to develop Starship launch site at Cape Canaveral

December 2, 2025, 9:48 AM EST. SpaceX has secured a key environmental approval from the U.S. Air Force to develop Starship–Super Heavy launch and landing operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The record of decision covers up to 76 Starship launches and 152 landings per year at Launch Complex-37, with construction now underway. With three Florida pads, SpaceX aims to bolster national security and Artemis-era space objectives as the Cape evolves toward airport-like operations. Next steps include a property agreement between the Air Force, Space Force, and SpaceX, plus accords to address national security requirements. The approval follows public hearings and prior site work at nearby Kennedy Space Center, signaling a major expansion of the spaceport's capabilities.

Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5: luxury smartwatch showdown

December 2, 2025, 9:46 AM EST. Testing the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic against Tag Heuer's Connected Calibre E5 pits two worlds of timekeeping against each other. The Galaxy emphasizes big-screen practicality, durable materials, and a broad ecosystem at a premium price, while Tag Heuer leans into luxury craftsmanship and heritage-inspired design that mirrors its mechanical watches. In daily wear, the Calibre E5 feels more like a fashion statement with its refined finish, whereas the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic offers more fitness tracking, longer battery life, and smoother software. The verdict isn't a clear winner-it's a matter of what you value: brand prestige and watchmaking or versatile tech and value. If you crave pure luxury, Tag Heuer; if you want performance with a connected experience, Samsung.

Nvidia Loses Ground to AMD, Intel Reaches 1% AIB Share in Q3 2025 GPU Market

December 2, 2025, 9:42 AM EST. Fresh figures from Jon Peddie Research place the Q3'25 desktop AIB market at 12.0 million units, up 2.8% quarter-over-quarter. Nvidia remains dominant with ~92% share, but down from 94% last quarter (a 1.2-point drop). AMD gains to 7% on RDNA 4-based RX 9000 line, while Intel cracks 1% for the first time in the dGPU market. The AIB penetration into desktops sits at 162%, signaling ongoing upgrades rather than new builds. JPR notes the quarterly growth was below the historical average, likely due to panic buying ahead of tariffs in Q2. Dr. Jon Peddie warns inflation-driven recession risks may constrain future AIB growth through 2029.

Multiverse Computing and Cerebrium Unveil Compressed AI Cloud Platform for Economically Sustainable AI at Scale

December 2, 2025, 9:40 AM EST. In a move to curb skyrocketing AI compute costs, Multiverse Computing and Cerebrium are combining quantum-inspired model compression with elastic, serverless infrastructure. The joint pipeline links CompactifAI compression with dynamic container scaling to deliver up to 12x faster inference and up to 80% fewer compute resources, enabling rapid, global deployment. The solution targets the full AI lifecycle from prototyping to production, optimizing GPU utilization and cutting latency. Executives say the approach shifts industry focus from mere scale to efficiency, speed, and economic viability. Deployments can be private, with near-instant access to thousands of GPUs, unlocking more sustainable, accessible AI for enterprises.

Google Android Patch Tuesday: 107 Flaws Patched, Two Exploited in the Wild

December 2, 2025, 9:38 AM EST. Google released its December 2025 Android security updates, addressing 107 vulnerabilities across Framework, System, Kernel, and third-party components from Arm, Imagination Technologies, MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Unison. The two high-severity flaws exploited in the wild are CVE-2025-48633 (information disclosure) and CVE-2025-48572 (elevation of privilege) in Framework. Google gave no details on attack chains or scope, but warned of possible limited, targeted exploitation. Also fixed is a critical Framework flaw, CVE-2025-48631, that could enable remote DoS without additional privileges. To speed remediation, Google offers two patch levels-2025-12-01 and 2025-12-05-for manufacturers. Users should update once patches are available. This follows earlier fixes for actively exploited flaws in the Linux Kernel (CVE-2025-38352) and Android Runtime (CVE-2025-48543).

India expands anti-theft drive to verify every smartphone via central IMEI database

December 2, 2025, 9:36 AM EST. India is widening its anti-theft and cybersecurity project to cover new and used smartphones by requiring firms that trade devices to verify each unit against a central IMEI database. This expands the Sanchar Saathi system, which already blocks or traces lost phones and has helped recover hundreds of thousands of devices. The government's push to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new handsets-and push updates to existing devices-has drawn privacy concerns from advocates who say it increases state visibility into personal devices, even as officials insist the system is voluntary and designed to curb crime such as IMEI duplication and fraud in the second-hand market. Critics question real-world opt-in and end-user control, while government officials cite strong uptake and growing app usage.

Fitbit Google Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch Drops to $99.95 (Lowest Price Ever)

December 2, 2025, 9:28 AM EST. Deal alert: the Fitbit Google Ace LTE for kids is down to $99.95 from $179.95-the lowest price tracked. The combo of animated games and movement nudges makes it easy for kids aged 7-11 to stay active, with built-in LTE GPS for calls and location in the Fitbit app on iOS or Android. Parental controls cover basic contacts and safety. Caveats: no music apps or sleep tracking, occasional sluggishness when swapping features, and a mandatory Ace Pass subscription ($9.99/month) to unlock GPS, LTE, and games. Without the subscription it's mainly a step counter. Still, the rugged hardware and kid-friendly interface make it a solid family option for tracking activity and location.

Scientists Warn of Emissions Risks as Satellite Constellations Surge

December 2, 2025, 9:26 AM EST. As launches surge, including SpaceX's Falcon 9 missions and Starlink's expanding constellation to thousands of satellites, scientists warn that increased emissions and debris could alter the upper atmosphere. The year 2025 is on pace for nearly 300 orbital launches, with SpaceX alone logging a record 152 Falcon 9 flights and a global shift toward military, scientific, and corporate ventures. Regulators like the FCC have approved expansion plans, while observers note that a growing space economy heightens exposure to environmental and navigational risks. Experts caution that we are entering a regime of atmospheric change not seen before, calling for closer monitoring, improved debris mitigation, and policy safeguards as launches become routine.

Megaport snaps up Latitude.sh for US$150m to broaden Brazil data centre and NaaS footprint

December 2, 2025, 9:24 AM EST. UK-headquartered network-as-a-service (NaaS) and data centre group Megaport has agreed to acquire Brazilian internet infrastructure solutions provider Latitude.sh for US$150 million, with Gilbert + Tobin (Sydney) and Pinheiro Neto Advogados (São Paulo) advising. The deal expands Megaport's global footprint into Brazil and strengthens its LATAM presence by merging Latitude.sh's infrastructure with Megaport's cloud networking platform. The acquisition highlights ongoing consolidation in the telecom and data centre sectors as demand for scalable edge and cloud connectivity grows. Completion remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

BBC Verify debunks AI-generated Venezuela coast clip amid US Caribbean buildup

December 2, 2025, 9:22 AM EST. BBC Verify reports a viral clip showing Venezuelan troops near the coast-allegedly warning about warships and planes-is AI-generated. The earliest variant appeared on TikTok and later spread on X, racking up millions of views. Key giveaway signs include distorted hands, missing fingers, and a rock that disintegrates in mid-air, all hallmarks of synthetic video. The footage is formed from three 10-second clips stitched together, a technique common in current AI video tools. BBC Verify cautions that the clip has circulated amid a broader US military build-up in the Caribbean, noting no ships were observed as close to Venezuela's coast. The report underscores ongoing misinformation risks linked to AI-generated content and war-footage claims.

Amazfit Active 2 in Amazon Warehouse Deals: budget smartwatch with privacy trade-offs

December 2, 2025, 9:20 AM EST. Seeking a simple, budget smartwatch, the author buys a €51.70 Amazfit Active 2 from Amazon Warehouse Deals. Setup is straightforward via the Zepp app, but privacy concerns loom: data sharing with Zepp and processing by the manufacturer, with tokens tied to pairing; Gadgetbridge requires workarounds. The watch looks good and has promising battery life, a quick, responsive round display, and comfortable design, though the second fabric band is missing. Customization is painful: many features can't be disabled on the watch and require the app. The irritant: persistent PAI points nudges and goals despite Theater/Power Saving modes. The reviewer dislikes automatic measurements (green sensor light). Overall, value targets met on price and aesthetics, but privacy and control friction remain significant hurdles.

Expand Your AI Strategy Beyond the U.S. and China

December 2, 2025, 9:16 AM EST. Ask executives where the next wave of AI is coming from, and most point to the U.S. or China. They benefit from distinct advantages: in the U.S., thriving venture capital and lighter regulation; in China, heavy government investment and AI-enabled surveillance that fuels data collection and demand. Both host large tech firms with vast data. Yet these strengths do not grant a monopoly on the future of AI-other regions and players are rising. A robust strategy should map global regulatory environments, data access, and local talent to unlock new use cases and partnerships beyond the two giants. In short, diversify investments, beware overreliance on a single geopolitical axis, and pursue resilient, globally distributed AI development.

AI Processor Market to Reach US$323.8B by 2033 as Custom Silicon Accelerates Edge Inference

December 2, 2025, 9:14 AM EST. The AI processor market is entering a hardware arms race, led by GPUs, custom silicon, and edge inference. Global spend surged as hyperscalers and tech giants commit hundreds of billions to AI infrastructure. The market climbed from US$43.7 billion in 2024 to an anticipated US$323.8 billion by 2033, a CAGR near 25%. Nvidia's Blackwell B200 (208B transistors, ~20 PFLOPS per GPU) and AMD's MI300X exemplify density-driven gains, while Cerebras' WSE-3 and AWS Trainium2 push new scales of compute. Trends include ASICs by hyperscalers, chiplet architectures, and neural processing units embedded in mainline CPUs. Key challenges remain thermal management and memory bandwidth bottlenecks as the ecosystem expands toward edge and real-time inference.

Dying GEO satellite to photograph Apophis during 2029 close approach

December 2, 2025, 9:12 AM EST. An Australian startup, HEO Robotics, plans to buy a near-end-of-life geostationary satellite and use its remaining fuel for a close flyby of the asteroid Apophis during its 2029 Earth approach. The maneuver would depart a graveyard orbit and use a small fuel boost to capture a close pass as Apophis nears Earth on April 13, 2029. The effort would supplement international missions from NASA, ESA and Japan (OSIRIS-APEX, RAMSES, DESTINY+), potentially seen by billions. HEO intends to expand from Earth imagery to solar-system coverage, highlighting imagination in visiting new targets and studying how an asteroid responds to planetary gravity.

