Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Switch physicals omit MK4 on cartridge, MK4 added as DLC
December 15, 2025, 3:14 AM EST. Players who bought the physical Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection for Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 discovered Mortal Kombat 4 is not on the game card. Digital Eclipse confirmed the cartridge build went to production before MK4 was ready, with MK4 delivered as downloadable content after release. Atari's product page now notes that Switch users should download post-release patches to access MK4 and other improvements. Nintendo Life observers report a day-one update on a Switch 2 cartridge that enables MK4. The situation appears limited to the Nintendo versions; the PlayStation 5 physical release includes all games on-disc. Digital Eclipse says future cartridge reprints for Switch might include MK4 if that happens. We'll update if there are significant developments.
Tesla rolls out new deals to blunt another sales decline
December 15, 2025, 2:44 AM EST. Tesla is rolling out new deals and better financing options to blunt another potential sales decline. The move focuses on flexible pricing, lease terms, and time-limited incentives designed to attract price-conscious buyers and clear inventory. As competition intensifies in the EV market, the company aims to sustain demand by making its lineup more accessible while protecting margins through cost controls and selective promotions. Analysts note that while such tactics can boost near-term results, sustained success will depend on continued innovation, service enhancements, and navigating policy shifts that affect consumer adoption and energy incentives.
Nvidia Stock Pullback: Is This AI Leader a Buy?
December 15, 2025, 2:42 AM EST. Nvidia stock has fallen about 17% from its late-October high, raising questions about whether the pullback creates a buying opportunity. Despite a softer sentiment toward AI, Nvidia's fundamentals remain solid. In fiscal Q3, revenue rose 62% year over year to $57.0 billion, led by the data-center segment at $51.2 billion. Operating income rose 65% and EPS was $1.30. Nvidia guided for FYQ4 revenue around $65.0 billion, implying about 14% sequential growth and roughly 65% year-over-year. At about 43x earnings, the stock trades at a premium, justified only if AI demand stays robust and margins stay in the 70% range. The main risk is a potential AI slowdown or cyclical shifts in semiconductors, not execution.
Is SoundHound AI a Top AI Stock for 2026?
December 15, 2025, 2:30 AM EST. SoundHound AI, a $5B market-cap player, has shown volatile momentum in 2025 but still attracts interest as an AI stock. The company blends audio recognition with generative AI to automate customer interactions, with early traction in restaurants and expanding to healthcare, insurance, and financial services. In Q3, revenue rose 68% to $42 million, illustrating rapid growth, though year-to-date performance remained choppy with a ~15% decline. Proponents note potential for a 2026 rebound as large clients deepen adoption and more industries deploy AI-powered customer service agents. Risks include consumer acceptance of non-human agents and execution overhype. If SoundHound can scale offerings and deliver reliable experiences, the stock could benefit from broader enterprise AI spend.
Surface Immobilized Electrides Push Quantum Computing Forward, Enabling Tunable Electron Behavior
December 15, 2025, 2:28 AM EST. Auburn University scientists have developed a groundbreaking class of materials called Surface Immobilized Electrides, enabling precise control over free electrons-particles essential to chemistry and computing. The electrides allow electrons to move freely, unlocking potential for quantum computing and catalysis. By attaching solvated electron precursors to stable surfaces like diamond or silicon carbide, they created materials whose electronic properties can be tuned for different applications. Depending on molecular arrangement, electrons can form isolated "islands" that act as quantum bits for advanced computing or spread into metallic seas that drive chemical reactions, paving the way for breakthroughs in computing, energy, and manufacturing. This could lead to supercomputers that learn like humans and factories that manufacture compounds more efficiently, uniting chemists, physicists, and materials engineers in a transformative step toward scalable technologies redefining the limits of computation and industrial chemistry.
STMicroelectronics and SpaceX celebrate a decade of co-designed chips powering Starlink
December 15, 2025, 2:26 AM EST. STMicroelectronics and SpaceX celebrate a decade of collaboration, delivering custom-made components that power Starlink's global connectivity. Co-design between ST engineers in France and Italy and manufacturing across France, Malta, and Malaysia has enabled BiCMOS chips for Starlink's phased-array antennas, serving more than 8 million users in over 150 countries. The partnership underpins SpaceX's rapid production of Starlink terminals-now exceeding 20,000 units per day-and ongoing designs for next-generation satellites, including Starlink's V3 with >1 Tbps fronthaul. As the network expands to reach education, healthcare, and business opportunities, the collaboration remains focused on scale, reliability, and the next generation of connectivity.
