Technology News 16.10.2025

Google Veo 3.1 launches with richer audio and enhanced realism

October 16, 2025, 3:52 AM EDT. Google unveils Veo 3.1, a modest but meaningful upgrade to Veo 3, adding richeraudio, enhancednarrativecomprehension, and more true-to-life textures. The new Veo 3.1 and Veo 3.1 Fast (a lighter model) are now accessible via Gemini, Vertex AI, and Google Flow. Google says Veo 3.1 sharpens video realism and improves contextual understanding to create more coherent clips within larger projects. Existing features gain boosts, notably with new audio capabilities and the 'Ingredients to Video' tool, which lets users feed reference images (character, location) to guide generation, now supported with audio. This positions Veo 3.1 as a stronger competitor to OpenAI's Sora 2 in AI video generation, with tighter integration for editing workflows.

Apple Teases MacBook Pro M5 with Teaser Hinting at Faster Chip and Possible Blue Finish

October 16, 2025, 3:50 AM EDT. Apple's Greg Joswiak posted a teaser graphic shaped like a Roman numeral V and the caption "Mmmmm… something powerful is coming," hinting at a new MacBook Pro powered by the all-new M5 chip. The base model is expected first, with M5 Pro/Max variants arriving in early 2026. Benchmark leaks from M5 iPad Pro units show a roughly 12-15% uplift in CPU and GPU performance versus the M4. The 14-inch design should remain largely unchanged, though a possible blue color finish is teased. Apple could also unveil other products, including Vision Pro and iPad Pro M5, but no details have been released beyond the teaser.

Apple's M5 Chip: Mac's Next Big Leap in AI

October 16, 2025, 3:49 AM EDT. Apple's upcoming M5 chip is pitched as Mac's next big leap in AI, with a focus on AI performance across Macs and iPad Pro models. The M5, like its M4 line, upgrades CPUs, GPUs, memory and storage, but Apple highlights AI improvements-faster large language models, snappier responses, and better performance in video and photo apps. Apple aims to position the MacBook Pro 14-inch and new iPad Pro as AI development platforms, encouraging developers to build and run ML workloads locally. While Siri and some AI features have lagged, the hardware refresh is framed as a step toward more capable on-device AI. In short, the M5 targets both consumer apps and the pro workflow by boosting raw compute and AI capabilities.

Google Nest Smart Thermostat Slashes 23% Off on Amazon Today

October 16, 2025, 3:48 AM EDT. Deal alert: the Google Nest Smart Thermostat is 23% off today on Amazon. This smart thermostat learns your schedule, optimizes heating, and can help reduce energy bills when integrated with compatible Google Home devices. Grab the limited-time discount to upgrade your smart home with energy-saving automation.

NVIDIA-Backed Group Buys Aligned Data Centers for $40B to Boost AI Infrastructure

October 16, 2025, 3:46 AM EDT. An AI Infrastructure Partnership led by NVIDIA, BlackRock, Microsoft, and xAI agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion, a move to scale AI-ready compute and data-center capacity. With 50 sites and about 5 GW of capacity, Aligned ranks among the world's largest data-center providers across the US and Latin America. The deal signals a wave of investment as major tech players chase the power needs of AI, with UBS estimating global AI investment could reach $375 billion in 2025 and $500 billion by 2026. Andrew Schaap will continue leading Aligned; the deal is slated to close in H1 2026. Industry analysts describe the transaction as part of a broader infrastructure ramp-up, likening it to a railroad-era boom.

SpaceX closes out Block 2 Starship flights with a rather boring launch

October 16, 2025, 3:45 AM EDT. SpaceX wrapped up its 11th Starship flight of 2025, likely the final mission for Block 2 hardware. The launch was notably uneventful in a good way, with routine tests dominating the run and a simulated catch for Booster 15, which then crashed into the Gulf to avoid a floating booster near Mexico. Ship 38 completed its planned engine cutoff, dummy Starlink deployments, and a heat resistant check with a relight in space. Reentry tests involved imperfect heat-shield tiles but ended with a successful splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The mission signals a shift to Block 3 hardware as SpaceX advances the Starship program despite 2025's development pains and a string of firsts.

New iPad Pro M5 Preorders Live: Where to Buy Apple's Premium Tablet

October 16, 2025, 3:44 AM EDT. Preorders for Apple's new iPad Pro M5 are now open at the Apple Store, with delivery ahead of the October 22 release. The lineup includes 11-inch and 13-inch models, both sharing last year's design but powered by the new M5 chipset, faster memory bandwidth, and updated network chips (C1X and N1) that support WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple claims up to 3.5× the performance of the M4 in select tasks, aided by a refreshed Neural Engine inside each core. Prices start at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 for the 11-inch and $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,199 for the 13-inch, with storage up to 2TB. A trade-in program offers discounts up to $695 / £625 / AU$1,045. Availability is limited to Apple now, with other retailers likely to stock soon and potential Black Friday deals.

Quebec Man Fined for Submitting AI-Generated Hallucinations in Legal Defense

October 16, 2025, 3:42 AM EDT. A Quebec Superior Court judge fined Jean Laprade C$5,000 for submitting AI-generated hallucinations as part of his legal defense. Justice Luc Morin called the move "highly reprehensible" and warned it could undermine the court's integrity. Laprade relied on fictitious AI-produced citations and inconsistent conclusions in a case tied to a deal involving helicopters and an airplane in Guinea, with an arbitration order later confirming damages. The court had warned in 2023 that AI work must be subject to rigorous human control. Laprade apologized, saying AI helped his defense, but Morin stressed that relying on hallucinated extracts was a serious breach and highlighted the growing vigilance needed as AI advances.

COROS APEX 4 Unveiled: Next-Gen Mountain Sports Watch with Alpine-Grade Titanium and Ultra-Precise GPS

October 16, 2025, 3:41 AM EDT. COROS announces the APEX 4, the next generation of the world's most trusted mountain sports watch. Built with an alpine-grade design-titanium bezel, sapphire glass, and a crystal-clear Memory-In-Pixel display-APEX 4 performs in sun, snow, and shadows. It delivers ultra-precise navigation with enhanced vertical GPS, dual-frequency tracking, and a dual-range barometer for forests, couloirs, and alpine walls. The watch offers up to 65 hours of All-Systems GPS (46mm) or 41 hours (42mm), and zero-lag maps with turn-by-turn navigation, POIs, and street/trail names. Sport-specific software covers trail running, climbing, and ski touring, plus deep insights on training, sleep, recovery, and readiness. With built-in voice and audio tools, and two sizes-46mm and 42mm-APEX 4 is designed for endurance athletes tackling multi-day ambitions.

Nvidia, Microsoft and BlackRock Lead $40 Billion AI Data Center Deal for Aligned Data Centers

October 16, 2025, 3:38 AM EDT. A consortium led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, Nvidia, and Microsoft agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers for about $40 billion. Aligned is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing data center operators, and the deal aims to fuel the expansion of next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure. The transaction signals growing demand for AI and capacity, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and BlackRock betting on AI-driven growth and infrastructure. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said the move advances infrastructure to power AI while offering clients access to its growth. Shares for Nvidia and Microsoft nudged higher; BlackRock was largely flat.

COROS APEX 4 In-Depth Review: A New Purpose for the APEX Line

October 16, 2025, 3:37 AM EDT. COROS APEX 4 consolidates the line into a single edition while borrowing ideas from the NOMAD. It adds a speaker for voice calls, a customizable Action button, and dual microphones, plus real phone call capability. Offline maps gain street names, a POI database, and separated roads and trails, along with a new depth gauge (limited use). The device uses a 3rd gen COROS MIP display with a faster processor and promises much faster map rendering. Storage grows to 32GB and up to 100 routes; WiFi/Bluetooth support continues, with no ANT+. Battery life is tested on long treks; the watch remains 5ATM water resistant, highlighting a clearer purpose for the APEX lineup.

Pixel Watch 4 repairability puts Apple, Garmin, and Samsung on notice

October 16, 2025, 3:36 AM EDT. iFixit rates the Pixel Watch 4 as the most repairable smartwatch yet, a finding that could reshape how we think about Wear OS devices. The 118-page repair manual breaks down every step, part, and tool, with flowcharts for how to service components without compromising IP68 protection. While the process is still not for casual experimenters-battery swaps are easier with exposed screws in the band slot and cheap tools around $10-other repairs are more complex. The display is detachable from the gasket, and the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 2 can be reached quickly. Battery replacements may be affordable under warranty, but a new display could fetch around $100. Google emphasizes professional repair after the warranty, yet the approach signals a future where repairability matters for wearables.

Google introduces Recovery Contacts and scam-detection tools to strengthen account security

October 16, 2025, 3:33 AM EDT. Google announced new privacy and recovery tools to reduce spam and keep accounts secure. The headline feature, Recovery Contacts, lets you add up to 10 trusted friends or family who can verify your identity when you're locked out, via a 15-minute verification code; contact addition is subject to a seven-day cooldown. Another option, sign-in with mobile number, helps recover access when a device is lost and links all accounts tied to that number, validated with your device's passcode. Google is expanding spam link detection in Messages and adding a key verifier for end-to-end encryption verification, including QR code scans for Android 10+. A new game, Be Scam Ready, educates users about scams. Rollout is gradual worldwide.

Bank of America upgrades Amphenol to Buy on AI-driven upside, targets $150

October 16, 2025, 3:32 AM EDT. Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan upgraded Amphenol (APH) to Buy from Neutral and lifted the price target to $150 from $120, implying about 22% upside from the prior close. The call reflects expected AI-related growth, with the company expected to sustain triple-digit AI revenue growth into 2026, supported by higher AI rack volume, increased data-center build activity, and stronger content in new architectures. Mohan also highlights CCS's acquisition and opportunities to expand participation with fiber, as well as mid-teens organic growth ex-AI and ongoing M&A-driven expansion. Amphenol's total component value per rack could rise even as Nvidia shifts toward co-packaged optics. Ex-AI strength, coupled with solid execution, underpins the bullish view, with most analysts rating APH as a buy.

Apple Unveils iPad Pro M5: AI-Boosted Power Comes to MacBook Pro and Vision Pro

October 16, 2025, 3:31 AM EDT. Apple updates its iPad Pro with the new M5 chip, extending its power to a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro and a revised Vision Pro. The 11- and 13-inch models deliver about 3.5x AI performance versus the M4 and faster AI video upscaling in DaVinci Resolve (~2.3x). Memory bandwidth rises to over 150GB/s, a near 30% gain that boosts multitasking. The M5 also brings faster CPU performance, plus Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread via the new N1 chip, with a C1X modem for cellular variants that improves data speeds and battery life. The display is Ultra Retina XDR up to 1,600 nits HDR, with an optional nano-texture. Fast charging uses a new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter (sold separately for $39). Preorder now; ships Oct 22. Prices start at $999 for 256GB 11-inch.

CAA hires Washington lobbyists to shield actors from AI policy shifts

October 16, 2025, 3:30 AM EDT. Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has for the first time hired external lobbyists in Washington to protect actors amid expanding AI policy battles, according to Politico. The move follows intensified lobbying by Hollywood unions and studios as AI threatens to displace creative roles and challenge intellectual property (IP) rights. CAA's decision signals a broader push to shape federal policy as industry players brace for a more AI-centric agenda, even with an AI-friendly Trump administration on the horizon. Hollywood has grilled AI issues recently, from a new AI actress drawing union scrutiny to OpenAI's video-generation tools that can echo studios' IP unless they opt out. OpenAI also faced backlash with Scarlett Johansson over an AI voice last year.

Anthropic CPO on AI FOMO: Adoption Fueled by Excitement, Now Firms Demand Clear Success Metrics

October 16, 2025, 3:29 AM EDT. Anthropic's Chief Product Officer warns that AI FOMO spurred rapid adoption of generative AI across industries. While enthusiasm boosted pilots and investments, enterprises now seek measurable outcomes such as ROI, productivity gains, risk controls, and ethically sound deployment. The push for quantifiable metrics is reshaping vendor evaluations, with CIOs and business leaders asking for clear KPIs and transparent reporting. Analysts say success metrics should cover productivity uplift, time-to-value, product quality, customer satisfaction, security and governance, and alignment with regulatory requirements. Vendors are responding with standardized dashboards, benchmarking studies, and shared frameworks to compare performance across pilots and scaled deployments. The trend underscores a shift from buzz to proven impact, as firms require evidence that AI initiatives deliver tangible business value while managing risk.

SpaceX Starship launch from Texas visible in Florida, not a meteor

October 16, 2025, 3:28 AM EDT. Residents in Boynton Beach, Florida initially mistook the SpaceX Starship liftoff from Starbase, Texas for a UFO or meteor, but it was the rocket's launch on Oct. 13, 2025. The Starship (with the 232-foot Super Heavy booster) lifted off at 7:23 p.m. ET, a milestone for Elon Musk's plan to reach the Moon and Mars. Florida viewers reported the scene along the Atlantic coast, with visibility from Palm Beach County to as far as Myrtle Beach and even New Jersey, depending on weather. The article notes launches from Florida typically occur at Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral, and can create a bright contrail visible for miles when the trajectory favors the east.

Apple Unveils M5-Powered iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro

October 16, 2025, 3:26 AM EDT. Apple quietly unfolds three flagship devices powered by its new M5 chip, built on a 3-nanometer process with a 10-core GPU, per-core neural accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple touts a 30% uplift in unified memory bandwidth and 15% faster multi-threaded CPU performance, claiming the M5 is the "world's fastest CPU core." The iPad Pro (11" and 13") gains these internals, includes the N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, plus the C1X 5G modem for faster, more efficient cellular. Memory expands to 12 GB on 256/512 GB models, and external displays up to 120 Hz with Adaptive Sync. The MacBook Pro and Vision Pro also receive the M5 upgrade while maintaining their exterior designs.

Transforming HPC: energy-efficient, privacy-preserving supercomputing

October 16, 2025, 3:24 AM EDT. Ana Veroneze Solórzano, a computer engineering Ph.D. candidate at Northeastern University, is reshaping high-performance computing to be more sustainable and privacy-preserving. Her work tackles HPC's two biggest challenges: huge energy consumption and inequitable access. She's developing an incentive-based energy control mechanism that has been deployed on Japan's Fugaku supercomputer, part of a Northeastern-RIKEN collaboration. Solórzano's research also explores privacy-preserving computing models to expand access for researchers worldwide. Her efforts, recognized with the George Michael Memorial HPC Fellowship, point to a future where powerful models and simulations can advance climate, astronomy, and beyond without draining energy or compromising user privacy.

Apple Plans More Investment in China Amid Trade Tensions

October 16, 2025, 3:23 AM EDT. Apple will increase its investment in China following a meeting with Li Lecheng, China's minister for industry and information technology, signaling continued expansion despite a U.S.-China trade dispute and tariff threats. The ministry confirmed Cook's visit and his pledge to deepen presence in the Chinese market and cooperate with Chinese companies, though no investment size was disclosed. The exchange comes as President Trump escalates a tariff threat on Chinese imports amid tensions over rare earth exports-critical materials for electronics. Apple has faced pressure to move production toward the U.S., but for now manufactures iPhones primarily in China and India. The company has also pledged domestic investment in the U.S., including a possible $500 billion program and a new plant in Houston, while pursuing sustainable sources of rare earths, such as MP Materials.

