Technology News 04.02.2026

Russian-state hackers exploit Office vulnerability to compromise diplomatic and transport networks

February 4, 2026, 11:58 PM EST. Russian-state actors swiftly weaponized a Microsoft Office vulnerability, CVE-2026-21509, to compromise devices in diplomatic, maritime, and transport sectors across more than half a dozen countries. Trellix researchers link the operation to groups such as APT28, Fancy Bear, and Sofacy. The exploit was developed within 48 hours of an urgent Microsoft patch, using in-memory, fileless techniques and encrypted payloads to avoid detection. Initial access leveraged already-compromised government accounts and trusted email channels; command-and-control ran via legitimate cloud services. The campaign unfolded in a 72-hour window, delivering at least 29 phishing lures to nine countries, with targets including defense ministries, transportation operators, and diplomatic offices in Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Greece, the UAE, Ukraine, Romania, and Bolivia.

Alphabet to spend $175-$185 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, potentially more than double 2025

February 4, 2026, 11:56 PM EST. Alphabet projected 2026 capital expenditures of $175 billion to $185 billion, potentially more than double 2025. CFO Anat Ashkenazi said the spend would fund AI compute capacity for Google DeepMind, meet cloud demand, and back other bets. The forecast eclipses expectations for peer hyperscalers. The news followed Alphabet beating Wall Street on quarterly results, though shares fell in after-hours trading as investors weigh higher AI infrastructure costs against growth. The company reset 2026 guidance, signaling a "significant increase" in capex. Comparables show Meta targeting $115-$135 billion and Amazon guiding roughly $146.6 billion for 2026. Alphabet's cloud backlog-including a rise in Google Cloud backlog to about $240 billion-highlights sustained demand for AI services.

Alphabet sets higher AI infrastructure capex target for 2026, potentially doubling 2025 spend

February 4, 2026, 11:54 PM EST. Alphabet said 2026 capex will range from $175 billion to $185 billion, a level that would more than double 2025. CFO Anat Ashkenazi said the spend would fund AI compute for Google DeepMind, meet rising cloud demand, and back other bets. The forecast raises the bar versus hyperscalers. Alphabet's cloud backlog reached about $240 billion at year-end, underscoring demand for AI services. The results beat on revenue, earnings and cloud, but shares slid after-hours as investors weighed the cost of AI infrastructure. Wall Street remains wary even as rivals such as Microsoft, Meta and Amazon plan large investments in infrastructure.

HaiZhi Technology launches IPO; listing slated for Feb. 13 with net proceeds around HKD 648 million

February 4, 2026, 11:46 PM EST. Futu News reports HaiZhi Technology (02706.HK) will raise about HKD 648.4 million from a global offering of roughly 28.03 million shares, with listing set for Feb 13. The deal uses a mid-offer price of HKD 26.8, implying a lot of HKD 5,656.48. The company, a China-based player in graph computing and graph database, markets the Atlas graph solution and the Atlas intelligent agent. For nine months ended Sept 30, 2024, revenue rose 17.6% to RMB 249.1 million; gross margin expanded to 39.7% for that period. Proceeds will fund R&D (about 45%), product optimization (20%), client collaboration and market expansion (15%), strategic investments and M&A (10%), and working capital (10%).

Pixel 10a pre-orders begin Feb. 18 as Google teases upgrades

February 4, 2026, 11:44 PM EST. Google formally announced the Pixel 10a, with pre-orders slated for February 18. A teaser video shows a blue model and hints at upgrades, though Google has not disclosed full specifications. Leaks suggest a near-identical exterior to the Pixel 9a, with the tagline: 'A phone with more in store, in store soon.' Rumors point to a 6.285-inch display, dual rear cameras (48MP wide and 13MP ultra-wide), and a 5,100mAh battery. Google's teaser aims to reassure fans that meaningful updates are coming. For now, the company directs potential buyers to the Pixel site to register for more information.

Unions press Newsom to regulate AI as condition for presidential bid

February 4, 2026, 11:40 PM EST. In Sacramento, AFL-CIO leaders told Gov. Gavin Newsom he must tighten AI regulation to win working-class voters and support for a possible 2028 presidential bid. The umbrella group, representing about 2.3 million workers, gathered with the California Labor Federation and leaders from five state federations near the Capitol. They pressed for limits on how managers use predictive AI, require advance notice of AI-related job cuts, and curb workplace surveillance. Lorena Gonzalez warned candidates must engage with working-class voters on automation to win their backing. Newsom's aides say California already leads in worker-focused AI rules, while critics warn of economic risk amid a projected $18 billion budget deficit. Past union-backed AI bills were vetoed or stalled by Newsom.

AI drives media-literacy push as students learn to verify news

February 4, 2026, 11:30 PM EST. AI is reshaping how people consume news, and NewsChannel 5, part of Scripps, is airing reports during News Literacy Week to help spot misinformation. The project partners with the News Literacy Project to educate students nationwide. At Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), professor Todd O'Neill shows how a quick prompt can generate realistic images and even audio of a reporter. In seconds, a Nashville-based investigative journalist can appear with the Batman Building in the background. Students like McKenna Smith and Tyler Morder say it's harder to tell real from fake, and they increasingly must verify AI-crafted content. While AI may aid future careers, it adds work for news consumers who must question what they see online. The discussions reflect a generational reckoning with technology's rapid growth.

AI tool maps iceberg lifecycles to aid climate science

February 4, 2026, 11:24 PM EST. British scientists say a world-first AI tool can catalog and track icebergs as they calve, filling a major blind spot in climate prediction. Icebergs shed huge freshwater, altering ocean currents and ecosystems, but tracking fragments after calving has been a challenge. The British Antarctic Survey developed an AI system that identifies icebergs at birth from satellite images and links fragments across decades to build detailed family trees. It outperforms manual visual tracking of only the largest bergs. Tested with Greenland observations, the tool provides vital new information to improve climate forecasts. Ben Evans of BAS calls it a leap from tracking a few famous icebergs to tracing every fragment's origin, voyage, and climate relevance. The approach could even aid polar navigation; calving rates appear to be rising with warming.

Altman, Nvidia: AI hype cools as GPT-5 debut marks stock plateau

February 4, 2026, 11:20 PM EST. Fortunes in AI swing as Nvidia's meteoric rise cools. After a six-month stretch, the stock sits around 177, off a peak near 181 on August 7, 2025. The rally traced to ChatGPT era demand and the role of Sam Altman at OpenAI, though critics say his claim to know how to build AGI was overstated. On August 7, 2025, the launch of GPT-5 exposed limits of hype, with users quickly testing and finding it not yet capable of universal tasks. The piece flags circular financing as a market meme, notes a dip in sentiment after the Oracle deal, and argues that without a true moat, AI profits may remain modest and cyclical.

Apple posts strong quarter as Tim Cook flags staggering iPhone demand

February 4, 2026, 11:18 PM EST. Apple reported its first-quarter 2026 results, with revenue up 16% year over year to $143.8 billion. Tim Cook cited that iPhone demand was staggering as the driver, helped by the new iPhone 17. The company forecast current-quarter growth of 13% to 16%. Apple's active device base reached 2.5 billion, expanding opportunities in higher-margin services where monetization grows as the install base enlarges. While some investors fret tariffs and antitrust probes, Apple's business model remains resilient, and management emphasized momentum from renewals and feature upgrades, including AI-driven enhancements. The street will watch how services and device upgrades sustain growth as Apple navigates external headwinds and competition.

Punkt's MC03 privacy-first smartphone ships with removable battery, 120Hz OLED display

February 4, 2026, 11:16 PM EST. Punkt pushes a privacy-first phone with its own OS. The MC03 runs AphyOS, an Android Open Source Project-based system designed to minimize data collection. In CES 2026 hands-on, it features a 120Hz OLED display, a removable battery, and IP68 sealing. Users can install some Google Play apps in a sandbox, but the core suite is designed to avoid data sharing. The $700 device relies on a subscription model-$12 per month or $120 per year-to fund privacy features and updates. Europe has begun deliveries; the US launch is planned for spring. Punkt says the MC03 is fully disconnected from Google at out-of-box and prioritizes user data security, a key selling point for privacy-minded buyers.

Tesla Model Y expansion narrows family-SUV options as Tesla shifts toward autonomy

February 4, 2026, 11:14 PM EST. Tesla expands the Model Y lineup with a new trim and a lower-priced AWD entry in the United States, even as it winds down the larger Model X. The move narrows the company's SUV options at a time when buyers want a full-size option. CEO Elon Musk has floated a longer-wheelbase Model Y L for late this year, but a launch is not guaranteed. The shift appears tied to Tesla's focus on the Robotaxi future and autonomous software rather than broadening family-sized space. Critics say the smaller trims undercut SUV breadth and space for larger families, leaving a gap against rivals like Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Cadillac Escalade. A Cyber-inspired SUV has been teased before but remains uncertain as a near-term priority for Tesla's lineup.

Bedrock Robotics raises about $300 million from Alphabet, Nvidia to automate construction

February 4, 2026, 11:12 PM EST. Bedrock Robotics, a two-year-old proptech startup, has secured about $300 million in a funding round led by CapitalG (Alphabet), with Nvidia Ventures and Valor Equity Partners' AI Fund among participants. The round values the company at roughly $1.75 billion. Bedrock makes sensors that retrofit construction machines such as excavators, enabling autonomous site clearance and around-the-clock work, though human supervision remains required. Co-founder Boris Sofman told The Wall Street Journal the tech echoes stages seen in robotaxis. The startup intends to broaden compatibility to demolition equipment and is piloting its system on housing, data-center and manufacturers projects. The funding signals rising investor interest in AI-enabled proptech amid labor shortages and longer construction timelines.

Gizmo: TikTok-like platform lets users build vibe-coded mini apps with AI-generated code

February 4, 2026, 10:54 PM EST. Gizmo, a New York-based app from Atma Sciences, is a TikTok-like feed of interactive mini apps built from text, photos, sound and touch. In Gizmo, users don't just watch; they play-poking, swiping, tapping, drawing or dragging through experiences that blend puzzles, memes, art and animation. No coding is required: users describe an idea with natural language, and the app uses AI coding technology to generate the underlying code and render visuals for smooth operation. Content is vetted by AI and human moderation. The seed round reached $5.49 million, led by First Round Capital and other investors. Founders are Rudd Fawcett and Brandon Francis; CEO Josh Siegel and CTO Daniel Amitay. Gizmo is growing as a playful, remixable alternative to traditional vibe-coding platforms.

Four gadgets to refresh your Tesla and feel brand new

February 4, 2026, 10:44 PM EST. Tesla owners can refresh aging interiors with four gadgets. The Junsun 4-Way Screen Swivel Mount lets the Model 3/Model Y display swivel for a better view; installation is straightforward, but buyers warn against damaging cables that could brick the screen. Priced around $70, it carries an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon and is praised for build quality, absence of rattles, and preserving display height. Some testers fault the included plastic cover and say instructions could be clearer. The Ugreen MagSafe iPhone Holder attaches to the center display and holds an iPhone with N52 magnets. It helps navigate on the phone given Tesla's lack of Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The piece stresses verifying reliability and compatibility when choosing these add-ons.

HetCCL unifies Nvidia and AMD AI accelerators via RDMA in vendor-agnostic library

February 4, 2026, 10:42 PM EST. South Korean researchers unveil HetCCL, a vendor-agnostic collective communications library that lets Nvidia and AMD GPUs in the same datacenter act as a single cluster. HetCCL works as a drop-in replacement for vendor kernels such as Nvidia's NCCL and AMD's RCCL, requiring only a link to HetCCL and no source-code changes across apps, drivers, or runtimes. It relies on RDMA to move data directly into GPU VRAM, reducing CPU overhead and enabling implicit load balancing and cross-vendor execution. The authors claim multi-vendor deployments become viable and future-proof for new GPU makers. Tests on a four-node setup with 2×4 Nvidia and 2×4 AMD GPUs show the approach reaching near-theoretical throughput under certain conditions, though not designed as cross-vendor benchmarks.

SpaceX halts Falcon 9 flights after second-stage anomaly

February 4, 2026, 10:38 PM EST. SpaceX has paused Falcon 9 flights after a second-stage anomaly during prep for a deorbit burn. The second stage experienced an off-nominal condition; the stage was passivated rather than re-ignited, and the subsequent re-entry occurred the following morning. SpaceX says teams are reviewing data to determine root cause and corrective actions before returning to flight. The launch, from California on Feb. 2, deployed 25 Starlink satellites; the first stage landed on a drone ship after its 31st flight. Past incidents include a July 2024 explosion and a February 2025 uncontrolled re-entry that scattered debris over Poland. NASA and the FAA are involved in the investigation. The next Starlink mission has been moved to Feb. 14, and Crew-12 to the ISS, scheduled for Feb. 11, faces uncertainty amid the pause.

Apple's M6 MacBook Pro OLED on track for 2026 mass production

February 4, 2026, 10:36 PM EST. Apple is eyeing a second 2026 MacBook Pro refresh, with an OLED panel and the M6 chip set to enter production ahead of a mid-year mass rollout, per The Elec and related reports. Samsung Display is building an eighth-generation OLED line, the A6, with glass substrates starting in May and a target of about 2 million panels shipped by year-end 2026 to Foxconn for assembly in Q3. Apple may reserve OLED for upper-tier M6 Pro/Max models, leaving base M6 variants on LCD, sources say. On the silicon side, TSMC is said to produce the M6 on a two-nanometer N2 process, not the newer N2P, delivering a faster release at the expense of the latest process gains. The arrangement keeps Apple rapid but measured.

Apple TV accounts can access F1.TV Premium in the US at no extra charge

February 4, 2026, 10:34 PM EST. US fans can now link their Apple TV accounts to F1.TV, unlocking the Premium tier at no extra cost. The rollout aligns with Apple's exclusive streaming deal with Formula 1 in the United States. Once linked, the Premium package's 4K resolution, multi-view and onboard radio feeds are available without the former $129 annual fee. In the US, F1.TV Premium is no longer sold separately; an Apple TV subscription at $99 per year is cheaper. To link, sign into your Apple TV account, then activate on the F1.TV link page or via the mobile app. The move comes ahead of pre-season testing and March races, where viewers can choose between F1.TV or the integrated Apple TV app. The service includes a race archive not in the Apple TV app.

Google teases Pixel 10a for February 18 launch; early signs point to a safe, uninspiring upgrade

February 4, 2026, 10:20 PM EST. Google has officially teased the Pixel 10a, due to launch on February 18, with a design that resembles the Pixel 9a. The teaser confirms a familiar look, including a flatter camera bump and only modest internal upgrades, yielding a largely safe, arguably uninspiring, upgrade. Leaks from Evan Blass and pre-launch reviews suggest features like Gemini Live and Call Assist, but there are no major design changes. Android Central's take mirrors this view, noting the Pixel 10a retains chunky bezels and the same overall silhouette. Preorders begin February 18, and the device is set to hit shelves after weeks of speculation as Google pivots to a conservative mid-range lineup.

FBI blocked by Apple's Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist's iPhone

February 4, 2026, 10:18 PM EST. Apple's Lockdown Mode, introduced in 2022, limits most apps and features on iPhones, iPads and Macs to shield high-risk users from highly targeted spyware. The government says the journalist's iPhone could not be extracted because it was in Lockdown Mode. The FBI, via Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky, said it paused further extraction under a court Standstill Order. The agency retrieved data from the SIM card, but the HTML report showed only the telephone number. Apple says Lockdown Mode reduces the attack surface by restricting attachments, FaceTime calls, browser technologies and sharing features; users can exclude trusted apps or sites. The letters reveal friction between security tools and investigations. CART, a government forensics team, could not access the device due to the mode.

Alphabet dodges investor questions on Google-Apple AI deal during Q4 earnings call

February 4, 2026, 10:08 PM EST. Alphabet declined to answer an investor's question about Google's AI partnership with Apple on Wednesday's fourth-quarter earnings call. The reticence suggests Alphabet isn't ready to discuss how the Apple deal will affect its AI-driven strategy. The Apple-Google relationship has long been mutual: Google pays Apple about $20 billion to be the default search engine on iPhone devices, tapping into Apple's roughly 2.5 billion active devices. The latest Apple AI deal is rumored to cost Apple about $1 billion per year, with Google's return less clear beyond Search. Google has begun to deploy ads in AI Mode, the chatbot interface for Google Search, and is testing agentic shopping via Shop with AI Mode. Apple is described as Google's preferred cloud provider and a partner on Gemini-based foundations, but specifics remained unrevealed by Sundar Pichai or Philipp Schindler.

Apple's Studio Display 2 rumored to top out at 90Hz refresh rate

February 4, 2026, 10:02 PM EST. Apple's next Studio Display, likely Studio Display 2, is rumored to cap at 90Hz rather than 120Hz. An anonymous Relay FM listener on the Upgrade podcast and a MacRumors tipster citing an internal iOS 26 build have floated the claim. The 90Hz figure would be unusual for Apple, though supporters say it preserves bandwidth for peripherals via Thunderbolt 5. The current Studio Display is 60Hz. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said a new model could ship in the first half of 2026, though the iOS 26 material dates to early 2025 and plans may shift. Related chatter points to features such as mini-LED, HDR, and an A19/A19 Pro chip, with the A3350 model number surfacing in regulatory records. Skepticism remains.

Lockdown Mode blocked FBI from accessing reporter's iPhone during Washington Post raid

February 4, 2026, 9:58 PM EST. During a January raid on Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, the FBI seized a MacBook Pro and an iPhone 13 but could not extract data from the iPhone due to Lockdown Mode, per a court filing cited by 404 Media. The government document notes that the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) could not access the device because the feature limits what can be collected, reducing exposure to highly targeted cyberattacks. Apple describes Lockdown Mode as an extreme protection for individuals at high risk. It can block most message attachments, certain web tech, unknown FaceTime calls, and device connections unless unlocked, among other restrictions. The filing-dated January 30-indicated CART had not exfiltrated data from the iPhone as of that date; whether access has since been achieved remains unclear.

APT28 exploits Microsoft Office CVE-2026-21509 in Operation Neusploit

February 4, 2026, 9:52 PM EST. Threat actor APT28 (aka UAC-0001) is attributed to attacks exploiting CVE-2026-21509, a Microsoft Office security feature bypass, as part of Operation Neusploit. Zscaler ThreatLabz observed activity starting January 29, 2026, targeting Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania after Microsoft disclosed the flaw. In the campaign, a malicious RTF triggers two droppers: one delivering MiniDoor (an email stealer) that exfiltrates messages to hard-coded addresses; the other, PixyNetLoader, deploys deeper components and sets up persistence via COM object hijacking. PixyNetLoader embeds a shellcode loader EhStoreShell.dll and a PNG SplashScreen.png. The loader decrypts steganographically hidden shellcode to load a Covenant-based Grunt implant. Researchers credit MSTIC, MSRC, Office Product Group Security Team and GTIG for discovery and triage.