Cyber Monday AirPods Deals: AirPods 4, Pro 3, and AirPods Max at All-Time Lows

December 2, 2025, 9:10 AM EST. AirPods shoppers have access to all-time-low prices across multiple models this Cyber Week. Walmart lists AirPods 4 for $79.99, and the ANC version drops to $99.99 on Amazon. AirPods Pro 3 are $219.99, a new low. The AirPods Max (USB-C) are $399.99 at Best Buy. AirPods Pro 2 fetch $134.99 at Woot, with a new-condition unit and a one-year Apple warranty. For more discounts, check our Apple Deals roundup and sign up for the Deals Newsletter to stay updated on the biggest savings of the season.

Should You Buy Tesla Stock Heading Into 2026? Valuation, Robotics Bets, and the Road to Mass Adoption

December 2, 2025, 9:06 AM EST. Tesla remains a leading EV maker, but its valuation looms large. About 75% of revenue still comes from EVs, and deliveries slipped in 2024 and through 2025 before a Q3 uptick tied to the end of the $7,500 EV tax credit. The bigger picture is the bet on the future: Cybercab autonomous robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot could generate far more revenue than today's cars, a vision CEO Elon Musk has championed. However, FSD regulatory hurdles and an already lofty valuation cap upside until mass adoption. Competition from lower-cost players like BYD adds risk. With production slated for 2026, the question for investors is whether Tesla's long-term opportunities justify the near-term volatility.

The Biggest Decision Yet: Jared Kaplan on Allowing AI to Train Itself

December 2, 2025, 9:02 AM EST. Jared Kaplan weighs the implications of letting AI systems train themselves, exploring whether self-training can accelerate breakthroughs or heighten risks. The discussion covers safeguards, accountability, and the need for governance as models become more capable of shaping their own data and objectives. Readers will consider how self-learning AI could transform research, industry deployment, and policy, while examining potential security concerns, bias, and the balance between innovation and responsibility. The piece highlights the ongoing debate among researchers, regulators, and startups about when and how to permit autonomous training to proceed.

Case Western grad leads Midwest software firm into AI-quantum frontier

December 2, 2025, 9:00 AM EST. From lab benches to client deliverables, Caden Kacmarynski, a 2024 Case Western Reserve University graduate with a B.S. in Engineering Physics, now serves as Chief AI Architect at MorelandConnect. The Midwest software firm has pivoted to AI-first, with a growing emphasis on quantum computing as a companion technology. Kacmarynski also chairs the nonprofit Quantum Coalition, a network aimed at lowering barriers to entry in quantum information sciences. His work combines hands-on physics with practical software design, leading generative-AI systems, decision-support, and automation for healthcare, manufacturing, and enterprise. He argues for hybrid architectures that pair a QPU with a classical computer (and a GPU), enabling quantum-inspired solutions today rather than waiting for a 'quantum laptop.'

DJI Ends Official Support for Six Legacy Enterprise Drones and Payloads in January 2026

December 2, 2025, 8:58 AM EST. DJI has announced that January 30, 2026 will be the last day it offers official support for six legacy Enterprise products. After that date, users lose access to technical help, maintenance, repairs, and product inquiries. The affected models are the Matrice M200 V2, Matrice M210 V2, and M210 RTK V2, as well as the Zenmuse XT, Zenmuse XT2, and Lightbridge 2 payloads. While the drones will still fly, there will be no safety net from DJI, increasing operational risk for uptime-critical missions. DJI frames this as routine lifecycle management to free resources for newer hardware, and it recommends upgrading to a newer model to continue receiving enhanced technologies and support. Enterprise operators should plan replacements to avoid disruptions in inspections, mapping, or public-safety work.

New study links smartphone use before age 12 to higher depression, obesity and sleep problems

December 2, 2025, 8:54 AM EST. A new study of more than 10,000 U.S. adolescents found that smartphone ownership before age 12 is associated with increased risk of depression, obesity and insufficient sleep compared with peers without devices. Those who received a phone between ages 12 and 13 also showed elevated risks at age 13. The findings add to concerns about adolescent health and screen time, though a 2022 Stanford Medicine study reported no link. Researchers analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (2018-2020), examining phone ownership, age of first phone, other devices, puberty timing, parental monitoring and socioeconomic factors. While the study doesn't pinpoint which features cause harm, experts say smartphones should be considered in teen health decisions. Dr. Ran Barzilay emphasizes careful deliberation about giving a child a phone.

Intel Poised for Major Comeback as Apple Foundry Deal Could Be a Game-Changer

December 2, 2025, 8:52 AM EST. Analyst expectations suggest Apple could become a major customer for Intel's foundry services as the company eyes a comeback with its 18A-P process. Key input from Ming-Chi Kuo notes improved visibility, with Apple testing an early PDK and awaiting version 1.0 due in Q1 2026. If materialized, Apple reportedly plans to use the 18A-P for its lowest-end M-series processors powering the MacBook Air and iPad Pro, with shipments around Q2 2027 and initial volumes of roughly 15-20 million chips per year. A potential $1 billion annual impact for Intel hinges on volumes and per-chip pricing. The move would also signal trust from the world's largest buyer and help Apple diversify away from TSMC, potentially lowering costs across modules. Still, breaking the historic perception that Intel has struggled to become a trusted foundry remains a challenge.

SWOT Satellite Captures First Close-Up of a Giant Tsunami, Upending Tsunami Models

December 2, 2025, 8:50 AM EST. NASA and CNES's SWOT satellite delivered a groundbreaking, two-dimensional view of a Pacific tsunami-capturing a high-resolution image of the wave field as it dispersed across hundreds of miles. Previously, researchers relied on point data from DART buoys and models that treated large waves as non-dispersive, shallow-water phenomena. The SWOT observation revealed a braided, fragmented energy pattern and wave dispersion mid-ocean, challenging decades of assumptions. When coupled with numerical simulations that include dispersion physics, the imagery closely matched reality; models ignoring dispersion failed to reproduce the satellite data. The findings, published in The Seismic Record, could reshape tsunami modeling, early-warning systems, and coastal risk planning by showing how energy spreads and evolves in open ocean.

UN Alert: AI Risks Deepening Global Inequality and Triggering the 'Great Divergence'

December 2, 2025, 8:48 AM EST. A United Nations Development Programme report warns that artificial intelligence could widen the gap between developed and developing countries, risking a "great divergence." The study, "The Next Great Divergence," urges urgent, coordinated policy action to manage AI's impacts. While AI may boost growth in regions like Asia Pacific-potentially lifting GDP and expanding services-it could also entrench disparities where connectivity, power reliability, and tech skills are weak. Early gains favor nations such as Singapore, Japan, and China, while others face automation-driven job losses, especially for women and youth. The report highlights spillovers into security and migration and calls for inclusive investments in skills, infrastructure, and governance to ensure benefits are broadly shared.

Musk: AI Could Make Skills Obsolete, Yet College Still Holds Social Value

December 2, 2025, 8:46 AM EST. Elon Musk argues that AI could render many skills obsolete, but he also says college remains valuable for its social value and broader education. The clash between rapid AI innovation and traditional schooling highlights the need for upskilling, mentorship, and community that machines can't replicate. This Business Insider take examines how leaders balance automation with the enduring benefits of higher education, urging policymakers and educators to adapt without discarding human connection, critical thinking, or collaboration. The discussion spotlights the future of work, AI policy, and the role of colleges in preparing a resilient workforce.

iPad Cyber Monday Deals: Air, Mini, and Pro Slashed Prices Across the Lineup

December 2, 2025, 8:44 AM EST. Cyber Monday hits Apple's iPad lineup with wide savings across the board. Whether you want a budget-friendly base iPad, the versatile iPad Air (M3), the compact iPad mini, or the premium iPad Pro (M5), every model is $150 off this sale. Entry models start under $280 shipped, while the iPad Pro tiers soar to higher storage options at strong discounts. The 13-inch M5 iPad Pro is highlighted across configurations, including various storage and finishes. Accessories also shine: the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil remain strong complements to turn an iPad into a capable workstation. If you're shopping for a family tablet or a pro setup, these Cyber Monday deals offer solid value across Apple's tablet lineup.

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Drops to $269 for Cyber Monday, a Strong GoPro Rival

December 2, 2025, 8:42 AM EST. DJI's Osmo Action 5 Pro is on Cyber Monday sale at $269 (from $349), making a strong case for action-camera upgrades. The camera sports a 1/1.3-inch sensor and a 4nm chip that enhance low-light performance and fast processing, delivering crisp 4K at 120fps and smooth slow motion. It supports an adjustable 16:9/9:16 aspect ratio, and its 360° stabilization plus two OLED touchscreens keeps framing steady, whether you're on a mountain trail or at the waves. Voice control frees up your hands for action, and battery life reaches up to four hours per charge, great for long shoots. Ideal for content creators chasing pro features without breaking the bank this Cyber Monday.

Georgia Senators Announce $300 Million BEAD Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Across Georgia

December 2, 2025, 8:40 AM EST. Georgia Senators Reverend Warnock and Jon Ossoff announced more than $300 million in federal funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's BEAD Program to expand high-speed internet across the state. The effort targets unserved and underserved communities, with about 15% of Georgians lacking reliable access, and will be distributed by the Georgia Technology Authority to local contractors to build out infrastructure. The funding aims to close the digital divide and move Georgia toward universal connectivity, building on prior BEAD allocations and efforts to expand the FCC's E-Rate program. Senators Warnock and Ossoff position this as a key step for rural development, economic opportunity, and broader participation in the digital economy.