Apple's M5 chip powers iPad Pro, MacBook Pro and Vision Pro ahead of the holidays

October 16, 2025, 3:21 AM EDT. Apple unveils an in-house M5 chip that's powering the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro (excluding the Vision Pro headband) and touts faster AI processing as part of a broader in-house component refresh ahead of the holiday season. In financial tech-adjacent news, regional banks delivered mixed results: Citizens and First Horizon beat estimates, while PNC slid on higher-cost deposits and tighter margins. In policy chatter, Abbott trimmed its earnings guidance amid a government probe that could trigger tariffs on medical devices, though the company says the impact should be limited.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 Discount Drops to $219: Long Battery Life at a Great Price

October 16, 2025, 3:20 AM EDT. Garmin's Vivoactive 5 is on sale with prices as low as $219 on Amazon, an $80 (27%) cut from the original $299. The Ivory color leads at $219, with Orchid at $224 and Navy Blue at $239; Slate/Black at $242 is also a strong deal. Even though the Vivoactive 6 launched earlier this year, the Vivoactive 5 remains a top pick for both active and casual users. It sports a 1.2-inch circular AMOLED display, touchscreen and side buttons, 5 ATM water resistance, and broad compatibility with Android and iOS. It bundles Garmin Coach, body battery monitoring, advanced sleep tracking with nap detection, and a Wheelchair Mode. Notably, it can last up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, making it one of the strongest battery life options among mainstream smartwatches.

Nvidia stock rises on HSBC upgrade as analyst sees 'continuous earnings growth'

October 16, 2025, 3:18 AM EDT. HSBC upgraded Nvidia (NVDA) to Buy from Hold, citing resilient earnings growth in the AI-chip era. Analyst Frank Lee expects the AI GPU market to expand beyond hyperscalers, aided by OpenAI-backed Stargate projects and a recent deal with Nvidia that could boost revenue. The note lifts the price target to $320 from $200 as demand from emerging players like CoreWeave and sovereign AI projects supports a growing AI GPU TAM. Shares traded near $182 as the upgrade hit, though some analysts flag OpenAI spending or energy infrastructure risks. Separately, the AIP consortium agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers for about $40 billion, underscoring a wave of AI data-center investments powered by Nvidia.

OpenAI in the Contract Era: Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, Walmart, and a Commerce-Driven AI

October 16, 2025, 3:17 AM EDT. OpenAI is entering a contract-driven phase, locking down scarce chips, expanding its cloud footprint, and teaching a chatbot to close sales. A Nvidia letter of intent could commit at least 10 gigawatts of systems with up to $100 billion in Nvidia investment. AMD could become a true second source, with a milestone-based warrant for up to 10% of AMD stock; Broadcom plans to build OpenAI's first in-house processor. Google Cloud joins as a supplier, softening single-vendor optics. On the revenue front, ChatGPT's Instant Checkout accelerates commerce with Walmart, Shopify, and Etsy; Stripe provides payments and OpenAI earns a fee per sale. As of June, OpenAI's annualized revenue run rate neared $10 billion, and the company claims the world's most valuable startup status at a $500 billion valuation after a secondary sale.

Apple Unveils M5: Neural Accelerator Upgrades, AI-Optimized GPU and 120Hz Vision Pro Display

October 16, 2025, 3:16 AM EDT. Apple today announced its M5 chip, upgrading MacBook Pros, iPad Pro, and the Vision Pro headset. Building on the M4 and echoing the A19 Pro from the iPhone 17 Pro, the M5 targets AI and graphics with new architecture. Core counts stay similar (up to 10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and 16 Neural Accelerator) but performance gains come from architectural refinements. Each GPU core now includes a neural accelerator for up to four times the GPU AI throughput. Shaders and a ray tracing engine are optimized for smoother frame rates in ray tracing tasks. Higher caching and memory bandwidth reach 153 GB/s (vs 120 GB/s), while memory stays capped at 32 GB. Vision Pro gains 120 Hz display refresh, potentially enabling broader ProMotion-style experiences across devices.

Apple Unveils 14-Inch MacBook Pro with M5 Chip, Starts at $1,599

October 16, 2025, 3:15 AM EDT. Apple is ramping up the competition with a new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip, promising boosted graphics and AI performance. The laptop, due to launch next week, starts at $1,599 and targets creators and power users who crave portable power. Apple touts faster GPU workloads, improved machine learning acceleration, and longer battery life, while keeping the slim, premium design users expect from the MacBook Pro line. Apple expands its M-series lineup, with availability beginning soon in Apple Stores and online, as early reviews follow shipments and developers test multimedia workflows and on-device AI features.

HSBC upgrades Nvidia to Buy on rising AI GPU TAM and China tailwinds

October 16, 2025, 3:14 AM EDT. HSBC upgraded Nvidia to Buy from Hold, setting a $320 target (from $200), signaling about 78% upside. Analyst Frank Lee cited a growing GPU TAM and Nvidia's deals with OpenAI and Stargate as catalysts, lifting fiscal 2027 data center estimates to about $351 billion, well above consensus of $258 billion. The move narrows the number of firms with a Hold rating to Deutsche Bank, with Seaport Global remaining a Sell. Lee also highlighted potential demand recovery in China and possible easing of US-China trade frictions as upside risks. If China's GPU market reaccelerates, Nvidia could see further upside even beyond hyperscalers, supporting continued earnings growth. Nvidia stock rose after the upgrade, helping it extend a strong year-to-date gain.

AI helps identify Nazi executioner in WWII photo decades later

October 16, 2025, 3:13 AM EDT. Using AI and historical records, German historian Jürgen Matthäus has unmasked the identity of a Nazi executioner in a WWII photograph taken near Berdychiv. The image, long shrouded in mystery and linked to the so-called 'Last Jew of Vinnitsa,' is now associated with Jakobus Onnen, a German teacher who joined the Nazi party in 1931. The finding, reported by Matthäus and supported by open-source researchers at Bellingcat and a study in the Journal of Historical Studies, emphasizes that the massacre occurred on July 28, 1941, in Berdychiv rather than Vinnitsa. AI aided the match, but Matthäus cautions that it is not the silver bullet-the human factor remains crucial, and AI is only one tool among many in historical verification.

SpaceX to launch 21 SDA satellites from Vandenberg to advance U.S. military communications network

October 16, 2025, 3:12 AM EDT. SpaceX will launch 21 SDA satellites from Vandenberg tonight to advance the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL). The Falcon 9 is set to lift off at 7:03 p.m. EDT, with coverage starting ~10 minutes beforehand on SpaceX's website and X. The mission, SDA's second T1TL deployment, aims to build a global, encrypted LEO communications network for warfighters. The first T1TL flight occurred Sept. 10. York Space Systems built the earlier satellites; the current batch was manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with Northrop Grumman contracted for 42 satellites as part of the program. SDA plans seven layers-navigation, tracking, transport, and more-under the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, refreshed biennially to stay agile.

Dog chews lithium-ion battery as security camera captures home fire in NC

October 16, 2025, 3:11 AM EDT. A North Carolina firefighter's home security camera captured his dog, Colton, chewing a device with a lithium-ion battery that ignited and smoked on the living room rug. The fire quickly spread but was contained, with no injuries reported. The incident, observed by the Chapel Hill Fire Department, underscores the importance of home fire safety and securing potentially dangerous items from pets. The owner said he received an alert from his security system app and returned home to find the rug burned but the fire largely fizzled. The family learned to be more aware of what devices are reachable by pets to prevent future incidents.

Disturbing image captured on Kansas doorbell camera prompts police appeal

October 16, 2025, 3:10 AM EDT. A mysterious image captured on a doorbell camera in Kansas prompted police to plead for the public's help over fears of an abduction. Authorities said the image suggested danger, but the situation shifted when the woman later called to report an assault. The case highlights how home surveillance can become a critical part of investigations and community safety efforts.

Apple refreshes 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip

October 16, 2025, 3:09 AM EDT. Apple updates its entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip, faster storage, and up to 24 hours of battery life. The base model starts at $1,599 with a 10-core CPU/GPU, 16GB memory, and a 512GB SSD. The M5 delivers 3.5x AI task acceleration thanks to a Neural Accelerator per core, and a 1.6x boost in graphics and frame rates vs M4. Multithreaded performance is up ~20%, and memory bandwidth increases to 153Gbps. Most other specs remain unchanged, with the same ports, display, webcam, and colors. Preorders are live; availability is expected October 22nd. The upgrade marks a measured refresh focused on AI and graphics for the predictable 14-inch Pro line.

OpenAI to allow erotica for verified adults in ChatGPT, Altman confirms

October 16, 2025, 3:07 AM EDT. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said ChatGPT will soon relax restrictions to allow erotica for verified adults, provided users explicitly request it. The update is designed to be user-controlled: you won't see sexual content unless you opt in. OpenAI emphasizes that safety measures for teens remain in place, including age-gating, parental controls, and restricted features. Altman frames this as a shift toward treating adult users like adults, while preserving safeguards, memory controls, and privacy protections. The company has also rolled out teen protections and tools to manage chat history, underscoring a dual-track approach: expand adult-tailored capabilities without compromising youth safety. The move follows ongoing debates about content policy and the balance between openness and responsible AI use.

Coros Apex 4 smartwatch review: travel-ready connectivity with hands-free calls, voice notes and advanced mapping

October 16, 2025, 3:06 AM EDT. ZDNET reviews the Coros Apex 4 smartwatch, available in 42mm and 46mm for $429 and $479. The device keeps Coros' long battery life and adds a microphone and speaker for hands-free calls and pinned voice notes. It introduces a new bottom-left Action button and an Adventure Journal that syncs photos and videos with your navigation. The 3rd-gen MIP display stays readable outdoors, and the watch remains lightweight at 64g with silicone or 52g with nylon. In the field, it delivers improved mapping with faster zoom, off-course alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation; alpine options include downloading topographic maps and auto-detecting downhill laps and ski lifts. GPS endurance runs roughly 41-65 hours depending on settings, with voice pins and audio alerts.

Newburgh Heights Tops Cuyahoga County Traffic-Camera Fines With $4.3 Million

October 16, 2025, 3:05 AM EDT. Newburgh Heights, not Linndale, collected the most traffic-camera fines in Cuyahoga County – about $4.3 million in one year, per state records. The report shows several suburbs, including Linndale, Parma, Parma Heights, East Cleveland, Walton Hills and Gates Mills, earning from $800,000 to $4.3 million, with some cameras placed in school zones that keep fines from hitting the Local Government Fund penalties. Cleveland banned traffic cameras in 2014, but city leaders are weighing a return to curb reckless driving under the Vision Zero plan. Parma now runs school-zone cameras and posted $1.54 million in fines from July 2024-June 2025; Parma Heights earned $841,000; East Cleveland collected $2.9 million in school-zone fines and about $5,000 outside them.

Nvidia, BlackRock and Microsoft Lead $40B AI Infrastructure Deal to Buy Aligned Data Centers

October 16, 2025, 3:04 AM EDT. A consortium including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers for about $40 billion to expand next-generation AI infrastructure. The deal adds 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of capacity across the U.S. and Latin America, accelerating cloud and AI workloads. The transaction, led by the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership, aims to mobilize up to $100 billion including debt to fund AI-scale data-center assets. OpenAI, AMD and NVIDIA have recently formed other AI infrastructure alliances; this deal marks a major step in consolidating capital and capacity to meet surging demand for internet-scale compute. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026.

DJI Power 2000 Drops to Lowest-Ever $939 on Amazon – Save $360 on Essential Field Power

October 16, 2025, 3:02 AM EDT. DJI Power 2000 hits its lowest price ever on Amazon at $939, a 28% discount from $1,299, saving $360 for field power. The 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery delivers up to 3,000W of stable output, supporting multiple drone battery packs and other gear. With 15 ports, including USB-C and USB-A, it covers charging needs for laptops, monitors, and accessories. Notably, it charges from 0-80% in about 55 minutes, reducing downtime between shoots. Ideal for remote flights and commercial ops, the Power 2000 aims to keep drones airborne longer and operations running smoothly in challenging environments.

Coros Apex 4 review: a durable, long-lasting rival to Garmin Fenix with memory-in-pixel display

October 16, 2025, 3:00 AM EDT. The Apex 4 sticks with a memory-in-pixel display, delivering standout battery life that many AMOLED rivals can't match. It's a purpose-built sport watch focused on durability and practicality, with offline maps, accurate tracking, and a lighter, rugged build (42mm and 46mm, titanium bezel, sapphire crystal). Despite the long smartwatch life (up to 24 days) and GPS endurance (53 hours), the MIP display can look dull in bright light and lacks the polish of AMOLED rivals. Two sizes cost $429/£389 and $479/£429, and weights hover around 38-44g. Coros positions the Apex 4 alongside the Pace line, but above Vertix 2S in ruggedness. Bottom line: excellent battery and outdoor features, with some screen aesthetics and price caveats.

How location-based voice notes on the Coros Apex 4 transform trail runs

October 16, 2025, 2:59 AM EDT. ZDNET's review highlights the Coros Apex 4's growing focus on navigation and hands-free functionality for athletes. The 46mm model (also 42mm) blends long battery life with a lightweight build thanks to a titanium bezel and polymer back. A standout feature is the microphone that records location-based voice notes pinned to your route, plus a speaker for hands-free calls and audible alerts. The Apex 4 debuts faster maps, off-course alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation, plus topographic maps for alpine activities. In skiing mode, the watch automatically detects downhill laps and lift rides and displays pinned notes to mark hazards or jumps. With Activity Journal syncing photos/videos and a new bottom-left Action button, the Apex 4 positions itself as a capable partner for trail runners and backcountry days.

Honor debuts AI shopping tools on Magic8 to help Chinese shoppers save with on-device deals

October 16, 2025, 2:58 AM EDT. Honor has rolled out a new suite of AI tools on its Magic8 and other devices in China, powered by the on-device Yoyo chatbot in MagicOS. The tools let users quickly compare deals across e-commerce sites like JD.com and Taobao, surfacing coupons that can save shoppers around 20% on purchases. The company envisions users increasingly accessing services via an AI portal rather than opening apps, with future features planned for sports, health, and companionship. Honor aims to climb into the top three smartphone brands in mainland China this year, challenging Apple as it rides China's busy Singles Day shopping season.