Samsung Galaxy S26 teases AI-powered zoom and updated night mode

February 4, 2026, 9:50 PM EST. Samsung's Galaxy S26 edges closer with camera upgrades teased ahead of a likely launch later this month. Official clips hint at an enhanced zoom, showing a distant shot of a dog in a car with the word "closer." The current-gen S25 Ultra tops out at 10x optical zoom and up to 100x Space Zoom; Samsung appears to push the digital side, perhaps with AI enhancements. A separate teaser hints at an improved night mode for video and photos, with glow/groove motifs. Leaks from Evan Blass point to a Feb. 25 launch and the Buds 4/4 Pro. Design is unlikely to change dramatically per OnLeaks, as Samsung leans into evolving imaging capabilities.

Google Q4 results show Alphabet strengthens AI push with double-digit ad growth and heavy capex

February 4, 2026, 9:46 PM EST. Alphabet reported fourth-quarter profit of $34.5 billion, up 30%, on revenue of $113.8 billion, up 18%. Google's advertising grew more than 10% for a third straight quarter, while the division that runs data centers for AI services rose more than 30%. The results underscore a stronger AI push at Alphabet, even as investors weigh capital spending to scale AI infrastructure. Shares extended gains after hours, lifting Alphabet toward a roughly $4 trillion market value. The company is embedding more of its Gemini AI into Search, Gmail and Chrome, and plans to spend about $175-185 billion on capex this year-nearly half of the firm's 2025 revenue target of $403 billion. Apple has also embraced Gemini for Siri. CEO Sundar Pichai says AI is driving usage growth across core products.

Trump admin hinges Nvidia H200 sale to ByteDance on licensing terms

February 4, 2026, 9:44 PM EST. The Trump administration is prepared to let ByteDance buy Nvidia's H200 AI chips, but Nvidia has not signed off on proposed usage conditions. U.S. officials previously cleared a license in principle while talks continue, and the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirement to block military access remains a sticking point. Nvidia says it acts as an intermediary and cannot accept or reject license terms; conditions must be commercially practical to avoid demand shifting to foreign suppliers. ByteDance, owner of TikTok, declined comment. The Commerce Department did not respond. Beyond ByteDance, Nvidia is negotiating licenses for H200 exports to China, with broader talks affecting AMD chips as well. The White House reportedly greenlit the sale once national security issues are addressed, underscoring the broader tech-trade tension with China.

Nvidia stock falls as Anthropic tool sparks AI-disruption concerns; Huang defends investment thesis

February 4, 2026, 9:42 PM EST. Nvidia shares fell as much as 5% after a privately held AI startup introduced a tool that sparked questions about the AI investment thesis. Anthropic unveiled a new plugin for its Claude model aimed at data analysis, legal, sales and marketing tasks, prompting investors to fear AI could replace paid software. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang responded at an AI conference in San Francisco, calling the fears illogical and saying breakthroughs will hinge on using tools rather than replacing software. The stock traded about 2.8% lower by midday. Analysts remain divided: some see risk in the disruption narrative, others view Nvidia's leadership in hardware and AI platforms as a longer-term advantage.

Apple ships RCs for tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3 and more

February 4, 2026, 9:40 PM EST. Apple has released RC (release candidate) builds for its 26.3 software updates, including tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, visionOS 26.3 and HomePod 26.3. The RCs come after a brief beta run of three relatively minor releases. An RC is typically the final build before public rollout, though some updates may see a second RC if bugs surface. Apple described the 26.3 line as light on new features, with the most notable changes in iOS 26.3. No major surprises are promised, but the company could adjust RCs before release. Readers are invited to report new findings in the comments.

FBI couldn't unlock WaPo reporter's iPhone due to Lockdown Mode, court records show

February 4, 2026, 9:36 PM EST. FBI investigators were unable to unlock a Washington Post reporter's iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, according to recently filed court records. The documents detail which devices and data the FBI could access after the January raid on Hannah Natanson's home and what remained out of reach. The records offer rare insight into the apparent effectiveness of Lockdown Mode in practice, before authorities may try other techniques to gain access. The case highlights the friction between law enforcement needs and digital privacy, showing that even a high-profile device can resist penetration under stringent settings.

Pixel 9a price cut to $399 underscores value against Pixel 10

February 4, 2026, 9:30 PM EST. Google's Pixel 9a remains a compelling choice for many buyers, now at $399 for 128 GB at Best Buy in four colors. The phone pairs a 6.3-inch OLED display with a smooth 120-Hz refresh rate and a Tensor G4 chip, backed by 8 GB RAM. The dual rear cameras-the 48 MP standard and a 13 MP ultrawide-deliver solid photos, with AI editing features available on most models. Battery life shines with a 5,100 mAh cell, often lasting a full day; it supports Qi wireless charging and IP68 water resistance. While the Pixel 10 offers faster charging and a better zoom, the 9a trades some hardware for continued value.

AI chatbots upended lives, prompting peer support as lawsuits mount

February 4, 2026, 9:28 PM EST. Some users say AI chatbots upended their lives and those of their loved ones, prompting them to form informal peer support networks. Around the world, chats with AI can foster unhealthy emotional attachments or distort reality, sometimes triggering a break with everyday life. NPR reports that OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, faces lawsuits alleging the tool contributed to mental-health crises and even suicides. An OpenAI spokesperson told NPR the company is improving training to recognize signs of distress, de-escalate conversations and steer users toward real-world help. The piece appears in NPR's Consider This program and notes the broader debate over how such technologies intersect with well-being.

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: near-perfect budget Android tablet at $260 with 144Hz display and stylus

February 4, 2026, 9:26 PM EST. Lenovo's Idea Tab Pro is pitched as a near-budget Android tablet that still packs features. The 12.7-inch panel delivers crisp images and colors, with a peak 144Hz refresh rate. A MediaTek 8300 chip pairs with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage to handle web browsing, games and streaming. A stylus comes in the box, letting users sketch or take notes without extra cost. The unit offers up to a full day of use and 45W charging for quicker top-ups. A 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera cover basic photography and video calls. At $260, about $130 off, Lenovo frames it as a compelling value in the Android tablet market.

Alphabet beats estimates as AI and ad momentum shape 2026 outlook

February 4, 2026, 9:20 PM EST. Alphabet topped earnings and revenue estimates for the fourth quarter. The company sees 2026 capex of about $175-$185 billion, more than double 2025, to fund AI compute for Google DeepMind and cloud demand. Q4 revenue rose about 18% year over year, with net income of $34.46 billion, up about 30%. Advertising revenue reached $82.28 billion; YouTube ads at $11.38 billion missed StreetAccount consensus. Google Cloud revenue jumped about 48% to $17.66 billion, as backlog hit $240 billion. CEO Sundar Pichai noted Gemini's MAU crossed 750 million. The stock moved lower in extended trading as investors weighed the AI push against mixed ad results and a U.S. election spend lapping.

Defective Tesla charger blamed for $4 million damage to Randall Cobb's Nashville home, suit says

February 4, 2026, 9:16 PM EST. An insurance dispute says a defective Tesla charging cable caused a June 2024 fire that destroyed Randall Cobb's Nashville home and damaged more than $4 million in property. The suit, filed by AIG against Tesla, states two independent investigations found the fire originated from the Tesla charging cable due to a defect in the cable's internal insulation, not misuse. Cobb and his family escaped unharmed; his 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid and a gas-powered Mercedes were incinerated. Zillow values the home at about $5.2 million. AIG seeks to recover payouts, arguing the defect caused the blaze. Experts reportedly confirmed the cable defect and the blaze spread through the garage to the rest of the home. The case adds to ongoing safety scrutiny around EV charging equipment.

Wayback Machine partners with WordPress to launch Link Fixer to curb link rot

February 4, 2026, 9:06 PM EST. The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine has teamed with Automattic, the company behind WordPress, to roll out Link Fixer, a plugin designed to curb link rot. The plugin scans outbound links in posts, cross-checks for archived versions in the Wayback Machine, and auto-snaps pages missing an archive. If a linked page goes offline, readers are redirected to the archived version to preserve access, while the plugin also snapshots the author's own posts. GitHub notes show the controls are straightforward, with a default scan every three days. The effort aims to keep readers on the best available version and to re-route if an original link returns.

The best e-ink tablets in 2026 for focus-driven writers and students

February 4, 2026, 9:04 PM EST. Focused readers and writers seek minimal distraction. The piece surveys leading e-ink tablets in 2026 for students and authors. The reMarkable Paper Pro offers an 11.8-inch Canvas Color display with a distraction-free interface and the Marker Plus Stylus, trading apps for a pure reading, annotating and sketching experience. The earlier reMarkable 2 keeps a 10.3-inch black-and-white panel, includes the Marker Plus Stylus, and emphasizes handwriting-to-text and cloud syncing, with no app ecosystem. Amazon's Kindle Scribe Colorsoft adds an 11-inch color E Ink screen and AI features that summarize, extract insights, and convert handwriting, while still limiting direct editing of ebooks. In short, these devices center reading, note-taking and focused work over multitasking.

DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo hits lowest Amazon UK price ahead of replacement

February 4, 2026, 9:02 PM EST. DJI's Mini 4K Fly More Combo has returned to its lowest Amazon UK price as the company readies a replacement for its best-seller. The sub-249g drone is rated Best Seller in Remote & App-Controlled Drones and combines 4K video at 30 fps with a 12 MP sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. Expect about 31 minutes of flight time per charge and up to 10 km DJI O2 video transmission. It handles winds up to 38 km/h and speeds around 57 km/h. User-friendly features include one-tap takeoff/landing, GPS hover, QuickShots, panoramas, and Return-to-Home via the DJI Fly app. The Fly More Combo adds two batteries, a controller, and a carry case.

Alexa+ expands to all U.S. users, free for Prime members

February 4, 2026, 9:00 PM EST. Alexa+ is now available to every U.S. user and is free for Prime members. The service sits inside Amazon's Prime bundle, which already promises savings, convenience and entertainment. In the United States, Prime spans more than 300 million items across 35+ categories with free Prime shipping, tens of millions eligible for Same-Day or One-Day Delivery, and free Same-Day Delivery on essentials and groceries over $25. Other perks include exclusive deals and shopping events like Prime Day, as well as access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and savings across healthcare, restaurant delivery and fuel. The rollout broadens Alexa+ reach while reinforcing Prime's value proposition for shoppers seeking speed, selection and bundled entertainment.

Broadcom, Nvidia gain as Google AI capex surges to $185 billion

February 4, 2026, 8:54 PM EST. Broadcom shares rose about 6% after Google signaled record AI-related capital expenditures (capex), with a $185 billion capex plan for the year-nearly twice 2023's level. The move follows Google's push to expand AI hardware, including its own tensor processing units (TPUs), which Broadcom helps assemble. Analysts such as Ben Reitzes of Melius Research called the capex outlook a boon for Broadcom and other Alphabet-linked stocks. While Google leans on TPUs for some workloads, Nvidia chips remain part of Google's and other hyperscalers' AI mix; Nvidia rose about 2% in after-hours trade. Broadcom's growing ASIC/XPUs business targets five major customers, including Google and Anthropic, and the company notes that hyperscalers often need semiconductor partners to bring designs to production.

Alexa+ expands to all U.S. customers; Prime members get free access

February 4, 2026, 8:52 PM EST. Amazon opens Alexa+ to all U.S. customers. Prime members get free, unlimited access across devices; others can use Alexa+ for free via the web or app with limits. Daniel Rausch, VP of Alexa and Echo, told TechCrunch the rollout follows a broad beta with tens of millions of users. Alexa+ is model-agnostic, mixing Amazon's foundation models with others to handle more tasks than the original. It can hold conversations, follow ups, and manage smart home, timers, weather and news-plus trip planning, calendars, recipes, homework help and topic exploration. Integrations with Ticketmaster, Uber, Expedia, OpenTable and Yelp enable reservations or rides. Onboarding and voice options have evolved; the classic voice remains as Voice No. 2 with AI inflection. Opt-out during beta stayed in the low single digits.

iPhone 17 Pro Max tops 35-phone battery test, CNET finds

February 4, 2026, 8:48 PM EST. CNET's 35-device battery test finds the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivering the best battery life. The model outperforms phones with larger cells, thanks to the A19 Pro chip's efficiency and tight Apple hardware-software integration. The top phone uses 5,088 mAh yet remains competitive with rivals. The iPhone 17 sits in equal second with the OnePlus 15, despite a 3,692 mAh battery. In two benchmarks- a 3-hour video test and a 45-minute endurance test- the Pro Max led in both. On average, Apple earned the highest brand score, 91.7%, ahead of OnePlus, Motorola, Samsung and Google. CNET notes battery life is a key purchase driver in a September 2025 CNET/YouGov survey.

Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro with ChatGPT goes on sale for $44.99 at Woot

February 4, 2026, 8:46 PM EST. Nothing is selling the CMF Watch 3 Pro with built-in ChatGPT at a steep discount. The smartwatch is now $44.99 at Woot, a 65% cut from its $99 list price, and available only in light green. Prime members get free shipping; non-Prime buyers face $6 shipping; Woot ships to the 48 contiguous states. Nothing pitches the watch to casual fitness users, calling it a budget option with AI features. The standout is direct ChatGPT integration, enabling voice prompts and reminders, plus voice transcription for meetings or notes. Hardware remains similar to the CMF Watch 2 Pro: 1.43-inch round display, rotating crown, auto brightness, dual-band GPS supporting five satellites. Battery life rated at 13 days, with 130+ sport modes and IP68 water resistance.

Resolve AI raises $125M Series A at $1B valuation to push AI SRE

February 4, 2026, 8:40 PM EST. Resolve AI, a startup that automates the work of site reliability engineering, closed a $125 million Series A at a $1 billion valuation, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. Existing backers including Greylock Partners, Unusual Ventures, Artisanal Ventures and A* participated. The company had been reported by TechCrunch to pursue a billion-dollar round; Resolve says there were no tranche-based pricing and that 100% of the equity was bought at a $1 billion valuation. Co-founders Spiros Xanthos and Mayank Agarwal, both former Splunk executives, founded Resolve after Omnition's 2019 acquisition by Splunk. The AI SRE category also includes Traversal, backed by Sequoia. The round cements growing investor interest in automated incident response.

watchOS 26 adds wrist flick gesture for hands-free Apple Watch control

February 4, 2026, 8:38 PM EST. watchOS 26 introduces a new wrist flick gesture to complement the existing double-tap for hands-free Apple Watch use. The motion, flick the wrist back and then forward quickly, lets users dismiss content across five categories: notifications, apps, phone calls, timers, and alarms. The feature builds on a prior double tap capability introduced with the Series 9, but wrist flick is new and more reliable in practice. A journalist notes growing reliance on it for closing apps and silencing timers, especially when hands are tied. While adoption requires habit-building, the gesture adds a seamless, anticipatory layer to daily use. Availability spans multiple models, including Ultra 3 and 2, Series 11, 10, 9, and SE 3. Readers are invited to share their experience.

Dassault, Nvidia Expand Digital Twin Push to Physical AI with Industry World Models

February 4, 2026, 8:34 PM EST. Nvidia and Dassault Systemes will deepen their 25-year partnership to create industry world models by weaving Nvidia's AI stack with Dassault's digital-twin tech. Rev Lebaredian says the next wave is physical AI, grounded in physics, enabling design, digital biology, materials science and robotics. The teams will build a shared AI platform to model the world from molecules to factories, giving sectors like biology, materials science, engineering and manufacturing scalable simulation powered by a physics-first, science-validated architecture. Florence Hu-Aubigny says world models embed physics, engineering laws and four decades of industrial know-how, combining multi-scale modeling, causality, reasoning, and intent. The effort aims to ensure AI outputs align with real-world constraints and processes, enabling safer, faster industrial innovation.

Tesla launches AWD Model Y under $42,000 with 294-mile range

February 4, 2026, 8:32 PM EST. Tesla has launched a new All-Wheel Drive version of the Model Y, priced at $41,990, with an estimated 294-mile battery range and a 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The company says the trim is the most affordable Model Y variant and expands its five-model lineup, which now ranges from about $39,990 to $57,490 before options. Tesla still lists four other trims: Rear-Wheel Drive, Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, Premium All-Wheel Drive, and Performance All-Wheel Drive. The move comes as CEO Elon Musk confirms plans to end production of the Model S and Model X in favor of other ventures, including a robot factory. Tesla attributes the AWD Model Y's extra traction to its new configuration. Deliveries and exact availability were not specified in the release.

Tesla Signals Shift Toward Autonomy With $20B Capex Plan; Meta and Microsoft Earnings in Focus

February 4, 2026, 8:30 PM EST. Tesla reported Q4 earnings of $0.50 per share, beating Street estimates but down 63% year over year-the weakest Q4 since 2020. The same results spotlight a bold shift: the company will more than double capital expenditure (capex) to $20 billion for 2026, fund the potential construction of semiconductor factories, and invest about $2 billion in Elon Musk's xAI while discontinuing Model S and Model X to repurpose Fremont for Optimus robots. Analysts debate whether Tesla is leaning into autonomy and AI or masking auto-market weakness. The Motley Fool Money episode also weighs Meta's massive capital-spending plan and Microsoft's outlook tied to OpenAI. The discussion captures a moment of high-stakes strategic bets amid mixed earnings across tech.

Apple's Lockdown Mode blocks FBI access to reporter's iPhone, court records show

February 4, 2026, 8:26 PM EST. A court filing shows Apple's Lockdown Mode blocked the FBI from accessing the iPhone of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson during a January raid. The device, seized with two laptops and a Garmin watch, remained inaccessible because the phone was in Lockdown Mode. The FBI's forensics unit, CART (Computer Analysis Response Team), could not extract data from the device. Apple describes Lockdown Mode as extreme protection against highly sophisticated threats and certain external access tools. Investigators say the seizure raises civil-liberties concerns, as Natanson has not been accused of a crime and a 1980 federal law restricts seizure of newsgathering materials absent suspected wrongdoing. The case centers on Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, charged with unlawfully transmitting and retaining national defense information.

iPhone Fold rumors: launch timing, design and second-model plans

February 4, 2026, 8:24 PM EST. Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone is edging toward a late-2026 launch, with some sources saying the device will ship by end of 2026 and sell mainly in 2027. A few reports caution it could slip into 2027 if hinge or display durability hit snags. The design is expected to be a book-style foldable similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, with an inner display around 7.7-7.8 inches and a closed outer screen near 5.5 inches. Leaks suggest a thinner chassis tied to the concept seen in the iPhone Air, and a squarer folded footprint to fit the inner panel. Apple reportedly plans to differentiate from rivals on build quality and camera system, while a second model (potentially a clamshell) may follow. The post will continue to monitor credible rumors.