Luma AI Opens London Office Led by Jason Day to Drive Global Creative AI Expansion

December 2, 2025, 8:32 AM EST. Luma AI has opened its first international office in London, positioning the city as a hub for its global expansion into EMEA markets. The move will be led by Jason Day, a former WPP/Monks executive, who will steer international business development, partnerships, and customer growth outside the U.S. The company, known for Dream Machine and Ray3, plans to create around 200 roles in London by 2026 and expand across the UK, Europe, and Saudi Arabia by 2028. CEO Amit Jain says the expansion aims to put world-scale AI in the hands of creatives, marketers, and brands. Luma AI is backed by Humain, Andreessen Horowitz, AWS, NVIDIA, and others.

Viztalab Smartphone-Based AI Telescope on sale: 24x optical zoom for $199.99 (MSRP $399)

December 2, 2025, 8:30 AM EST. The Viztalab Smartphone-Based AI Telescope turns your phone into a high-precision viewing tool for crystal-clear stargazing and birdwatching. Grab it for $199.99 (MSRP $399) during a limited-time holiday sale. Features include 24x true optical zoom with zero quality loss via advanced ED lenses and AI tech, and the Vizta App that identifies over 10,000 bird species, offers an interactive sky map, and guides you to constellations and planets. It stacks multiple exposures for detailed views and stores shots in the cloud. Setup is simple-attach your phone and launch the app-with portability and smart guidance for beginners and seasoned explorers alike.

KnowBe4 Predicts the Agentic AI Revolution Will Reshape Cybersecurity in 2026

December 2, 2025, 8:28 AM EST. KnowBe4's 2026 cybersecurity predictions highlight agentic AI as a defining force. The firm says AI agents will cut mean time to detect and respond (MTTR) by 30-50% for mature teams, with immutable audit trails and regulator-ready incident summaries easing compliance. As attackers deploy AI tools, defenders aim to stay ahead by embedding agentic AI into common software and workflows. The forecast also positions humans and AI agents as the new workforce, requiring expanded training that covers policies, guardrails, and behavioral expectations for AI team members. A third pillar, Q-Day, centers on pervasive digital identities tied to real humans, such as the EU Digital Identity Wallet, as quantum readiness becomes a reality-though uptake remains non-mandatory.

GIBO and Ricloud Sign Core Partnership to Accelerate Southeast Asia AI Cloud Deployment

December 2, 2025, 8:26 AM EST. GIBO Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GIBO) and Ricloud AI Inc. announce a Core Partnership Agreement to break into the data center and AI cloud markets in Southeast Asia. As one of 79 NVIDIA Cloud Partners, Ricloud will enable GIBO to deploy GPU-accelerated infrastructure and compliant cloud solutions across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. The three-year agreement (with automatic renewal) positions GIBO as Ricloud's core strategic partner in the region, delivering priority access to opportunities and rights of first refusal on collaborations, plus a plan for ongoing investment to fuel multi-continental data center rollout. By combining GIBO's 80 million registered users and AIGC expertise with Ricloud's secure cloud architecture, the alliance aims to develop localized LLMs, GPU-as-a-Service, and hybrid AI for regulated sectors such as finance and healthcare.

HPE Expands Nvidia AI Portfolio with EU Sovereign AI Factory Lab and London Private Lab

December 2, 2025, 8:24 AM EST. HP Enterprise (HPE) expands its Nvidia AI Computing by HPE portfolio with new offerings to enable secure, scalable AI factories and advanced data-center networking. The Grenoble AI Factory Lab will let enterprises test workloads on sovereign, EU-based, air-cooled infrastructure, addressing data sovereignty and regulatory needs. The lab will feature HPE servers, Nvidia accelerated computing hardware, Nvidia Spectrum-X networking, HPE Alletra storage, and the government-ready version of Nvidia AI Enterprise, with a planned open in Q2 2026. HPE also teamed with Carbon3.ai to create the Private AI Lab in London, using the HPE Private Cloud AI platform and Nvidia software to accelerate UK AI adoption. The stack adds MIG-based resource fractionalisation and supports STIG-hardening and FIPS-enabled Nvidia AI Enterprise, plus updated RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell/Hopper GPUs for sovereignty deployments.

Michael Burry Calls Tesla Valuation Ridiculously Overvalued

December 2, 2025, 8:10 AM EST. Investor Michael Burry sparked headlines by calling Tesla 'ridiculously overvalued' and blasting CEO Elon Musk's nearly $1 trillion compensation package as diluting investors. In a continuation of his Nvidia critique, Burry argues that Tesla's $1.43 trillion market cap reflects hype rather than fundamentals. The note comes as Tesla faces slowing demand in China, the U.S., and the EU, with the end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit weighing on sales. Still, Musk envisions a future dominated by AI, self-driving tech, and the Optimus humanoid robot, with aggressive revenue targets for 2040. Skeptics worry about optics and execution, while supporters point to expansion in software and robotics. The debate leaves investors weighing valuation against long-term growth in mobility and automation.

Vitalist and MicroEJ Unveil Reebok Smartwatch Powered by VitalOS™

December 2, 2025, 8:08 AM EST. Vitalist Inc. and MicroEJ announced the first commercial smartwatch powered by VitalOS™, marking the public debut of a brand-focused wearables OS. The Reebok smartwatch demonstrates how brands can own the product experience without relying on proprietary ecosystems. VitalOS™ leverages MicroEJ's virtualization tech (VEE Wear) to deliver a low-power, hardware-agnostic platform designed for extended battery life and 6-9 month development cycles. The system enables customization across generations, supporting efficient software updates and brand-specific experiences. The collaboration: Vitalist's VitalOS with MicroEJ's VEE Wear; Reebok is the first global brand to deploy it. CES 2026 showcase planned at the Venetian Expo, Booth #53029. This partnership highlights a path for brands to enter wearables with scalable cross-device support.

YouTube's AI likeness tool expands to flag deepfakes, fueling biometrics and AI-training concerns

December 2, 2025, 8:02 AM EST. YouTube is expanding its likeness detection to flag when a creator's face is used without permission in AI-generated deepfakes. The tool now applies to millions of YouTube Partner Program creators and requires a government ID and a biometric video to function. While YouTube says the feature is optional and data is used only for identity verification and to power the safety feature, experts warn that tying biometrics to Google's Privacy Policy could enable future misuse and broaden data use for training AI models. Google has said it has never used creators' biometric data to train AI, but the policy allows public biometric information to train models. YouTube is reviewing signup language to avoid confusion amid tension between AI expansion and creator trust.

Congress Must Act Now on AI Threats and Regulation

December 2, 2025, 7:58 AM EST. Artificial intelligence and robotics are poised to transform every facet of society, from the economy to education and national security. This piece argues that Congress is failing to discuss these issues and calls for urgent action based on a Senate inquiry and a public session with Geoffrey Hinton. It questions who should control the AI transition and the influence of ultra-wealthy tech leaders, urging democratic oversight. Projections cited include millions of jobs at risk across sectors, fueling debates over executive orders and regulation versus unfettered tech power. With forthcoming recommendations to Congress, the piece emphasizes threats, regulation, jobs displacement, and democratic accountability.

OnePlus Pad 3 Cyber Monday Deal: $120 Off Brings It to $580, a Flagship Android Tablet Rival

December 2, 2025, 7:56 AM EST. OnePlus is teasing a Cyber Monday deal on the OnePlus Pad 3, slashing $120 off its regular price to $580. The flagship Android tablet sports a Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12-16GB RAM options, up to 512GB storage, and a 13.2-inch LCD with a 3392×2400 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It runs Android 16 with OxygenOS and offers features like Open Canvas for multitasking with up to five apps. The package aims to undercut Samsung's Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, presenting a powerful alternative at roughly half the cost. If you want a large, capable tablet for productivity, media, and gaming, this deal is hard to beat-hurry, it won't last long.

Global Redmi Note 15 Pro+, Pro, and Note 15: specs, prices, and leaked images

December 2, 2025, 7:54 AM EST. Leak details point to three global Redmi Note 15 models arriving soon. The Note 15 Pro+ reportedly features a 6.83-inch OLED with 1.5K resolution and 120Hz, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, 8GB RAM, 256/512GB storage, and a 6,500mAh battery with 100W charging. Rear cameras are a 200MP main, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro; a 32MP selfie camera completes the package. Dimensions are 163.34 x 78.31 x 7.91 mm, 207g, with a €499 price and colors Glacier Blue, Mocha Brown, Black. The Note 15 Pro swaps in a Dimensity 7400, 6,580mAh and 45W charging, plus a 20MP selfie; priced around €399. The base Note 15 uses a 6.83-inch FHD+ AMOLED, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 8GB/256GB, 108MP main, 5,520mAh with 45W, at €299.

ChatGPT vs Generative AI: The Rise of Agentic Browsing in Web Browsers

December 2, 2025, 7:52 AM EST. From Netscape to modern web tools, this piece contrasts traditional browsers with a new breed: agentic browsing. It explains how browser agents use a natural-language interface and computer vision to translate instructions into actions-clicking links, filling forms, and navigating sites-without waiting for manual effort. Unlike standard AI-enabled browsers, these agents aim to actually complete tasks for users. Examples include ChatGPT Atlas, Opera Neon, and Perplexity's Comet. The article covers practical uses, potential impacts on how we search and work online, and the significant risks and limitations of this early tech, noting the field is still experimental and evolving. It ends by asking what this could mean for the future of the internet and human-machine collaboration.

Motorola Edge 70 Swarovski Crystal Edition: Leaks Hint 14 Crystals and Pantone Cloud Dancer

December 2, 2025, 7:46 AM EST. A new leak suggests Motorola is prepping another Swarovski Crystal collaboration for the Edge 70, potentially featuring about 14 crystals on a quilted back and a Pantone Color of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer. The all-white design, silver frame, and square camera housing echo past collaborations. The tip from Evan Blass via Gizmochina points to a December reveal, following Motorola's pattern of pairing Pantone shades with crystallized finishes. Motorola previously teamed with Swarovski on the Razr 2025, and has also rolled out Pantone colors like Peach Fuzz and Mocha/ Mocha Mousse for Razr and Edge lines. If accurate, this could merge the crystal aesthetic with a year-ahead Pantone color once again, timing it with Motorola's traditional December announcements.