Apple Vision Pro Upgraded with M5 Chip and Dual Knit Band, 120Hz Display

October 16, 2025, 2:57 AM EDT. Apple updates Vision Pro with the new M5 chip, bringing a 16-core Neural Engine and faster AI-powered features. The headset gains 10% more rendered pixels and an upgraded 120Hz refresh rate for crisper, smoother visuals and reduced motion blur. Claims: third-party apps double performance. A new accessory, the Dual Knit Band, uses a single 3D-knitted piece with tungsten counterweights, cushioning, breathability, and a Fit Dial for fine-tuned fit. Availability: pre-order now in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., with launch on October 22; China mainland and Singapore pre-orders start October 17. Pricing starts at $3,499 with 256GB/512GB/1TB options. Compatible with previous Vision Pro.

Apple iPad Pro gets M5 chip, 5G and Wi-Fi 7, arriving October 22

October 16, 2025, 2:56 AM EDT. Apple unveils an iPad Pro upgrade with the new M5 chip, shipping October 22 and available to pre-order now. The Pro line adds the C1X and N1 modem/wireless stack, enabling optional 5G on cellular models alongside Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Prices stay $999 for the 11-inch and $1,199 for the 13-inch. The update arrives with new MacBook Pro models and an upgraded Vision Pro. While many buyers may not need the extras, the M5 boost could deliver the fastest iPad yet, especially for multitasking improvements in iPadOS 26. This is a developing story.

Apple debuts updated MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro with new M5 chip

October 16, 2025, 2:55 AM EDT. Apple unveiled refreshed MacBook Pro and iPad Pro and Vision Pro devices powered by the new M5 chip, delivering faster performance than their predecessors. The MacBook Pro lineup starts at $1,599, the 11-inch iPad Pro at $999, and the Vision Pro at $3,499 (with a Dual Knit Band). Preorders are open now, and devices go on sale on Oct. 22 in most markets. These launches cap Apple's fall lineup following the iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11 debuts. Analysts will weigh how pricing and tariffs could affect margins as demand and supply shift around these high-end devices.

Apple quietly releases second-generation Vision Pro with M5 chip and unchanged price

October 16, 2025, 2:54 AM EDT. Apple quietly unveils the second-generation Vision Pro via press release, slowing the hype while keeping the same $3,499 price. The headset remains largely the same hardware, but swaps in an M5 chip, boosting CPU and GPU performance, adds 32GB of RAM, and refines image signal processing and video encoding. Pre-orders start now, with shipping on October 22. The understated rollout suggests Apple is taking a more cautious approach to spatial computing, courting developers and early adopters without a product-event spotlight. Users can expect a refined, yet still premium experience rather than a radical redesign. In short: a low-risk, play-it-safe upgrade that nudges the Vision Pro closer to mainstream viability while preserving its niche appeal.

Aluminum Air EV Battery Cost Model: Refining the Battery Manufacturing and Application

October 16, 2025, 2:53 AM EDT. Aluminum-Air (Al-Air) batteries promise far higher energy density than lithium-ion chemistries, using aluminum anodes, ambient oxygen, and a caustic electrolyte. Unlike Li-ion, Al-Air is primary (non-rechargeable), requiring replacement of the aluminum anode, though the material is recyclable and potentially low-cost. The technology offers light weight, safety, and access to abundant resources, reducing reliance on cobalt and lithium. Market data show the aluminum-air EV battery market at about USD 84.28 million in 2024, with projected growth to USD 323.02 million by 2033 (CAGR ~13.7%). Applications span EV range extension, stationary storage, and defense, with hybrids combining Li-ion and Al-Air. Governments' net-zero goals and circular economy aims are accelerating R&D and pilots.

Goldman economists warn of 'jobless growth' as AI reshapes the Gen Z hiring landscape

October 16, 2025, 2:52 AM EDT. Goldman Sachs economists David Mericle and Pierfrancesco Mei frame today's U.S. labor market as a new normal: jobless growth driven by productivity gains and AI, with only modest labor-force expansion. They echo Powell's "low-hire, low-fire" description, noting that entry-level and minority hiring has been especially weak. While GDP may rise solidly, hiring outside healthcare has cooled as firms lean on AI to raise efficiency and cut costs. The bulk of future growth, they argue, will come from productivity gains powered by AI rather than sustained labor supply growth (aging demographics, lower immigration). A persistent job-hugging trend may continue, and history suggests AI's full labor-market effects may only reveal themselves during a recession.

Microsoft Patch Tuesday October 2025 Review: 193 Vulnerabilities, Zero-Days, and Windows 10 End of Life

October 16, 2025, 2:50 AM EDT. Microsoft's October 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes a staggering 193 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 123 important severities, plus six zero-day flaws (four publicly exploited, two publicly disclosed). The update covers 14 Edge (Chromium) vulnerabilities and marks the end of Windows 10 support with the KB5066791 final cumulative update. Patches span core components like Windows NTFS, the Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver, NTLM, RDP and RDS, and LSM, addressing elevation of privilege, remote code execution, and information disclosure risks. Adobe also released 12 advisories addressing 36 vulnerabilities across multiple products, with 24 rated critical. Notably, CVE-2025-24990 affects the Windows Agere Modem Driver and has been mitigated by removal in the October update.

Western Executives Warn China's Automation Push Could Overtake the West in EVs and Tech

October 16, 2025, 2:49 AM EDT. Western automotive and green-energy leaders returning from China describe a landscape where automation and robotics are reshaping manufacturing. CEOs like Jim Farley warn that if the West loses the race, they "do not have a future" at their firms. The revelation of dark factories with near-constant production highlights China's shift from subsidies to a workforce of highly skilled engineers driving innovation. Analysts note China has deployed far more industrial robots than the U.S. and Europe, partly to offset demographic decline. Beyond EVs, Beijing's emphasis on AI as a ten-year growth engine and ambitious space efforts are fueling fears of China leading in multiple high-tech domains. While the U.S. tilts toward protectionism, European markets are being seduced by Chinese-made EVs, underscoring a broader tech power shift.

Apple Teases M5 MacBook Pro and Vision Pro Update Ahead of This Week's Launch

October 16, 2025, 2:48 AM EDT. Apple's marketing chief teased a new era with an M5 hint: a MacBook Pro silhouette, Roman numeral V, and five Ms in the caption, fueling speculation of an M5 rollout this week. The refresh reportedly spans laptops, iPad Pro with M5 chips, and the Vision Pro headset. Early benchmarks from leaked iPad Pro units show ~10% single-core, ~16% multi-core, and ~34% graphics gains versus M4 on a 9-core CPU built on TSMC's 3 nm process. Bloomberg and MacRumors echo a week-long reveal window, with higher-end M5 Pro/Max potentially delayed to 2026 to sustain momentum. The plan underscores Apple's integrated strategy: stronger silicon, cross-device performance, and improved battery life, plus refreshed accessories like a Vision Pro strap.

Apple unveils M5: a major leap in AI performance for Apple silicon

October 16, 2025, 2:47 AM EDT. Apple unveils M5, built on a 3nm process, delivering a new 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core and over 4x peak GPU compute versus M4 for AI workloads. The chip also boosts CPU performance with up to 10 cores (6 efficiency, 4 performance), an improved 16-core Neural Engine, and a 30% jump in unified memory bandwidth to 153 GB/s. Apple touts faster graphics-up to 30% higher than M4 and 2.5x vs M1-plus a third-generation ray-tracing engine delivering up to 45% graphics uplift. The M5 targets AI workflows in the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro, enabling diffusion models and LLMs locally in apps. Pre-orders begin today, signaling a major leap in AI, GPU, and Apple silicon performance.

Google rolls out safer links in Messages to block scam sites

October 16, 2025, 2:46 AM EDT. Online scams remain a growing threat, with scammers using voice cloning, deepfakes, and social engineering to impersonate real contacts. Google says it's continuously innovating security features built into its products to help users avoid scams or spot them early. A key update is in Google Messages: Safer links now warn you when you tap on links in a suspected spam message and block access to potentially harmful sites unless you explicitly mark the message as not spam. The protection is global, empowering users to avoid phishing and other malware risks with clearer warnings and automatic checks at link-click time.

Digital 2026 Global Overview: Cats vs Dogs in Searches, Wikis, and Social Media

October 16, 2025, 2:45 AM EDT. Digital 2026 Global Overview shows the web hosts 4.44B pages about cats and 3.67B about dogs, yet Google Trends finds higher interest in dogs (Dog index ~89 vs Cat ~55). Wikipedia English pages favor cats (3.68M views) over dogs (2.54M), and multilingual views favor cats overall (8.65M vs 5.59M). On social platforms, Instagram has 394M posts tagged #dog vs 307M for #cat, while TikTok totals are nearly tied (913B vs 911B views) but dog content leads in posts (76M vs 64M). The data highlight a mismatch between searches and reading behavior, while dogs remain broadly dominant on top social networks.

SemiQon and VTT win EARTO award for cryogenic CMOS chip enabling quantum computing and space applications

October 16, 2025, 2:44 AM EDT. SemiQon and VTT win the EARTO first prize in the Impact Expected category on 14 October 2025 in Brussels for a pioneering cryogenic CMOS (cryo-CMOS) chip that enables full CMOS functionality at cryogenic temperatures, unlocking quantum computing and space applications. CEO Himadri Majumdar says the tech will shift from niche to mainstream, building on VTT foundations. Tauno Vähä-Heikkilä notes this work strengthens Europe's competitiveness and resilience. The solution features superior energy efficiency, with 50-90% lower power consumption for space applications and reduces readout infrastructures costs by up to 30% in the short term, and more than tenfold long-term, potentially saving USD 20-30 billion annually in cooling. Originated at VTT, SemiQon spun off in 2023; production at Micronova and future Kvanttinova hub. It supports Sustainable Development Goals and Europe's strategic autonomy in critical tech.

EU to require battery passports for EVs from 2027; Kia pilots digital battery passport

October 16, 2025, 2:43 AM EDT. Europe will require a dedicated battery passport for all EVs with more than two kilowatts of power starting February 2027, detailing origin, chemical composition, current health, and end-of-life recycling guidance. The aim is greater transparency and easier lifecycle management for batteries powering modern mobility. Separately, Kia is piloting a digital battery passport on its EV3 prototype, enabling cell-by-cell monitoring, early anomaly detection, and reduced maintenance costs. Digital IDs appear on the car's infotainment display, giving drivers real-time health data and a verifiable use history for the used-EV market. Clear battery data boosts buyer confidence and helps regulators and manufacturers oversee performance, recycling, and policy development.

Google Wallet update adds nicknames for passes, Nearby Passes and AI-powered pass management

October 16, 2025, 2:40 AM EDT. Google Wallet now lets users assign custom nicknames (up to 25 characters) to digital passes like loyalty cards, event tickets, and transit passes, helping you stay organized. To add a nickname, open a pass, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Add a nickname. The nickname appears under the pass title for quick scanning. This update complements Google's earlier Everything Else feature that uses AI to create passes from photos for items like business cards and IDs (US only). It also adds Nearby Passes notifications, guiding you to places where you can use a saved pass, and brings developer tools to auto-add Gmail-received passes and invite users via Smart Tap after purchases. Wallet is becoming a more convenient, proactive hub for passes.

Some iPhone 17 Pro Max Units Fade from Orange to Rose Gold Over Aluminum Oxidation

October 16, 2025, 2:39 AM EDT. Several iPhone 17 Pro Max units are reportedly fading from orange to rose gold due to aluminum oxidation and possible sealing-layer inconsistencies. The issue appears batch-specific and is most visible along the frame and camera housing, while the back panel remains orange. Apple has not issued an official statement yet, but affected owners are advised to inspect the frame under neutral light, avoid alcohol-based cleaners, and contact Apple Support with photos for a store evaluation. If confirmed, replacements may be issued under warranty. The report adds to post-launch chatter about the iPhone 17 Pro line, including earlier concerns over scratches ("Scratchgate") and a separate material-transfer issue at stores.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Cosmic Orange Turning Pink: Faulty Batch Suspected

October 16, 2025, 2:38 AM EDT. Aishwarya Panda reports that some iPhone 17 Pro Max units in Cosmic Orange appear to turn pink, with the MagSafe area staying orange while the rest shifts toward a rose hue. The issue seems isolated to a few units and not yet widespread. One user suggested it could be a batch with a poor sealing coat after aluminium oxidation, causing color changes over time. Some devices show pink hues around the camera lenses. No official resolution or replacement has been announced yet, so buyers should monitor updates from Apple and consider waiting for guidance before purchasing the Cosmic Orange variant.

BlackRock-backed Nvidia-Microsoft group to buy Aligned Data Centers in $40B AI data center deal

October 16, 2025, 2:33 AM EDT. Dallas-Fort Worth's Aligned Data Centers is set to be acquired in a $40 billion deal by a consortium including the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), MGX, and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, with backing from BlackRock, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The acquisition would transfer 100% of equity from Macquarie Asset Management to the Plano-based firm, keeping its HQ in Dallas and led by Andrew Schaap. The deal is expected to close in H1 2026; it marks AIP's first investment as it aims to deploy up to $100 billion including debt. Aligned, which runs 50 campuses with about 5 GW capacity, focuses on AI data center infrastructure for hyperscale and enterprise customers across North and South America. Dallas remains a top data center market in the U.S.

BoE Names AI, DLT and Quantum Computing as Cross-Cutting Technologies in Tech Strategy

October 16, 2025, 2:32 AM EDT. The Bank of England says AI, DLT, and quantum computing are the three "cross-cutting technologies" most likely to drive transformative outcomes. In a new report, the BoE outlines how these technologies will shape the economy, their interaction across sectors, and its approach to responsible innovation. The central bank argues the UK's financial services sector can lead adoption and help other industries benefit from these tools. As Sarah Breeden notes, firms are already piloting AI, exploring DLT applications, and testing quantum computing. Beyond early adoption, the BoE emphasizes enabling safe uptake and managing risks to unlock productivity gains and growth. The Bank says its role is not to slow innovation but to shape it, balancing innovation with stability across payments, rates, and infrastructure.

What the Tech? Hiding Your Home from Google: Blur Your Street View for Privacy

October 16, 2025, 2:30 AM EDT. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this installment explains how Google Maps and Street View can reveal your home and how you can protect your privacy. The piece walks through how criminals could use public imagery to case neighborhoods, then shows the step-by-step process to blur your house: open Google Maps or Google Earth, find your address, use "Report a problem," choose "Request blurring," align the red box, and confirm the reason. It notes that blur removal is not instantaneous and cannot be undone, and that blurring hides only ground-level Street View, not satellite images. It also reminds readers that Google already blurs faces and license plates, and that private property may not be blurred unless requested. A quick privacy tweak for a world that sees almost everything.

AI Boom Sparks Dot-Com Bubble Comparisons as Tech Stocks Soar

October 16, 2025, 2:29 AM EDT. U.S. stock markets are at record highs, powered by vast AI spending, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq doubling in three years. Analysts debate whether the surge reflects real earnings growth or speculative euphoria, drawing comparisons to the late-1990s dot-com crash. The Buffett Indicator-market value relative to GDP-has climbed above 210%, far exceeding 1999 levels, signaling caution to some investors. Prominent voices, from Paul Tudor Jones calling this "Bubble 2.0" to Dan Ives insisting we're in a "1996 moment," frame today as potentially explosive or sustainable. Others warn of a possible market correction; Jamie Dimon says risks remain. The debate centers on whether AI is truly widening profits or inflating valuations beyond earnings.