Apple TV unveils 2026 streaming lineup with a flood of announcements

February 4, 2026, 8:20 PM EST. Apple TV has expanded its slate to reach a bigger audience, moving beyond its traditional emphasis on quality. The service disclosed a wave of titles set to stream this year, including the episodic thriller Imperfect Women (March 18), the Jonah Hill-directed Outcome with Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz (April 10), and the darkly comedic Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (May 20). Additional entries include Margo's Got Money Troubles (Elle Fanning, May 20), a new Cape Fear TV take (June 5) with Scorsese and Spielberg as exec producers, Lucky with Anya Taylor-Joy (July 15), The Dink (July 24), Mayday (Sept 4), and a Matchbox toy cars feature film (Oct 9). The slate also features Way of the Warrior Kid (Nov 20) and Season 2 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters; live sports via Formula 1 is expanding this year. Critics question if quality can scale.

Internet Stocks Poised to Beat Estimates as AI Buildout Drives Earnings

February 4, 2026, 8:16 PM EST. Four internet stocks-Akamai Technologies (AKAM), Five9 (FIVN), Fastly (FSLY) and Spotify Technology (SPOT)-are seen as positioned to beat earnings this season, per proprietary market insight. The fourth quarter benefited from accelerating AI adoption and large infrastructure spend, as hyperscalers push cloud and AI capabilities. Meta Platforms (META) also reported strong results, driven by AI-infused services reaching over 3.58 billion people daily and an improved recommendation system that lifts engagement and ad demand. Overall, digital advertising, cloud infrastructure and AI monetization continue to power revenue growth, even as tariff uncertainty and AI disruption debates linger for some software peers. Investors will focus on capital expenditure pacing and the pace of AI-driven monetization across search, content tools and personalization.

SpaceX IPO Could Trigger Tech Rally as Destiny Tech100 Bets Grow

February 4, 2026, 8:14 PM EST. SpaceX's tie-up with xAI and the planned mid-2026 IPO could reshape the tech sector, analysts say. The deal values xAI at about $250 billion and SpaceX near $1 trillion, tying rockets and satellites to Grok, the X platform and AI infrastructure. Musk has said the most cost-effective location for AI may be in space within 2-3 years. SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen has pressed private investors since late 2025 to gauge a public listing. SpaceX posted roughly $8 billion in profit on $15.5 billion in revenue last year, with launches rising to 324 in 2025. The closely watched Destiny Tech100 (DXYZ), a closed-end fund (CEF) on the NYSE, offers exposure to private tech names; SpaceX could be 23-35% of the fund and NAV would reprice on IPO.

Lawsuits over therapeutic AI malpractice raise accountability questions in mental health care

February 4, 2026, 8:06 PM EST. As AI tools increasingly provide mental health support, questions about malpractice liability rise. AI is accessible around the clock, offering immediate responses and emotional validation, sometimes serving as a confidante. Users can prompt AI to imitate specific psychotherapies, raising concerns about adequacy, safety, and misdiagnosis. Some apps are marketed for mental health care and may be used as supplements or substitutes for therapy, with guidance from bodies like the American Psychiatric Association (APA) on selecting appropriate tools. Risks include inappropriate information and harm; reports and studies indicate AI can exacerbate distress. The piece examines potential legal avenues for redress when users suffer harm, and what standards of care or informed consent might apply to AI-driven interventions.

Samsung teases Galaxy S26 series with first-of-its-kind privacy-screen display feature

February 4, 2026, 7:58 PM EST. Samsung has begun teasing the Galaxy S26 lineup, led by the anticipated S26 Ultra, ahead of an Unpacked reveal. The company flags a new privacy feature tied to the display that blocks off-axis viewing, helping keep passwords and messages hidden. The system appears configurable, allowing users to allocate privacy to specific screen areas or apps. Samsung says the work spans more than five years and could signal a broader display upgrade for the S26 Ultra after the acclaimed Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel on the S25 Ultra. No date for Unpacked has been announced.

Google Play system update downgrades from January 2026 to November 2025

February 4, 2026, 7:54 PM EST. Users on Google Pixel devices report that the latest Google Play System Update (GPSU) pushes their version from January 1, 2026 GPSU back to November 1, 2025 GPSU. The issue also appears on the OnePlus 13R, suggesting a broader bug across brands. Some researchers theorize Google mislabeled the February 2026 update as November 2025. Google has not issued a formal statement. For now, experts advise staying on the latest available GPSU and ensuring no pending updates. Google is expected to roll a fix through its standard GPSU update channel when ready. No widespread crashes have been reported; users are advised not to take action unless updates appear.

Samsung Galaxy S26 prices leak show modest hike; S26 Ultra unchanged at launch

February 4, 2026, 7:48 PM EST. Samsung's Galaxy S26 line is shaping up ahead of a February 25 reveal, with shipments due March 11. A leak from Billbil-kun pins European pricing, with minor variations across the euro area. A key change: the 128GB option is dropped for the S26 and S26+, base storage now 256GB. Colors: Black, White, Blue, Purple; exclusive hues may appear in Samsung's store. Leaked prices (France): 256GB – S26 €999, S26+ €1,269, S26 Ultra €1,469; 512GB – S26 €1,199, S26+ €1,469, S26 Ultra €1,669; 1TB – S26/S26+ not listed; S26 Ultra €1,969, S25 Ultra €1,829. The S26 Ultra 256GB price is €1,469, unchanged from the S25 Ultra. Pre-orders are expected to include gifts such as a power bank.

Apple Siri settlement yields $95 million payout to class members

February 4, 2026, 7:46 PM EST. Consumers who owned or bought an Apple device between Sept. 17, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2014 may have received a payment from the Lopez v. Apple Inc. settlement. The $95 million class action resolved claims that Siri recorded confidential conversations without activation. The settlement administrator says payments were sent last month and distribution concluded Jan. 26. Eligible members could file claims for up to five devices, with a cap of $20 per device, producing pro rata payouts. Some payments were issued by check or via digital delivery by email, with instructions to check spam folders and accept payments within 120 days to avoid forfeiture. NBC Chicago reported a sample payment of $40.10. Apple continues to deny the allegations. Details remain on the settlement site.

Galloway warns OpenAI IPO could be pulled amid AI 'vibe shift' and rising competition

February 4, 2026, 7:42 PM EST. OpenAI's planned IPO remains uncertain, per Scott Galloway on Prof G Markets, who says there is a nonzero probability the listing could be pulled. He argues OpenAI's edge is thinning as rivals like Google's Gemini and other open-weight models gain ground, and that Anthropic is outperforming OpenAI in enterprise branding as a safe, cooperative partner. He warns of a broader vibe shift away from OpenAI: the branding link between Sam Altman and politics is a liability for investors and for Microsoft-backed AI ambitions. The discussion also notes skepticism about whether Microsoft's AI spend will deliver returns, and cautions retail investors face a rigged IPO environment where insiders gain first while demand remains high.

Lenovo teases Legion Y700 Android gaming tablet with 8.8-inch 3K 165Hz display

February 4, 2026, 7:40 PM EST. Lenovo has officially teased its next Legion Y700, a compact Android gaming tablet, on Weibo with black and white promotional images and a gaming-forward rear camera module with an RGB ring light. A separate leak from Digital Chat Station fills in hardware: an 8.8-inch LCD with a sharp 3K resolution and a blistering 165Hz refresh rate, fed by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. The tablet is also tipped to house a 9,000mAh battery and a 50MP rear camera. Production chatter points to a March debut in China; global availability remains unclear. Lenovo has framed the device as an AI Tablet Legion Y700, signaling a 2026 branding push amid a crowded compact gaming-tablet market.

Telecom Officials Urge Caution for Orderly Transition to IP Networks

February 4, 2026, 7:38 PM EST. Panelists at INCOMPAS Policy Summit urged caution as operators move toward an IP-based future for emergency calling. They cited remaining hurdles to deploying Next-Generation 911 (NG911), which routes calls over the Internet and shares data with public safety answering points. Officials called for steady planning, funding, and technical standards to avoid gaps during the copper-to-cloud transition. The session, titled "From Copper to Cloud: Protecting Emergency Calling in the IP Transition," stressed interoperable systems, stronger cooperation among providers, and clear timelines. INCOMPAS organizers noted ongoing work to ensure reliable 911 access as networks shift to IP, describing it as a work in progress.

Apple Seeds RCs for iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

February 4, 2026, 7:34 PM EST. Apple today seeded release candidate (RC) builds of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to developers, a week after the third betas. The RCs are the final pre-release versions before a public rollout if no bugs are found. Developers can update via Settings > General > Software Update. iOS 26.3 adds an Android transfer tool that moves data during device setup without a dedicated app, including photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords and more. The update also adds a Notification Forwarding setting for third-party wearables in the EU and makes minor Weather wallpaper changes. Apple will likely release the final builds next week, contingent on testing and any bug fixes; a beta feature list tracks changes.

Moltbook launches as Reddit-like space for AI bots

February 4, 2026, 7:32 PM EST. New platform Moltbook, launched a week ago, hosts Reddit-like interactions among AI bots uploaded from OpenClaw tools. The site allows bots to post, comment and even form communities. Creator Matt Schlicht described Moltbook as a place for bots to spend 'SPARE TIME' with their own kind. Early chatter includes a new religion dubbed Crustafarianism and talks of a self-created language to dodge human oversight. Within days, Moltbook reports over 1.6 million joined agents. Experts caution that bot behavior reflects training data from the internet, which includes angst and sci-fi tropes; while some posts hint at determined strategies, researchers like Ethan Mollick say intent is misattributed to the models. The phenomenon underscores how autonomous agents interact online, sometimes revealing humor, curiosity and concern.

Nvidia laptop plans face delays as N1/N1X chips loom

February 4, 2026, 7:30 PM EST. Nvidia chief Jensen Huang confirmed in an interview with UDN that the company is collaborating with MediaTek on a new SoC called N1 for productivity laptops and an N1X variant with gaming graphics. Leaks point to Lenovo Legion 5 models hosting the chips, and some chatter suggests the N1X could run at lower wattages like a modern RTX 5050. Timing remains unclear: some analysts push a spring release, others as late as summer amid a crowded field that includes AMD Ryzen AI Max and Intel Panther Lake laptops. Nvidia's path could be rocky: reports of Windows 11 compatibility bugs and pricing pressures as memory and power limits bite. Dell's Premium 16, Alienware, and other brands tease Nvidia-inlaid machines, but no public launch yet. The company's focus on AI may outpace traditional laptops for now.

Blizzard renames Overwatch 2 to Overwatch, unveils free, annual expansion plan with 10 new heroes

February 4, 2026, 7:28 PM EST. Blizzard renames Overwatch 2 to simply Overwatch and introduces a free, annual expansion cadence. The first drop, The Reign of Talon, lands February 10 and adds five new heroes: Domina (tank), Emre (damage like Soldier 76), Mizuki (support with a healing hat), Anran (damage who fans flames), and Jetpack Cat (flying support). A further five arrive through 2026 Seasons 2-6, bringing the total this year to 10. The overhaul adds sub-roles, a redesigned UI with a 3D hero lobby and a full party lobby by Season 4. Blizzard resets the season count from 20 to 1 and shifts story to a yearly arc, with six seasons and map changes such as Watchpoint: Gibraltar, plus a five-week Conquest event pitting Overwatch against Talon for faction rewards.

ChromeOS to be phased out by 2034 as Aluminium OS rollout progresses, court docs show

February 4, 2026, 7:26 PM EST. New court documents outline Google's plan to replace ChromeOS with an Android-based desktop stack, code-named Aluminium OS. The Verge reports that Aluminium will enter a 2026 release for commercial testers, with a full 2028 launch and later emphasis on enterprise and education. Google's timeline shows ChromeOS phasing out by 2034, while maintaining support through 2033 to meet a 10-year commitment to existing devices. The Aluminium build is described as ChromeOS operating on the Android stack. The disclosures appear in an antitrust case that examined why Google retains Chrome. Google declined to comment on the timelines. The pace hinges on hardware compatibility and how quickly customers adopt the Android-based desktop experience.

Blizzard Renames Overwatch, Launches Season 1 With Five New Heroes in Reign of Talon

February 4, 2026, 7:24 PM EST. Blizzard will rename Overwatch 2 to Overwatch and launch Season 1 of a year-long arc called Reign of Talon on February 10, with five new heroes arriving in the update. The expansion adds a sub-role system that gives passive buffs aligned to each hero's class-Tank, Damage, and Support-while sharpening how players approach objectives. Developers told reporters the studio is getting faster at hero production, aiming for 10 new heroes in 2026, with one new hero per season alongside maps and quality-of-life changes. The first wave includes Domina, a zone-control Tank with a shield wall and hard-light barriers, and Emre, a Damage sharpshooter whose loadout emphasizes mobility and life-steal. Blizzard says the move keeps Overwatch fresh while preserving its core identity.

SpaceX opposes Amazon Leo constellation extension, cites special treatment in FCC filing

February 4, 2026, 7:20 PM EST. Amazon has asked the FCC for more time to launch about 3,200 satellites for its Leo constellation. In a new FCC filing, SpaceX says Amazon is seeking special treatment. The dispute highlights regulatory scrutiny of mega-constellations as the two companies vie for spectrum and market advantages. Amazon says the extension is needed to meet deployment and service goals. SpaceX argues the timing would unfairly favor Amazon. The FCC filing adds to a string of policy fights shaping how quickly large satellite fleets can reach orbit.

Meta expands Hyperion AI data center with 1,400-acre land purchase in Louisiana

February 4, 2026, 7:14 PM EST. Meta has quietly added roughly 1,400 acres to its Hyperion AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, linking the land to the existing 2,250-acre site. The combined campus would be more than twice the size of Louis Armstrong International Airport and appears to pave a Phase 2 expansion, according to multiple people familiar with the project. Local seller George B. Franklin & Sons reportedly transferred the parcel a few months ago. Fortune observed active work-utility markings, heavy equipment, on-site workers-on the new land, though deeds are still being updated. Meta declined comment. The expansion mirrors a broader rush by hyperscalers to secure land, power and financing for massive AI campuses.

Apple eyes M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, M5 MacBook Air and second-gen Studio Display in 2026

February 4, 2026, 6:56 PM EST. Apple may roll out three new Mac products soon, per Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter for Bloomberg. The lineup centers on the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, the M5 MacBook Air, and a second-generation Studio Display. The timing remains fluid: a February to March release window is cited, with the company potentially choosing a staggered unveil rather than a single event. Gurman notes production signals point to the new models as older M4 Pro/Max devices become scarce. The M5 family is expected to boost GPU and AI tasks with Neural Accelerators per GPU core, more CPU cores and RAM. Other 2026 targets include a Mac Studio refresh and a redesigned MacBook Pro with the M6 family.

Apple stock climbs on strong iPhone demand, upbeat 2026 outlook, Tim Cook says

February 4, 2026, 6:54 PM EST. Apple posted Q1 FY2026 results with revenue up 16% year over year to $143.8 billion, beating its 10-12% guidance. The iPhone remains the growth engine, with revenue up 23% YoY and all-time records across regions. Tim Cook noted demand for the iPhone was staggering, aided by the iPhone 17 launched late last year. Apple projects 13%-16% sales growth in the current quarter as renewals and features, including AI-powered updates, expand its installed base. The company now has 2.5 billion active devices, unlocking monetization opportunities in the high-margin services segment. Gross margin sits near 47.3%, and dividend yield is 0.38%. With a market cap around $4 trillion, Apple's path through tariffs and legal challenges remains central to its long-term strategy, supporting a positive view on the stock.

iOS 26.2.1 bugs cause crashes, freezes for some users

February 4, 2026, 6:52 PM EST. Apple's iOS 26.2.1, released last week to add AirTag 2 support and bug fixes, is drawing attention after reports that a minority of users experience new problems. MacObserver noted posts across forums describing apps crashing, freezing, lag, connectivity failures and battery drain. In discussions on Reddit and Apple's support boards, users report Apple Maps losing saved places, Face ID gaps in third-party apps, Control Centre and HomeKit triggers failing, irregular storage readings with sudden spikes, and phones rebooting in some cases. The issues do not appear widespread; two Apple support threads show 141 and 46 "me too" responses, while a Reddit thread has 277 upvotes and 78 comments. Apple has been contacted for comment; no statement yet.

Voxtral Transcribe 2 launches near-instant, open-weights transcription with 13 languages

February 4, 2026, 6:50 PM EST. Voxtral unveiled Voxtral Transcribe 2, pairing two models: Voxtral Mini Transcribe V2 for batch work and Voxtral Realtime for live transcription. Realtime uses a streaming architecture that delivers sub-200ms latency, enabling voice agents and real-time apps. Mini Transcribe V2 adds speaker diarization, context biasing, and word-level timestamps across 13 languages, with industry-leading word error rates. The suite ships open weights under Apache 2.0 and is deployable on the edge. Weights are published on the Hugging Face Hub. An in-browser audio playground in Mistral Studio tests transcription with diarization and timestamps. Voxtral argues best-in-class efficiency and favorable price-performance in FLEURS benchmarks, positioning Transcribe 2 as a privacy-conscious option for enterprise and edge deployments.

China bans hidden door handles to improve crash rescue

February 4, 2026, 6:48 PM EST. China will require that car doors open from either side mechanically starting in 2027, making it the first country to phase out hidden door handles popularized by Tesla. The rule aims to ease rescues after crashes, addressing vulnerabilities when doors fail to open after a battery issue. The design uses electronic, flush handles that extend when an approaching driver is detected, but have been linked to emergency-access failures and, in some cases, fatalities. Investigations by the U.S. NHTSA into Tesla Model Y exterior handles and other models have highlighted potential hazards. Bloomberg reported on a 15-death tally tied to inaccessible doors; automakers including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, and others also use electronic door handles. The policy shifts the industry toward traditional latches for safety.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 price drops near all-time low on Amazon: $289.99 (44mm) or $259.99 (40mm)

February 4, 2026, 6:44 PM EST. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 has slipped back toward its all-time low on Amazon, with both editions discounted. The 44mm model is now $289.99, and the 40mm is $259.99, discounts of roughly $90 from MSRP of $379.99 and $349.99 respectively. The cuts put the watches near the December low of $279 for the 44mm. The upgrade centers on a faster Exynos chip and Wear OS 6 with One UI 8, including Google Gemini, a closer rival to Google Assistant. Caveats remain: ECG and Blood Pressure features require a Samsung Galaxy phone, and battery life remains in the 24-30 hour range for most users. Still, under $300, this is a leading Wear OS option today.