Paris-based Gradium raises $70M seed to push ultra-low-latency AI voice

December 2, 2025, 7:44 AM EST. Paris-based AI voice startup Gradium unveiled its stealth exit with a $70 million seed round, led by FirstMark Capital and Eurazeo, with backing from Xavier Niel, DST Global, and Eric Schmidt. Spun out of French AI lab Kyutai, Gradium was founded by Neil Zeghidour, a former Google DeepMind researcher. The company is building ultra-low-latency, multilingual voice models designed for developers to deploy at scale, starting with English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. Gradium faces competition from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Mistral, ElevenLabs and Hugging Face, but says its focus on ultra-realistic voice expression and accuracy will grow as AI expands into entertainment and work.

Should I tell my boss I use AI at work? HR guidance on transparency and policy

December 2, 2025, 7:42 AM EST. Using AI to speed up reports and emails isn't the problem-the lack of transparency and a formal policy is. Many organizations still don't have guidelines, so employees test the waters quietly. Frame the talk as a business decision: you've been testing AI tools to boost efficiency and want to ensure your approach aligns with company expectations and safeguards. When used responsibly, AI can elevate work and reveal leadership potential; when used off the radar, it risks confidential data and biased outputs. If management reacts poorly, it may reflect a policy gap, not your initiative. Proactively discuss guardrails to show you're embracing the future of work and responsible innovation.

Omdia: Latin America Smartphone Shipments Up 1% in 3Q25 to Highest Since 2015

December 2, 2025, 7:40 AM EST. Omdia reports Latin America's smartphone market grew 1% YoY in 3Q25, reaching 35.2 million units and its highest quarterly level since 4Q15. Samsung led with 11.6 million units and a 33% share, driven by the A-series (68% of Samsung shipments). Xiaomi followed with 6.3 million (18%), while Motorola posted an 11% YoY decline. HONOR hit a record 2.9 million shipments for a third straight quarter. TRANSSION rounded top five with a 19% YoY decline. Brazil remains the largest market (29% share, 10.3 million, up 5%), while Mexico falls to 7.4 million and −11%. The sub-$300 segment accounts for 71% of shipments but is down 2% YTD; high-end >$500 up 20% YTD, lifting ASP by 8% in 3Q25.

Nvidia-backed Luma AI to hire 200 in London as $4B AI startup expands in Europe

December 2, 2025, 7:38 AM EST. Luma AI is expanding to London with a hiring spree of about 200 employees by early 2027, roughly 40% of the workforce. The Nvidia-backed video-generation startup just closed a $900 million Series C led by Humain, lifting its valuation to about $4 billion. Luma builds world models that learn from video, audio, images, and text and offers an API and content-creation suite for marketing, advertising, media, and entertainment. CEO Amit Jain says the build-out of global compute infrastructure will bring world-scale AI to creatives. London was chosen for its talent pool and as the gateway to Europe, with the UK serving as a springboard for broader EU expansion as North American labs push to establish in Europe.

From AI Lagard to AI Leader: Alphabet's Surprising Ascent in the AI War

December 2, 2025, 7:36 AM EST. Alphabet's stock has surged nearly 68% this year as it shifts from an AI laggard to a leader. After a DOJ antitrust suit over digital advertising and search, Google's AI Overviews atop Search and the Gemini AI model helped counter concerns about monopoly. The release of AI Mode and the rollout of Gemini 3 aim to deliver deeper, less-prompts-heavy answers, challenging rivals like ChatGPT. Investors such as Pershing Square applauded the feature's ability to increase user engagement. Analysts from HSBC say these innovations could widen Google's AI moat and restore momentum in an AI-driven race.

Best Cyber Monday smartwatch deals: Apple, Garmin, Samsung

December 2, 2025, 7:30 AM EST. Cyber Monday brings strong discounts on top smartwatches from Apple, Garmin, and Samsung. This guide spotlights the best Cyber Week offers on Apple Watch models, Garmin Venu/Fenix lines, and Samsung Galaxy Watch series. Expect savings on both entry-level and premium options, plus bundles and updated pricing as stock shifts. Key buying criteria include health tracking, GPS, battery life, display quality, and iOS/Android compatibility. Deals update quickly, so check retailer pages for price guarantees and return policies. Act fast to lock in savings before prices revert after Cyber Monday.

Android December 2025 Security Bulletin: Critical Flaws Prompt Patch Rollout

December 2, 2025, 7:26 AM EST. Google has published the December 2025 Android Security Bulletin, outlining a slate of critical and high-severity flaws affecting devices running Android 13 and later. Patches are slated for the Android security update dated December 5, 2025, delivered by OEMs. The bulletin highlights a severe flaw in the Android Framework that could enable a remote denial-of-service without extra privileges, plus system and kernel-level bugs capable of privilege escalation with user input. Chipset-specific issues from Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Unisoc are listed. Users should ensure devices receive the latest security update from their OEM. Android Automotive and Wear OS bulletins were updated, but currently list no vulnerabilities. Stay tuned for further advisories.

Dan Houser: AI is 'Mad Cow Disease' and Could Eat Itself

December 2, 2025, 7:22 AM EST. Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser likens AI to 'mad cow disease' and warns humanity may be pulled in directions by people who aren't fully rounded. In a Virgin Radio UK interview, the ex-writer-turned-author of A Better Paradise cites rising copyright tensions and ongoing lawsuits (Disney and Universal vs Midjourney; cease-and-desist to Character.AI) over training content. Houser, now with Absurd Ventures, contends AI could "eat itself" as models scour the internet for data, creating a self-referential loop. He emphasizes the risk of GIGO with LLMs cannibalizing themselves and questions whether the information won't degrade even as some tasks are performed well. He remains skeptical about a future where AI-driven creativity bests human authors and creators.

2026 to Be the Year of AI Monetization, Says Wedbush's Dan Ives

December 2, 2025, 7:20 AM EST. Enterprise and global AI spending is poised to surge in 2026 as infrastructure expands and AI software becomes embedded in devices from smartphones to PCs. Gartner pegs global AI expenditure at over $2 trillion in 2026, driven by broader adoption beyond a few giants. Regional conditions, regulation, and talent availability will shape pacing, with not all firms planning large hardware upgrades at the same time. Dan Ives of Wedbush predicts 2026 will be the year of AI monetization, as infrastructure enables real-world use cases for enterprises and consumers. The Deloitte view echoes rising spending but emphasizes execution over pilots, highlighting data hygiene, workflow integration, governance, new pricing, and regulatory compliance as key workstreams. The shift is toward turning capabilities into measurable business results.

Save data and battery by setting Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi only

December 2, 2025, 7:04 AM EST. Learn how to curb background activity by setting Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi only on iPhone and how to apply similar controls on Android. Limiting background refresh can cut data usage and extend battery life by preventing apps from updating when you're not using them. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and choose Wi-Fi (or Off for complete block). Android users can restrict background data and background activity per app within Settings, often under Data usage or Network settings. The change reduces updates when on mobile data, but may delay new content until you open the app.

Garmin Fenix 8 Drops to All-Time Low for Cyber Monday: $849 on Amazon

December 2, 2025, 6:50 AM EST. During Cyber Monday, Amazon slashes the price of the flagship Garmin Fenix 8 to an all-time low: $849 (usually $1,099). The 47mm, solar-powered smartwatch features sapphire crystal and titanium construction, delivering extended battery life – up to 92 hours in GPS mode with solar, or weeks in smartwatch mode. It uses SatIQ multi-band GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) to optimize accuracy and battery life, automatically adjusting in challenging environments. Built-in sensors include a three-axis compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter, plus a 40-meter dive rating for scuba and freediving. Other perks: a readiness score, real-time stamina tracking, dive data, and an onboard LED flashlight. A top-tier choice for serious athletes this Cyber Monday.

Google Recorder update adds Auto Clear Voice and account switcher on Pixel

December 2, 2025, 6:40 AM EST. Google is rolling out Recorder v4.2.20251104 for Pixel devices, adding an account switcher UI and renaming Clear Voice to Auto Clear Voice. While the feature's function remains the same-reducing background noise-Google now notes it uses more storage. On recordings with Auto Clear Voice, a new Clear Voice chip appears in the playback screen, indicating the enhancement is applied and offering a quick toggle to revert to the original audio. The update also introduces the account switcher UI in Recorder. These changes are now available to users who install the update.

Google Engineer: Landing an AI Role Took a Year of Daily Studying

December 2, 2025, 6:38 AM EST. Google engineer reveals that breaking into an AI role required a full year of focused effort and daily study. The takeaway: consistent practice, mastering core AI concepts, building relevant projects, and cultivating a steady learning routine can overcome entry barriers in a competitive field. The piece underscores that meaningful progress comes from small, steady steps over time, not a single breakthrough. For readers chasing AI careers, the advice is to map a curriculum, practice with real datasets, and seek mentorship, while keeping up with evolving tools and machine learning best practices.

Your iPhone Could Run a Desktop-Like OS Today-Even Without Apple's Blessing

December 2, 2025, 6:36 AM EST. Hackers revealed that modern iPhones may run the upcoming iPhone Fold OS, delivering a desktop-like experience on devices previously thought to be phone-only. Apple touts MacBook Pro-level compute with the A19 Pro in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, fueling talk of a cheaper MacBook in 2026. The piece notes that iOS and iPadOS share code, enabling iPadOS features on iPhone, including a landscape Home Screen, iPad-style app switcher, expanded Dock, and even desktop-grade apps and windowed multitasking. A Reddit user claims to have loaded iPadOS on an iPhone via a hack, though Apple reportedly patched the exploit in iOS 26.2 beta. The discussion contrasts Apple's controls with Android's DeX approach, while WIRED's tests show a capable workflow on iPhone with the right accessories.

Why Nvidia, Google, and Uber Still Dominate the Market

December 2, 2025, 6:34 AM EST. In a Yahoo Finance episode focused on AI, tech leadership, and market structure, hosts and a guest analyze how dominant players sustain pricing power and operating leverage. The discussion centers on the idea of monopolies in modern tech, with Uber serving as a case study for how high-margin, scalable models can drive profits even amid volatility. The panel weighs earnings strength, insider buying signals, and the risk that policy and rate environments pose to future gains. They explore how dominant platforms and high-moat businesses turn new sales into higher profits, and what this means for investors betting on AI-enabled growth and tech leadership into 2026. The conversation highlights the tension between optimism and the potential for regime shifts in monopoly power and market pricing.