Study Finds GEO Satellites Carry Unencrypted Traffic, Exposing Voice, Text, and Data

October 16, 2025, 2:28 AM EDT. Researchers from several US universities intercepted unencrypted traffic on 39 GEO satellites using off-the-shelf gear. The findings show roughly half of the signals carried clear text IP traffic, and there was no encryption at the link layer or network layer. That leaves private voice calls, text messages, and call metadata exposed to any capable eavesdropper. The study also intercepted banking transactions, inventory records, network management commands, and industrial control signals for utilities, along with military communications. The work highlights a pervasive lack of standardized encryption and a mismatch between customer security expectations and real practice, creating opportunities for eavesdropping, espionage, and misuse.

FAST Reaches 45% of U.S. Households as Parks Associates Previews Future of Video: Business of Streaming

October 16, 2025, 2:25 AM EDT. Parks Associates' eighth Future of Video: Business of Streaming conference (Nov 18-20, Marina del Rey) will spotlight the shifting battleground of video distribution, discovery and monetization. Keynotes from Charter, Tubi, Verizon Business, Wurl, FloSports and Needham & Company will discuss how FAST and AVOD growth are reshaping budgets and strategy. New data show that 89% of U.S. internet households subscribe to at least one streaming service, while 45% regularly watch FAST/free ad-supported options; 59% of SAVOD subscribers choose basic + ads. Attendees will explore how CTV, connected devices, and AI-powered audience insights are driving ad spend, targeting, and revenue in a converging video ecosystem. The conference emphasizes industry-wide transitions from subscriber-only growth to advertising-driven monetization.

Apple's smart home display hub could launch at $350, per Gurman

October 16, 2025, 2:24 AM EDT. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's long-rumored 7-inch smart home display hub could ship in Spring 2026, with a target price around $350. The plan mirrors the launch price of the original HomePod but sits higher than rivals like Amazon's Echo Show 11. Apple reportedly offers two versions: a tabletop model resembling a HomePod mini with a screen and a wall-mounted option; it isn't clear which would carry the price. The devices, along with a new indoor security camera and a tabletop robot, are expected to be assembled in Vietnam, with BYD partnering on production. Delays tied to Siri's AI overhaul helped push back the initial March 2025 launch.

Satellites Record Biggest Ocean Swells From Space, Revealing Storm Power Across Oceans

October 16, 2025, 2:20 AM EDT. New observations from NASA/ESA's SWOT mission tracked the largest ocean swells seen from space, showing how storm energy travels across oceans. In December 2024, Storm Eddie in the North Pacific produced open-ocean waves around 65 feet (20 meters), the highest measured from space. Over two weeks, the swells crossed about 15,000 miles, reaching the tropical Atlantic without making landfall, yet still eroding shores. The study calls the ocean surface a 'messenger' that carries storm energy far and wide. By measuring crest-to-crest intervals-the wave period-scientists can infer a storm's size; a 20-second period signals large waves arriving every 20 seconds. Shorter, high-energy waves also matter, refining global wave models and coastal protection.

Earth-Independent AI: The Next Moat in Space Operations

October 16, 2025, 2:19 AM EDT. Earth-independent operations are the logical next step as physics, latency, and radiation make real-time ground control untenable. By placing AI at the edge next to data, spacecraft can detect anomalies, predict issues hours to days ahead, and act with bounded, auditable responses without waiting for a downlink. The framework unifies fused telemetry-from EPS and thermal to flight logs-so operators surface weak signals like drift, outliers, and pattern breaks before incidents. It relies on edge-first inference on flight-qualified or rad-tolerant compute (or nearby orbital data centers), favoring interpretable models and ensembles with strict guardrails. Latency, RF congestion, and converging cyber-safety risks make ground-only control a liability and resilience a business imperative. Earth-independent AI isn't a moonshot; it's a pragmatic, increasingly essential capability for space operations.

Apple Surges in China Amid Strong iPhone 17 Demand

October 16, 2025, 2:18 AM EDT. Apple edged higher in China's smartphone market, buoyed by steady demand for its iPhone 17 lineup. IDC data show shipments up 0.6% year over year to 10.8 million units, earning a 15.8% share and keeping it in second place behind Vivo as overall sales slip 0.6% to 68.4 million. Analysts say the value-focused appeal of the base iPhone 17 boosted early appetite, with expectations for stronger demand ahead of holiday launches. The focus now shifts to Q4, when holiday sales could lift revenue and set the tone for Apple's annual outlook in China.

Apple upgrades Vision Pro to M5 processor, expanding capabilities

October 16, 2025, 2:17 AM EDT. Apple announced an upgrade to the Vision Pro headset, swapping its original M2 chip for a more powerful M5 processor. First introduced in early 2024 with the M2 chip, the headset now aims to broaden its capabilities as Apple expands into new experiences, including support for live immersive sports. The move follows rumors that Apple is transitioning from full headsets toward smart glasses. The update underscores Apple's ongoing investment in AR/VR hardware as it scales the Vision Pro lineup.

Apple iPad Pro gains M5 chip, AI boost, and laptop-worthy power

October 16, 2025, 2:16 AM EDT. Apple has announced a new iPad Pro powered by the M5 chip, promising up to 3.5x AI performance over last year's model. The upgrade also brings a new C1X cellular modem, an N1 chip for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Thread, faster memory read/write, and support for charging up to 50% in ~30 minutes. The 11-inch starts at $999, the 13-inch at $1,299, with pre-orders live and shipments beginning October 22. Apple frames the Pro as a laptop-like upgrade for power users, especially when paired with iPadOS 26 and the Magic Keyboard. This continues Apple's pattern of debuting new chips with new tablets, building on the M4 Pro and M-series chips to further push the iPad toward professional productivity and AI features.

Apple Vision Pro Gets M5 Upgrade and New Band

October 16, 2025, 2:15 AM EDT. Apple is upgrading the Vision Pro with an M5 chip, alongside new Macs, signaling a power boost for its first spatial computer. The headset keeps its $3,500 price as Apple hints at a broader move toward smart glasses. The update adds a dual-knit strap for improved comfort while most features remain the same. Apple's push follows reports of a pivot away from Vision-type headsets toward lighter eyewear. The Vision Pro previously ran an M2 processor, so the M5 represents a notable leap. I reviewed the Vision Pro in 2024 and found it impressive yet flawed and expensive. This remains a developing story as Apple refines the platform and accessories.

Honor Reveals 'Robot Phone' With Fold-Out Camera Arm Ahead of MWC

October 16, 2025, 2:13 AM EDT.Honor is pushing disruptive hardware with a new 'robot phone' that features a camera that folds out from the back using a robotic arm. The company says the AI-connected camera will adapt its position and is designed to shake up traditional smartphone design. Honor plans to share more details at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next year. The device forms part of Honor's broader AI push, including tools to help users shop on Chinese e-commerce sites, hail taxis, and optimize photo framing. The company is investing about $10 billion over five years to transform into an AI device company, signaling a major bet on AI-powered hardware.

Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Turns Pink: Reddit Theories on Oxidation and Sealing Inconsistencies

October 16, 2025, 2:11 AM EDT. Reddit is buzzing as some Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro owners report that the device appears pink instead of orange. The discussion ranges from oxidation and sealing inconsistencies to UV exposure and even store environment effects. A few commenters joked about photoshopping, while others claim prolonged sun or sweaty hand exposure can shift the color. Apple store anecdotes suggest the rose-gold hue can appear when devices spend long in certain lighting. Reviewers who tested blue variants say they can't confirm, but the chatter continues about a potential design flaw alongside scratch-gate. Some posters even speculate a limited edition value rise or a playful nickname like 'Grapefruit Edition'. Overall, expect more updates as owners share images and possible explanations.

Amazon Great Indian Festival: Best Smartwatches for Women with Advanced Features and Style

October 16, 2025, 2:08 AM EDT. During the Amazon Great Indian Festival, shoppers can find the best smartwatches for women offering advanced features at steep discounts. The roundup features brands like Noise, boAt, Amazfit, Fastrack, Fire-Boltt, and GOBOULT, with models boasting AMOLED displays, BT calling, AI voice assistants, and comprehensive sleep and health tracking. Expect options with GPS, SpO2 monitoring, long battery life, and water resistance in chic and sporty designs. Deals range from 36% to 95% off on select models, plus fast delivery and safety perks like emergency location sharing. Whether you want a chic accessory or a fitness companion, this sale blends fashion and tech in one convenient marketplace.

Tesla Brand Value Plummets 35% in Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2025

October 16, 2025, 2:07 AM EDT. Tesla has suffered a dramatic 35% decline in brand value, dropping to 25th in Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2025. The report highlights a maturing EV market and rising competition, with traditional automakers like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW holding top-20 positions despite declines. Interbrand credits heritage and quality for resilience among legacy brands as disruption spurs new revenue streams. Tesla's fall mirrors a shift in consumer attitudes as credible EV alternatives multiply. In Europe and the UK, ModelY sales paused for updates while the broader market grows. New entrants like BYD enter at #90, and Ferrari expands value beyond cars into luxury, fashion and licensing. Greg Silverman of Interbrand notes disruption as opportunity.

Amazon and Carnegie Mellon Launch Strategic AI Innovation Hub

October 16, 2025, 2:06 AM EDT. Amazon and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) announced the launch of the CMU-Amazon AI Innovation Hub, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing research through academic-private sector partnerships. The Hub will pursue generative AI, robotics, natural-language processing (NLP), and cloud computing technologies, with substantial funding for research projects, PhD fellowships, and community-building initiatives designed to accelerate innovation in foundational and emerging technologies. Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of Agentic AI at AWS, notes that convergence of agentic AI, robotics and NLP offers opportunities to reshape work and life, creating an ecosystem where breakthroughs translate into societal benefits. Theresa Mayer, CMU VP for Research, highlights cross-disciplinary collaboration with industry. The Hub will support joint research, PhD fellowships, and regular symposia, including an initial research symposium on Oct. 28 at CMU's Pittsburgh campus.

Google rolls out Recovery Contacts and Sign in with Mobile Number to simplify account recovery

October 16, 2025, 2:05 AM EDT. Google is expanding account security with two new tools: Recovery Contacts and Sign in with Mobile Number. Recovery Contacts lets you designate trusted people who can verify your identity to regain access after hacking or password loss; Google says it provides a simple and secure way when standard recovery methods fail, though it didn't reveal the exact verification process. Available for eligible personal Google accounts under Security settings. Sign in with Mobile Number uses a linked phone number on Android to identify accounts, reducing password verification and prompting for the old device's lock-screen passcode; rollout is gradual worldwide. These tools, along with new Messages warnings and a Key Verifier, aim to curb scams and impersonation.

How Google's NotebookLM AI Chatbot Became My New Study Buddy

October 16, 2025, 2:04 AM EDT. NotebookLM's AI chat turns study materials into an organized, responsive helper. The web version shines, even if the mobile app is weaker, letting you upload chapters, PDFs, and slides to generate flashcards, mind maps, practice quizzes, and even AI-generated podcasts that discuss concepts conversationally. Each item links to its source material in a left-side panel for quick review. It works as a strong study partner for yourself and friends, creating outlines and extracting key dates and facts. For exam prep across all chapters, NotebookLM supports broad review with summarization and quiz-generation to boost retention.

Apple to Increase Investment in China, Ministry Says

October 16, 2025, 2:03 AM EDT. Apple said it will increase investment in China, with Tim Cook telling Chinese Technology Minister Li Lecheng that Apple plans to expand in the Chinese market and push innovative development with Chinese companies. The ministry gave no figures and Apple did not comment. Apple is deeply invested in China for production and sales, with most iPhones produced there and the company providing jobs through its suppliers. It is also expanding production in other Asian markets like India to diversify away from China. Cook's trip occurs amid escalating US-China trade tensions as Washington pressures reshoring; Apple recently pledged roughly $600 billion in spending in the US over the next four years.

What The Tech: Protecting Your Home on Google Street View

October 16, 2025, 2:02 AM EDT. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and the risk is real: criminals use Google Maps Street View to scout neighborhoods. They can spot boats, pools, sheds, and even visible security cameras. The quick fix is to blur your own home. On Google Maps search for your address, click report a problem, and select request blurring. After approval, your home is permanently blurred in Street View – usually within a few days. Google says it cannot be undone, so verify periodically that the blur remains. It isn't perfect, as determined actors may still locate you, but this simple step strengthens your privacy and can deter casual intruders. Stay mindful of what you share online and consider additional home security steps.

Gilat Nets $42 Million in Orders for SkyEdge IV Multi-Orbit Platform from Leading Satellite Operator

October 16, 2025, 2:00 AM EDT. Gilat Satellite Networks announced it has secured $42 million in orders for its SkyEdge IV platform from a leading satellite operator. The multi-orbit systems are slated for delivery over the next 12 months, expanding the platform's global deployment that enables critical applications such as In-Flight Connectivity (IFC), maritime mobility, enterprise broadband, and cellular backhaul. Operators cite the platform's scalability and efficiency as key to meeting rising demand for high-speed connectivity worldwide. Ron Levin, President of Gilat Commercial Division, said the orders reflect strong confidence in Gilat's ground-segment technology as networks move toward multi-orbit architectures. Gilat and its subsidiaries provide integrated solutions for commercial and defense markets, including ground systems, software, terminals, SOTM antennas, and cybersecurity services.

Implementing AI in health care is hard: lessons from three safety-net clinics

October 16, 2025, 1:58 AM EDT.AI is reshaping health care, but implementing it in real clinics is hard. This piece draws on experiences from three safety-net clinics to outline practical hurdles in deploying AI in medicine. Key challenges include access to representative data, integrating with workflows, and ensuring patient safety and clinician trust. The article also covers governance, regulatory considerations, and the need for ongoing monitoring to prevent bias and errors. Readers will gain a clearer view of why even promising tools require careful design, clinician collaboration, and explicit deployment plans to avoid widening disparities.

Europe launches six principles for responsible AI in education

October 16, 2025, 1:57 AM EDT. Brussels hosts a roundtable where CCIA Europe unveils six principles to guide responsible AI in European education. The framework aims to ensure AI enhances learning without eroding critical thinking, privacy, or safety. Key points: (1) responsible use that complements student thinking; (2) learning environments that are safe and supervised; (3) balance of access, data protection, and cybersecurity; (4) risk-based, technology-neutral regulation focused on high-risk uses; (5) human-centric tools that empower teachers as decision-makers; (6) collaboration among industry, educators, parents, and policymakers. CCIA Europe highlights these principles reflect real-world deployments to boost inclusion and learning outcomes while upholding EU safety and privacy standards.