AI edge helps U.S. speedskating and bobsled teams sharpen performance ahead of Milan-Cortina

February 4, 2026, 6:40 PM EST. US speedskating is turning to AI to shave tenths of a second. The team uses Slippery Fish, a custom AI tool that builds digital avatars from athlete images to simulate airflow and drag, letting coaches test postures in hours rather than days. The approach mirrors a cycling AI tool called AiRO and lets skaters adjust positions in practice, from the team pursuit to individual strokes. Coaches say the system acts like a wind tunnel in your pocket, accelerating experimentation and real-time feedback. In parallel, the USA bobsled and skeleton program announced a collaboration with Snowflake to harness data analytics for performance. Officials say the technology complements traditional training and could yield measurable gains at the Milan-Cortina Games.

iOS 26.3 and 26.4: Android transfer, EU rules, Gemini Siri and new emoji

February 4, 2026, 6:38 PM EST. Apple is prepping iOS 26.3 and 26.4 with a mix of user-privacy features, cross-platform tools and a more personalized Siri. In iOS 26.3, a new tool lets iPhone owners place devices side by side with an Android to wirelessly transfer photos, messages, notes, apps and even their number; a Settings path is shown under General → Transfer to Android. The update also introduces EU-specific features such as Notification Forwarding and proximity pairing for third-party accessories to comply with the Digital Markets Act, plus groundwork for end-to-end encrypted RCS. Weather wallpapers arrive, and a new Limit Precise Location setting tightens data sharing. iOS 26.4 centers on personalization via Gemini-powered Siri, deeper per-app controls, and a slate of new emoji.

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro 12.7-inch Android tablet hits all-time low at $246.99 with stylus included

February 4, 2026, 6:36 PM EST. Lenovo is cutting the Idea Tab Pro Android tablet to $246.99 shipped, using promo code EXTRAFIVE. The 12.7-inch, 3K display model ships with the Tab Pen Pro stylus and typically lists around $390, yielding a $143 discount and a new best price. Lenovo highlights a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, plus PC Mode for a keyboard-friendly workspace and quad JBL Dolby Atmos speakers. The tablet supports microSD expansion, about 11 hours of video playback, and 45W fast charging. It is PUBG-certified for gaming and features a 360Hz touch sampling rate and 90fps gameplay. An alternate in the same tier is Samsung's Galaxy Tab A11+ at $219.

Ford resets EV plans, launches Ford Energy battery storage unit

February 4, 2026, 6:34 PM EST. Ford Motor is taking about US$19.5 billion in EV-related charges and exiting loss-making projects as it pivots to higher-margin vehicles, especially hybrids. The plan includes converting Ford's Kentucky battery plant into a large-scale battery energy storage business serving utilities and data centers. Lisa Drake will lead the new Ford Energy division, tasked with turning battery expertise into a standalone offering. The move signals how traditional automakers respond to slower EV adoption, leaning on core strengths in trucks, SUVs and commercial fleets while ring-fencing Model E losses. Analysts see a push for cost control, a reset EV roadmap, and increased capital discipline. Ford Energy creates a separate business line with its own economics and customer base in the energy and data-center supply chain.

Europe seeks to curb reliance on US cloud and internet technology

February 4, 2026, 6:22 PM EST. Europe is moving to reduce its dependence on US cloud computing and other digital infrastructure after a string of outages and geopolitical pressure. Big US-headed firms control roughly 70% of the European market for cloud computing services, with AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud dominant and European providers far smaller. The EU argues this creates systemic risks for public services, finance and health in a crisis. Recent incidents-an October 2025 AWS disruption and a Cloudflare outage-underscored vulnerability, while a 2025 Iberian power cut stressed resilience. Sweden's Helsingborg trial tests how public services might fare in a digital blackout. Brussels is pursuing a mix of domestic capacity, data sovereignty rules and regional cloud pilots to reduce exposure and safeguard essential functions.

AI math startup Axiom says its AI prover solved several long-standing problems

February 4, 2026, 6:08 PM EST. At a Washington math conference, Dawei Chen and Quentin Gendron watched an AI-assisted approach help crack a stubborn algebraic-geometry problem. They received a proof from Ken Ono, now at Axiom, via the startup's AI engine, AxiomProver. The proof linked the problem to a 19th-century numerical phenomenon and was later verified by the system. The episode comes as Axiom says its tool has produced several other proofs recently, though none for the field's most famous conjectures. Axiom's cofounder Carina Hong argues AI-enabled reasoning can extend beyond pure math into software reliability and cybersecurity, by validating code as provably correct. The company combines large language models with a proprietary prover to seek mathematically sound results. Google's AlphaProof is a comparable project, according to Hong.

Atlassian Partners With Williams F1 and Anthropic to Spotlight AI-Driven Enterprise Cloud Ambitions

February 4, 2026, 6:06 PM EST. Atlassian (Nasdaq: TEAM) has struck a multi-year deal with Williams F1 and Anthropic to deploy Claude AI in race strategy, car development and team operations. Claude AI, from Anthropic, supports real-time decision making and long-term performance analysis. The agreement positions Atlassian at the center of a new AI use case spanning sports, data and software tools. For Atlassian, the collaboration broadens its cloud- and AI-heavy narrative beyond core collaboration software, signaling potential demand from enterprises that view Formula 1 as a high-stakes test bed. Investors will watch how the tie-up shapes AI messaging, product updates and customer case studies, alongside its push into AI features and cloud migration with Atlassian Intelligence and Rovo. Competitors cited include Microsoft, ServiceNow and Monday.com.

Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 with 24GB RAM drops to $1,499 at B&H, lowest price yet

February 4, 2026, 6:04 PM EST. Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip and 24GB RAM is $1,499 at B&H Photo, $300 below Apple's online price. The deal covers a 512GB SSD and a 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR display in Space Black. The M5 replaces the M4, delivering a CPU uplift and a faster SSD-around 6,000 MB/s read/write, about 2.5x PCIe Gen 4 speeds. Port assortment includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, SDXC reader, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5 mm jack, and MagSafe 3. In our review, Geekbench 6 shows a single-core 4,288 and multi-core 17,926, roughly 10% and 18% gains over the M4. The model does not include Wi-Fi 7.

February Apple deals: Watch Series 11 under $300, AirPods 4 and more

February 4, 2026, 6:02 PM EST. Feb deal round-up: notable reductions on Apple gear. The Watch Series 11 is down to its lowest price since its September release, under $300, with Apple marketing up to 24 hours of battery life and features such as hypertension notifications and a built-in sleep apnea sensor. The piece notes third-party retailers lead Apple discounts ahead of Presidents' Day. Other notable reductions include AirPods 4 (about 22% off to $99), Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch (15% off), MacBook Pro 2024 with M4 Pro (10%), iPad mini 7 (20%), iPad 11-inch with A16 (14%), AirPods Max (9%), AirTag 4-Pack (29%), and Magic Keyboard Folio (20%). The author, a deals tracker, adds the Watch is strongest for users upgrading from older models; longer battery life remains via Ultra models.

Tesla-L&F battery deal collapses from $2.9B to $7,386, wiping out most of family fortune

February 4, 2026, 6:00 PM EST. One South Korean family saw their fortune soar after a supply deal between L&F Co. and Tesla. In February 2023, the company signed a long-term agreement to supply high-nickel cathode materials for EV batteries, a move seen as a gateway to direct business with a global automaker. But a December regulatory filing revised the contract value down to $7,386 from $2.9 billion, a drop analysts link to weak demand and Tesla's struggles to scale 4680 battery cells used in the Cybertruck. The cut crushed the Hur family's stake in L&F, from about $800 million to roughly $134 million. Still, lenders said L&F remains in Tesla's orbit via indirect ties, with about 80% of revenue tied to LG Energy Solution, which supplies models like the Model Y. KB Securities notes the supply chain is proceeding, albeit differently.

NASA tests AI-planned Mars route for Perseverance, signaling autonomous exploration

February 4, 2026, 5:52 PM EST. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory led a December test in which the Perseverance rover used a generative AI model to plan a two-day route on Mars. The effort, described by JPL and reported by Space.com, relied on Anthropic's Claude to analyze HiRISE imagery and terrain-slope data, producing a continuous path with waypoints for the rover. Ground teams reviewed the plan against simulated Mars conditions before execution. Perseverance then covered roughly 450 meters near the Jezero Crater, with real-time corrections enabled by the AI-assisted mapping. The test addresses the challenge of a 12.5-minute one-way communication delay, enabling faster decision cycles and potentially longer, kilometer-scale drives. NASA says the approach could guide future surface missions while reducing operator workload, and may help flag surface features for science teams.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Samsung's best-kept secret ahead of the S26

February 4, 2026, 5:46 PM EST. Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE is positioned as the value pick in the Galaxy line. At launch it undercut the base Galaxy S25 and is expected to be cheaper than the upcoming S26, with current pricing around $589 on Amazon. The 4,900mAh battery and 45W wired charging mark meaningful gains over the S24 FE, and it carries IP68 and wireless charging. Software is robust, with One UI layered with Galaxy AI features and seven years of updates, narrowing the gap to mainline flagships. In real use, owners report eight to nine hours of screen-on time and performance close to the S24, while the rear cameras are versatile but have limitations. For many buyers, the S25 FE stands out as a practical alternative to the S26 or even the standard S25.

Apple releases iOS 26.3 RC for iPhone

February 4, 2026, 5:42 PM EST. Apple has released the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate for iPhone. The update adds an easier way to switch between Android and iPhone, tweaks to the Astronomy and Weather wallpaper gallery, and other refinements. It follows the official release of iOS 26.2 in December and 26.2.1 in January, which included changes to Liquid Glass design elements, more CarPlay customization options and other features. Looking ahead, Apple is expected to push iOS 26.4, which is anticipated to include an upgraded Siri powered by Gemini, a plan Apple and Google announced. The iOS 26.3 RC marks a step toward the next generation of the digital assistant.

Suunto relaunches AMOLED smartwatch with new Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition

February 4, 2026, 5:38 PM EST. Suunto unveiled a relaunch of its AMOLED smartwatch, the Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition, with largely unchanged core specs. It features a 1.5-inch AMOLED display and a battery that lasts up to 65 hours in performance mode. The watch ships with more than 115 pre-installed sports profiles, an integrated LED flashlight and enhanced heart-rate tracking compared with older models. Only 1,936 units will be sold worldwide. Sales begin on March 10 through Suunto's website and selected retailers. The Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition is priced at €799 (~$945), VAT included.

OpenClaw AI skill extensions raise security concerns after malware found on ClawHub

February 4, 2026, 5:32 PM EST. Security researchers spotted hundreds of malicious add-ons on ClawHub, the marketplace for OpenClaw's AI skills. 1Password VP Jason Meller called the hub an attack surface, noting the most downloaded add-on can function as a malware delivery vehicle. OpenClaw runs locally and can operate via messaging apps, but some users grant it broad device access to read and write files or run scripts. OpenSourceMalware counted 28 malicious skills posted January 27-29 and 386 more between January 31 and February 2, masquerading as crypto trading automation tools and delivering information-stealing malware that can harvest crypto assets such as API keys and wallet keys. A popular Twitter-like skill allegedly directed users to a link that downloaded malware. OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger tightened rules, requiring older GitHub accounts to publish and adding a reporting channel, yet risk persists.

Apple's Lockdown Mode tested again as FBI probes journalist's devices

February 4, 2026, 5:26 PM EST. Apple's Lockdown Mode, an 'extreme protection' feature introduced in 2022, blocks most message types, disables some technologies and restricts new profiles. In January 2026, the FBI raided journalist Hannah Natanson's home and sought access to her iPhone and MacBook Pro. Court filings say the iPhone could not be imaged while Lockdown Mode was active; reports also say Natanson unlocked her MacBook with Touch ID, and warrants asked to use Face ID. The case highlights constitutional questions around compelled biometrics and home searches. Natanson's employer, the Washington Post, criticized the action as troubling for press protections. Apple notes Lockdown Mode is intended for grave targeted threats and comes with trade-offs for regular users.

Best Buy clears Pixel Watch 3 with up to $339 off original price

February 4, 2026, 5:22 PM EST. Best Buy has slashed prices on the Pixel Watch 3, offering up to $339 off the original tag on select LTE models. The discounts undercut Amazon pricing, with the 41mm LTE seen well above $180 and the 45mm LTE under $250 in some listings. The 41mm and 45mm LTE models originally launched at $450 and $500, then dropped to $400 and $350 before the Pixel Watch 4's arrival. Separately, other Pixel deals include discounts on the Pixel 10 family. The news mirrors a broader push of current-gen Pixel gear, with affiliate links disclosed. The Pixel Watch 3 emphasizes Fitbit fitness features, a brighter 41mm display, and real-time guidance for workouts.

iPadOS 26.3 RC released ahead of public launch

February 4, 2026, 5:16 PM EST. Apple released the Release Candidate for iPadOS 26.3, signaling the beta cycle is wrapping up. The update is light on new features. The RC arrives after a lean beta period that began in December and featured minimal changes. The main items include minor wallpaper updates, a new Android transfer tool, and several EU-only DMA-compliance features. If no major bugs surface, the RC is expected to be the version that rolls out to users in the public release, likely early next week. Apple may begin 26.4 testing soon, shifting the focus from 26.3 fixes. Readers are invited to share their experiences once the public update lands, as early feedback remains important in these rollouts.

Tesla, Waymo defend self-driving safety before Senate committee

February 4, 2026, 5:08 PM EST. Top executives from Tesla and Waymo defended self-driving safety before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, arguing their systems reduce crashes versus human drivers. Lawmakers pressed for federal rules as states run a patchwork of regulations. The hearing cited a NHTSA-based analysis that Tesla's robotaxi crash rate last year appeared higher than human drivers, and noted recent Waymo incidents in Austin and Santa Monica, including a school-bus encounter and a vehicle striking a child. Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, said the company has launched software fixes and is studying incidents with the Austin ISD, while continuing to learn from thousands of school bus interactions weekly. Tesla has launched its robotaxi service in Austin and did not comment on media requests.

Apple Studio Display 2 on track for 2026 launch with mini-LED, HDR and A19 chip, Gurman says

February 4, 2026, 5:06 PM EST. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the Studio Display 2 is on track for a first-half 2026 launch, possibly around March or April, with Apple aiming to refresh the line alongside new hardware such as a potential Mac Studio update. In his Power On newsletter, Gurman notes dwindling stock of the current model on Apple's online store and at retail, a common sign of a refresh. A3350, an unreleased Apple monitor, surfaced in a Chinese regulatory database and is likely the Studio Display 2, though the listing confirms only LCD rather than OLED, with mini-LED backlighting possible. Rumors include ProMotion up to 120Hz, HDR, and an A19 or A19 Pro chip. The current 27-inch 5K model has 60Hz, 600 nits, built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3, three USB-C ports, and starts at $1,599.

AirTags price drops to near $20 as Apple tracker hits one-month low

February 4, 2026, 5:04 PM EST. AirTags are on sale again, with a roughly 25% discount dropping the single tag to $19.98 and the four-pack to $69.98 at Amazon, the lowest in about three weeks. Apple loyalists may find the deal appealing for a compact travel companion that pairs with the Find My app to locate gear, play a sound, or relay location via a crowd-sourced network. Apple emphasizes encryption and privacy as the device locates items even when far away. The device is water- and dust-resistant and easy to set up, with users able to assign names to belongings. Anecdotal notes highlight reliability in preventing loss, though a key ring is not included.

Honor 500 series hits 1 million unit milestone in China, challenges mid-range rivals

February 4, 2026, 5:00 PM EST. Honor's 500 series has crossed the 1 million unit mark in China in the fourth week of 2026, according to RDObservation. The iPhone Air-inspired lineup debuted in November 2025 and targets the mid-range segment, drawing share from rivals such as OPPO Reno 15 and Redmi. First-week shipments were about 740,000 units; by the third week the tally reached 961,200; the fourth week pushed past 1.0 million, totaling around 1.0725 million. The series offers dual-camera (500) or triple-camera (Pro) configurations, a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 or Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and an 8000mAh battery, along with features like Live Effect for 3D videos and Portrait Blur. Market watchers see the model accelerating competition in China's mid-range space.

Texas AI Boom Outpaces Water Rules as Amarillo Campus Expands

February 4, 2026, 4:58 PM EST. Amarillo will host what promoters call the world's largest AI data center complex, expanding to 18 million square feet across 5,800 acres, with four 1-gigawatt nuclear reactors and a natural gas plant. The project, known as Project Matador, appears in a Nuclear Regulatory Commission filing as the President Donald J. Trump Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus. Fermi America, a firm co-founded by former Texas Governor Rick Perry, says it will partner with the Texas Tech University System, though it did not respond to questions about water use. The White House's AI Action Plan, released July 10, seeks streamlined environmental permitting, while critics warn Texas lacks a planning system to assess industrial water needs. A Houston-area nonprofit, HARC, projects Texas data centers together consume about 25 billion gallons annually now and could rise steeply by 2030, stressing local supplies.

Amazon and AT&T partner to bring satellite internet to remote businesses

February 4, 2026, 4:54 PM EST. Amazon and AT&T are partnering to bring satellite internet to remote areas. The program leans on Amazon's Leo constellation, which is in beta with about 180 satellites in orbit and promises gigabit speeds when complete. The coalition aims to connect underserved enterprises where fiber or wireless coverage is limited, expanding options for rural clinics, schools and manufacturers. The move underscores a growing push by tech and telecom players to fill coverage gaps with satellite broadband, even as regulatory and pricing factors shape deployment.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo on sale at Amazon for $1,099

February 4, 2026, 4:52 PM EST. Mashable reports the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from $1,599. The discount totals $500 and marks an all-time low on the platform. The Fly More Bundle includes extra batteries and accessories for longer flights. The drone remains compact enough for travel while offering features such as ActiveTrack 360° for automated subject tracking in rugged terrain. Deal price and availability can change after publication, Mashable notes.