Isar Aerospace wins EU tech demo satellite launch on Spectrum rocket

December 2, 2025, 6:32 AM EST. Isar Aerospace won a launch contract to orbit the EU's technology demonstrator satellite ΣYNDEO-3 on its Spectrum rocket in late 2026. The mission, part of the EU's IOD/IOV program backed by Horizon 2020, will carry 10 payloads from five European countries and the European Commission. The spacecraft is built by Redwire Space using the Hammerhead bus (175 kg, supports up to 120 kg of payloads), compatible with Spectrum's ~1 metric ton capacity. The contract is not for a dedicated launch, enabling additional payloads, though financial terms were not disclosed. The mission follows Isar's March Spectrum attempt and is slated to launch from Andøya Spaceport in Norway. ESA and EU officials praised the deal; Isar aims for a swift second launch after the earlier failure.

Air Force Clears SpaceX to Build Starship Launch Pad at Cape Canaveral

December 2, 2025, 6:16 AM EST. The U.S. Air Force has approved SpaceX to develop a launch and landing pad for Starship at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex-37. SpaceX says construction is underway for three Florida launch pads to support Artemis and national-security missions. If analyses align, Starship could launch up to 76 missions annually and conduct up to 152 booster landings. Environmental mitigations include habitat restoration, with a pending aviation impact assessment. The project reflects Cape Canaveral's spaceflight history and expands infrastructure for the East Coast where Starship operations would be based.

iPhone SE Removed from Apple's Repair Partner Network: No Battery Replacements

December 2, 2025, 6:02 AM EST. Apple has announced that the iPhone SE is no longer eligible for battery replacements or other repairs when handled by Apple's partners. The change narrows repair options for owners who rely on the company's third-party service network, potentially forcing device replacements or service through Apple directly. The policy update underscores ongoing shifts in how Apple manages repairs for aging devices.

Samsung unveils its first tri-fold Galaxy Z TriFold to gauge consumer demand

December 2, 2025, 5:44 AM EST. Samsung Electronics has unveiled its first triple-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, a 10-inch foldable device priced around $2,400. The launch signals Samsung's bid to cement its leadership in the premium segment ahead of Apple's anticipated foldable model next year. The Galaxy Z TriFold folds three times to deliver a large tablet-like display in a pocketable chassis, aimed at multitasking, media, and productivity. Industry watchers say the steep price will test consumer appetite for ultra-flexible form factors, hinging on durability, software optimization, and carrier availability. Samsung frames the device as a strategic move to stay ahead in a growing foldable market, while Apple's entry next year could intensify competition and spur faster software innovations.

Apple's Crease-Free iPhone Fold: EVT Phase, Hinge Innovation, and Key Suppliers

December 2, 2025, 5:34 AM EST. Apple is reportedly moving its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Fold, into EVT (Engineering Validation Test) as it pursues a crease-free display. With a potential 2026 release, Apple aims for a seamless surface via new panel structures and lamination techniques that address the fold crease. Samsung is said to supply the display panels, while Apple reportedly reengineers the panel stack to wipe out the crease. The hinge system, crafted with Shinsu Shing, targets durability across countless folds. Expect premium materials and lightweight alloys for strength and portability. The supply chain centers on Foxconn for assembly, Samsung for panels, and Largan Precision for camera lenses, reflecting a tightly coordinated, high-end ecosystem.

AI-Driven Architecture in Shanghai: West Bund Convention Center Designed with AI

December 2, 2025, 5:32 AM EST. A dark, diamond-like facade on Shanghai's Huangpu River is partly designed by AI. SOM used AI as a primary driver after setting constraints for the West Bund Convention Center, balancing goals like maximizing views, floor space, and sunlight. The process uses multi-objective optimization, producing hundreds or thousands of potential facades while humans set boundaries. The firm emphasizes AI as a tool, not a substitute, with architects guiding output and choosing the best compromise. The project, part of China's push for AI leadership in design, blends efficiency with aesthetics and shows how AI can help solve complex design problems without giving up human oversight.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink Launch Window Set for Cape Canaveral on Dec. 2, 2025

December 2, 2025, 5:30 AM EST. Liftoff window 3:16 to 7:16 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, from Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A Falcon 9 will carry 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. If weather cooperates, the launch could be visible from the Space Coast area, from Daytona Beach to Vero Beach. Live coverage begins 90 minutes before liftoff via the USA TODAY Network Space Team at floridatoday.com/space, with updates in a mobile-friendly live blog. See the Florida Today Space section for more details and watch options.

Apple faces backlash over alleged caving to homophobia after removing LGBTQ apps in China

December 2, 2025, 5:28 AM EST. Apple is criticized for prioritizing revenue over ethics after allegedly bowing to Beijing's pressure and removing two major gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, without comment. Revisiting Tim Cook's 2014 public embrace of LGBTQ inclusion and the company's Pride branding, the piece argues the gap between rhetoric and action has widened as queer communities face censorship. By quietly complying with government requests, Apple is accused of sacrificing principle for access to the world's largest smartphone market. The authors frame this as a broader debate about tech giants navigating state demands versus standing up for rights, with implications for users, developers, and corporate accountability.

SoftBank's Son cried over Nvidia stake sale to fund AI bets, including OpenAI and data centers

December 2, 2025, 5:12 AM EST. Masayoshi Son revealed he was 'crying' over SoftBank's decision to sell its Nvidia stake, saying the move was aimed at funding new AI bets, including OpenAI and data-center projects. The sale, disclosed last November for about $5.83 billion, underpins SoftBank's intensified push into AI with initiatives such as the Stargate data-center program and the acquisition of Ampere Computing. Son dismissed AI-bubble fears and forecast that super AI and AI-robotics could contribute at least 10% to global GDP in the long run, even as SoftBank skirts market jitters. The group has signaled a possible further OpenAI investment depending on performance and rounds' valuations, and the quarterly results have shown strong profit from AI holdings.

Should You Buy Nvidia Stock (NVDA) in December?

December 2, 2025, 5:00 AM EST. NVDA has delivered strong gains and dominates GPUs for gaming and the booming data centers powered by AI workloads. The company is expanding into networking, software, and services, building a stickier ecosystem. Valuation appears reasonable with a forward P/E around 23, below its ~5-year average of 38, though competition remains a factor and market pullbacks can drive volatility. For cautious exposure, an ETF like SOXX offers diversification in the semiconductor space, with NVIDIA among top holdings. Before buying, weigh whether Nvidia can sustain its leadership in AI-driven growth and how it fits your risk tolerance and portfolio strategy.

Shop major tech deals from Hoka, Apple and Dyson at the year's lowest prices

December 2, 2025, 4:58 AM EST. On the final stretch of Black Friday-Cyber Monday, today feels like a last call for steals, with many items at their lowest prices this year. This curated list spotlights Apple AirPods 4 with ANC at $99 (lowest price ever), Dyson V11 cordless vacuums at about $400, and Bose QuietComfort headphones at $179, all hitting new lows. Other standout deals include Levi's jeans, Apple AirTags 4-pack, and the Disney+ Hulu bundle, plus the Lion share of items that tend to sell out quickly. The piece cautions some discounts are inflated or fleeting, but the savings on Apple, Dyson, Bose and other brands are real this time. It also adds fresh Cyber Monday picks like Shark and Bissell cleaners for quick grabs.

Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S25/S25+ leak: Ice Universe comparison tables

December 2, 2025, 4:56 AM EST. Leaker Ice Universe has shared two comparison tables detailing how the upcoming Galaxy S26 and S26+ stack up against the current S25 and S25+. The S26 reportedly features a slightly larger display, same peak brightness and refresh rate, same RAM and cameras, but a 300mAh bigger battery and a thinner body with 2g extra weight and a newer chipset. Additionally, the base storage shifts from 128GB to 256GB, still capping at 512GB. On the S26+, the display, memory, storage, cameras, battery, charging, and thickness mirror the S25+, with the only differences being the new chipset and a 4g weight increase. Source: Ice Universe.

European Firms Embrace AI Innovation and Compliance at ISG AI Impact Summit

December 2, 2025, 4:54 AM EST. European firms are prioritizing adaptable partnerships and strong governance to harness AI while complying with GDPR and the EU AI Act. At the ISG AI Impact Summit in Paris (Dec 8-9), leaders from Airbus, Dassault Systèmes, Thales Global Services, L'Oréal, Schneider Electric, Air Liquide, Shell, Adecco, Crédit Agricole, Bureau Veritas, Cigref, BNP Paribas and UEFA will discuss data foundations for scalable AI, compliant operating models and future-proof plans that link strategy to ROI. Sessions cover data governance, strategy alignment, and turning pilots into impact, with a keynote from Airbus and a startup challenge showcasing real-world innovations. The event reinforces Europe's approach to balancing competitiveness with accountability under the EU AI Act and the Digital Europe Program.

Samsung unveils Galaxy Z TriFold, its first multi-folding phone, as foldables heat up

December 2, 2025, 4:48 AM EST. Samsung Electronics unveiled its first multi-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, featuring three panels and a 10-inch inner display. The device aims to sharpen leadership as competition from rivals and an expected Apple entry intensifies the foldable race. In South Korea, sales start Dec. 12, with U.S. availability planned for early 2026 and a price of 3,594,000 won ($2,449) for the single black 16GB/512GB model. The TriFold uses two inward hinges to unfold into a tablet-sized screen and supports a desktop-like mode, three apps side by side, and the largest battery among Samsung foldables, plus 50% charging in 30 minutes. Samsung calls it a limited-volume pilot to test durability, hinge design, and software ahead of wider rollout.