Linux 6.19 Benchmarks on AMD EPYC 9965 2P Highlight HPC/AI Gains Amid Scheduler Regressions
December 15, 2025, 2:14 AM EST. In early Linux 6.19 benchmarks, a 2P AMD EPYC 9965 system (384 cores / 768 threads) on a Volcano reference platform was tested against Linux 6.18 stable. With Ubuntu 25.10 defaults, the author notes scheduler regressions and slower build times on 6.19-rc1, echoing Phoronix findings. Nonetheless, in AI/HPC workloads, Linux 6.19 Git shows gains: Incompact3D and other HPC tests improve; Altair OpenRadioss benefits are significant; OpenFOAM CFD shows improvements; PostgreSQL 18 and ClickHouse also look promising. The same kernel configuration was used, varying only the kernel version. More hardware tests across workloads are planned as Linux 6.19 approaches a February stable release.
AI boom set to supercharge European banks' rally in 2026
December 15, 2025, 2:10 AM EST. European banks are set for more gains in 2026 as profits rise and AI-driven efficiency trims costs. After a strong 2025, investors expect higher earnings and cheaper operations, with AI expanding from revenue gains to meaningful cost savings. Banks such as Societe Generale, Commerzbank and Barclays have surged, and the sector trades around 1.17x price-to-book, cheaper than U.S. peers. Analysts from BlackRock and UBS call AI a key upside for near-term valuations and long-term earnings, though risks from exuberance and macro shocks linger. The ECB notes high systemic risks even as AI could unlock substantial value, with McKinsey estimating AI could add about $340 billion annually to global banking and cut costs by around 20%.
Dropbox's AI Push Under New CFO: What Investors Should Watch
December 15, 2025, 1:56 AM EST. Dropbox just named Ross Tennenbaum as CFO to back its AI agenda, including Dash that links to Slack, Google Workspace, and other services. The leadership shift aligns with a push to monetize AI tools and lift ARPU while addressing declining core storage revenue. Yet the near-term verdict remains on whether Dash can gain traction fast enough to offset competition and churn. The change places a seasoned software finance executive at the center of monetization strategy, but investors should weigh Dash's adoption, timing, and the overall economics of the AI bet against the company's solid cash flow. If Dash falters, the stock faces headwinds; if successful, the AI trajectory could redefine value for Dropbox.
8 Smartphone Trends Shaping 2026: AI-Native Chips, Agentic Apps, and Sustainable Design
December 15, 2025, 1:54 AM EST. Smartphones in 2026 will feel like personal platforms rather than mere terminals. Expect AI-native processors and edge AI to run on-device, delivering faster responses and stronger security. This enables deeper integration of AI into everyday apps. The rise of agentic super-apps-AI copilots that act across calendars, payments and travel-will turn phones into autonomous assistants. Multi-screen models move toward mid-tier adoption, with dual- and tri-screen designs expanding productivity and collaboration. Sustainable design accelerates under EU Ecodesign rules, with ongoing security updates and greater use of recycled materials. These trends redefine how we work, access data, and engage with digital services.
Amazon Prime Video Adds Free US News Hub With 200+ Channels
December 15, 2025, 1:42 AM EST. U.S. Amazon Prime Video subscribers now get a free, built-in news hub. Amazon launched a dedicated section that aggregates hundreds of 24/7 news channels at no extra cost, offering local, national, and global coverage. By year's end the catalog is expected to top 200 channels, with major live streams such as ABC News Live, CBS News 24/7, LiveNOW from Fox, CNN Headlines, and NBC News NOW. The news hub is accessible via the Prime Video app's top navigation and will be free to all U.S. accounts, regardless of Prime membership. This expansion follows Amazon's summer move to consolidate Freevee content into Prime Video and reinforces Prime Video's value in live and on-demand news on multiple devices.
Apple Stock Preview: iPhone 17 Demand Signals and Policy Risks Ahead of Market Open
December 15, 2025, 1:40 AM EST. Apple stock entersMonday with two opposing narratives: a growing iPhone 17 cycle showing up in supply/demand indicators and analyst notes, and a policy/platform risk story tied to App Store rules, AI governance, and global regulation. The premarket view follows Friday's move as AAPL trades near $278, with investors watching macro data (jobs, CPI, retail sales) that can drive risk-on or risk-off moves for mega-cap tech. China data and IDC projections add color on iPhone demand, signalling a two-speed handset market ahead of 2026 forecasts. Even without new company-specific headlines, macro catalysts and policy headlines can move AAPL due to its weight in major indices.
Jim Cramer: Tesla Is Transitioning From Auto Company to Tech Company
December 15, 2025, 1:26 AM EST. Jim Cramer argues that Tesla is transitioning from an auto company to a tech company, driven by robots, self-driving, and energy storage. He says the stock's narrative has morphed while the core business remains, turning investors' focus from traditional auto profits to a nascent leadership in autonomous tech. The piece notes that, even as autos benefit from a rate cut, Tesla now trades more like a tech stock than a carmaker. It contrasts the evolving storyline with the stock's past performance and hints at broader AI stock opportunities, pointing readers to a free report on the best short-term AI stock. This analysis is sourced from Insider Monkey and captures the ongoing valuation debate around high-growth tech names.