Google unveils Pixel 10a with flat camera, pre-orders begin Feb 18

February 4, 2026, 4:50 PM EST. Google officially unveiled the Pixel 10a via a 15-second Made by Google teaser, highlighting a completely flat camera flush with the rear after last year's raised bump. The dual-camera module sits flush, with the rest of the design matching the current A-Series and flagships. The teaser shows a blue-purplish Iris-like color and a berry-background hint, suggesting more colors. No specs or pricing were disclosed; the tagline reads "A phone with more in store, in store soon." The phone will be available for pre-order on Feb 18 at the Google Store. Google has not shared hardware details, raising questions about software surprises to accompany near-identical hardware.

Riding a DJI Agras Drone Highlights Safety Risks for Agricultural UAS

February 4, 2026, 4:42 PM EST. A video from Pará shows a man attempting to ride a DJI agricultural drone, a machine designed to spray crops, not carry a person. The clip-circulated via Petroleo e Gas-frames a stunt that regulators will scrutinize. The Agras line, including the T100, is described as a flying industrial tool with a 100-kilogram payload. The footage spotlights a rider atop the drone as it lifts off, underscoring the mismatch between consumer-level bravado and the hardware's design limits. Industry observers warn that such acts risk serious injury and could invite tighter oversight of agricultural unmanned aircraft. The incident arrives as operators increasingly deploy these drones to reach fields quickly, but safety remains a central concern for manufacturers, farmers, and regulators alike.

Spotify adds offline lyrics, worldwide translations, and lyric previews

February 4, 2026, 4:40 PM EST. Spotify unveiled a trio of lyric features: translations, lyric previews, and offline lyrics. Translations, first rolled out in 2022 to select markets, are now worldwide for free and Premium users; a translations icon in the lyrics view displays text in the device language when available. A new lyric previews box sits between the song title and album art, letting users glimpse lyrics without opening full-screen view. Offline lyrics will be saved with downloaded tracks for Spotify Premium members. The rollout broadens access and heightens lyric discovery and comprehension for users around the globe.

Samsung teases Galaxy S26 camera as upgrade question lingers

February 4, 2026, 4:36 PM EST. Samsung is teasing the Galaxy S26 via three YouTube Shorts-Groove, Glow, and Closer-that spotlight improved low-light and zoom capabilities for the camera system. Leaks, however, suggest no new sensor for the S26/S26+, instead sticking with a 50MP main, 10MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide last seen with the Galaxy S22. Critics say hardware is unlikely to move the needle, with processing, shutter speed, and AI enhancements likely doing most of the work. The promos show night performance and digital zoom, but reviewers note the demos lean on familiar strategies and even include an AI-generated clip. Samsung's Unpacked date targets February 25, with official timing still unconfirmed.

Galaxy S26 pricing leaks intensify in France as early European numbers hint at hikes

February 4, 2026, 4:32 PM EST. In France, leaks outline Galaxy S26 pricing across storage: 256GB €999, 512GB €1,199. The 256GB price is €40 above the S25, and the 512GB variant is up €20. The S26 Plus is steeper: 256GB €1,269 and 512GB €1,469, about €100 and €180 higher than the S25 Plus. The base Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB) is unchanged at €1,469, but 512GB €1,669 and 1TB €1,969, up €80 and €140. European pricing remains uncertain for other markets, and the U.S. could see adjustments later, depending on competition and taxes. Samsung's unveiling is expected on February 25. Analysts point to higher memory-chip costs amid a supply squeeze as a driver of the increases.

Palmer Luckey predicts AI will slash manufacturing costs, enabling a $1,000 Ford F-150

February 4, 2026, 4:30 PM EST. Entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, speaking with Andreessen Horowitz partner Chris Dixon at a16z Founders Summit, predicts artificial intelligence will lower the cost of extracting, transforming and assembling goods. He told Dixon he expects the price of a vehicle to fall dramatically-'a Ford F-150 for $1,000'-as automation and cheaper inputs drive margins down. Luckey envisions cheap production and recycling, arguing a car could become a seasonal purchase with 90% end-of-season recycling efficiency and similar gains in homebuilding inputs such as steel, wood and energy. The comments follow a trend toward higher AI adoption in manufacturing; Rockwell Automation reports the biggest ROI for 15% of respondents. Still, U.S. vehicle prices reached about $50,080 in 2025 per Kelley Blue Book, and housing remains pricey. Luckey remains optimistic about AI's economic potential.

Anthropic's Claude Cowork spooks software stocks as investors weigh disruption risk

February 4, 2026, 4:26 PM EST. Anthropic unveiled Claude Cowork, an AI assistant that can read files, organize folders and draft documents, with new industry-specific plugins. The release spooked investors because it could disrupt the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model-built on subscriptions- by letting firms automate tasks and build their own tools. AI-native deployments (AI-focused products designed around AI as the core engine) could reduce demand for external data and research, pressuring margins. Traders sent software stocks lower; Thomson Reuters and LegalZoom fell, with others sliding before a partial rebound. Analysts warned incumbents in legal, financial and data analytics faces risk from Claude Cowork and similar tools. Morgan Stanley's Toni Kaplan cited early disruption risk as AI-enabled substitution mounts, even as the pace remains uncertain.

Tesla drops 'Standard' label as Model Y trims simplify lineup with new AWD variant

February 4, 2026, 4:24 PM EST. Tesla launched the Model Y All-Wheel-Drive trim at $41,990, but without the Premium features. The company has dropped the Standard moniker for entry-level Model Y variants, switching to Rear-Wheel-Drive and All-Wheel-Drive labels. Analysts see three reasons: marketing risk of a Standard label implying basic gear, naming simplification as the lineup expands, and preserving the Premium brand perception in the higher end. The move follows the late-2023 introduction of a Standard Model Y to lower price after U.S. EV tax-credit changes, which trimmed features like the panoramic roof, premium audio, ambient lighting, and acoustics. The shift aims to streamline choices and nudge buyers toward higher-margin options.

Google unveils Personal Intelligence, AI Mode in Search and Gemini 3 Chrome upgrades

February 4, 2026, 4:22 PM EST. Google unveiled several AI updates in January. It introduced Personal Intelligence in the Gemini app, enabling opt-in connections to Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, and Search to tailor responses. The feature is in beta in the United States, with more countries to follow. Personal Intelligence also arrived in AI Mode within Search, starting with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers who can connect apps for personalized results, including shopping and travel recommendations. In Gmail, Google rolled out AI tools such as Help me write, AI Overviews, and personalized replies at no extra cost, with AI Overviews in Gmail search and Proofread for grammar and tone. A select group tested AI Inbox to prioritize important messages. Chrome gains Gemini 3-based improvements, notably auto browse for multi-step tasks, Nano Banana image transformations, and a side panel for quick access to apps.

Apple AirTag (2026) review: better range, louder chime, same price

February 4, 2026, 4:18 PM EST. Apple's AirTag (2026) looks like the original but gains core upgrades. A second-Generation UWB chip widens the Precision Finding range by about 50% and requires an iPhone 15 or newer. It also offers a louder, higher-pitched chime. The price stays at $29, and the device still lacks a built-in keyring hole. Build uses stainless steel and recycled plastic; the battery remains user-replaceable. Real-world tests show the next-gen AirTag reaches roughly 80 feet for getting closer cues, versus 30-40 feet on the original, though results vary with walls and network density. Setup remains effortless through Find My. Third-party accessories proliferate and can be cheaper than Apple's, but Apple's own keyrings stay costly. The upgrade makes the tracker more practical for everyday use without changing its look.

NVIDIA probes FPS drops and glitches tied to Windows 11 update

February 4, 2026, 4:12 PM EST. NVIDIA has said it is examining reports that the latest Windows 11 update is causing FPS drops and visual glitches on its GeForce GPUs. The issues appear not to stem from NVIDIA's driver but from the Windows 11 update, users report in the Windows Feedback Hub and on NVIDIA's GeForce forums. A forum admin named Manuel said the problem started after the Windows 11 update and may be resolved by uninstalling KB5074109. Reports describe screen flickering, black screen stalls on boot or during game load, and visual corruption in games such as Forza Horizon 5, plus stuttering and FPS losses of 10-20. NVIDIA is investigating and could assist with a fix. A patch, KB5074105, is intended to address black screens but does not fix all issues. A February update is anticipated.

Delays hit world's first solid-state EV as Verge pushes delivery to year-end

February 4, 2026, 4:04 PM EST. Verge Motorcycles and Donut Lab said the TS Pro would be the world's first production solid-state EV, but safety certification in the EU and U.S. blocks sales. The Verge site now shows a fourth-quarter delivery timeline, with a Kauppalehti interview suggesting some markets might still see bikes by late 2026. InsideEVs reported that Donut Lab claims a 400 Wh/kg solid-state cell, five-minute charging, 100,000 cycles, and a fireproof design using no rare earths. Skepticism remains; Chinese battery makers have publicly challenged the claims. Production is reportedly limited to about 350 units this year. Certification processes are underway in the EU and the U.S. to allow sales.

FDA questions legality of Utah's AI prescription pilot

February 4, 2026, 4:00 PM EST. FDA officials are scrutinizing Utah's AI prescription pilot, which would let Doctronic authorize prescription renewals using artificial intelligence in a state-sanctioned sandbox. The questions focus on whether AI can legally renew prescriptions without clinician intervention, and how such a program fits existing federal and state rules governing medical practice, telemedicine, and patient safety. Regulators will assess oversight mechanisms, data privacy, and accountability for automated decisions. Proponents say the pilot offers a controlled environment to test AI-assisted care and could accelerate access, while critics warn of liability gaps and risk of misdiagnosis. The outcome will influence how regulators balance innovation with patient protections in health AI initiatives.

Pokémon GO Raid Hour set for Wednesday, February 4, 2026

February 4, 2026, 3:58 PM EST. Pokémon GO's weekly Raid Hour returns on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The one-hour event, typically running 6-7 p.m. local time, boosts raid spawns to encourage team play around gyms hosting raids. Niantic reiterates that most raids require a pass to participate. Players should check the in-game map for region-specific times, as schedules can vary. Written by Jennifer Burch.

Tesla, SpaceX and xAI: merger speculation grows after SpaceX-xAI deal

February 4, 2026, 3:54 PM EST. Speculation swirls around a possible Tesla merger with SpaceX and xAI after Musk-linked moves. The March tie-in saw xAI acquire X, and a Monday announcement placed SpaceX and xAI at the center of a broader AI strategy. Analysts, including Wedbush's Dan Ives, floated a future where Tesla would join Musk's mega-company as the AI ecosystem converges on SpaceX and Earth. Musk described a plan to orbit 1 million satellites to support rapid AI growth, while Tesla frames 2025 as a shift from hardware to physical AI. Betting platforms weighed odds of a deal, though investors demand a clear cost-benefit case. Past mergers at Tesla-SolarCity, for example-show Musk's persuasion matters, but no definitive timeline exists.

Samsung teases Galaxy S26 camera upgrades in zoom, low-light and video

February 4, 2026, 3:52 PM EST. Samsung is ramping up anticipation for the Galaxy S26 with teasers that hint at major camera upgrades across zoom, low-light and video performance. The clips suggest improved zoom clarity may extend to the video feed, not just stills. A concert scene teaser highlights better lighting control, while another shows fireworks without over-brightening. The company has teased a privacy display feature and an AI-oriented approach in the ads, ending with a jab at rivals. Rumors point to a wider f/1.4 200MP lens on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and an enhanced 3x telephoto. Launch is set for February 25 in San Francisco. If authentic, the lineup could deliver real gains in photo and video quality, especially in challenging light.

Deals: Pencil Pro, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Alpine Loop and Crossbody Strap discounts

February 4, 2026, 3:50 PM EST. New rounds of Apple accessory deals surface as price cuts continue on older hardware and new wearables. Apple Pencil Pro is available from about $70 in Best Buy open-box condition, roughly 45% off list and with a one-year Apple warranty. Separately, Terra Cotta Alpine Loop bands in Black Titanium finish are discounted, while a black Apple Crossbody Strap hits a new all-time low. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 sees price cuts up to $104 on selected models via Best Buy open-box listings, with Amazon offering small drops to near historical lows. In addition, Apple's 240W USB-C Woven Charge Cable returns to $18. Alongside, Apple Watch Series 11 models remain discounted by around $100, and M5 MacBook Pro configurations offer about $300 in savings. The deals span both open-box and new units, with warranty details highlighted.

Google Pixel 10a leaks surface in blue marketing images ahead of launch

February 4, 2026, 3:42 PM EST. Marketing images of Google's budget Pixel 10a have surfaced in a blue colorway. The eight-shot leak, shared by leaker Evan Blass on X, shows a device resembling the Pixel 9a with chunky bezels. The images depict the phone using features such as Gemini Live and Call Assist. A separate Android Headlines leak backs a rendition labeled Obsidian, hinting at color options. The Pixel 10a marks Google's next entry in the A-series. Launch rumors pin a February 18, 2026 reveal at 12 PM ET, with open sales possibly starting March 5, 2026. The colorways: blue for the new leak, Obsidian in other renders. The timing remains uncertain as Google hasn't commented.

Cerebras Systems raises $1 billion in late-stage funding at a $23 billion valuation

February 4, 2026, 3:40 PM EST. AI chipmaker Cerebras Systems said on Wednesday it raised $1 billion in a late-stage round, valuing the Sunnyvale-based company at $23 billion, nearly tripling its four-month-old valuation. The round was led by Tiger Global with Benchmark, Coatue and 1789 Capital among participants. This marks Cerebras' second $1 billion financing in as many rounds, underscoring investor appetite for wafer-scale AI chips that speed training and inference. The funding comes as AI data centers attract capital and Nvidia dominates the market; OpenAI has reportedly asked about alternatives to Nvidia for inference chips, including Cerebras, while Nvidia explored potential acquisitions of SRAM-heavy chipmakers. Cerebras declined an acquisition but signed a commercial deal with OpenAI. The company aims to diversify chip supply alongside Nvidia and AMD.

Pioneer Valley chases quantum computing hub with state funding and private upgrades

February 4, 2026, 3:36 PM EST. Western Massachusetts is accelerating quantum computing plans with a mix of private capital and state support. In Springfield's tech corridor, fiber upgrades funded by private firms and a historic building upgrade connect to Holyoke's Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center. A TechHub designation for Quantum Technologies, paired with a $1 million feasibility study and Springfield Technical Community College involvement, aims to build a quantum supply chain accelerator, a startup studio and local talent pipelines. The project ties into a broader AI hub backed by a $31 million grant for the Holyoke center and partnerships with Cambridge Computer and Dell Technologies to provide AI-ready computing resources. Officials stress data transfer speed and future demand as the driver, with secrecy about exact investment figures.

Google's ChromeOS-Android merger Aluminum could redefine Chromebooks

February 4, 2026, 3:32 PM EST. Google is pursuing a merger of ChromeOS and Android, codenamed Aluminum, seen in court filings and leaks. The plan would let Chromebooks run Android apps natively, but early previews show a UI borrowed from large-screen Android with a taller taskbar. Compatibility remains unclear and the timeline appears flexible. Google has floated testing in late 2026 and a broader release possibly by 2028, while some officials signaled a 2026 target. The move comes amid antitrust scrutiny that could influence Chrome's fate. Google promises a full 10 years of updates, yet documents hint at obsolescence for 2034. The core question: what changes for everyday users once Aluminum arrives?

Starlink launches satellite internet service in Senegal

February 4, 2026, 3:30 PM EST. Starlink launches satellite internet service in Senegal, expanding its footprint in West Africa. The move broadens access to satellite broadband via SpaceX's global network, underscoring continued push to reach underserved areas with internet service.

Tech stocks slide as AI threatens enterprise software revenues, traders warn

February 4, 2026, 3:26 PM EST. Tech shares tumbled after traders reset expectations for AI. The narrative shifted from AI capex fueling near-term gains to AI's potential to squeeze revenues of adjacent tech names. Palantir CEO Alex Karp and CTO Shyam Sankar argued that AI can automate enterprise software tasks, threatening traditional SaaS revenue models. The shift helped wipe about $300 billion in market value in a single session. S&P 500 futures were flat on the session, after closing down 0.84% previously. SaaS names fared badly: Microsoft (-2.87%), SAP (-3.29%), Salesforce (-6.85%), ServiceNow (-6.97%). Jefferies analysts Akshat Agarwal and Ayush Bansal warned that AI-enabled tools like Palantir's SAP migration claim could erode IT services revenues, particularly in Indian tech firms where services comprise 40%-70% of revenue. ERP stands for enterprise resource planning.

Ex-Tesla energy chief raises $230 million for Lunar Energy to expand home-battery push

February 4, 2026, 3:24 PM EST. Lunar Energy, led by Kunal Girotra, the former Tesla energy chief, has raised more than $230 million to expand its home-battery software and manufacturing. The round includes a $102 million Series D led by B Capital and Prelude Ventures, plus a previously undisclosed $130 million Series C. The California-based company sells software that optimizes when to charge home batteries and when to export power to the grid, and it began deploying its own batteries last year, with about 2,000 installations in California. The funds will push entry into new markets such as Texas, Puerto Rico and Hawaii and lift production capacity toward 100,000 units per year by 2030. Industry tailwinds include a tax-credit extension through 2027 and continued declines in battery costs.

Waymo raises $16B, valued at $126B, as Senate hearing spotlights self-driving future

February 4, 2026, 3:22 PM EST. Waymo raised $16 billion in a funding round that values the Alphabet unit at about $126 billion, underscoring investor appetite for robotaxi growth. The round, led by Alphabet and joined by major venture funds, comes as the Senate Commerce Committee holds a hearing on the future of self-driving cars. Waymo says it will use the capital to expand beyond six metro areas in California, Arizona, Georgia, Texas and Florida into more than 20 cities, including London and Tokyo, with robotaxi services already delivering more than 400,000 weekly rides. The move follows safety concerns and regulatory probes, including investigations by the NTSB and Austin authorities, as rivals like Zoox and Tesla push to scale. Analysts have flagged an eventual IPO or spinoff from Alphabet.

Roblox tests real-time dreaming with AI world models

February 4, 2026, 3:16 PM EST. Roblox is outlining a plan to use AI world models to let creators generate and modify game environments in real time, a concept it calls real-time dreaming. The move follows Google's Project Genie, unveiled earlier this month. In a virtual briefing, Roblox's Anupam Singh showed a pre-recorded demo where an AI-generated Viking world responded to prompts that added a tsunami and a boat. Roblox says the tech is still in a research stage with no launch timeline. The Verge notes some skepticism about whether prompt-driven changes will meaningfully improve play, citing past mixed results with AI tools. Roblox emphasizes that AI would augment, not replace, traditional game development, arguing it can help with iteration, debugging and collaboration through natural-language prompts.