Story of Moore's Law: How a 1964 prediction shaped half a century of chip design

December 2, 2025, 4:46 AM EST. In a 1964 talk for The Electrochemical Society, computer scientist Gordon Moore predicted that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit would double each year, a rule that became known as Moore's law. The forecast emerged from economic trends and industry momentum, not strict physics, as chips shrank and computers moved from rooms to desks. Early milestones-RCA's 16-transistor and General Microelectronics' 120-transistor chips-set the stage for a self-reinforcing cycle of miniaturization and performance. Moore, then a director at Fairchild, later co-founded Intel in 1968, turning the doubling rule from a thought into a design driver that spurred decades of innovation. Although Moore revised the pace to a two-year doubling in 1975, the underlying quest for more transistors and lower costs powered everything from the personal computer to the smartphone and beyond.

Valentino faces backlash over 'disturbing' AI handbag adverts

December 2, 2025, 4:44 AM EST. Valentino is facing criticism after posting AI-generated adverts for its DeVain handbag as part of a 'digital creative project' with digital artists. The Instagram post, labeled as AI-made, shows a surreal collage of models and Valentino logos, prompting fans to call the visuals 'sloppy', 'lazy', and 'cheap'. The backlash highlights tensions around generative AI in fashion, where brands weigh efficiency against artistry. Industry expert Anne-Liese Prem notes the risk that AI can feel less human without a strong emotional idea. Valentino defended disclosure, while critics say the move risks cheapening luxury. The debate mirrors wider concerns about AI's impact on jobs and the role of human creatives in campaigns, with brands like H&M and Guess cited in related discussions.

Over 1,000 Amazon employees sign open letter warning AI will damage democracy, jobs, and the earth

December 2, 2025, 4:40 AM EST. More than 1,000 Amazon employees signed an open letter to CEO Andy Jassy warning that an aggressive AI rollout could do staggering damage to democracy, jobs, and the earth, and enable a more militarized surveillance state. The signees-spanning Whole Foods to IT-argue the company is sacrificing its climate goals for AI. Amazon says the claim it has abandoned climate commitments is false, pointing to progress on carbon-free energy and more than 600 renewable energy projects. The company plans up to $50 billion to expand AI and supercomputing infrastructure for U.S. government customers, aided by a data-center buildout. Separately, Amazon cut about 14,000 corporate roles, potentially up to 30,000, in an AI-driven restructuring.

AI Agents Turn Issuers Into Real-Time Decision Makers

December 2, 2025, 4:24 AM EST. As AI agents move from assistive tools to autonomous shoppers, issuers, retailers, and platforms confront a structural rebalancing in commerce. The piece argues that payments must be built directly into AI-driven workflows, turning issuers into active enablers rather than passive processors. Fueled by real-time data and flexible payment rails, agentic commerce compresses the purchase funnel so an AI agent can initiate a transaction, select an issuer-optimized method, or guide a payment choice within a single flow. Friction points shrink as payments become the starting point of the journey, not the end. The result is a new operating system where AI, agents, and payments are deeply integrated, reshaping shopper behavior and the strategic role of issuers in the ecosystem.

Nvidia Invests $2 Billion in Synopsys to Accelerate AI-Driven Engineering and EDA

December 2, 2025, 4:12 AM EST. Nvidia has agreed to acquire a $2 billion stake in Synopsys as part of a broader partnership to accelerate AI and accelerated computing across engineering platforms. The collaboration targets design efficiency in sectors including semiconductors, automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications by integrating Nvidia's hardware and AI stack with Synopsys' suite of tools. Joint efforts will boost compute-intensive workflows such as chip design, verification, molecular simulation, and optical modelling through CUDA-X libraries and AI physics tech. A key element is expanding agentic AI workflows by combining Synopsys AgentEngineer with Nvidia's agentic AI platform (NIM microservices, NeMo Agent Toolkit, Nemotron models) to automate tasks in EDA, simulation, and analysis. Digital twin deployment via Omniverse and Cosmos will expand cloud access to GPU-accelerated tools.

Norway Bucks Tesla Slump in Europe as Boycotts and Competition Tighten Grip

December 2, 2025, 3:56 AM EST. Tesla's European sales slump continues into late 2025, with monthly registrations down sharply across major markets. Reuters data show declines of about 58% in France, 59% in Sweden, and 49% in Denmark year-over-year, while Germany sold only 750 vehicles in October. The standout exception is Norway, where registrations nearly tripled to 6,215. Through the first 10 months of 2025, European sales contracted about 30% versus 2024, and Tesla's market share in the electric segment fell from 12.6% to 7.2%. The dip is tied to Musk's political stances and resulting boycotts in some countries, as well as intensified competition from more than 150 EV models. Surveys suggest the brand's aura of novelty has faded for many buyers, while Italy also saw multimonth declines.

ECB flags risks in AI stock rally as FOMO grows; strategists urge selective bets

December 2, 2025, 3:52 AM EST. The ECB's Financial Stability Review warns that global stocks remain richly valued and concentrated among a few AI-linked hyperscalers, hinting at vulnerability to sharp swings. Yet strategists say the rally may be driven by FOMO, while some AI names still offer real growth and earnings potential. The ECB notes that current pricing doesn't fully reflect risks, and the bigger danger lies with companies whose valuations rise without backing earnings, including quantum-computing plays. Investors are urged to differentiate across sectors and avoid sweeping bets. Nvidia's results have underscored mixed momentum; many see continued upside in select AI leaders, but risk remains if earnings disappoint or if market optimism wanes. Overall, a cautious but selective stance may be warranted, balancing optimism with the need for tangible results.

RTX 5090 Founders Edition Restocked in UK at £1,799, Undercuts AIBs by £200 via Nvidia Marketplace

December 2, 2025, 3:40 AM EST. Nvidia's RTX 5090 Founders Edition has been restocked in the UK at its MSRP of £1,799, sold directly from the Nvidia Marketplace. It undercuts AIB cards by more than £200, offering the same silicon for less than many partner models. Specs include 21760 CUDA cores, 32GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus, with boost clocks up to 2407MHz on the 4N node. It can draw up to 575W, with transient spikes near 659W, so a robust 1000W+ PSU is recommended. The card shines in gaming with heavy ray tracing and is well positioned for local AI workloads, though the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell remains an option for larger models. Availability is tight, so stock may sell out quickly.

Study finds early smartphone ownership linked to higher health risks in preteens

December 2, 2025, 3:38 AM EST. A new study of about 10,000 preteens across the U.S. finds that early smartphone ownership is linked to higher risks of depression, poor sleep, and obesity. The most common age to get a smartphone was 11, with many at 9 or 10. The earlier the onset, the greater the risk. Pediatricians urge delaying the first smartphone as much as possible. If a family already allows access, they can use a Family Media Plan-set clear boundaries around use, keep devices out of the bedroom and away from dinner, and employ parental controls and monitoring. Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics is referenced, encouraging discussion with teens about safe online behavior.

Intellistake Expands AI Infrastructure with Space-Based Data Centers via Orbit AI Investment

December 2, 2025, 3:36 AM EST. Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) announced an investment in Orbit AI to build a space-based AI infrastructure. The company plans an initial US$500,000 for a 1% equity stake, with options to increase into subsequent rounds, potentially up to US$10 million with Orbit AI approval. This partnership aims to place Intellistake among the first public-market infrastructure players in space-based data centers. Orbit AI is developing satellites that function like data centers in low-Earth orbit, processing some AI workloads on orbit and returning results to Earth. Intellistake will design and support the independent trust layer that verifies data and workloads. The move complements its focus on validator operations, decentralized AI tooling, and enterprise agents, linking to orbital networks akin to cloud providers. Singularity Compute CEO Joe Honan joins the Advisory Board to bolster datacenter and compute expertise.

Proteus Space Launches First AI-Designed ESPA Satellite MERCURY ONE, Sets Record Pace

December 2, 2025, 3:34 AM EST. Proteus Space announced the successful launch and first contact of MERCURY ONE, its inaugural four-payload ESPA-class spacecraft, from Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 28, 2025. The mission achieves the fastest path from concept to launch-qualified satellite, completed in just nine months, validating the MERCURY™ platform with TRL9 flight heritage. Proteus Space performed all design, AI-enabled testing, launch brokering, licensing, integration, LEOPs and operations in-house, showcasing end-to-end capability for payload owners seeking rapid access to space. Executed under a SpaceWERX and AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate contract, the mission demonstrates a paradigm shift toward ultra-rapid, payload-tailored and mission-optimized satellites. CEO David Kervin highlighted beta SaaS plans for the MERCURY™ platform by late next year. Payloads include NASA JPL, UC Davis and Leonardo DRS; Leonardo added a radio payload after PDR, seven months before launch.

SpaceX Launches 60th Mission of the Year from California, Deploying 27 Starlink Satellites

December 2, 2025, 3:20 AM EST. SpaceX has launched its 60th mission of the year from California as a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on December 2. The mission carried 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit to join SpaceX's growing broadband megaconstellation. The rocket's first stage returned to a drone ship, landing on Of Course I Still Love You about 8.5 minutes after liftoff, marking booster B1081's 20th flight. The upper stage deployed the satellites roughly an hour after launch. SpaceX notes Florida hosted 94 Falcon 9 missions this year, underscoring the company's prolific tempo across both coasts. The firm has also pursued five Starship test flights from Starbase, Texas.

NVIDIA Unveils Open AI Models and Alpamayo-R1 for Autonomous Driving at NeurIPS

December 2, 2025, 3:08 AM EST. At NeurIPS, NVIDIA unveils new open-source AI models, datasets and tools to accelerate research across digital and physical AI. The company doubles down on openness with Alpamayo-R1 (AR1), the world's first industry-scale open reasoning VLA model for autonomous driving, integrating chain-of-thought reasoning with path planning to boost safety and enable level 4 autonomy. AR1's open foundation on NVIDIA Cosmos Reason lets researchers customize the model for non-commercial use, benchmarking and experimental AV apps. Post-training reinforcement learning further enhances AR1's reasoning. NVIDIA will release AR1 on GitHub and Hugging Face, with a subset of training data. The initiative aligns with the Artificial Analysis Open Index's praise of NVIDIA's openness.