Headwolf Titan 1: 8.8-inch 144Hz Gaming Tablet Fueled by MTK Dimensity 8300

October 16, 2025, 1:56 AM EDT. Headwolf launches the Titan 1, a flagship gaming tablet featuring an 8.8-inch 2.5K display at 144Hz powered by the MTK Dimensity 8300 (4nm) with an AnTuTu score around 1,600,000 and a 6-core G715 GPU with hardware ray tracing. It adds 4G LTE connectivity for on-the-go play and ships with exclusive gaming cases and a Bluetooth 5.4 controller for ergonomic, cooling-focused use. In titles like Genshin Impact, Asphalt Legends, and Call of Duty Mobile, the Titan 1 delivers steady full frames thanks to optimized graphics and a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 plus 4G LTE setup. Expect strong heat management, portable power, and broad game compatibility across blockbuster titles.

Bay Area teen leads AI safety education as California enacts AI safeguards

October 16, 2025, 1:54 AM EDT. Bay Area high school senior Kaashvi Mittal is turning her concern for AI safety into action as California tightens safeguards for kids online. Governor Gavin Newsom signed several AI-related bills into law while vetoing Assembly Bill 1064, which would have restricted children from using many companion chatbots. Mittal-founder of Together We AI and a participant in Stanford's AI for All program-advocates educating youth to navigate AI responsibly, recognize inaccuracies, and avoid dangerous prompts. She notes that ethically designed, well-tested AI can support learning, but only with proper safeguards. Newsom stresses accountability and continued innovation, saying children's safety must be protected. Mittal hopes to expand accessible AI education and tools that empower kids rather than discourage exploration.

ChatGPT to allow erotica for verified adults, OpenAI confirms

October 16, 2025, 1:52 AM EDT. OpenAI chief Sam Altman announced that a forthcoming update to ChatGPT will relax restrictions for verified adult users, allowing erotica and a more human-like style in responses. The changes will start with a version arriving in a few weeks, and a further update planned for December would enable erotica generation for consenting adults, Altman said. The shift follows earlier stricter controls adopted after concerns about mental health risks and harmful content involving minors. OpenAI says new safeguards, including account linking and updated parental controls, will help balance safety with usability. The move places OpenAI alongside peers like xAI, which has already launched sexually explicit chatbots on its Grok platform.

XPeng Reveals Hybrid X9 MPV and G7 SUV Specs in MIIT Filings

October 16, 2025, 1:51 AM EDT. XPeng has filed for hybrid versions of several models, per MIIT listings. The X9 MPV becomes XPeng's first hybrid, with a 63.3 kWh battery and an all-electric range of 345 km, and an estimated fuel consumption of 6.4 L/100 km in charge-sustainable mode. The G7 SUV, initially launched as a fully electric vehicle, will also get a hybrid variant, featuring a 55.8 kWh pack and about 325 km of electric range, with a fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km in sustainable mode. A 1.5L range-extender drives an electric motor up to 218 kW. The X9 starts at 399,800 yuan in China, and the G7 EV is priced 195,800-225,800 yuan, with hybrid pricing not yet disclosed. The MIIT filing also flags other hybrids in development and broader context, including battery-swap efforts.

Motorola Edge 70 rumored with 4,800mAh battery could beat Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air on endurance

October 16, 2025, 1:50 AM EDT. Rumors push Motorola Edge 70 into the slim-phone race, potentially eclipsing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air on battery life. The purported device reportedly ships with a 4,800mAh battery and supports 68W TurboPower charging, promising hours of runtime after a short top-up. While exact dimensions remain unconfirmed, the bigger battery could translate to real-world endurance in a market chasing ultra-thin designs. The leaks-pointing to three color options and a 50MP main camera-suggest the Edge 70 aims to disrupt the space just as Samsung and Apple push thinner profiles. Expect more details as leaks continue weekly up to a likely launch in early November.

Maryland Judges Rebuke Attorney Over AI-Generated Citations in Appeal

October 16, 2025, 1:49 AM EDT. Maryland family-law attorney Adam Hyman faced scrutiny from three appellate judges after his brief cited numerous cases that did not exist or carried the wrong proposition, an issue tied to the use of generative AI. The judges pressed him to explain the AI-assisted errors, highlighting a growing worry in the profession about AI-generated citations. The American Bar Association (ABA) issued a formal 2024 opinion urging lawyers to consider ethical obligations when using generative AI. The article notes earlier Maryland and Alabama cases where judges sanctioned or reprimanded attorneys for ChatGPT hallucinations. Law professor Amy Sloan explains that large language models can produce plausible but fake citations or misname cases. Some judges require documentation of AI use and verification; traditional research tools like LexisNexis/Westlaw remain more reliable.

Vizag AI Hub: Google's Data Center Incentives, Local Jobs, and Water Concerns

October 16, 2025, 1:48 AM EDT. Visakhapatnam's plans for a Google data center aim to transform the city into an AI hub, but questions linger about actual job creation and public benefits. The state offers generous incentives, including land, stamp duty relief, tax breaks, GST exemptions on construction, five-year GST waivers on lease payments, and a 25% water-charge rebate totaling about ₹22,000 crore in value. The facility could consume about 24 million units of electricity daily and requires large water withdrawals. Critics ask what a 25% water rebate means in practice and whether fresh water supplies or desalination would fall on taxpayers. With water scarcity in a semi-arid region and rising energy costs, transparency is essential. Without substantial local employment, skill development, and participation, the project risks benefiting Google more than Vizag's residents.

Motorola Moto X70 Air Unveiled: 6mm Thin with 4,800mAh Battery and 68W Fast Charge

October 16, 2025, 1:47 AM EDT. Motorola's new Moto X70 Air is a mid-range flagship in an ultra-thin package at just under 6mm and 159g. It features a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED with 1220p+ resolution and a 50MP selfie punch-hole with an in-screen fingerprint reader. It packs a bigger 4,800mAh battery with 68W wired and 15W wireless charging, surpassing rivals on capacity. The metal frame is reinforced for drops and it carries IP68/IP69 ratings. Colorways include Gadget Gray, Lily Pad, and Bronze Green, each with accent rings around the camera modules and power button. Camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP 120° ultra-wide. Powering is Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 with a 3D vapor chamber cooling, 12GB RAM, and options of 256/512GB storage; no microSD or 3.5mm jack. Global launch expected under the Edge 70 name.

Motorola Moto X70 Air: ultra-thin phone with a 4,800mAh battery heads to China, Edge 70 coming to Europe

October 16, 2025, 1:45 AM EDT. Motorola is teasing the ultra-thin Moto X70 Air, set to launch in China soon, with an international version expected next month. The device weighs about 159g and is under 6mm thick, matching rivals, yet packs a 4,800mAh battery. It features a 6.7-inch display and a mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, positioning it below flagship rivals on power but at a lower price point. The X70 Air goes on sale in China on October 31, and Motorola hints the Edge 70 will arrive in Europe on November 5, likely the same model. If priced competitively, it could appeal to fans of slim phones with big battery life.

Alabama Attorney Reprimanded for Fake AI Citations as Judge Calls AI Hallucinations an Epidemic

October 16, 2025, 1:44 AM EDT. In a criminal case in the Southern District of Alabama, Judge Terry Moorer publicly reprimanded attorney James A. Johnson for using Ghostwriter Legal, a ChatGPT-based tool, that produced fabricated citations he failed to verify. Johnson was removed from the case, fined $5,000, and plans to appeal. The ruling underscores a growing concern about generative AI in law and the 'epidemic' of AI hallucinations in legal citations, especially when public funds under the Criminal Justice Act are involved. The court noted that harm extends beyond civil litigation and warned that AI can hallucinate, stressing the need for careful vetting and ethical safeguards when drafting motions under time pressure.

Motorola Edge 70 (X70 Air) Debuts in China as Ultra-thin 5.3mm Phone with 4,800mAh Battery and Pantone Colors

October 16, 2025, 1:43 AM EDT. Motorola has launched the Edge 70 in China (known there as the X70 Air), an ultra-thin 5.3mm device weighing 159g with a 4,800mAh battery. Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, it trades flagship parity for efficiency, paired with 68W fast charging and IP68/IP69 water/dust resistance. The design shines with Pantone colorways and bold camera rings, including a striking teal/orange combo. Availability in China starts October 31, while UK teases an Edge reveal next month and an international release is planned later this year. A US launch remains unconfirmed, as Motorola prioritizes the Razr line in North America.

Florida lawmakers urge FAA to form Airspace Coordination Team to streamline Cape Canaveral airspace operations

October 16, 2025, 1:42 AM EDT. Exclusive: A bipartisan Florida delegation is urging the FAA and Transportation Department to create an Airspace Coordination Team that includes government and industry partners to reduce fragmentation around Cape Canaveral. With NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station hosting 93 launches and nearly 1,400 orbital assets, officials warn that current coordination gaps risk delays and safety. The letters urge modernizing the air traffic control systems and radar with current technology to streamline communication among the military, commercial space operators, and Florida partners. They argue a formal advisory body would align priorities, improve efficiency, and protect aerospace leadership as launches surge. Critics say shutdown-related staffing and delays further complicate operations, underscoring the need for clearer channels and sustained investment in airspace infrastructure.

6100-qubit neutral-atom device pushes toward the largest quantum computer yet

October 16, 2025, 1:41 AM EDT. Researchers have built a device with about 6100 qubits, a record that marks a key step toward the largest quantum computer. The system uses neutral caesium atoms cooled to near absolute zero, arranged in a tidy grid and controlled by laser beams. The qubits were engineered to be unusually stable, with the lasers tuned to keep quantum states intact and to extend runtimes for future computations. Tests show qubits can be moved within the array, an essential capability for running algorithms. While Atom Computing currently holds the 1180-qubit record, proponents say neutral-atom platforms can scale more easily. The team at the California Institute of Technology emphasizes that real computations are still forthcoming, but they aim to reach roughly a million qubits within about a decade.

Apple teases M5 MacBook with 'coming soon' teaser

October 16, 2025, 1:40 AM EDT. Apple is hinting at a new MacBook powered by an M5 chip. In a post by SVP Greg Joswiak, the company promises that 'something powerful is coming' as a teaser video shows the words 'coming soon' and a laptop silhouette shaped like a Roman numeral V. The timing aligns with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has said Apple will unveil a base-model MacBook Pro with an M5 this week, alongside updates to iPad Pros and a faster Vision Pro. While Apple hasn't confirmed details, the buzz points to an imminent rollout of M5-powered devices, expanding the chip family beyond M4-era products. Expect official pricing, configurations, and hands-on impressions after the launch.

Rivian vs. Tesla: Which Is the Better EV Stock in 2025?

October 16, 2025, 1:39 AM EDT. Tesla proved EVs could go mainstream, but its stock now faces volatility and non-car ventures under the Tesla umbrella. Rivian, by contrast, is an earlier-stage, less controversial pure-play EV stock with a growing truck lineup, meaningful production scale, and its own gross profit milestone. The company also counts powerful partners, notably Amazon and Volkswagen, which fund or access Rivian's technology. While Tesla benefits from brand breadth and global diversification, its leadership under Elon Musk brings idiosyncratic risk and fluctuating deliveries (down ~13% YoY in Q2 2025). For investors seeking EV exposure beyond Tesla, Rivian offers a compelling alternative with improving economies of scale and strategic alliances, though it remains riskier and less proven than its high-flying predecessor.

DIY AI on a Budget: Nanochat and the Rise of Small, Cheap Models

October 16, 2025, 1:38 AM EDT. Former OpenAI and Tesla AI chief Andrej Karpathy calls his project nanochat the "best ChatGPT $100 can buy," proving a single GPU and roughly $100 can yield a mini-ChatGPT for simple questions, stories, and poems. These micro models are far smaller than frontier LLMs like GPT-5, Claude, and Gemini, but they're affordable to train, lightweight for devices, and easy for startups and hobbyists to deploy. At ~$1,000, such models become more coherent and can handle basic math or coding tasks. Samsung's Tiny Recursive Model, MBZUAI/G24's K2 Think, and Israel's Jamba 3B show a wave of open-source, small reasoning models that challenge the notion that bigger is always better, while big tech also pursues efficient, task-focused AI.

God Save the Em Dash: AI, Writing, and the Plagiarism Debate

October 16, 2025, 1:35 AM EDT. AI has begun to challenge traditional writing, not just by flooding the web with unreliable info but by casting the em dash-as often used for emphasis and rhythm-into debates about authenticity, plagiarism, and the future of human expression. From newspaper debates around the ChatGPT workflow to a student whose papers are flagged by detection tools, the obsession reveals our anxiety about machines rewriting style. The author recalls loving the em dash as a sign of voice and personality, and questions whether a calculator could ever grasp the weight of a symbol. In short: writing, emotion, and punctuation are at stake in the AI era.

Morgan Stanley bets on AI capex fueling returns by 2028

October 16, 2025, 1:34 AM EDT. Morgan Stanley argues that the scale of AI capital expenditure will translate into meaningful returns by 2028. The bank highlights investments in AI infrastructure, including GPUs, data centers, and software platforms, enabling faster analytics, automation, and decision making. They expect productivity gains and cost savings across industries, with financial services and manufacturing positioned to reap early benefits. While the path includes execution and timing risks, the thesis is that sustained AI spend compounds into higher margins and revenue growth as models mature and integration deepens across operations. The analysis underscores the shift from short-term hype to a long-term, capital-intensive strategy for competitive advantage in tech-enabled markets.

3 Sneaky Quantum AI Stocks to Buy Now: Nvidia and TSMC Lead the Charge

October 16, 2025, 1:33 AM EDT. Investors are eyeing plays that benefit from both the AI and quantum computing revolutions. While pure-play quantum stocks exist, much of the upside comes from hardware, software, and cloud ecosystems that will run quantum workloads. Nvidia stands out for its GPUs and software like CUDA-Q that bridge classical and quantum systems, enabling a hybrid computing approach. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) remains pivotal as the leading chip foundry with the capacity to scale advanced nodes for AI and quantum workloads. By backing the broader AI pipeline and the quantum interface, these names offer exposure to two accelerating tech cycles and potential compounding growth.

Today's Best iOS App Deals and Freebies: Eggggg, Hyper Light Drifter, Super Hydorah, and More

October 16, 2025, 1:30 AM EDT. 9to5Toys highlights today's best iOS app deals and freebies, including Eggggg, Hyper Light Drifter, and Super Hydorah. This roundup points readers to the latest Apple deals and keeps you in the loop with the site's daily podcast and YouTube channel. For fresh discounts on games, software, and gadgets, visit the homepage and follow 9to5Toys on social media.

AI adoption outpaces the early Internet, revealing global penetration and evolving usage patterns

October 16, 2025, 1:29 AM EDT. New findings from the Financial Times show that AI adoption is accelerating far beyond the early Internet era. About one in ten people worldwide have used ChatGPT, reaching nearly 800 million users in three years-faster than the Internet's growth. Usage is shifting toward work, with ChatGPT's personal/work split moving from 53/47% to 73/27%. Meta's AI assistant spanning WhatsApp, Instagram and Ray-Ban eyewear now has about one billion monthly users. For work tools, Google reports 2 billion monthly AI overviews in search and 70% of users rely on writing helpers in Docs and Gmail; Copilot has 100 million MAU, Claude centers on programming. Regionally, Singapore and the UAE lead usage (~60%), Europe follows, with a global average near 28% and rising shadow AI activity, correlated with GDP.