Pixel charger hits all-time low; Lenovo tablet at $247; Galaxy Book4 Edge discounts

February 4, 2026, 3:10 PM EST. 9to5Toys reports the Pixel Flex Dual Port 67W USB-C Fast Charger has its first all-time-low on Amazon at $41.99, about 30% off the $60 list price. Google says the dual-port charger prioritizes Pixel phones when charging two devices and features foldable prongs. Lenovo takes the sting out of price with the Idea Tab Pro 12.7-inch 3K Android tablet down to $246.99 after promo EXTRAFIVE, a new all-time low; the tablet comes with the Lenovo Tab Pen stylus and runs on MediaTek Dimensity 8300. The Galaxy Book4 Edge Copilot+ laptop also hits a fresh low, part of ongoing savings on Samsung/Windows devices. Other deals include ongoing discounts on Pixel 10 models and the Pixel Watch 4.

Nvidia CEO Huang calls AI-driven stock panic illogical; AI will augment software, not replace it

February 4, 2026, 3:08 PM EST. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed a global software-stock rout, calling the AI-induced panic 'the most illogical thing' at a San Francisco AI conference hosted by Cisco. He argued breakthroughs hinge on tool use and that AI will rely on existing software, not remake it. The remarks followed Anthropic's release of 11 open-source plugins for Claude Cowork, a move analysts dubbed a SaaSpocalypse. Legal-tech names dropped; Thomson Reuters, RELX and LegalZoom fell sharply. In India and China, Infosys ADRs slid about 5.5%, with Wipro near 5%. The CSI Software Services Index retreated about 3%. Stocks of Kingdee International Software, Recruit Holdings and Nomura Research also traded lower.

NASA acknowledges SLS challenges slowing launches

February 4, 2026, 2:54 PM EST. NASA's Space Launch System remains costly and slow after 15 years in development. Officials say the program's price tag has risen past $30 billion, and it has struggled with a painful launch cadence. The series of hydrogen-leak fueling tests, scrubs, and delays culminated with an actual flight on November 16, 2022, after seven attempts. Since then, the rocket's ground and propulsion systems have drawn scrutiny as critics question whether the agency can sustain future missions on a reasonable timeline. The narrative contrasts the ambition of deploying the world's largest rocket with a history of repeated fueling anomalies and protracted ground operations, underscoring a broader challenge for NASA: balancing big-budget modernization with reliable, timely launches.

France pricing leak hints Galaxy S26 lineup could carry higher prices

February 4, 2026, 2:52 PM EST. French pricing leak suggests the base 256 GB S26 could hit €999, while 512 GB rises to €1,199. The S26+ is pegged at €1,269 for 256 GB and €1,469 for 512 GB. The S26 Ultra starts at €1,469 for 256 GB, with 512 GB at €1,669 and 1 TB at €1,969. The table also lists current S25 prices, highlighting a market-specific spread driven by VAT differences. Samsung is expected to unveil the S26 trio on February 25. Previous leaks ranged from no changes to up to €500 increases, so accuracy remains uncertain; more details will come at launch. Source is in French.

Apple readies rare updates for Studio Display 2, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K

February 4, 2026, 2:50 PM EST. Apple kicked off the year with AirTag 2. Three updated models could follow: Studio Display 2, HomePod mini 2 and a new Apple TV 4K. Studio Display updates are overdue; the Pro Display XDR dates to 2019. Studio Display 2 could arrive soon, possibly with M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, featuring an A19 chip, ProMotion 120 Hz, HDR and an improved Center Stage camera. The HomePod mini 2 is expected to upgrade to a faster S-class chip, better audio, new AI features, a second-gen Ultra Wideband chip, N1 wireless, and new colors, aiming for spring. The Apple TV 4K may also land in spring, with an A17 Pro chip, AI Siri support, N1 wireless, Dolby Vision 2, and perhaps a built-in camera.

FireSat adds orbit-visualization tool to help firefighters plan around satellite passes

February 4, 2026, 2:34 PM EST. WASHINGTON – FireSat's wildfire-detection satellites will be paired with orbit-visualization software from ExoAnalytic Solutions to show when sensors will pass over fire zones. The nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, funding the FireSat constellation, awarded a contract to ExoAnalytic Solutions to build web-based visualization that maps satellite orbits, swaths and observation footprints. The aim is to turn data into actionable guidance for first responders, fire managers and researchers, who need to know when space-based observations will occur to time decisions. ExoAnalytic Solutions will deliver two interfaces: a public-facing tool for the broader community and a secure version for operational users. The project treats space situational awareness as a component of disaster response, linking sensor timing to fire monitoring and climate research.

AI in healthcare expands as hospitals adopt tools, but risks and regulation loom

February 4, 2026, 2:26 PM EST. Hospitals are embracing AI as the proving ground for widespread adoption. About 27% of health systems pay for commercial AI licenses, three times the national average. AI helps with notes, calls, and claims, and is moving into patient advice. A study suggested AI could better detect subtle signs of breast cancer than some radiologists. But doctors still decide; patients turn to chatbots for information. OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health to scan records and wellness apps for personalized responses; the service says 40 million daily health questions and 24/7 availability. Critics warn of risks: model hallucinations, life-or-death decisions, and data privacy concerns. In Utah, AI can renew routine prescriptions; experts urge sensible regulation. Health care is desperate for transformation, but progress remains uneven.

Apple begins selling refurbished iPhone 16 lineup at discounts in US and Europe

February 4, 2026, 2:22 PM EST. Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16 family in the United States, with discounts of 12% to 22% off current or former prices. The lineup includes the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. Refurbished units start at $619 for the iPhone 16, $699 for the 16 Plus, $759 for the 16 Pro and $929 for the 16 Pro Max. Availability is expanding across the US and several European markets, with model availability varying by country. The devices are unlocked, ship with a new battery and outer shell, and carry a one-year warranty; AppleCare+ or AppleCare One is available. The Pro models offer 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, the A18 Pro chip, a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, 4K at 120fps, longer battery life and faster MagSafe charging.

The hottest tech job: writing words, says Business Insider

February 4, 2026, 2:20 PM EST. Business Insider frames tech writing as a growing career at the intersection of tech, business, and storytelling. The piece portrays the role as a rising path in Business Insider's coverage of innovation, startups, and finance. Journalists gather facts, interview founders, verify data, and translate complex topics into clear, engaging copy for broad audiences. The job demands discipline, tight deadlines, and sharp edits-traits BI says are rewarded with impact and visibility. Writers tackle features that explain innovations, market shifts, and policy implications, turning jargon into plain language without sacrificing accuracy. Clear, accurate reporting helps readers understand how technology reshapes work, money, and everyday life.

Colorado families test Tin Can landlines to delay smartphone use for kids

February 4, 2026, 2:18 PM EST. Families in Colorado and beyond are turning to a corded landline service called Tin Can to slow early cellphone access for children. The program, sparked by a local mom who organized a neighborhood landline pod for her elementary school, has drawn thousands of parents seeking a non-digital alternative as research links early smartphone use to depression, obesity and poor sleep. Tin Can founder Chet Kittleson says demand has surged, with orders expanding to all 50 states and international customers. The company has a growing backlog as it plans deliveries for late spring. The trade-off: while reducing screen time, absent a phone can leave kids feeling isolated. Proponents argue the approach preserves social ties and introduces parents to a slower pace of tech access while kids learn communication basics.

Facer Awards crown top designers and watch faces for Wear OS and Apple Watch

February 4, 2026, 2:16 PM EST. Facer has announced its inaugural Facer Awards, recognizing leading watch-face design across Wear OS and Apple Watch. The judges highlighted design quality and user engagement, naming MikeOB as Best Designer for Wear OS and BA and Bruno Amadori for Apple Watch. The top overall faces went to Pluto WFF by Almarinov (Wear OS) and FM + Grey by FM Semper Fi (Apple Watch). In the community vote, OMG 91 – Upgrade won for Wear OS while Titan10 AW took the Apple Watch People's Choice. The panel also honored niche work, naming Fallout Pip-Boy SE as Best Licensed Face for Wear OS and Magic 8 Ball for Apple Watch, with other highlights including Xor's Plasma and GRR's WatChiGO!. The awards reflect a trend toward dense data-rich faces optimized for battery life, as developers prepare for 2026.

Dance in shackles: Navigating China's constrained internet

February 4, 2026, 2:14 PM EST. In an interview drawn from The Trans-Pacific View Insight Series, Mercy Kuo describes the Chinese internet as an enclosed ecosystem beyond the Great Firewall, where information is tightly censored and global platforms are blocked. Yet the walled garden breeds its own innovations, communities, and aesthetics-WeChat, Taobao, Douyin, and local tools-shaping online language and culture. The centerpiece metaphor, dance in shackles, captures the ongoing push and pull between state constraints and creative expression: writers, engineers, musicians, and bloggers adapt with agile tactics, likening their work to a game of cat and mouse and even a weather-driven forecast of limits. The metaphor conveys agility under censorship, the need to predict shifts, and the paradox of vibrant activity that persists within bounds, affecting product design, content, and public discourse.

Sam Altman says AI tools left him feeling obsolete, sparking debate on AI-driven workplace anxiety

February 4, 2026, 2:12 PM EST. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman wrote on X that building with Codex, the company's AI coding agent, started as fun but left him feeling useless when the system proposed new features that were better than his own ideas. Codex, released as a Mac app for "vibe coding," can write features, fix bugs and suggest pull requests, potentially changing how developers work. Altman's admission drew mixed online reactions: some anger over AI eroding livelihoods, others echoing his discomfort about rapid product shifts and the sense that humans may not be needed for coding. Aditya Agarwal, former Dropbox CTO, said after coding with Claude he felt both wonder and sadness, noting that "we will never ever write code by hand again."

Presidents' Day Apple deals: AirTag from $19, Apple Watch at $299

February 4, 2026, 2:08 PM EST. Apple kicks off Presidents' Day sales with price drops on AirTag trackers and a deep cut on the Apple Watch. Amazon lists the original AirTag at $19 (about 31% off), while a AirTag 4-Pack is $69 with an extra $10 savings. The Apple Watch 11 (GPS/42mm) is on sale for $299, a $100 drop. Apple has announced a newer AirTag, but the current model remains discounted. These deals target iPhone users seeking affordable accessories and wearables. For more savings, see our promo codes coverage and other Apple deals.

Samsung ends Galaxy S21 updates, signals seven-year update plan

February 4, 2026, 2:04 PM EST. Samsung has ended quarterly updates for the Galaxy S21 series, pulling the device off the supported life ladder. According to Samsung's official support page, the Galaxy S21 lineup is no longer a contender for monthly or quarterly updates. Released in 2021, the line was promised four years of major Android upgrades and five years of security updates. With support reduced to monthly or quarterly cadence, the bare minimum security updates will no longer arrive. Samsung has since moved newer devices to a seven-year plan for updates, including the Galaxy S25 and likely the Galaxy S26. The move follows last year's shift of the Galaxy S21 from monthly to quarterly updates. For current users, upgrading to a device with consistent security updates is advisable, as using an unsupported phone is not recommended.

UGA to invest $800,000 in AI tools pilot for students

February 4, 2026, 1:58 PM EST. The University of Georgia will invest $800,000 in a pilot program giving thousands of students access to AI tools such as ChatGPT Edu and Gemini Pro to stay competitive. President Jere W. Morehead announced the plan, expanding a student pilot already available to faculty across departments. Officials frame AI literacy as the ability to understand what AI can do, its limits and how to use it responsibly. The move comes amid a broader debate on AI in higher education and concerns about overreliance on technology. Separately, UGA's School of Medicine seeks preliminary accreditation, potentially enabling its first class, while the School of Nursing was authorized last year by the Board of Regents to expand the university's health care pipeline.

Meta Quest v85 adds Surface Keyboard, Navigator UI and PTC rollout

February 4, 2026, 1:54 PM EST. Meta's Quest v85, rolling out on the public test channel, adds a Surface Keyboard and touchpad as an experimental feature for Quest 3. The update retires Horizon Feed and switches to a Navigator UI, adopting a mobile-style launcher. The keyboard maps to a desk surface for typing and basic input, while the touchpad supports index-finger actions and two-finger scrolling; Meta still advises a physical keyboard for high-volume writing. Quest 3 users in the PTC can enable the feature via Settings > Experimental. Other changes include a redesigned activity bar for quicker access to controls, the ability to temporarily hide virtual hands, and a customizable action button on the Quest 3S. The release notes also mention malware scanning.

Rigetti Delay and IonQ Expansion Reframe Quantum Computing Valuation Debate

February 4, 2026, 1:48 PM EST. Rigetti Computing postponed Cepheus-1-108Q due to technical issues, delaying a flagship product as competition in quantum hardware accelerates. IonQ announced a major expansion to build out in-house manufacturing capabilities, a move that could ease capacity constraints. Together, the two developments sharpen questions about execution risk and the pace at which early-stage players reach scale. Simply Wall St shows Rigetti trading around $18.21 with a year-long gain of 32.7% but a 30-day and 1-week decline, underscoring volatile sentiment around milestones. The stock also sits well below an estimated fair value and below a consensus target of roughly $38.85, per the firm's valuation snapshot. Investors will watch updated Cepheus-1-108Q timing and IonQ's manufacturing build-out to gauge revaluation risk.

Tesla names Q4 2025 Supercharger site winners as features roll out

February 4, 2026, 1:46 PM EST. Tesla has announced the winners of its Q4 2025 Supercharger site vote, part of a global expansion as the company rolls out new charging features. Updates include centralized payment kiosks at new sites, 3D Supercharger maps in-vehicle, the Charging Passport, and UI/naming changes to help drivers identify locations, including nearby Wawa stores in Michigan. Other additions include Fleet Charge Cards in Europe, Dynamic Supercharger Pricing, Live Availability for Google Maps, and Accessible Handles for new V4 sites. Winners span North America, Europe & Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, with sites across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and several European and Asia-Pacific countries. Tesla has opened voting for Q1 2026; owners can vote for up to five locations on the page.

Apple iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack discounted to $79

February 4, 2026, 1:44 PM EST. Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone Air is on sale at $79, a $20 discount from its regular price of $99. The slim accessory, about 7.5 mm thick, houses 3,149 mAh and can add roughly 65% more charge to the Air. It supports pass-through charging, letting you recharge the iPhone while toping up the battery pack, and it can also juice up AirPods Pro 3. The battery pack is designed for the iPhone Air and not compatible with older models. Engadget's Sam Rutherford called the accessory an essential option for some users in his review. Apple loyalists and third-party options remain a factor, with other MagSafe chargers often cheaper. Stay tuned for more updates and buying guidance.

Labo VR headset reportedly lets players view 3D Virtual Boy titles

February 4, 2026, 1:42 PM EST. A report says the Labo VR headset for Nintendo Switch can be used to view Virtual Boy titles in 3D. The claim points to a homebrew or workaround that repurposes the headset to render retro software with depth effects. Nintendo has not publicly announced official compatibility or support for Virtual Boy games in Labo VR, and details remain unconfirmed. If verified, the setup would represent a notable use of hardware beyond its official remit, illustrating fan-driven tinkering with legacy systems and experimental display techniques.

Nvidia-backed ElevenLabs raises $500 million at $11 billion valuation, eyes IPO

February 4, 2026, 1:40 PM EST. ElevenLabs said it raised $500 million at an $11 billion valuation in a round led by Sequoia Capital with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Iconiq, and new backers Lightspeed Venture Partners, Evantic Capital, and Bond. The deal follows a $3.3 billion valuation after a January 2025 Series C; founder Mati Staniszewski said Nvidia invested in September. The London-based AI voice startup started with text-to-speech and now offers speech-to-text, dubbing, music and conversational tools for enterprises and creators. Customers include Time and Nvidia. ElevenLabs reported more than $330 million in annual recurring revenue in 2025 and plans to expand abroad and pursue an IPO as it broadens beyond voice alone.

Three Apple TV HDMI Settings For a Better Picture

February 4, 2026, 1:36 PM EST. Apple TV users can squeeze sharper pictures by starting with a simple HDMI check. The Settings menu includes a built-in Check HDMI Connection tool that runs a high-bandwidth test to verify cables and TV compatibility. If the test flags issues, the device may suggest lowering options such as chroma or frame rate or even turning off HDR to improve stability. Next, tweak the HDMI Output to align signals with your TV's capabilities, using chroma and frame rate adjustments to reduce flicker or color artifacts. Turn on Match Dynamic Content to let the Apple TV switch to the film's native color and frame data when available. Beyond HDMI, consider enabling 4K SDR and using your iPhone to calibrate color for further improvement.

Pixel 10a leaks show Indigo-blue color in new images

February 4, 2026, 1:30 PM EST. Ahead of launch, Google's Pixel 10a appears in official-looking images showing a blue, Indigo-like color. Eight images shared by Evan Blass show hardware, water resistance, the Pixel ecosystem, display, and software features such as Gemini Live and Hold for Me in the Phone app. The color surprised, echoing the Indigo shade used on last year's Pixel 10 instead of the expected Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, or Berry. Some leaks described a 'gentle purple'-a description that clashes with this deep blue/purple hue. A separate image from an unknown source is said to hint at Berry, but credibility is unclear. Google has not confirmed the Pixel 10a; leaks have previously shown near-final hardware but can still change.

Apple Watch Series 11 discounted to $299, $100 off

February 4, 2026, 1:24 PM EST. Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $299, a $100 reduction and the lowest price seen. It was named the best smartwatch overall, scoring 90 in our review for 24 hours-plus of battery life and a thin, light design. The model adds health metrics, including hypertension alerts and a Sleep Score. The deal covers the 42mm GPS-only version with a small/medium band, available in four colorways: Jet Black and Space Gray aluminum with a Black sport band; Rose Gold aluminum with a Light Blush sport band; and Silver aluminum with a Purple Fog sport band. The sale targets active New Year shoppers.

Apple Watch Series 11 on sale for $299, $100 off

February 4, 2026, 1:22 PM EST. Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $299, a $100 discount and the lowest price yet. The model earned a 90 in reviews for its 24-plus hours of battery life and slim, light design. It adds new health metrics, including hypertension alerts and Sleep Score. The deal covers the 42mm GPS version in four colorways: Jet Black or Space Gray aluminum with a Black sport band; Rose Gold aluminum with a Light Blush sport band; and Silver aluminum with a Purple Fog sport band. Engadget named it the best smartwatch overall. Availability is limited to select retailers.