COLCOM Postdoctoral Research Position in Linear Algebra and High-Performance Computing at UM6P

December 2, 2025, 3:06 AM EST. COLCOM invites applications for a postdoctoral position in linear algebra and high-performance computing (HPC) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir, Morocco. The role focuses on developing efficient numerical linear algebra algorithms, scalable GPU-accelerated implementations, and integration/benchmarking of the GINGKO sparse solver library. The successful candidate will conduct original research, publish in top venues, and mentor students within an international team collaborating with researchers from the USA and KAUST. Requirements include a PhD in applied mathematics, computer science, or related fields, a strong background in numerical linear algebra and parallel computing, programming in Python, and experience with HPC environments. Appointment is initially 1 year, renewable for a second year, with start as soon as possible. Location: UM6P College of Computing, Benguerir.

India mandates pre-installed state-run cybersecurity app on all new smartphones

December 2, 2025, 3:04 AM EST. India has ordered all new smartphones to come pre-loaded with a non-removable, state-run cybersecurity app called Sanchar Saathi, within 90 days. The app is designed to be visible at setup and cannot be disabled; it can verify a device's authenticity via IMEI, report lost or stolen phones, and flag suspected fraud. Compliance reports are due in 120 days. Officials say the measure strengthens telecom cybersecurity in one of the world's largest markets. Critics warn the broad permissions and non-removable design threaten privacy and could enable surveillance, effectively turning every handset into state-mandated software. Advocacy groups call it a breach of user consent and civil liberties, highlighting the clash between security aims and individual rights as the policy rolls out.

Cyber Monday TV Deals LIVE: Best 65-, 75-, and 85-Inch Televisions Right Now

December 2, 2025, 2:52 AM EST. Live Cyber Monday TV deals are rolling in as Cyber Week lingers. This roundup highlights the 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch screens currently available, with stock moving fast-when a deal sells out, it may not return. Top picks include the Samsung S84F OLED 65-inch discounted by about $1,100 at Best Buy; the Panasonic 65-inch W70 Series Fire TV for around $347 at Amazon with HDR10+; a Sanus full-motion mount at 50% off; the budget-friendly Insignia 50-inch Fire TV at $129; and ongoing LG C5 OLED deals near $800. Act quickly while these promotions last.

IETF draft mulls reserving a big IPv6 block for amateur radio operators

December 2, 2025, 2:50 AM EST. An IETF draft proposes reserving a IPv6 block (44::/16) for amateur radio operators, echoing a historic 44/8 IPv4 allocation that ARDC later sold a portion of to Amazon. The draft, by Preston Louis Ursini, argues hams need an addressing system and that their 44/8 practice would be hard to pivot to IPv6 via RIRs. Ursini asks IANA to reserve 44::/16 and coordinate with RIRs under a global policy framework. APNIC's George Michaelson notes the five RIRs would likely balk at creating new global registries, given existing processes. He counters that the individual block is small relative to IPv6 space: about 2^112 addresses of 2^128. The idea raises policy questions about how to balance tradition with governance, and whether a coordinated framework could accommodate the ham radio community's needs.

British youth pivot to skilled trades amid AI-driven job disruption

December 2, 2025, 2:48 AM EST. Amid rising concerns that AI could automate white-collar roles, many young Britons are choosing skilled trades. The piece follows 18-year-old Maryna Yaroshenko, who is training to be a plumber at City of Westminster College, arguing that practical work will stay hand-on and less susceptible to automation. A CIPD survey shows one in six UK employers expect AI to reduce headcount in the next year, fueling anxiety about jobs. Yaroshenko and others view university debt as a downside, with some skipping higher education for vocational training. Colleges report rising enrolments in engineering, construction and built environment courses, seen as a hedge against automation. Researchers note that AI-driven cuts often hit junior roles, pushing more young people toward labour markets and skilled professions.

Cyber Monday Deals You Should Grab Now: Apple, Nintendo Switch 2, Pixel 9 and More

December 2, 2025, 2:42 AM EST. Cyber Monday savings are still live from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart with deep discounts on laptops, phones, headphones, and home gadgets. This hub curates the strongest offers, updated continuously as stock moves fast. Highlights include the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $449, the Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) for $738, the Beats Pill for $100, AirPods Pro 2 from $135, the Google Pixel 9 at $499, and the Dreame X50 Ultra robot vacuum at $800. Note some models are temporarily out of stock or limited. If you see something you like, grab it now as deals won't last. This page is your all-in-one hub for the year's best Cyber Monday prices.

Apple iPad 11-inch with A16 Drops to $274 in Cyber Monday Deal on Amazon

December 2, 2025, 2:40 AM EST. Looking for a great tablet deal? The Apple iPad 11-inch with the A16 chip is on sale for $274 (down from $349) this Cyber Monday on Amazon. That's a 21% discount for a tablet that combines fast performance with a bright display and strong battery life. The A16 processor keeps apps smooth and multitasking snappy, whether you're editing photos, browsing, or streaming. With support for the Apple Pencil, it becomes a capable note-taking device, while FaceTime calls and solid speakers make it a solid media tablet. It's thin, lightweight, and portable-perfect for travel or working on the go. Act fast before the deal ends.

Fiteye 32-Inch Portable TV on Cyber Monday Deal: Android, Big Screen on Wheels

December 2, 2025, 2:38 AM EST. This Cyber Monday, Fiteye is offering a 32-inch portable TV on sale for $797 (20% off the $997 list price). The device runs Android OS, has a sizable 15,000-mAh battery in the base, and a larger display than many rivals, making it feel like an oversized touchscreen tablet on wheels. It's marketed as a versatile jack-of-all-trades: a TV, a monitor for a MacBook, a smart home dashboard, a baby monitor in a pinch, or a kitchen recipe signboard. It even supports video calls with a front camera. However, reviewers note it isn't a perfect replacement for dedicated tablets, phones, monitors, or outdoor TVs-it's best as a flexible, portable screen you can move around the house.

India mandates non-removable state cybersecurity app on all smartphones, raising privacy alarms

December 2, 2025, 2:36 AM EST. India's government has mandated a non-removable state cybersecurity app be pre-installed on all smartphones, a move officials say strengthens national security but critics warn it could erode user privacy and create vendor lock-in. The app's persistence, update controls, and data access raise concerns about potential surveillance, data handling, and interoperability with future devices. Privacy advocates urge clear disclosure of data collection, robust safeguards, and an opt-out or clear remediation path. Telecom operators and manufacturers face implementation challenges, including compatibility with updates and user experience, while rights groups call for independent oversight and transparency.

Congress Calls DoT's Sanchar Saathi Pre-installation Directive Unconstitutional, Demands Rollback

December 2, 2025, 2:34 AM EST. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal labeled the DoT directive to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new mobiles as unconstitutional, urging an immediate rollback. He argued that privacy is an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and liberty under Article 21, and warned that a pre-loaded, non-uninstallable government app could monitor citizens. The Congress asserted the move threatens constitutional rights and framed it as part of a pattern of assaults on privacy. The DoT directive requires manufacturers and importers to submit compliance reports within 120 days under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 (as amended), with enforcement under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The directive remains in force until amended or withdrawn by DoT.

India mandates pre-installation of government cyber safety app on all smartphones

December 2, 2025, 2:06 AM EST. India's telecoms ministry has ordered all smartphone makers to pre-install the government-run Sanchar Saathi app on new devices within 90 days and push it to older models via software updates. The mandate, which prohibits deletion, aims to curb telecom fraud and enhance cyber security, but privacy advocates warn it could erode consent and enable surveillance. The app lets users locate lost phones and identify fraudulent connections, and has drawn over 5 million downloads since January. Critics say the policy signals a broader expansion of government access to device status. Apple is seen as likely to resist, given its policy against pre-installing third-party apps. The move follows similar steps in other countries, where government-installed services raise concerns about privacy and control.

UN report warns AI could widen the gap between rich and poor nations

December 2, 2025, 2:04 AM EST. A United Nations Development Program report warns that most gains from AI may accrue to wealthy nations unless steps are taken to extend access to basic needs, skills, electricity, and internet. The study likens AI's trajectory to the historical "Great Divergence," highlighting risks that communities with limited data, power, or connectivity will be left behind. While AI can boost productivity, create new industries, and aid disaster planning, it also raises ethical, privacy, and cybersecurity concerns-including deepfakes and automated cyberattacks. The report stresses that without inclusive deployment, AI could exacerbate inequalities within and between regions, turning data into a tool for faster, fairer public decisions or otherwise widening the divide.

Singapore to lock away phones and smartwatches in schools all day from 2026

December 2, 2025, 2:02 AM EST. Singapore's Ministry of Education will require secondary students to keep phones and smartwatches locked away for the entire school day starting January 2026, extending the current ban during lessons. Devices must be stored in lockers or bags during classes, recess, activities, and remedial sessions, with possible exceptions. The policy targets reducing screen time and distractions, citing research that excessive use can affect sleep, physical activity, and social interaction. In parallel, default 'sleep hours' on government devices will move from 11pm to 10:30pm. The move aligns with global trends to curb smartphone use in schools, backed by Cyber Wellness education and parental collaboration.

A seismic Nvidia shift and AI chip shortages threaten gadget prices

December 2, 2025, 2:00 AM EST. AI demand is tightening the supply chain for chips and memory, driving price spikes in components used by consumer electronics. A recent shift by Nvidia and the expansion of AI data centers are amplifying the bottleneck across suppliers, including HDDs, SSDs, and DRAM/high-bandwidth memory. Analysts warn shortages could push up the cost of smartphones and other gadgets as hyperscalers shift to faster storage and GPUs. Counterpoint Research expects memory prices to rise about 30% in Q4 and another ~20% in early 2026. If these bottlenecks persist for two to three years, gadget makers may face higher production costs and tighter availability.

Slop Evader: Browser extension filters searches to pre-ChatGPT results

December 2, 2025, 1:58 AM EST. Slop Evader is a lightweight browser extension by Australian artist Tega Brain that filters Google searches to results dated before the pre-ChatGPT era. Available for Chrome and Firefox, the tool inserts a Google date range parameter (tbs=cdr:1,cd_max:MM/DD/YYYY) into queries, surfacing older content as a default. It also enables site-specific searches for Reddit, Quora, Stack Exchange, Mumsnet, Pinterest, and YouTube. Brain calls the project a mere convenience, noting many sites lack date filters and that Google's algorithms still determine relevance. The author acknowledges AI-generated noise existed before late 2022 but has intensified since, and cautions that no single extension solves the truth crisis. The piece promotes collective action and a politics of refusal beyond simple tools.