How Verge readers and writers manage kids' screen time

October 16, 2025, 1:28 AM EDT. Terrence O'Brien digs into Pew's study on how parents manage kids' screen time and how Verge readers translate that into daily life. The data show high device exposure: 90% watch TV, 61% use smartphones, 50% play consoles, with 42% saying they could do better, and 86% noting rules. The piece then shares practical tactics: a token system-start with 10 tokens worth $5 or five hours, earned by reading; restricted but flexible access to streaming; a mix of educational apps and games; and a weekly family routine like movie night. A common thread across responses is treating it as a group activity and staying around for a shared experience. Some parents enforce stricter limits, such as a no screens during the school week rule.

Scientists Grow More Skeptical of AI as Hallucinations Rise, Wiley 2025 Finds

October 16, 2025, 1:27 AM EDT. Scientists are increasingly skeptical of AI as its capabilities expand. A preview of Wiley's 2025 report shows researchers' trust in AI slipping compared with 2024, even as use among scientists climbs from 45% to 62%. Hallucinations-fabricated facts-rose from 51% to 64% of those polled, while concerns about security, privacy, ethics, and transparency also grew. The study also notes a collapse in hype: 2024's belief that AI surpassed human abilities in many tasks gave way to a much lower share in 2025. Background research aligns with the idea that more knowledge about how AI works reduces trust, and that profit-driven pressure may push users toward overconfident models despite misinfo.

YouTube rolls out redesigned video player globally with refreshed UI and new features

October 16, 2025, 1:26 AM EDT. YouTube is rolling out a global wave of quality-of-life upgrades, led by a redesigned video player that makes icons and UI elements less obtrusive across mobile, web, and TV. After a limited preview, the global rollout adds a cleaner viewing experience without sacrificing content. The double-tap to seek feels more modern and less intrusive, and mobile tab transitions are improved. Comment threads gain a more focused reading experience, while adding videos to Playlists and the Watch Later queue is now smoother and more visual. Some content may also feature subtle like button animations, with examples in music videos and sports clips.

YouTube Rolls Out UI Refresh, Threaded Comments, Voice Replies and More

October 16, 2025, 1:25 AM EDT. YouTube is rolling out a UI refresh to boost navigation across Shorts and Connected TV viewing, including a more immersive playback display with translucent controls. Descriptions will sample colors from the video, and the double-tap to seek gesture has been refined with on-screen timing and configurable steps (5/10/15 seconds). The platform is expanding threaded comments to three levels, showing deeper conversations in an expanded tree, with further replies flattened after level three. It's introducing custom like animations by content category-musical notes for music and a basketball for sports-and updated artist cards in search results for musicians with official releases and 100k+ subscribers. Finally, voice replies are expanding to hundreds of thousands of creators, enabling up to 30-second audio responses in-stream.

YouTube unveils cleaner, more immersive video player across mobile, web, and TV

October 16, 2025, 1:24 AM EDT. The Verge reports that YouTube is rolling out a cleaner and more immersive video player across mobile, web, and TV starting this week. The redesign features updated controls, new icons, and translucent, rounded on-screen buttons designed to minimize distraction while keeping content front and center. YouTube also adds a double-tap to skip feature that's described as more modern and less intrusive. A new structured system for comment replies aims to deliver a more focused reading experience, and certain videos will showcase a dynamic like animation (e.g., a music note) when you tap the like button. The rollout began after earlier testing.

YouTube rolls out cleaner, more immersive video player with translucent controls

October 16, 2025, 1:23 AM EDT.YouTube is rolling out a cleaner, more immersive video player with translucent controls and fewer intrusive buttons, putting the focus on the content. The update includes improvements to the seek feature, seamless mobile transitions, custom/animated likes, a smoother video saving process, and threaded comments for reading clarity. Launched on October 13, the changes are rolling out globally after a Google employee confirmed the update on a community forum, noting that YouTube should feel vibrant and dynamic to match creators. Users are invited to share feedback. This makeover aims to reduce clutter while keeping engagement high and aligning the UI with the creators and videos on the platform.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates: How to Enroll and Stay Protected Through 2026

October 16, 2025, 1:22 AM EDT. Microsoft is extending security for Windows 10 with the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program through October 13, 2026. For a $30 enrollment fee (with Europe-based users able to enroll for free), Windows 10 holdouts can keep receiving critical updates while they plan an upgrade. There are two free enrollment options: sync your settings via OneDrive or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. The ESU is a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution, and businesses can purchase up to three additional years. Enrollment availability is rolling out and may not yet be visible on all devices.

Opinion: How Apple's DeICER decision frames ICE as a protected class in tech policy

October 16, 2025, 1:20 AM EDT. Apple removed the DeICER app from its App Store for violating guidelines about targeting groups, a move the opinion argues reframes law enforcement as a protected class within tech policy. The piece notes DeICER's goal to educate communities and log public encounters with authorities without real-time tracking. It links the decision to a broader right-leaning trend of treating police as at risk and cites Blue Lives Matter laws, highlighting how platform choices can reflect political debates over accountability and protection in civic life.

Amazfit Smartwatches Slash Prices in Amazon Diwali Sale 2025 – Best Deals Across All Budget Tiers

October 16, 2025, 1:19 AM EDT. Shop the biggest price drops of the year on Amazfit smartwatches during Amazon's Diwali sale and the Great Indian Festival 2025. From ₹5,000 to ₹30,000+, deals include models with GPS, AMOLED displays, and long battery life up to 12-25 days. Choices range from rugged T-Rex 3 Pro to sleek GTR 3 Pro and Balance series, all offering features like BT calling, sleep tracking, and multi-sport modes. Stock is limited as the festival window closes, so shortlist based on budget and needs-fitness tracking, calls, and healthy routines. Price tracking across the sale helps you compare and grab the right model at a steep discount before the rush ends.

How I landed a full-time AI job at 21 and what set me apart

October 16, 2025, 1:17 AM EDT. At 21, I turned a passion for AI into a full-time role. In this story I outline the steps that helped me break into AI, from building a focused portfolio of AI projects to networking with engineers and showcasing real-world impact. I emphasize a strong coding foundation, practical ML basics, and clear communication of complex ideas. What made me stand out: a relentless curiosity, a habit of sharing progress publicly, and the ability to translate technical concepts into business value. For anyone chasing AI roles, start with Python and machine learning basics, craft side projects (vision, NLP, or robotics), contribute to open source, and target teams that value applied AI. This personal blueprint isn't magic-it's a repeatable path to an AI career.

Turn Your Old Phone into a Free Home Security Camera with Alfred

October 16, 2025, 1:16 AM EDT. Turn your old phone into a free home security camera with Alfred. This guide shows how a junk drawer stash of iPhones or Android devices can become a live security setup at zero cost. Install Alfred on both devices (old and new) and sign in with the same Google account. The app provides live video, motion alerts, local or cloud storage, and two-way audio. Alfred is cross-platform, so it works whether your old device is Android or iPhone, and you can monitor from a tablet or PC too. The free version covers essential features; upgrade to Alfred Premium for higher resolution, zoom, ad removal, and 30-day cloud storage. Steps: install, sign in, pair devices, and start monitoring.

Samsung to boost Bixby with One UI 8.5 upgrade and Gemini-inspired pop-up bar

October 16, 2025, 1:15 AM EDT. Samsung appears to be doubling down on Bixby with a planned One UI 8.5 update that a social post and leaks suggest will redesign the Bixby pop-up bar. The new bar reportedly borrows a Gemini-like look, featuring a rolling blue/purple gradient and a cleaner, more minimal interior. Samsung has been layering generative AI, multi-step task handling, and hands-free capabilities into Bixby over the last year, and insiders say the bar could give the AI more control over Galaxy automation and ecosystem features. Leaked snapshots from the SamMobile/X account show a redesigned waveform on the right side and a focus on a streamlined interface similar to Google's approach. While still early, the update signals Samsung's ongoing push to keep Bixby current with rival AI assistants in the Galaxy ecosystem.

Today's best iOS app deals and freebies: Children of Morta, Psychofunk, Station Manager, and more

October 16, 2025, 1:14 AM EDT. Your Tuesday lineup of the best iOS app deals is here, featuring discounts on Children of Morta, Psychofunk, Station Manager, and Homo Machina. Also check price drops on the M3 iPad Air lineup with up to $200+ off, a new all-time low on the Beats iPhone 17 Kickstand Case, and savings on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. More deals on other top-rated iOS games and apps are listed below. FTC: affiliate links may earn commissions.

Microsoft tests in-house AI image generator MAI-Image-1 on LMArena leaderboard

October 16, 2025, 1:13 AM EDT. Microsoft is testing its in-house AI image generator model, MAI-Image-1, aiming for photorealistic output and faster iteration. Unlike current tools powered by OpenAI tech, MAI-Image-1 is being tested independently and isn't yet integrated with Copilot or Bing Image Creator. Creatives helped shape the model to reduce repetition and better mirror real-world imagery. MAI-Image-1 has already ranked in the top ten at the LMArena leaderboard (No. 9). Microsoft has also released related models, MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview, and says availability will expand to Copilot/Bing Image Creator soon. To try it, visit LMArena's image generator page, switch to Direct Chat, select mai-image-1, and describe your image.

Gmail Introduces Gemini-Powered 'Help me schedule' to Streamline Event Planning

October 16, 2025, 1:12 AM EDT. Gmail now includes a Gemini-powered button called Help me schedule that helps set up a calendar event right from your inbox. Pressing the button prompts Gemini to read the email, check Calendar data, and propose time slots that fit the conversation. Suggestions appear in the body of the email and in an embedded Calendar tile with an edit option. After you send a reply and both parties pick a slot, Gmail auto-adds a Calendar invite to both calendars. Initially, the feature won't support group emails, focusing on two-person scheduling with potential later expansion.

Samsung to unveil Project Moohan at Worlds Wide Open Galaxy Event on Oct 21, 2025

October 16, 2025, 1:08 AM EDT. Samsung has announced its Worlds Wide Open event for Oct 21, 2025, where it will unveil Project Moohan, a mixed-reality headset described as a cheaper, higher-definition rival to Apple's Vision Pro. The Galaxy Event promises a first look at an Android XR headset blending VR and AR, with the broader aim of capturing the growing AR/VR market. As Apple's launch plans remain uncertain, Samsung's invite image and branding hype suggest a significant push into consumer XR hardware.

Digital 2026: Global Internet, Mobile, Social Media & AI Trends Across 230+ Countries

October 16, 2025, 1:06 AM EDT. DataReportal's Digital 2026 collection analyzes digital behaviours across more than 230 countries and territories. The reports cover internet use, mobile adoption, social media, ecommerce, and the rising influence of AI in daily life and marketing. For quick insights, the Digital 2026 Local Country Headlines Report compiles each nation's essential digital headlines in one place. Together, these resources help marketers, policymakers, and researchers understand how people worldwide are online, how they connect, and how brands reach audiences with digital technologies.

Cold Cut Systems' Cobra Response Methodology Earns European Innovation Award for EV Battery Fire Response

October 16, 2025, 1:05 AM EDT. Cold Cut Systems' Cobra Response Methodology for EV battery fires has earned a European innovation award at the DIREKTION Awards for Innovation in Disaster Resilience. The accolade, presented during CERIS Disaster Resilience Days in Athens, recognises solutions that close capability gaps for first responders. The Cobra Response Methodology provides a tactical way to interrupt fire propagation in EV battery incidents using the Cobra high-pressure cutting extinguisher, combining two decades of firefighting experience. It targets firefighter safety, cooling efficiency and environmental impact, enabling external firefighting intervention with internal cooling and reduced water use. Validated through live fire testing and deployments, the system operates at ~60 L/min and is TRL 9, used in 40+ countries, applicable to residential and confined spaces.

Samsung Targets Vision Pro with Android XR Headset in Diwali Rivalry

October 16, 2025, 1:04 AM EDT. Samsung announces an October 21 global launch event for its Android XR headset, codenamed Project Moohan, aiming to challenge Apple's Vision Pro. The headset, co-developed with Google and Qualcomm, uses the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip and blends productivity, entertainment and communication in an AI-optimised XR platform. Reservations are open with a $100 credit toward other Samsung products, and pricing is rumored to sit around $1,800, positioning it against Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro. The event, titled "Worlds Wide Open," will stream on Samsung's YouTube channel, signaling a new XR competition as Samsung accelerates its entry into mixed-reality computing, with a Diwali-friendly launch strategy in India and beyond.

Digital 2026: Social Media Reaches a Global 'Supermajority' and AI Adoption Surges

October 16, 2025, 1:03 AM EDT. Digital 2026 from We Are Social and Meltwater finds that 5.66 billion people-about 68.7% of the world's population-now use social media, a supermajority that grew 4.8% in a year. Time spent is shifting: the typical internet user exceeds 2.5 hours daily on social and video apps, with filling spare time rising as a motivation behind use. YouTube tops active users, roughly 50% more than TikTok, though TikTokers spend a median 1 hour 37 minutes daily on its Android app. AI adoption has surpassed 1 billion monthly users, reshaping search. Digital ad spend climbs toward US$1.16 trillion in 2025, with social media advertising accounting for a large and growing share.

DJI launches FlightHub 2 On-Premises and AIO to boost data sovereignty for enterprise drone ops

October 16, 2025, 1:01 AM EDT. DJI rolls out two enterprise platforms-FlightHub 2 On-Premises and FlightHub 2 AIO-to give organizations full control over data and operations. The On-Premises version mirrors the cloud platform but runs on local servers or private clouds, ensuring data sovereignty by keeping mission logs, 3D models, and live video inside the organization. Flexible deployment supports physical servers, private clouds, or hybrid setups with cloud scalability while receiving updates in step with the cloud version. The FlightHub 2 AIO combines hardware and software in a ready-to-run device, equipped with a high-performance GPU and the same DJI Terra 3D engine to generate a model from 500 drone images in minutes-great for emergency response, mapping, or inspections. DJI emphasizes privacy, compliance, and transparency as it targets public safety, utilities, and critical infrastructure users amid U.S. regulatory pressure.

Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian says the internet is less human and dead – calls for verifiably human social platforms

October 16, 2025, 1:00 AM EDT. Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian argues the internet has grown less human and more bot-driven or quasi-AI. In the TBPN podcast, he described a shift from real human connection to a form of the internet he calls the dead internet theory, where a majority of posts and accounts are automated. He pointed to AI-generated content and even derides what he calls LinkedIn slop. Ohanian envisions a future with platforms that are clearly verifiably human, centered on live content and real people, not bots. He notes users are moving to smaller, private spaces like Signal and Discord for authentic conversations, and says a next generation will need proof of life to hold attention.