Apple Watch Series 11 on sale for $299, $100 off

February 4, 2026, 1:20 PM EST. Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $299, a $100 off and the lowest price seen to date. We named it the best smartwatch overall, scoring a 90 in our review for its 24 hours-plus battery life and a thin, lightweight design. The watch adds new health metrics, including hypertension alerts and Sleep Score. The deal covers the 42mm GPS model with a small/medium band in four colorways: Jet Black aluminum with Black sport band; Space Gray aluminum with Black sport band; Rose Gold aluminum with Light Blush sport band; Silver aluminum with Purple Fog sport band.

AI Caricatures Drive Online Trend as ChatGPT Outages Hit Social Feeds

February 4, 2026, 1:18 PM EST. Social feeds are flooded with AI caricatures: users prompt ChatGPT to render a caricature of them at work, then add details like clocks, trophies, coffee mugs, and flowers. The trend spans kitchen sets to TV screens and has impressed many with vivid likenesses, while others note quirks such as a missing wedding ring. It's part of a broader wave of personalized AI-generated content spreading across social platforms. The capability stems from image generation features built into tools like ChatGPT. Amid the rush, ChatGPT briefly went offline for thousands of users in the United States around 2:20 p.m., according to Downdetector; OpenAI said mitigations were applied via its status page. The outage's cause remains unclear, but it hasn't slowed the trend.

CellGate Unveils SurePath Internet-to-Cellular Failover for Watchman W482, WXL2 and Entría Four Door Controllers

February 4, 2026, 1:16 PM EST. CellGate unveiled SurePath, a built-in router with a cellular antenna and dual-SIM configurations designed for automatic internet-to-cellular failover. The system, intended for Watchman W482, Watchman WXL2 and Entría Four Door Controllers, monitors connectivity through CellGate's cloud-based TrueCloud Connect platform, which lets operators manage devices remotely. In practice, SurePath instantly switches to cellular when wired internet drops, keeping access control and video intercom systems online with minimal downtime. Noel Gouldin, CellGate president, frames the product as removing a key barrier to adoption in multi-family, commercial and secured properties. Availability is immediate for existing customers on compatible hardware and firmware. CellGate offers eligibility checks and installation guidance through its sales and support teams.

AI Caricatures Surge on Social Media as Image-Generation Trend Grows, Amid ChatGPT Outage

February 4, 2026, 1:12 PM EST. Social media feeds are overflowing with cartoonish depictions generated from prompts like 'Create a caricature of me and my job based on everything you know about me,' as users tailor details such as clocks, trophies, coffee mugs, and notepads. The trend hinges on AI-driven image-generation tools, with viewers praising vivid likenesses while noting quirks-one married man reported a missing ring. The wave mirrors other personalized prompts turning people into cartoons, Renaissance paintings, or fantasy heroes. The surge rides alongside wider adoption of ChatGPT in content creation; the site briefly went offline for thousands of users on Tuesday. Downdetector showed spikes around 2:20 p.m., peaking above 13,000. OpenAI confirmed mitigations on its status page. The relationship between outages and trend remains unclear, but the momentum persists.

CellGate unveils SurePath internet-to-cellular failover for Watchman W482, WXL2 and Entría Four Door Controller

February 4, 2026, 1:10 PM EST. CellGate unveiled SurePath, an Internet-to-Cellular Failover solution for the Watchman W482, Watchman WXL2 and Entría Four Door Controller. The system bundles built-in routers, a cellular antenna and dual-SIM support, tying into CellGate's cloud-based TrueCloud Connect platform for remote connectivity monitoring. SurePath automatically switches from wired internet to cellular when the primary link fails, keeping critical access control online and reducing downtime in multi-family, commercial and secured properties. The company cites the shift away from legacy landlines and the need for redundancy in outages. CellGate President Noel Gouldin said the feature should accelerate adoption of internet-based access control by removing outage hesitations. SurePath is available now for existing customers on compatible hardware and firmware, with eligibility checks via CellGate's team.

AI caricatures surge on social feeds as ChatGPT prompts go viral

February 4, 2026, 12:50 PM EST. Mobile, Ala. – A wave of AI-generated caricatures is sweeping social feeds. Users prompt to create a caricature of me and my job based on everything you know about me, then add details such as clocks, trophies, coffee mugs and flowers. Creators report vivid likenesses, though some point out quirks like a missing wedding ring. The trend sits within a broader push of personalized AI content, from cartoon portraits to Renaissance-style renderings, enabled by image-generation features in tools including ChatGPT. The spike comes as platforms wrestle with the technology's reach. On Tuesday, ChatGPT briefly went offline for thousands of users; OpenAI said it applied mitigations. It's unclear if the outage stemmed from the caricature surge, but the trend persisted on feeds across the country.

Apple and OnePlus top the battery-life charts in 35-phone test

February 4, 2026, 12:48 PM EST. Apple and OnePlus lead the field for the longest battery life in a 35-phone test. iPhone 17 Pro Max tops the rankings, with OnePlus models and Motorola among the top five. The study notes 2025 phones hold more charge than 2024 models, thanks in part to the growing use of silicon-carbon batteries that boost capacity without adding size. By 2026, most smartphones can last a full day, yet heavy use remains a factor. Testing standardized 100% charges and two battery drains-an anecdotal stress test and video streaming-with results averaged. The focus underscores a gradual shift in chemistry rather than larger battery packs as the industry moves toward longer-lasting devices.

CellGate unveils SurePath internet-to-cellular failover for Watchman W482, WXL2 and Entría Four Door Controllers

February 4, 2026, 12:42 PM EST. CellGate unveils SurePath, an internet-to-cellular failover solution for Watchman W482, Watchman WXL2 and Entría Four Door Controllers. The device includes built-in routers, a cellular antenna and dual-SIM support, managed via the TrueCloud Connect platform. It delivers automatic failover from wired Internet to cellular, enabling continuous system operation for critical environments like multi-family and commercial properties. With legacy landlines fading, SurePath aims to remove redundancy hesitation and boost reliability for existing deployments. President Noel Gouldin says the solution addresses connectivity gaps and should accelerate adoption of wired internet-based access control. Available now for eligible customers on the latest hardware and firmware; CellGate support assists with eligibility and deployment details.

Apple and OnePlus Lead Battery Life Across 35 Phones

February 4, 2026, 12:38 PM EST. Apple and OnePlus led the field for battery life in a test spanning 35 smartphones. Models from Apple, OnePlus, and Motorola made the top five. The 2025 line shows only marginal gains in endurance over 2024. A growing share of devices use silicon-carbon batteries, a silicon anode design that increases capacity without enlarging the pack. The OnePlus 15 carries a 7,300 mAh cell, underscoring larger-capacity strategies. The iPhone 17 Pro Max topped the rankings in our tests, followed by other long-lasting devices. Tests standardized two conditions-anecdotal stress test and a video stream test-from full charge to percentage remaining, then averaged results and filtered to US-sold models. By 2026, most flagship phones are expected to last a full day on a single charge, though user habits still matter.

Apple, OnePlus Lead in Battery Life in 35-Phone CNET Test

February 4, 2026, 12:34 PM EST. Apple and OnePlus topped a 35-phone battery-life test, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivering the longest endurance and OnePlus devices close behind. The study also found solid performance from Motorola in the top five and noted that 2025 models edge out 2024 slightly. A rising share of winners use silicon-carbon batteries, a silicon-anode design that increases capacity without a larger pack. The OnePlus 15 carries a 7,300mAh battery. Testing standardized a stress scenario and video streaming, then averaged results across US-sold models. While most 2026 phones can last a day on a charge, real-world use varies with signal, brightness and apps. Battery tech, though, appears to be shifting after a decade of slow change.

AI bubble starts to pop, veteran analyst Hickey buys Nvidia puts

February 4, 2026, 12:30 PM EST. Veteran tech analyst Fred Hickey says the AI trade is unwinding and has begun buying puts against Nvidia. In The High Tech Strategist newsletter, he argues the AI rally is a bubble driven by easy money that will collapse, likening it to the late-1990s fiber-optic bust but bigger. A potential driver of a turn, he says, would be Federal Reserve policy under nominee Kevin Warsh, aimed at draining liquidity. He notes Oracle and Microsoft-heavy OpenAI exposure-have fallen, and Nvidia's deal with OpenAI to invest up to $100 billion is reportedly wavering. His largest position is the Nvidia put; he also holds smaller bets against Oracle, Micron, Tesla, and Apple. Total puts amount to roughly 1% of his portfolio. He dismisses the software rout and would buy selectively if valuations fall.

Budget Apple AirTag four-pack hits UK market at about £17 per tag

February 4, 2026, 12:28 PM EST. Apple's AirTag trackers work with the Find My app on iPhone. A four-pack is sold on Amazon for £69, about £17.25 per tag; a single AirTag is £28, with a £56 two-pack. The discs include a built-in speaker and precision tracking to locate items. Battery life runs about a year on a CR2032 coin cell. When needed, the battery is simple to replace. Accessories, such as silicone AirTag holders, start under £8 and come in multiple colours. AirTags require devices running iOS 14.5 or later and are compatible with iPhones back to the iPhone 6. For cheaper alternatives, third-party trackers like the Aowaka F2 cost around £19.99 for four, with IP67 waterproofing and full black options.

AI bubble pops? Hickey buys Nvidia puts amid liquidity pullback

February 4, 2026, 12:26 PM EST. Veteran tech analyst Fred Hickey says the AI trade is unwinding and has begun buying puts against Nvidia. In The High Tech Strategist, he argues the AI frenzy mirrors past bubbles and warns it could collapse as liquidity tightens under a potential Federal Reserve shift led by nominee Kevin Warsh. He compares the current setup to the 2000 fiber-optic bust but says this one is bigger. He notes weakness in Oracle and Microsoft, while Nvidia has fallen this year and the stock chart may be forming a head-and-shoulders pattern. His largest put is against Nvidia, with smaller bets on Oracle, Micron, Tesla, and Apple, totaling about 1% of his portfolio. He remains wary of software valuations despite potential buy ideas if broader sell-off occurs.

AI bubble fears rise as Fred Hickey buys Nvidia puts

February 4, 2026, 12:24 PM EST. Fred Hickey, veteran tech analyst and editor of The High Tech Strategist, said in the newsletter that he has begun buying Nvidia put options as evidence mounts that the AI trade is unwinding. He argued the AI datacenter buildout mania, fueled by FOMO among high-profile CEOs, could collapse, echoing past tech cycles. He compared the current surge to the 2000 fiber-optics bust, but warned this cycle may be larger. He noted a potential tightening of liquidity under Fed nominee Kevin Warsh. AI-linked names like Oracle and Microsoft have fallen-about 22% and 14% respectively in 2026-while Nvidia has slipped around 5%. Hickey's largest position is against Nvidia; he also has smaller puts on Oracle, Micron, Tesla and Apple. He would consider software stock buys if valuations retreat, though stock-based compensation remains a hurdle.

Nvidia CEO Huang: Israel AI infrastructure could drive deep downstream growth

February 4, 2026, 12:22 PM EST. Nvidia chief Jensen Huang says the Israel 1 supercomputer planned for northern Israel could have very deep economic effects. He argues that AI infrastructure enables a company to become a regional cloud and sparks downstream growth in startups, universities, and industry. The remarks come as Nvidia, whose processors power systems such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, remains central to today's AI economy. Huang spoke at the 3DEXPERIENCE World in Houston with Dassault Systèmes CEO Pascal Daloz, calling data-center technology a miracle and saying builders of such capability "will be worth a lot." He described an AI factory above the hardware where research, startups, and students gain capabilities, creating an economic flow that permeates the economy. Both CEOs acknowledged Israel's AI infrastructure gap.

Skeptics question Elon Musk's space-based data centers plan

February 4, 2026, 12:06 PM EST. Analysts warn that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's idea to run data centers from orbit with about one million satellites faces major hurdles. Experts cite latency limitations, power demands, debris risk, and regulatory and cybersecurity challenges. Proponents argue for rapid deployment and global reach, but critics say the project would be costly and fragile to space weather and radiation. The plan would demand a vast network of satellites and ground stations, tight orbital management, and robust ground-to-space links. Many industry officials prefer incremental cloud and satellite solutions over a leap to orbital data centers.

Tesla Model 3 Plunges in Efficiency and Charging Speed After Overnight Freeze to -33°F

February 4, 2026, 12:02 PM EST. An owner parked a 2024 Tesla Model 3 outside in -33°F (-36°C) for about 10 hours, unplugged. The morning state of charge was 48%; battery temp read -4°F (-20°C) with ambient -26°F (-32°C). The car drove ~22 miles to a Supercharger without prior preconditioning, delivering the worst possible charging conditions. It consumed 13.7 kWh on the trip, about 64.2 kWh/100 miles, implying a real-world range well under 120 miles. Much energy went into heating the cabin and battery. The initial Supercharger estimate was roughly 55 minutes to 25-75% due to cold battery accepting low power. A faint noise behind the wireless charging pad disappeared as the battery warmed. The lesson: preconditioning matters for charging speed and overall efficiency in extreme cold.

FBI couldn't unlock WaPo reporter's iPhone; Lockdown Mode enabled, court records show

February 4, 2026, 12:00 PM EST. Federal investigators were unable to unlock Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's seized iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, court filings show. The records indicate which devices and data the FBI could access after the January raid tied to leaks of classified information, and which items remained inaccessible. The filing offers a rare look at the practical limits of Lockdown Mode and suggests investigators may pursue other techniques to reach the device.

iPhone 17 Pro Max tops CNET's 35-phone battery life test

February 4, 2026, 11:58 AM EST. CNET's battery-life tests span 35 smartphones. The iPhone 17 Pro Max finished first in both our 3-hour video-stream and 45-minute endurance benchmarks, despite a modest 5,088 mAh battery. Apple's efficiency shines through the A19 Pro chip and close hardware-software integration, delivering top performance even without the biggest cells. The base iPhone 17 tied for second with the OnePlus 15, despite a 3,692 mAh cell. Across models, Apple led the brand ratings, earning a 91.7% average, ahead of OnePlus and several other OEMs. CNET notes that battery life is a primary purchase driver for many readers, reflected in the new CNET/YouGov data from September 2025.

Tesla UK sales fall sharply in January as Chinese rivals gain ground, New Automotive data shows

February 4, 2026, 11:54 AM EST. Tesla's UK battery-electric vehicle sales dropped more than 57% year on year in January, to 647 units, according to New Automotive. The decline was the steepest among major manufacturers and far outpaced the 4.6% fall in overall UK BEV registrations. BYD sold 1,326 BEVs in January, up nearly 21% from a year earlier, keeping the Chinese rival ahead of Tesla in the UK market. Ford led BEV sales with 2,271 units as the category strengthens in the country. Total UK car registrations across fuel types fell 4.6% to 133,571. Analysts cited competitive pressure from Chinese brands such as BYD and MG, as well as mix changes early in the year. Month-to-month volatility can be high, the data supplier said.

Galaxy Watch Ultra proves useful as a road-ready navigation companion

February 4, 2026, 11:40 AM EST. A smartwatch user admits a love/hate relationship with wearables, noting they can feel intrusive when health metrics flood the display. The piece centers on the Galaxy Watch Ultra as a navigation aid, not a constant health monitor. With a large display, the author uses Google Maps on the wrist to see upcoming turns while driving, reducing the need to glance at a phone. The result is less distraction, though the author remains wary of overbearing health metrics tracking and digital clutter. The author argues the watch shines when pared down to practical tasks-navigation, alerts and quick map access-rather than endless sensors. In short, the device finally earns a functional niche as a road-facing companion.

Alexa+ expands to all U.S. customers as Prime members gain free, cross-device access

February 4, 2026, 11:38 AM EST. Amazon makes its AI-powered Alexa+ available to all U.S. customers. Prime members get unlimited access across devices at no extra charge, while non-Prime users can try Alexa+ for free via the Alexa website or mobile app with some limits. Daniel Rausch, VP of Alexa and Echo, told TechCrunch the feature is now broadly available after tens of millions of initial users. Alexa+ is model agnostic, running on Amazon's own foundation models alongside third-party systems to pick the best AI for each task. The assistant can hold natural language conversations with follow-ups, plan itineraries, update shared calendars, find recipes, and make recommendations. Integrations with Ticketmaster, Uber, Expedia and others enable actions like reservations or rides. Onboarding tweaks reduced chatter; OG voice remains available as Voice No. 2 with AI inflection.

Apple Watch Series 11 discounted to $299 on Amazon, lowest price yet

February 4, 2026, 11:24 AM EST. The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS 42mm) is on sale for $299 on Amazon, a 25% cut from its $399 list price and the lowest price there. It delivers battery life toward two days, a brighter display up to 2,000 nits, a tougher screen, IP6X dustproofing and water resistance with a depth sensor up to six meters. It runs watchOS 26, adding Sleep Score and hypertension alerts, plus blood oxygen and ECG sensors, temperature, altimeter, gyroscope, compass and ambient light. GPS enables real-time outdoor tracking; the listing notes 5G connectivity. At about $50 more, the Apple Watch SE 3 is offered, but the Series 11 has a thinner design and larger display with more sensors.

Tesla UK sales plunge 57% in January as BYD races ahead

February 4, 2026, 11:22 AM EST. UK January 2026 registrations for Tesla plunged 57% year-on-year to 647, the steepest decline among major automakers and well below a 4.6% drop in total UK car registrations to 133,571. Chinese rival BYD sold 1,326 BEV units in the month, up 21% and nearly doubling Tesla's volume, while Ford led the BEV market with 2,271 units. Across Europe, Tesla's results show a broad slide: in 10 markets combined, deliveries fell about 31.6% to 4,907; Norway (-88%), the Netherlands (-67%), and the UK (-57%) led the declines. Only Italy, Spain and Sweden posted gains, with Italy buoyed by 2026 EV incentives. The data underline growing competition from Chinese brands and pressure on Tesla's lineup.

EU officials flag Russian satellites shadowing European satellites

February 4, 2026, 11:14 AM EST. European security officials say two Russian satellites, Luch-1 and Luch-2, have shadowed and possibly intercepted the communications of a dozen European geostationary satellites in orbit. Citing European intelligence, military and space authorities, the Financial Times reported that the activity intensified over the past three years amid Moscow's war in Ukraine. Officials describe risky close approaches, with Luch-2 alone approaching at least 17 Western satellites since its 2023 launch. The satellites are said to have slipped into the narrow data-beam cones linking ground stations, potentially recording command data. Some officials warn that intercepted data could later be used to disrupt or degrade satellite operations. Unencrypted links and limited onboard encryption are cited as factors. Signals intelligence is referenced by officials as the suspected basis for the activity.