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches 29 Starlink satellites from Florida
December 15, 2025, 1:22 AM EST. SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites from Florida early Monday, beating weather forecasts. A Falcon 9 lifted off at 12:25 a.m. EST from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, reaching space about 8 minutes 40 seconds later. The upper stage deployed the satellites, Group 6-82, after a coast and a second Merlin engine burn. The first stage landed on the drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic, completion of booster B1092's ninth flight. This east-coast mission followed a California Starlink deployment the day before and is SpaceX's 163rd Falcon 9 flight in 2025, with another launch scheduled for Tuesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Microsoft Scales Back AI Goals as Copilot Struggles to Gain Traction
December 15, 2025, 1:10 AM EST. Microsoft has cut its AI sales targets for Copilot by up to 50%, though the company disputes lowered quotas. The pullback underscores weaker-than-expected demand for Copilot and questions about its usefulness. Tests earlier this year showed AI agents failing as much as 70% of the time, limiting their value as a workflow tool. In the broader race, OpenAI's ChatGPT commands about 61% of the market, while Google's Gemini sits a touch behind Microsoft's ~14% share, edging closer to Copilot. The Information reports on the tensions between growth promises and actual sales; Microsoft's momentum and returns from large AI bets remain in doubt.
DJI Avata 360 FCC Approval, NASA Death Valley Drone Tests, Texas Drone Fishing Law
December 15, 2025, 1:08 AM EST. This week's UAS news covers DJI's FCC approval for the rumored Avata 360 as regulators brace for a potential U.S. ban, with the filing hinting at two model numbers and a larger 38.67Wh battery that could boost endurance. Early leaks point to impressive specs, including native 8K video at 50fps, O4 transmission, and enhanced obstacle sensing. In NASA news, a team tested new drone navigation software in Death Valley to inform future Mars missions under the project Extended Robust Aerial Autonomy, tackling terrain challenges that troubled Ingenuity. Finally, Texas clarifies that using drones for fishing violates federal law, highlighting ongoing regulatory boundaries for hobbyists and operators. Stay tuned for updates.
GM Pulls CarPlay: Third-Party Mod Lets GM EV Owners Re-Enable CarPlay
December 15, 2025, 1:06 AM EST. General Motors has removed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from most new US EVs, despite the automaker's infotainment hardware supporting them. A DIY workaround has emerged: a third-party mod that uses a $55 CPC200-CCPA dongle and an Android app that must be compiled and sideloaded via a developer account. The project's open-source code is available, and the patch leverages GM's Android Automotive OS foundation to route CarPlay wirelessly, though audio still isn't natively provided by the dongle (Bluetooth audio handles music). Siri and apps like Waze work, according to the creator, with future updates possibly bringing a ready-made Play Store companion app. GM defended its stance, but frustrated owners now have a tech workaround to restore CarPlay on select EVs.
AI-Driven Quiet Hiring Returns for Entry-Level Talent, Public Company CEOs Say
December 15, 2025, 12:50 AM EST. Public-company CEOs say AI is quietly reshaping early-career hiring. Rather than noisy job rounds, firms are widening pipelines, using AI-powered screening and internal mobility to bring on entry-level talent. The trend-often called quiet hiring-lets companies ramp teams with targeted training, apprenticeships, and internal promotions, aligning with tighter budgets and faster scaling. In this tech/AI era, CEOs view the rebound as a strategic adjustment to the labor market rather than a traditional expansion.
Jensen Huang's quiet leadership shines as Nvidia backs families through two-year vigil
December 15, 2025, 12:44 AM EST. Following Avinatan Or's release, Noa Argamani describes two years of daily vigils, a preserved workspace, and direct CEO involvement at Nvidia. Staff who never met him carried signs, and every meeting began with a nod to Or's return. Huang personally supported the family, coordinating with Nvidia's Israeli leadership and calling to check on them. The reunion at Nvidia's U.S. headquarters, organized by Amit Krig, marked the founder-CEO's first face-to-face since Or's kidnapping near the Nova festival. Argamani's post paints Nvidia as more than a workplace-a family that stood by its employee through wartime. Huang's letter to staff highlighted the bravery of thousands of Nvidia employees, underscoring the company's commitment to mutual responsibility and resilience.