Five Google Maps features that make a 40-mile daily commute easier

October 16, 2025, 12:59 AM EDT. Long commutes call for reliable navigation. The article highlights five Google Maps features that improve driving ease and safety: reporting incidents on the road (accidents, weather, lane closures, and even police speed traps), a hidden gesture that lets you swipe the directions to preview upcoming turns and automatically jump the map to that area, and the ability to plan routes by setting arrival times to account for changing traffic. These tools help the author stay informed, reduce distraction, and arrive with less hassle-even when testing electric cars and comparing rivals like Wave or Apple Maps.

Nvidia's Next Trillion-Dollar Market: Robotics Fueled by AI GPUs

October 16, 2025, 12:58 AM EDT. Nvidia's AI GPUs are the engine behind the AI revolution, but the company is laying the groundwork for a second megatrend: robotics. At GTC, CEO Jensen Huang framed robotics as the next giant opportunity – potentially the next trillion-dollar, even $10 trillion, market. Nvidia has built platforms that pair its GPUs with software for robots, including the Isaac Groot N1 humanoid reasoning model and Cosmos foundation models for physical AI. In autos, Nvidia Drive and partnerships like GM's expanded collaboration show a path from self-driving cars to robotic automation in factories. If robotics scales globally, Nvidia could unlock a new, enormous trillion-dollar market beyond chips.

China's Battery Giants Expand Global EV Dominance as CATL Leads 2025 Market Share

October 16, 2025, 12:57 AM EDT. Global energy output for EV and hybrid batteries from January-August 2025 reached 691.3 GWh, up 34.9% YoY. CATL remains the leader with about 254.5 GWh and ~37% market share, followed by BYD (≈124.8 GWh, ~18%) and LG Energy Solution (≈67.4 GWh, ~9.7%). Rounding out the top six are CALB (4.6%) and SK On (4.2%), with Panasonic at 3.7%. The top six include three Chinese suppliers that together hold roughly 59% of the market; Korean players decline overall. BYD posts +50% YoY growth, while LGES and SK On grow (+20% YoY combined). BYD's Europe presence is notable (8.6 GWh in H1 2025, +263% YoY). The trend points to rising Chinese dominance and continued vertical integration.

Global Satellite Security Crisis Emerges as Half of Geostationary Transmissions Go Unencrypted

October 16, 2025, 12:52 AM EDT. New research from UC San Diego and the University of Maryland reveals that roughly half of all geostationary satellite transmissions are unencrypted, exposing sensitive data worldwide. Over three years, the team used an $800 satellite receiver on a campus building to capture signals from geosynchronous satellites, finding unencrypted traffic from military and law enforcement, telecom backhaul, critical infrastructure, and corporate networks. Among the findings: unencrypted data from T-Mobile, AT&T Mexico, and Telmex; details about aircraft, ships, and power utilities; in-flight Wi-Fi and bank inventories. Some organizations, like T-Mobile, have moved to encrypt, while critical infrastructure remains slower to respond. The researchers released an open-source tool, Don't Look Up, to analyze satellite data and urge universal encryption across the industry.

Broadcom-OpenAI Pact Signals Shift in AI Chips, Could Challenge Nvidia

October 16, 2025, 12:51 AM EDT. Broadcom and OpenAI unveiled a multiyear plan to co-develop custom AI accelerators, targeting 10 gigawatts of chips to be deployed 2026-2029. The move widens Broadcom's lead in AI hardware beyond software, framing it as a real challenger to Nvidia in AI accelerators. The deal adds to Broadcom's customer slate (Google, Meta, ByteDance) and hints at a fourth major client believed to be OpenAI. Management has signaled a potential $60-$90B annual revenue from these efforts by 2027, on top of roughly $13B in FY2025. Analysts hedge that Broadcom could reach ~14% of the AI-accelerator market by 2030 while Nvidia's share drifts lower from today's levels, a shift investors may watch closely.

Mark Cuban warns ChatGPT's new age restrictions on erotica could backfire

October 16, 2025, 12:49 AM EDT. Tech mogul Mark Cuban argues that ChatGPT's new age restrictions on erotica could backfire, risking user trust and potential legal scrutiny. As AI-based content moderation tightens, critics warn that blanket age gates may push curious users toward less moderated platforms, create accessibility gaps for adults, and invite policy backlash from lawmakers and advertisers. The debate spotlights tensions between responsible privacy and free expression, while underscoring how AI policy decisions ripple across consumer trust, compliance costs, and platform innovation. If implemented inconsistently, age checks could become a liability for developers and a confusing experience for users seeking consented, age-appropriate discussion.

'Godfather of EVs' warns Tesla's affordable models won't halt China gaining ground

October 16, 2025, 12:48 AM EDT. Legendary figure known as the godfather of EVs says the Tesla's upcoming affordable models won't stop China's lead in electric vehicles (EVs). Even with aggressive pricing and incentives, China's rapid scale, strong domestic supply chains, and breadth of EV models could preserve the market advantage for Chinese automakers. The analysis highlights that surging battery tech, software capabilities, and efficient manufacturing remain decisive, beyond price alone. For investors and policymakers, the takeaway is that Tesla faces a tougher road as competition from China intensifies, signaling a broader shift in the global EV landscape and policy considerations.

Video Opinion: How Afraid Should We Be of the AI Apocalypse?

October 16, 2025, 12:47 AM EDT. New York Times Video: Opinion piece examining how dangerous AI could be, featuring Eliezer Yudkowsky arguing that the AI existential risk warrants serious concern. The discussion surveys potential timelines, policy responses, and safeguards that could influence research and development. It invites viewers to weigh optimistic forecasts against catastrophic scenarios and to consider governance, safety protocols, and global collaboration to mitigate risks. Central themes include AI, policy, safety, and governance in the conversation with Yudkowsky.

Samsung and Apple Lead Global Smartphone Growth, IDC Reports

October 16, 2025, 12:46 AM EDT. Worldwide smartphone use rose 2.6% YoY per IDC. Samsung shipments rose 6.3% and Apple (AAPL) 2.9%. In 3Q25, Apple captured about 18.2% of the market, with iPhone 17 pre-orders surpassing the prior generation. Samsung held ~19% share, with Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 posting their strongest foldable sales to date. In China, Apple shipments grew 0.6% YoY to 10.8M, aided by the value-focused iPhone 17. IDC's Will Wong noted that Apple's value-for-money base model helped growth. On Wall Street, AAPL shows a Moderate Buy with a $255.84 target, implying ~3.3% upside; traders have already nudged the stock higher pre-market.

Apple exec explains Apple TV rebrand: dropping Plus to simply Apple TV

October 16, 2025, 12:45 AM EDT. Apple's senior VP of services, Eddy Cue, says there was no external consultant involved in rebranding Apple TV Plus to simply Apple TV. In The Town podcast, Cue explains the move came because everyone already calls it Apple TV, and it felt like the right time to drop the 'Plus.' He also downplays potential confusion with Apple TV hardware and the Apple TV app, noting hardware is called Apple TV 4K and the app is Apple TV. The decision aligns with how Apple uses product naming across services and devices, signaling a broader branding simplification for the streaming service.

Shadow AI Surveillance in Maine: Privacy Risks and Opposition to Police AI Cameras

October 16, 2025, 12:43 AM EDT. Dylan Oliver of the Alliance for Secure AI warns that Maine municipalities are rolling out AI surveillance that tracks civilians, including license plate readers from Flock Safety and even facial recognition tech. Critics argue this expands government power beyond traditional policing, jeopardizing privacy and constitutional rights. In Sanford, the approval of AI cameras sparked debate over how data is scanned, logged, and stored, creating movable digital profiles even when no crime is alleged. Proponents say it helps recover stolen cars, but opponents compare it to a real-world Minority Report. The example extends to Houlton, where Verkada cameras prompted FOIA lawsuits over Profiles Searched logs. The piece urges Mainers to scrutinize who controls the data, what rules govern retention, and whether this shadow AI approach aligns with democracy and civil liberties.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro With Enhanced Zoom Rumored for 2025 Launch

October 16, 2025, 12:42 AM EDT. DJI's Osmo Pocket 4 lineup is leaking, with chatter that a Pro model will offer significantly enhanced zoom. The New Camera reports a 2025 launch, with the Pro variant not arriving before Q4 2025. Supply-chain sources say the final lens design is still undecided. Early leaks hinted at a dual-camera setup, but recent prototypes show multiple designs, including a simplified single-lens option. Because the units are engineering samples, the commercial product may differ from prototypes. If true, the Pro could cater to videographers seeking longer reach in a compact handheld gimbal.

Jensen Huang name-checks 6 AI companies – and says 100% of Nvidia engineers use at least one

October 16, 2025, 12:41 AM EDT. During a recent discussion, Jensen Huang name-checked 6 AI companies and claimed that 100% of Nvidia engineers use at least one of them. The remark underscores how Nvidia's workforce relies on external AI tools and platforms to accelerate research and deployment. It also signals the broader integration of third-party AI software across Nvidia's engineering teams, potentially highlighting partnerships and the vendor ecosystem that supports AI development at scale.

Delaware Supreme Court to Rule on Elon Musk Tesla Pay Package

October 16, 2025, 12:40 AM EDT. On Wednesday, the Delaware Supreme Court will hear the long-running lawsuit over Elon Musk's record-setting Tesla pay package. Valued at tens of billions, the plan awarded Musk more Tesla stock as the company hit ambitious goals, notably a tenfold increase in value. Even though the full package could exceed $100 billion on paper, actual realization hinges on future performance and board decisions. The suit, filed by shareholder Richard Tornetta, claims the board breached fiduciary duties by permitting Musk's influence over the process and by not fully disclosing ties to the board. Tesla contends shareholders approved the plan with full disclosure. The case, rooted in Delaware corporate law, continues to test how much protection shareholders deserve when a founder-turned-CEO wields outsized influence.

AI and Quantum Computing Converge: Mutual Gains for AI, Hardware, and Energy Efficiency

October 16, 2025, 12:39 AM EDT. AI and quantum computing are moving from hype to practical collaboration. AI is accelerating quantum hardware, enabling real-time error correction, better circuit design, and faster simulations that curb noise and push toward fault-tolerant quantum machines. In turn, quantum computing shows promise for select AI tasks-fraud detection, optimization, and the generation of synthetic data for training large models. It could also speed up materials research, drug discovery, and energy-saving efforts in data centers. Industry players like Nvidia and Google Quantum AI are already modeling quantum systems with machine learning; EY highlights growth opportunities in energy efficiency and security. The result is a mutual pact: each technology helps the other overcome limits, turning lab demos into practical gains.

Why the Tesla Model Y Dominates as the Electric SUV Everyone Wants

October 16, 2025, 12:38 AM EDT. The Tesla Model Y is redefining the electric SUV with a blend of performance, efficiency, and tech-forward design. Built on the Model 3 platform, it uses a minimalist interior centered around a 15-inch touchscreen, while offering multiple trims and real-world range up to roughly 622 kilometers (WLTP). In acceleration, the Performance variant hits 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h. Real-world tests show strong energy efficiency, around 19.4 kWh/100 km. Tesla's global strategy spans India's Mumbai/Delhi centers, Europe's top EV sales, and a dense Supercharger network in the US, underscoring how its ecosystem and OTA updates shape ownership.

Google Announces $15B AI Data Center Hub in Visakhapatnam, India

October 16, 2025, 12:37 AM EDT. Google is launching a five-year, $15 billion AI data center and infrastructure hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from 2026 to 2030, the company's first AI-focused facility in India. The campus will integrate large-scale compute, renewable energy, and expanded fiber connectivity to support AI workloads and digital services across India and beyond. Developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel, the site aims to deliver gigawatt-scale computing power and function as both a regional cloud hub and AI R&D center, leveraging tech from Google's sites in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. It will also host a new subsea cable landing station, linking Visakhapatnam to Google's global network and improving latency. This aligns with India's data center growth and government incentives to expand digital capacity.

China files WTO complaint over India's EV and battery subsidies

October 16, 2025, 12:36 AM EDT. China has filed a World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint against India's (India's) electric-vehicle (EV) and battery subsidies, arguing the measures confer an unfair competitive edge to domestic industries and undermine Chinese interests. Beijing says it will take firm measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. The move underscores ongoing trade-policy frictions around tech subsidies as India pursues green mobility, with Reuters noting this as a developing story.

Exclusive: Apple lobbies India to change tax law to ease expansion, sources say

October 16, 2025, 12:35 AM EDT. Apple is lobbying India's government to modify its income tax law so it isn't taxed for owning high-end iPhone assembly machinery it provides to its contract manufacturers, a hurdle to future expansion, sources say. The push aligns with Apple's growing presence in India as it diversifies beyond China. Counterpoint Research puts iPhone's share in the Indian market around 8%, up from 2022, while China still accounts for about 75% of global shipments. Foxconn and Tata have invested to open five plants, but millions are spent on machines for assembly. Experts say changes could trigger billions in additional taxes if the 1961 law on foreign ownership of equipment isn't adjusted, complicating Apple's tax position.

Cathie Wood Says AI's Biggest Payoff Lies in One Big Field Wall Street Is Missing

October 16, 2025, 12:33 AM EDT. ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood argues that AI's biggest, and least appreciated, payoff sits in one major field that Wall Street has underestimated. She asserts that AI-enabled automation, analytics, and platform software could unlock compounding gains as incumbents reimagine efficiency and growth. The stance broadens the AI conversation beyond hype cycles, highlighting long-term structural tailwinds across industries rather than a quick-tech win. While proponents push for aggressive deployment, skeptics warn about execution risk and regulatory constraints. The takeaway for investors is to look past headline AI applications and identify firms with scalable data, models, and governance that can sustain AI-driven advantages.

DT Research 323MD rugged Windows tablet for healthcare: antimicrobial coating, certifications, and hot-swappable battery

October 16, 2025, 12:32 AM EDT. ZDNET reviews the DT Research 323MD, a rugged Windows tablet designed for healthcare and other clean environments. Priced around $2,066 from CDW, it features an antimicrobial enclosure, hot-swappable battery, and exchangeable keyboards, plus certifications like ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1, IP65, MIL-STD-810H, and MIL-STD-461G EMI/EMC tolerance. It operates from 14°F to 149°F and carries Energy Star and EPEAT Bronze ratings. The 13.3" display supports an Intel i5-1335U or i7-1355U, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, TPM 2.0, and NIST BIOS. Materials are ABS+PC plastics with a magnesium-aluminum chassis, plus optional keyboards, docking stations, and an e-pen. Setup via domain or local accounts is supported, though the antimicrobial keyboard may be awkward for light typists.

SandboxAQ CEO Warns AI Expands Attack Surface for Hackers

October 16, 2025, 12:30 AM EDT. Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ, warns that AI can introduce new vulnerabilities in the companies that deploy it, creating a larger attack surface for hackers. He notes that the prompt box in large language models (LLMs) could be exploited to inject malware. Without robust guardrails, AI systems may access and potentially leak a company's trade secrets when prompted. The warning underscores the need for stronger security controls, monitoring, and risk management as organizations increasingly rely on AI-powered tools.