Apple taps Amar Subramanya as VP of AI, intensifying the race with Google and Microsoft

December 2, 2025, 1:44 AM EST. Apple has hired Amar Subramanya, a Bengaluru-educated veteran who led AI efforts at Microsoft and previously worked on Google projects, as its new vice president of artificial intelligence. He succeeds the retiring John Giannandrea and will oversee Apple's foundation models, machine learning research, and AI safety teams in a bid to close the gap with rivals. Subramanya's background spans Alphabet's Gemini team and a stint at Microsoft, underscoring the escalating AI talent war among Silicon Valley giants. With top researchers courted by multi-million incentives, this move highlights how competition for intellectual capital is reshaping the tech industry. Apple's privacy stance and use of synthetic data may influence how quickly it advances Siri and broader AI initiatives.

Black Shark GS3 Ultra smartwatch debuts with dual-band GPS and 1,000-nit AMOLED

December 2, 2025, 1:34 AM EST. Black Shark unveils the Watch GS3 Ultra, a follow-up to last year's GS3. It keeps a 1.43-inch AMOLED display (466 x 466) with peaks around 1,000 nits in favorable conditions. The smartwatch promises up to 18 days between charges, though battery life will likely dip with the new dual-band GPS and its 160 sports modes. Health tracking covers the essentials but omits skin temperature, ECG, and blood pressure monitoring. Pricing and exact availability remain unannounced, though a global rollout seems likely. Users are pointed to Black Shark's website for more details.

Tesla Model Y Standard vs Premium: Feature Cutbacks, Cabin Noise, and Value Trade-Offs

December 2, 2025, 1:32 AM EST. Tesla's Model Y Standard trims down on features to hit a lower price, removing the glass roof, a full set of speakers, interior storage, and ventilated seating. The test drive contrasts it with the Premium AWD, about $9,000 higher, and asks: is the savings worth the sacrifice? The writer notes advantages in certain scenarios but highlights downsides: a louder cabin due to unlined glass, reduced storage between the front seats, and non-ventilated textile seats. They miss the premium feel of acoustic glazing and the glass roof. For some buyers, the Standard offers practical value; for others, the Premium remains a far quieter, more refined experience.

Jim Cramer explains why Nvidia's Synopsys deal could boost stock

December 2, 2025, 1:30 AM EST. CNBC's Jim Cramer breaks down Nvidia's $2 billion stake in Synopsys and how the partnership could accelerate design and engineering for AI and other compute-heavy workflows. He argues the deal signals a stronger business-to-business moat, potentially triggering a major replacement cycle as Nvidia broadens beyond chips for AI chatbots. Investors worry about China exposure and competition from hyperscalers, but the synergy with Synopsys could lower costs, speed up large-scale design, and widen Nvidia's reach into chip design automation. While uncertainty remains about whether the stock can stem recent selling, Cramer emphasizes the substance over show in the collaboration and its potential to unlock new revenue streams.

AI may be scoring college essays: a new era in college admissions

December 2, 2025, 1:28 AM EST. AI tools are entering college admissions by reading and evaluating essays, and many admissions directors acknowledge both potential benefits and concerns. Some schools quietly integrate AI into screening to speed reviews, improve consistency, and handle tens of thousands of applications. Virginia Tech is rolling out an AI-powered essay reader that could shorten decision timelines, potentially delivering admissions decisions earlier. While colleges stress human oversight, the trend signals a shift in how applications are screened. Critics worry about transparency, bias, and over-reliance on machine judgments, even as institutions tout faster processing times and more uniform scoring. The landscape is evolving as AI becomes part of admissions decision-making, prompting schools to balance efficiency with fairness.

Galaxy S26 leaks reveal steady internal upgrades, new M14 OLED on Ultra

December 2, 2025, 1:04 AM EST. New leaks show side-by-side Samsung spec sheets indicating the Galaxy S26 lineup remains mostly evolutionary. The base S26 is rumored to switch to a 6.3-inch FHD+ display, a 4,300mAh battery, and new chipset options-Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Exynos 2600 depending on region. Storage may start at 256GB. The S26 Plus sticks with a 6.7-inch QHD panel and 4,900mAh cell but is thinner and lighter (7.3mm, 194g) with a weight decrease. The S26 Ultra still uses 6.9-inch QHD with the same camera array, but could get a new M14 OLED panel, boosting efficiency, plus 60W charging and a lighter frame (214g, 7.9mm). Overall, incremental gains and a software-focused path.

Spire to Build Eight Satellites for Deloitte's On-Orbit Cybersecurity Program

December 2, 2025, 1:02 AM EST. Spire Global has won a contract from Deloitte to design, build and operate eight satellites as part of Deloitte's push into on-orbit cybersecurity. The project centers on Silent Shield, a dual-stage intrusion-detection payload that will ride on the satellites, with a hardware version on Deloitte-1 and a software-only payload for legacy platforms. The constellation will launch in clusters over 18 months to test in-orbit cyber defenses, model attack lateral movement across spacecraft, and generate operational data. Deloitte will use the data to train AI models for future autonomous cyber responses in orbit. This builds on Deloitte-1's earlier launch on SpaceX Transporter-13 and broadens the nine-satellite testbed concept.

Cyber Monday Deals Under $50: Wyze Cam V4, Apple Watch Band, 256GB microSD Express & More

December 2, 2025, 1:00 AM EST. Cyber Monday brings a slate of under $50 tech deals across cameras, wearables, storage, and toys. The roundup spotlights the Wyze Cam V4, a compact home-security camera, plus an asymmetrical Apple Watch band for affordable personalization. Storage options include a 256GB microSD Express card, while fans can snag LEGO sets at budget-friendly prices. From 9to5Toys, this curated guide highlights the best value buys of the season-check back for updates as prices shift.

CATL 38.1%, BYD 16.9%: Global EV Battery Market Share Jan-Oct 2025

December 2, 2025, 12:58 AM EST. Global EV battery installations totaled 933.5 GWh from January to October 2025, up 35.2% YoY. CATL led with 355.2 GWh and a 38.1% market share, the only supplier above 30%. BYD ranked second with 157.9 GWh and a 16.9% share. LG Energy Solution was third with 86.5 GWh and a 9.3% share. CALB reached 44.3 GWh (4.7%), and Gotion High-tech climbed to fifth with 4.1% (up from 3.7% in Jan-Sep). SK On held 4.0% in Jan-Oct. Other top-10 players included Panasonic (3.8%), Samsung SDI (2.7%), Eve Energy (2.6%), and Svolt Energy (2.5%). CATL's Oct share rose by 0.19 ppt; BYD's gained 0.22 ppt.

Elon Musk backs H-1B visa, warns tariffs distort markets

December 2, 2025, 12:56 AM EST. Tesla CEO Elon Musk argued the U.S. has benefited from Indian talent and cautioned that the H-1B visa program has been misused by some firms. He noted that while some companies hire foreign workers at a fraction of the cost, his firms recruit to address a real talent shortage. He said he is not in favor of shutting down the H-1B program, calling that approach 'very bad.' On tariffs, Musk said they distort markets and he had urged President Trump to abandon tariff plans but was not successful. He suggested free trade is generally better, warning tariff barriers could be harmful if applied domestically or between nations.

China's DeepSeek Unveils DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale, Rivaling Google DeepMind's Gemini 3 Pro

December 2, 2025, 12:42 AM EST. Chinese AI startup DeepSeek unveiled its most powerful model variant, DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale, claiming parity with Google's Gemini 3 Pro on certain tasks, even with limited access to advanced semiconductor chips. The claim comes as the open-source lab sparks discussion at NeurIPS. DeepSeek said the base V3.2 matches OpenAI GPT-5 in some benchmarks. Notably, V3.2-Speciale reportedly achieved gold on the International Mathematical Olympiad test, a feat previously seen only in internal models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. DeepSeek has open-sourced the V3.2 model on Hugging Face, but V3.2-Speciale remains accessible only via API due to higher token usage. The announcement underscores an emergent challenger in the AI race ahead of giants like Gemini 3 Pro.

Galaxy S25 Ultra Cyber Monday Deal: $560 Off + Free 512GB Upgrade Direct from Samsung

December 2, 2025, 12:28 AM EST. Samsung is reviving its Galaxy S25 Ultra Cyber Monday offer: get $560 off and a free 512GB storage upgrade when you buy direct from Samsung, with no trade-in or contract required. Compared with Amazon's $899 256GB price and similar deals at Best Buy or Walmart, buying straight from Samsung gives you more storage for less. If you're shopping for a flagship with long software support, top-tier camera zoom, and broad ecosystem compatibility, this is the deal to beat. Skip it only if you dislike PWM dimming or the device's boxy design. Buying unlocked from Samsung is recommended, as carrier variants rarely beat the direct price and unlocked units offer easier future carrier switching. Deals page: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Black Friday 2025 – quick links.

China hands over space tech to Namibia, unlocking satellite data capabilities

December 2, 2025, 12:26 AM EST. China's handover of space technology to Namibia marks more than a ceremony-it signals Namibia's growing commitment to expanding its footprint in space technology. With the SGDRS under Namibian supervision, the country gains improved ability to receive, process, and use satellite data. The handover ceremony, attended by officials from both nations, featured the signing of official documents to seal the deal, underscoring strengthened cooperation in space infrastructure.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet Slashed to Up to 50% Off for Cyber Monday

December 2, 2025, 12:10 AM EST. The Fire HD 10 Tablet is among Cyber Monday's best deals, with up to 50% off. The 32GB model with ads is $70 (was $140); the ad-free version is $85 (was $155). Prices last until the sale ends at 11:59 PM PT on December 1. This 10-inch tablet packs 1080p display, a 5MP front camera, durable, lightweight design, and up to 13 hours of battery life, plus solid parental controls. It's compatible with the Amazon Stylus Pen (on sale for $30). Other deals include Kindle devices, Echo speakers, and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Check Amazon's Cyber Monday hub for more last-minute price cuts.