UChicago researchers edge closer to quantum internet with MBE-driven fabrication
December 15, 2025, 12:42 AM EST. University of Chicago researchers are moving quantum networks toward a global-scale quantum internet. By using molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) to create rare-earth doped crystals, they dramatically extended the quantum coherence times of erbium atoms from 0.1 milliseconds to beyond 10 milliseconds, with demonstrations at 24 ms. This could extend fiber-based links between quantum computers from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers-potentially 2,000 km or more, and up to about 4,000 km in some configurations. The advance relies on entangling atoms through fiber cables, and represents a shift from the traditional Czochralski method toward a fabrication approach akin to 3D printing. The work suggests a practical path to a global-scale quantum internet.
Astound Launches Low-Latency Fixed Wireless Internet in Davis and Northern California
December 15, 2025, 12:40 AM EST. Astound is rolling out a low-latency fixed wireless network to bring high-speed internet and Wi-Fi to more than 26,000 homes across Davis and nearby areas in Yolo and Placer Counties, effective immediately. The rollout includes more than 2,000 rural homes previously lacking service and marks Davis as the service's first market. Users can access up to 500 Mbps with low latency, designed to perform in real-world conditions such as trees, hills, and long fiber distances. The deployment helps bridge the digital divide by delivering dependable connectivity for remote work, online learning, telehealth, streaming, and video conferencing. Installations can occur in days using existing towers or poles, rather than months required for traditional fiber.
Weather could push ULA and SpaceX to up to three launches in 12 hours
December 15, 2025, 12:38 AM EST. Bad weather threatens a tight sequence of launches from SpaceX and ULA. SpaceX plans a two-flight Falcon 9 cadence: Starlink 6-82 from Cape Canaveral late Sunday night and Starlink 6-99 from Kennedy Space Center Monday morning, with downrange recovery on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas and Just Read the Instructions. Forecasters show odds of a good liftoff around 30-40% at window opening, improving through the day while booster-recovery weather remains a watch item. ULA is targeting an Atlas V flight for Amazon Leo 4 on Tuesday, delivering 27 more satellites to the growing Amazon Leo broadband constellation. A 24-hour delay could push launch odds higher at the pad, and SpaceX has already flown several missions for Amazon as both programs scale toward the 2029 goal.
Militant Groups Experiment with AI, Raising Recruitment, Deepfake and Cyberattack Risks
December 15, 2025, 12:34 AM EST. WASHINGTON – Militant groups are increasingly testing AI to boost operations, raising concerns among national security experts. The technology could help with recruitment, generate realistic deepfake images and videos, and refine cyberattacks, even for small, poorly resourced actors. A post from a pro-IS site urged supporters to make AI part of their operations, illustrating how adversaries view the tool. IS and other extremists have used AI to translate messages, produce deepfake audio, and spread propaganda at scale on social media. History shows how such content can polarize and recruit, with examples from the Israel-Hamas conflict and a Russia concert attack. Analysts warn that AI lowers barriers for amplification, enabling groups to reach global audiences more efficiently.
Kindle's AI Feature Lets iOS Users Get AI-Generated Plot and Character Insights
December 15, 2025, 12:28 AM EST. The Kindle app adds an AI-generated feature that offers tips to explain a book's plot and how characters relate to each other. The capability is designed to help readers dive deeper into narratives, but at the moment it's only available on the iOS version. The update marks another step in how AI is being integrated into e-reader experiences.
9 Meta Quest 3 Accessories to Upgrade Your VR Headset
December 15, 2025, 12:04 AM EST. From a gear tester, this piece highlights nine Meta Quest 3 accessories that fix the headset's top flaws. A battery-pack head strap extends runtime and adds cushioned comfort, while a long, high-speed cable delivers lag-free access to PC VR. Other picks target portability, hygiene, mounting, and audio, all designed to squeeze more performance from the Quest 3/Quest 3S. Several items come with limited-time discounts, making holiday gifting easier. If you want longer play sessions, a cleaner setup, or a sturdier fit, these tested add-ons show how a few well-chosen accessories can improve the VR headset experience without changing the hardware.
iOS 26.2 Update Brings Liquid Glass, AirDrop Security Enhancements, and Apple Music Tweaks
December 15, 2025, 12:02 AM EST. Apple's iOS 26.2 update expands control over Liquid Glass, adds AirDrop security enhancements, and refines how you interact with Apple Music and reminders. The release gives new ways to enable Liquid Glass protections, introduces stronger safeguards for file sharing, and offers refreshed options to keep on top of Reminders and workflows. Users can expect subtle UI tweaks, improved performance, and privacy-focused tweaks designed to limit data exposure during sharing. The update reinforces Apple's focus on safety, productivity, and a more seamless ecosystem across devices, while delivering smoother media playback, easier reminders management, and enhanced privacy controls.