Beyond the Hype: 4 Monumental Risks to Quantum Computing Pure-Plays

October 16, 2025, 12:29 AM EDT. Quantum computing stocks such as IonQ, Rigetti Computing (RGTI), D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), and QUBT have surged on the promise of a potential $1 trillion global impact by 2035-2040, but four headwinds threaten the rally. As history shows, hype-driven tech often experiences a bubble burst, and early-stage innovations rarely deliver quick returns. Despite tangible potential-from faster drug discovery to enhanced cybersecurity-the firms still face execution challenges and unclear ROI. With outsized gains priced in, investors should weigh deployment timelines, monetization paths, and competitive dynamics as the AI era intersects with quantum computing.

Cambridge Raspberry Pi Foundation Empowers Kids with AI Education

October 16, 2025, 12:26 AM EDT. The Raspberry Pi Foundation in Cambridge hosted an EU Code Week session to demystify technology for primary pupils through hands-on coding and digital projects. CEO Philip Colligan says kids must understand what's behind the screen as AI becomes embedded in daily life, so they can advocate for their own rights and agency. The charity runs more than 2,000 free code clubs across the UK, including 200 in the East of England, offering step-by-step projects to build websites, develop digital skills and understand how technology works. Dips Thompson, learning manager, notes sessions reflect what young people want to learn, helping develop communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving. The foundation emphasizes safe and ethical AI and the need for skilled programmers to guide technology.

Adani and Google to Build $15B AI-Powered Data Center Hub in India

October 16, 2025, 12:24 AM EDT. Adani Enterprises and Alphabet's Google will invest $15 billion over five years to build a gigawatt-scale data center hub in Andhra Pradesh, India. The JV, AdaniConneX, will leverage a subsea cable network and renewable energy facilities, with new transmission lines and energy storage to support the project. The effort aims to meet rising demand for AI and will include collaboration with Bharti Airtel. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said the hub will provide the foundation to drive growth and enable businesses, researchers, and creators to scale with AI. This move underscores India's rise as a key data center market for global tech players.

SpaceX Veteran Unveils Impulse Space Roadmap for Moon Deliveries by 2028

October 16, 2025, 12:23 AM EDT. Impulse Space, founded by SpaceX veteran Tom Mueller, outlined a roadmap to deliver mid-sized lunar payloads by 2028. The plan centers on a lunar lander that rides with Impulse's Helios kick stage, ferrying payloads from Low Earth Orbit to a lunar transfer, then descent to the surface. The target range is 0.5 to 13 tons, filling a gap between small landers and crew-capable systems. Possible cargo includes a lunar terrain vehicle, rovers, relays, power generators and habitation modules. Building on the company's Mira space tug and Helios engine, Impulse projects delivering up to 6 tons per year across two missions, starting in 2028, at a cost-effective price point.

Valve's NVK Open-Source NVIDIA Vulkan Driver Gains Initial DLSS Support

October 16, 2025, 12:22 AM EDT. Valve developer Autumn Ashton has achieved a milestone by getting DLSS upscaling to run on the NVK open-source NVIDIA Vulkan driver. The effort focuses on wiring up the VK_NVX_binary_import and VK_NVX_image_view_handle extensions so DLSS's CUDA kernels can integrate with Mesa's stack. While not yet merge-ready, the milestone demonstrates DLSS running on NVK with game visuals like Control shown in early tests. The work leverages the DXVK/NVAPI bridge used by DXVK and VKD3D-Proton to implement DLSS, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Valve's Linux graphics team and the broader open-source ecosystem. Additional details and early code are on the VK_NVX_binary_import Mesa branch and Bluesky posts.

MediaTek Dimensity 9500: The Powerhouse SoC with 4.21 GHz All-Big-Core CPU and 4K AI Engine

October 16, 2025, 12:20 AM EDT. The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 is the most powerful Dimensity yet, pairing a 3rd-gen All-Big-Core CPU with a 4.21 GHz C1 Ultra core configuration (4x C1 Pro, 3x C1 Premium) and an industry-leading 4-channel UFS 4.1. A new cache/memory design doubles read/write speeds, speeding up large AI model loads and delivering ultra-fast app launches for a smoother Android UX. In gaming, the Arm G1-Ultra GPU offers up to 33% higher peak performance and 119% better ray tracing, with 42% more efficiency. For edge AI, the NPU 990 with Generative AI Engine 2.0 doubles compute, enables 4K image generation on smartphone, and cuts peak power by up to 56%. Additional highlights include MiraVision SmartScreen, Imagiq 1190 cameras, and AI-enhanced 5G/Wi-Fi/GNSS.

Android 16 October update rolls out to Pixel lineup with October security patch

October 16, 2025, 12:19 AM EDT. Google's Android 16 QPR1 update is rolling out as part of the October security patch to a broad Pixel lineup, including Pixel 6-9 and the Pixel 10 family. The release carries build variants BP3A/BD3A.251005.x, with regional differences (Japan). Notably, Google reports no security issues resolved in the patches dated 2025-10-01 or 2025-10-05, and there are no Pixel 6 series updates today. Key fixes span three areas: Display & Graphics (screen flicker and sudden shutdown fixes; occasional frozen/fuzzy displays), System (stability tweaks), and User Interface (camera-launch background fix). Regional builds vary by device (e.g., Pixel 7/7 Pro/7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9/9 Pro/XL, Pixel 10 series).

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Gearless Hinge, Bigger Battery, and Qi2 Wireless Charging

October 16, 2025, 12:18 AM EDT. Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold debuts a gearless hinge that reduces dust clogging and lets the external display grow wider thanks to slimmer bezels. The internal 8-inch panel remains, but the outer screen is larger now. The phone gains a bigger battery at 5,015mAh, Google claims up to 30 hours of use. It comes with an improved IP68 rating (vs IPX8) for better dust and water protection. PixelSnap adds Qi2 wireless charging compatibility, so MagSafe-style charging works with Pixel accessories; however, charging speed tops at 15W (compared to 25W on the XL). Price stays steep at $1,799 (£1,749 in the UK). Google emphasizes camera-driven design changes and a more durable hinge, aiming to sharpen foldable usability.

Amazon and Best Buy Slash $350 on the Motorola Razr (2024) Foldable

October 16, 2025, 12:17 AM EDT. Amazon and Best Buy are offering a blockbuster deal on the Motorola Razr (2024), taking $350 off the $699.99 list price for a 50% discount. This makes the foldable more affordable this holiday season, and you don't need a Prime membership to qualify, unlike Prime Day. The Razr (2024) packs a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED main display with 144Hz, a 3.6-inch external screen, and a 50MP + 13MP dual rear camera system with a 32MP selfie snapper. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X, with 8GB RAM/256GB storage and a 4,200mAh battery supporting 30W charging. Grab it via Amazon or Best Buy before the deal ends.

Can NVDA Remain a $300 Stock If Nvidia Loses Its AI GPU Monopoly?

October 16, 2025, 12:16 AM EDT. Investors weigh whether Nvidia's monopoly in AI GPUs can endure as rivals accelerate chip design. This analysis considers how a weakening moat could influence the stock's path toward or beyond $300, margins, and valuation multiples. It weighs data-center demand, pricing power, and supply-chain resilience against growing competition and policy scrutiny. If competitors close the gap on performance or introduce alternative accelerators, the market may reprice growth differently for NVDA and the broader AI semiconductor space. Key questions: can rivals scale quickly enough, how would thinner margins affect profitability, and what would the outlook be for risk and reward in a world of intensified AI adoption and hardware diversification? Investors should monitor earnings signals, capex, and geopolitical dynamics shaping the future of AI chips.

Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) Stock Price, News, Quotes & History

October 16, 2025, 12:15 AM EDT. Tesla, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles and energy generation/storage solutions. The company operates in two segments: Automotive and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers EVs, regulatory credits, after-sales services, used vehicles, parts, and financing, plus the Supercharger network and in-app upgrades. The Energy Generation and Storage segment provides solar energy products, energy storage, and related services to residential, commercial, and utilities through its stores and partners. Founded in 2003 (formerly Tesla Motors), Tesla was renamed Tesla, Inc. in 2017 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company continues to expand its product lineup and charging infrastructure worldwide, reflecting its focus on sustainable transportation and energy solutions.

Google to Invest ₹87,520 Crore for AI Data Centre and Subsea Cable in Visakhapatnam

October 16, 2025, 12:14 AM EDT. Google and the Government of Andhra Pradesh signed an MoU to build a world-class AI-powered data centre in Visakhapatnam, with an investment of ₹87,520 crore ($15 billion) – Google's largest outside the United States. The project, featuring a one-gigawatt capacity, will connect via subsea cables to Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and 12 other countries, aiming to make Visakhapatnam a global connectivity hub. ecosystem partners AdaniConneX and Bharti Airtel will support rollout. Officials including CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union ministers Sitharaman and Vaishnaw, and Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian attended the MoU. The initiative is expected to boost health, education, agriculture and industry through AI-driven digital infrastructure, and Prime Minister Modi's team hinted at a Global AI Conference in Visakhapatnam next February.

Pixnapping Android Flaw Lets Rogue Apps Steal 2FA Codes Without Permissions

October 16, 2025, 12:12 AM EDT. Researchers have revealed Pixnapping, a novel Android side-channel that lets a rogue app covertly exfiltrate sensitive data – including 2FA codes, Google Maps timelines, and other app content – by stealing pixels from the device's UI without needing user permissions. Targeting Google and Samsung devices on Android 13-16, Pixnapping uses a pixel-stealing framework that injects victim pixels into the rendering pipeline via intents and overlays semi-transparent Activities. The technique leverages a GPU-based compression channel (GPU.zip) and the window blur API to leak rendering data and extract coordinates of high-value pixels. Crucially, any app could deploy the attack once a user has installed and launched it, even with no manifest permissions. The researchers warn this could bypass browser mitigations and affect non-browser apps like Authenticator.

Pixnapping: Pixel-stealing attack targets Android apps, 2FA data at risk

October 16, 2025, 12:11 AM EDT. Researchers from UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UW, and Carnegie Mellon have demonstrated a pixel-stealing, side-channel vulnerability called Pixnapping that can leak tiny screen pixels from Android apps. By overlaying transparent windows and using timing signals, a malicious app could glimpse data from browsers and non-browser apps such as Google Maps, Signal, Venmo, Gmail, and even Google Authenticator 2FA codes. Tests on Google Pixel devices (6-9) and a Galaxy S25 showed successful data exfiltration; Google has patched part of the issue, with Samsung and others still working on a full fix as of Oct 2025. Attacks require deep Android internals knowledge, but the risk highlights the need for careful app installation and regular security updates.

Together AI kicks off substantial Nvidia chip purchases

October 16, 2025, 12:09 AM EDT. Together AI has begun making its own substantial purchases of Nvidia chips, signaling a shift toward owning critical AI hardware rather than relying solely on third-party providers. The move strengthens its AI hardware strategy and could boost training and inference efficiency, while tying its fortunes more closely to Nvidia's GPU roadmap. For the broader AI startup ecosystem, the development highlights growing demand for Nvidia chips and may influence pricing, supply dynamics, and what investors expect from AI-focused hardware assets.

Moto Razr Ultra (2025) hits $999; foldable value, AI features, and hot deals

October 16, 2025, 12:08 AM EDT. Motorola's Razr Ultra (2025) is discounted to $999.99 ($300 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, featuring a premium foldable design with a 4-inch outer and 7-inch inner display for quick notifications. The hinge is sturdier and it carries an IP48 rating for water exposure, though it's not fully dustproof. Power includes the Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, with up to 68W wired and 30W wireless charging and a full day of battery life. The camera setup offers a 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide rear and a 50MP selfie. Built-in AI features include notification summaries and live transcription via a dedicated AI button and the Moto AI app, plus three years of OS upgrades. Also highlighted: Anker's 7-in-1 Nano Charging Station at $59.99 and Amazfit Band 7 deals.

Oracle and NVIDIA unveil OCI Zettascale10 and AI Database 26ai to accelerate enterprise AI

October 16, 2025, 12:07 AM EDT. Oracle and NVIDIA have expanded their partnership to accelerate enterprise AI across data, apps, and operations. The headline is the OCI Zettascale10 cluster, powered by NVIDIA GPUs and aided by Spectrum-X Ethernet, delivering up to 16 zettaflops of peak AI compute for training and inference at scale. Oracle highlights multi-gigawatt capacity for demanding workloads and seamless AI deployment on OCI. The software core includes Oracle AI Database 26ai, which brings the AI to the data-enabling agentic AI workflows, a Unified Hybrid Vector Search, and secure, in-place AI insights across operational systems and data lakes. The integration with NVIDIA AI Enterprise on OCI provides a broad AI toolbox to fuel enterprise innovation while reducing data movement and latency.

Goodbye Windows 10: A decade of progress erodes user control

October 16, 2025, 12:06 AM EDT. Microsoft ends mainstream support for Windows 10 on Oct 14, 2025, sealing a decade where updates, telemetry, and cloud services reshaped personal computing. The move spotlights a shift from tools you own to a rented interface that runs through Microsoft servers, with ESU as a stopgap and options to migrate to Linux or macOS. The piece argues Windows 10 started as a living platform, but Windows 11 deepened the drift toward service over ownership: a Start Menu redesigned in React Native, nagging Edge prompts, OneDrive defaults, and telemetry that's hard to disable. For many users, the expiration marks fatigue with as-a-service computing, where keeping systems secure means negotiating with the vendor rather than exercising full control.

'Sovereign AI' becomes a new front in the US-China tech war

October 16, 2025, 12:05 AM EDT. OpenAI is expanding Sovereign AI projects with foreign governments, coordinating with the US to give nations more control over AI infrastructure and deployment. The trend aims to let democratic and allied nations shape AI standards while countering China's push to export its technology abroad. The debate centers on whether true sovereignty requires government access to the model or even full control of the stack, with voices like Clément Delangue arguing that open source is key. Proponents say such partnerships could deter strategic rivals and reduce dependence on adversary tech, while critics warn of risks to transparency and civil liberties. In practice, deals range from partial to full control over hardware, software, and data centers, including a 5-GW Abu Dhabi cluster under a government-linked framework.

Best smartphone deal: Motorola Razr+ hits its lowest price yet

October 16, 2025, 12:04 AM EDT. The Motorola Razr+ has dropped to its lowest price yet: $699.99 at Amazon, a 30% discount off its usual $999.99. This modern flip phone blends Y2K nostalgia with current hardware, offering a compact design, a flexible display, solid cameras, and all-day battery life. Mashable notes it as the lowest sale price seen, making it a tempting option for bargain hunters who want a retro-styled device without paying flagship prices. Price and availability can change after publication, so act fast if you want to lock in this deal.

How to Limit Google's AI Overviews: Practical Tips

October 16, 2025, 12:03 AM EDT. There's no official way to disable Google's AI-generated search results completely, but you can reduce their appearance with practical tricks. This guide shares quick, user-friendly methods to limit AI overviews, tweak search preferences, and customize your experience so traditional results trend back to the foreground. While Google doesn't offer a full toggle, these tips help you see fewer AI summaries and keep control of your results.