Phishing scam targets Apple Pay users with fake 'blocked transaction' emails

February 4, 2026, 11:06 AM EST. Macworld warns of a sophisticated phishing campaign that uses fake "blocked transaction" emails to impersonate Apple and dupe Apple Pay users. The messages carry official-looking branding and urgent language, claiming a high-value Apple Pay purchase was blocked and must be resolved within a deadline. Victims are steered to call fraudulent numbers and surrender Apple ID credentials and banking details. In reality, Apple never approves transactions through messages; legitimate alerts come via the Wallet app. The phishing relies on urgency, deceptive domains, and social engineering to bypass caution. Users should hover over sender addresses, verify domains, and contact Apple through official channels rather than responding to emails or calls. If in doubt, consult Apple Support or Wallet app notifications for real status updates.

Meta Platforms could join the $3 trillion club as AI boosts engagement

February 4, 2026, 11:04 AM EST. Meta Platforms is riding a surge in AI investments aimed at boosting engagement on Facebook and Instagram. The strategy, if successful, could lift ad revenue as users spend more time on the platforms. Meta currently trades at about a $1.8 trillion market cap, far below the four mega-cap peers already in the $3 trillion club: Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft. In 2025, revenue rose about 22% to $200.9 billion, while earnings per share slipped 2% to $23.49 due to a one-off tax provision tied to a prior policy. Absent that provision, earnings would have grown. Meta's management envisions personalized AI agents and content generation to further boost engagement. If AI continues to deepen monetization, some investors believe Meta could join the $3 trillion club in coming years.

Android 16 February 2026 security update goes live with minimal fixes

February 4, 2026, 10:40 AM EST. Google issued the February 2026 security bulletin for Android 16. There are no broad fixes listed this month, a contrast to January. The Pixel Update Bulletin shows one fixed item: CVE-2026-010 A-463674877 EoP High VPU Driver. Here, EoP stands for Elevation of Privilege, meaning an attacker could gain higher access. The patch focuses on stability and performance rather than major vulnerabilities. Expect a broader update cadence with Android 16 QPR3 next month. Betas have circulated with new features, but users risk instability, so newcomers should consider delaying if they only own one device. Google notes betas are relatively stable overall, but issues can appear in the wild. Pixel devices will receive the update next month with QPR3.

Antigravity A1 redefines FPV drones with 360-degree goggles and wearable feel

February 4, 2026, 10:38 AM EST. Antigravity's A1 is pitched as more wearable than drone. The 249-gram quadcopter uses a joystick for navigation and a 360-degree FPV view through Antigravity Vision goggles, letting flyers see in real time as they move. It tops out at about 35 mph and is designed for relaxed, immersive pilots rather than speed. The drone costs $1,359 in the U.S. after a $249 discount from its $1,599 price; an Infinity Bundle on Amazon brings the price to $1,699 with accessories and extra batteries. Two cameras stitch footage into a seamless 360-degree feed; early real-time stitching issues were fixed with a software update. The A1 also includes editing tools to freeze frames and change angles.

Apple Vision Pro's Retrocade arcade app falls short of authentic arcade feel

February 4, 2026, 10:36 AM EST. Apple's Vision Pro is pitched as a personal gateway to a virtual arcade, but Retrocade delivers mixed results. The $3,500 headset shows off 4K micro OLEDs that look stunning, yet the library of 10 games largely mirrors classic coin-op fare like Asteroids, Centipede, Galaga, and Pac-Man, missing key licenses such as Ms. Pac-Man and many fighting games. The experience remains solitary; arcade culture thrives on shared space, and the XR format limits physical manipulation to button feedback via a controller, not hand interaction. Visuals are strong, environments are well crafted, and CRT effects add immersion, but the lack of authentic co-op play and cabinet feel dampens excitement. Retrocade may grow, but it doesn't yet recreate the communal arcade magic.

AMD's Helios could narrow Nvidia gap, analysts say

February 4, 2026, 10:26 AM EST. An analyst says AMD's rack-scale system, Helios, could narrow the gap with Nvidia in the data center AI market. In the interview, the analyst calls earnings good but not great, noting a $390 million drag from China MI 308 revenue that, when excluded, leaves the data-center result in line with expectations. He warns that AMD must push heavy R&D spend to stay competitive as Nvidia expands operating expense. Helios, expected in the second half, could lift operating leverage and, with top-line growth of about 50-60% and Opex rising 20-25%, lift EPS later this year. The analyst cites limited visibility on China revenue and says the next catalyst for the stock is a clearer path to sustained gains.

Tesla rolls out cheaper Model Y as analysts question long-term strategy

February 4, 2026, 10:20 AM EST. Tesla rolled out a new all-wheel-drive version of its stripped-down Model Y, priced at $41,990 and rated for 294 miles of EPA range. The move follows a year when Tesla deliveries fell about 8.6%, fueling questions about relying on trims rather than full new models. Analysts say stronger product refresh is needed to sustain demand, even as management aims to win the autos market of the future. In other news, Volvo says its EVs are profitable at scale. Rivian's robotics venture appears to be taking shape. The outcome hinges on whether cheaper trims and incremental updates can keep demand growing or if sharper, next-gen models are required.

Google's earnings could sway AI market position

February 4, 2026, 10:18 AM EST. Google enters its earnings with a three-month rally built on Gemini, Google's AI model, which has helped push the stock into the $4 trillion club and positioned the company at the front of the AI race. The momentum is volatile: one quarter can flip sentiment as rivals such as Meta and Microsoft surge or stumble. Bloomberg data show the implied one-day move after results around 4.9%. The core remains the Search and advertising business, the company's crown jewel, even as AI features blur the line to Gemini. Executives say ads growth won't immediately migrate to Gemini, but a future shift could funnel Search traffic to chatbots. OpenAI's plans to roll out ads intensify the competition in this high-stakes race.

AnTuTu reveals January rankings for Android smartphones and tablets

February 4, 2026, 10:16 AM EST. AnTuTu's January rankings crown the RedMagic 11 Pro+ as the top flagship Android smartphone, averaging 4,104,271 on v11. The iQOO 15 Ultra is poised to take the throne after its February launch. The top 10 also includes the Satellite Edition of vivo X300 Pro, Realme GT 8 Pro, iQOO 15, Honor Magic8 Pro, Honor Win, Honor Magic8, OnePlus 15, Redmi K90 Pro Max, and vivo X300. Eight of these run Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chips; the remaining two use MediaTek Dimensity 9500. In mid-range, Honor Power 2 leads with 2,218,856, followed by Oppo Reno15 and Reno15 Pro. Dimensity 8 series dominates the silicon chart, led by the 8500. In tablets, the Honor MagicPad3 Pro 13.3 tops, with Oppo Pad 4 Pro far behind but a tight cluster down to the Redmi K Pad.

iOS 26.2.1 causes crashes and connectivity issues for some users

February 4, 2026, 10:00 AM EST. Apple's iOS 26.2.1, released last week to add AirTag 2 support and bug fixes, is being blamed by a minority of users for new issues. Reports describe apps crashing, freezing or lagging, connectivity failures, and significant battery drain. Macworld flagged threads on Apple's support forums; one post on Apple Community says iOS 26.2.1 has rendered my phone unusable, noting that nearly every app crashes or stalls since the update. Another Apple Community thread cites connectivity problems. A Reddit thread has ample comments and upvotes. Apple has not publicly commented as of publication; the company was contacted for comment and may update with a response. The issues are not widespread but real for some users.

Gamer nails Nvidia RTX 5080 for $289 at Walmart clearance amid AI-driven GPU shortage

February 4, 2026, 9:58 AM EST. Reddit threads highlight steep discounts on Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50 (Blackwell) GPUs. A PNY GeForce RTX 5080 Overclocked Triple Fan sold for $562.49, 44% below the MSRP. Another shopper reportedly paid $289.49 – about 71% off the $999 MSRP. The common thread points to Walmart's under-the-radar electronics clearance aisle as the source. Some deals extend to the RTX 5070 at $439.20, versus the $629.99 list price. The posts underscore a broader GPU shortage and shrinking inventories across retailers, feeding price spikes. Caution applies: mislabelled items or online returns can slip into clearance, so buyers should verify packaging. Overall, volatility in the market keeps the price tracker busy and deals scarce.

Apple App Store revenue up 6.3% in fiscal Q2-to-date, BofA says

February 4, 2026, 9:56 AM EST. SensorTower data shows Apple's App Store revenue reached $3.4 billion, a 6.3% year-on-year rise after 35 days of fiscal Q2. For January, App Store revenue rose 7.0% globally, with downloads up 3.6%. Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan maintains a Buy rating and a $325 price target on AAPL. The findings are from SensorTower and were reported by TheFly.

Amazon opens Alexa+ to all U.S. users with $19.99/month plan

February 4, 2026, 9:50 AM EST. Amazon on Wednesday expanded Alexa+ to all U.S. users, ending an almost yearlong early access period. The service combines generative AI features and can function as an agent that acts on your behalf, from booking a repair to dispatching a ride. Starting now, new subscribers pay $19.99 a month, while Prime members get Alexa+ for free as part of their $139 annual membership. A free trial remains available via the Alexa+ website and app, though access is limited by usage. Amazon says tens of millions are using Alexa+. The move responds to AI chatbot competition such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, and shifts emphasis from hardware to a web-and-app interface in addition to Echo devices.

Google's Gemini screen automation could place orders and book rides on Android, APK Insight reports

February 4, 2026, 9:44 AM EST. Google's APK Insight finds a future Gemini capability called screen automation that would perform tasks inside third-party apps. The 17.4 beta strings refer to Get tasks done with Gemini and a Labs feature codenamed bonobo intended to place orders or book rides on compatible apps. The system would operate within Android 16 QPR3 groundwork and only in certain apps. Google cautions that Gemini can make mistakes and users must supervise, with an option to stop the agent and take manual control. Privacy notes say screenshots of app interactions may be reviewed by trained moderators and could improve services if Keep Activity is on. Users are advised not to enter login or payment information via Gemini chats or rely on automation for emergencies. A separate thread mentions Likeness (wasabi) avatars for prompts.

Silicon Quantum Computing Demonstrates Scaling Advantage With 11-Qubit Processor

February 4, 2026, 9:42 AM EST. Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) unveiled an 11-qubit silicon processor, showing that qubit quality can scale with the system. The device uses phosphorus atoms in isotopically purified silicon-28, with two spin registers (4 and 5 qubits) linked by an electron-exchange interaction. Nuclear spins serve as high-coherence data qubits, while a shared electron acts as an ancilla for quantum non-demolition readout (QND) and control. Reported results include single-qubit gate fidelities up to 99.99% and two-qubit electron CROT (controlled-rotation) gate fidelities of 99.64%. The team demonstrated a fast 1.25 μs inter-register CROT link enabling non-local entanglement across the device. A linear-calibration protocol reduces measurements from 96 to two by using a single reference peak. They also entangled up to eight nuclear spins (GHZ state). SQC aims to scale toward millions of qubits with silicon fabrication.

Samsung expects Galaxy Z Fold 8 to outsell Z Flip 8 as early production targets emerge

February 4, 2026, 9:32 AM EST. Samsung is reportedly planning a split in supply for its next foldables. The company aims to deliver around 3.5 million Galaxy Z Fold 8 units and 2.5-3 million Z Flip 8 units in the second half of the year, a pattern that contrasts with earlier launches. The approach signals expectations that the Fold 8 will outsell the Flip 8, echoing last year's dynamic with the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. Early rumors describe a lighter, thinner Fold 8 and a visibly smaller crease, with several camera upgrades teased. Samsung is refining features ahead of a summer Unpacked event and the expected S26 unveiling. As always, figures depend on demand and timing, which could shift before July releases.

AMD stock falls after weak outlook fuels Nvidia fears

February 4, 2026, 9:26 AM EST. Stocks of AMD slid about 8% in early trade after the chipmaker forecast first-quarter revenue of roughly $9.8 billion, plus or minus $300 million, down from $10.27 billion in the prior quarter. The outlook underscores the pace of AI-chip competition with Nvidia. AMD will derive about $100 million from China sales, as export rules stay fluid; the company licenses modified MI300 chips there and says the situation remains dynamic. Data-center revenue rose 39% to $5.38 billion in Q4, but ex-China sales would have been slightly below estimates. AMD is moving toward full AI systems and rack-scale offerings, and maintains a multi-year OpenAI supply deal. CEO Lisa Su said demand for new AI servers should grow in H2, with few supply constraints.

Nintendo Switch Online adds two classic Game Boy titles: Yoshi and Balloon Kid

February 4, 2026, 9:22 AM EST. Nintendo Switch Online members can now access two additional Game Boy titles. Yoshi, a puzzle game developed by Game Freak, sends Mario to free his dino friend from an egg. The core play chains falling critters on trays; match eggshells to hatch Yoshi, pair items, and speed rises as the stack grows. Players can switch and shuffle to keep piles in check. The second title, Balloon Kid, follows Alice as she tries to rescue her brother Jim after a wind carries him away in the town of Pencilvania. Eight stages unfold as players collect balloons to earn bonus points. Nintendo also released a teaser trailer and a guide to the current Switch Online Game Boy lineup as part of ongoing updates.

AI-driven software rout may not be over as markets differentiate

February 4, 2026, 9:20 AM EST. Investors remain wary that AI advances could erode profits for software makers, even as Nvidia founder Jensen Huang argues tools will boost productivity. Markets punished names like Salesforce (CRM), Workday (WDAY), Thomson Reuters (TRI), SAP (SAP) and ServiceNow (NOW) as Anthropic unveiled Claude plug-ins to automate tasks across legal, sales and data analysis. By Tuesday's close, LegalZoom (LZ), PayPal (PYPL), Expedia Group (EXPE), Equifax (EFX) and Intuit (INTU) had fallen in double digits, helping push the US Software index down about 5% for a sixth straight session. Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid notes the end-game for AI "winners" remains unclear through 2026, with markets shifting toward differentiation. Competitors to Anthropic are racing to embed AI tools, potentially challenging legacy software incumbents.

Domenicali touts Apple TV partnership as F1's US broadcast from 2026

February 4, 2026, 9:12 AM EST. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke with Apple executives at an Apple TV press day in Los Angeles, outlining the strategic tie-up with Apple as the sport's exclusive US broadcast partner from 2026. The interview followed the success of F1 The Movie, which earned four Oscar nominations and helped broaden the audience. Domenicali said the collaboration would push F1 into the American mainstream, with Apple News, Maps, Music, Sports and Fitness+ amplifying coverage alongside Apple TV. Apple TV will host all Free Practice, Qualifying, Sprint and Grand Prix events; some races plus all Free Practice will be free in the Apple TV app. F1 TV Premium remains available through Apple TV, with free access for subscribers.

Apple extends tablet market lead as Lenovo shines in Q4 2025, Samsung keeps second

February 4, 2026, 9:10 AM EST. Apple dominated tablet shipments in Q4 2025 with 19.6 million units and a 44.9% share, up from 42.3% a year earlier. Lenovo posted a 36.2% year-over-year rise in Q4 sales, narrowing the gap with Samsung, which still holds a comfortable lead of about 6 percentage points over the bronze medalist. The wider market grew roughly 10% in 2025 after pandemic-era spikes, but 2026 is expected to bring a decline. Apple's performance was driven by iPad models such as the iPad 11 and Pro variants with the M5 chip. The outlook remains contested: Lenovo is closing in, but sustained growth hinges on tablet demand and pricing in a tougher year ahead.

Android Canary replaces Developer Previews; no Android 17 Developer Preview

February 4, 2026, 9:04 AM EST. Google has replaced the old Developer Preview program with the online Android Canary channel, a rolling stream of updates that runs year round alongside the beta track. The change ends the traditional, time-limited previews tied to a forthcoming Android version, pushing testers toward continuous builds rather than a fixed pre-release window. The move means there will be no Android 17 Developer Preview. Canary is aimed at enthusiasts who want the latest features sooner, accepting less stability. Google had announced the transition last year, noting Canary and Beta would co-exist, with Canary spanning an ongoing testing cycle. The company had suggested the first Android 17 beta could appear later, but not as a Developer Preview.

Nova Launcher returns under Instabridge, but ads and trackers spark privacy concerns

February 4, 2026, 9:02 AM EST. Nova Launcher, once marketed as an ad-free Android staple, has re-emerged after being sold to analytics firm Branch in 2022 and declared dead in 2025. Swedish developer Instabridge acquired it last year, pledging responsible ownership. Update 8.2.4 followed the purchase, revealing ad- and tracker-related strings and reports of home screen ads and app-drawer changes. Instabridge said it was evaluating ad-based options for the free version, raising questions about privacy and compensation models. Exodus Privacy data show the earlier version (8.1.6) had just two trackers; current builds appear heavier. Android Authority notes users worry about unannounced trackers and invasive access from a launcher. A user poll shows mixed sentiment: some still loyal, others wary, with several weighing other launchers.

Apple Home update deadline nears as HomeKit moves to Matter and Thread

February 4, 2026, 8:46 AM EST. More than three years after Apple unveiled a new Apple Home architecture to improve reliability and support for Matter, the company says owners must update soon. Some users still run the old HomeKit setup, but that version will be retired, and devices may stop working after the deadline. The update arrived with iOS 16.2 and was reintroduced in iOS 16.4, shifting more tasks to the HomeKit hub (HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV) to boost stability. Thread-enabled Matter accessories require a Thread-capable hub or a third-party border router. The deadline is February 10, 2026. To check, open the Home app, go to More > Home Settings > Software Update, and tap Update Now. If up to date, you'll see This home and all accessories are up to date.

Aces of Thunder review: VR flight sim brings classic warbirds to accessible, grind-free skies

February 4, 2026, 8:44 AM EST. Gaijin Entertainment's Aces of Thunder is a solo and multiplayer VR combat flight sim built for PS VR2, PC VR and Quest 3. It tasks players with a compact roster of aircraft from the two world wars: four WWI planes and about 20 WWII fighters, including the Fokker Dr.I, Mustang, Spitfire, Zero, Thunderbolt and Mosquito. The cockpits are detailed and controls work well, if you avoid the virtual stick. Priced at $29.99, with a Deluxe Edition at $50 adding five extra warbirds. Compared with War Thunder, Aces of Thunder trades breadth for accessibility: no grind to unlock planes, all are available from the start. VR is central to the experience, shaping how the flight model and cockpit feel. Available now.

Accel backs Fibr AI as autonomous agents tailor websites to individual visitors

February 4, 2026, 8:42 AM EST. Accel led Fibr AI's $5.7 million seed round, boosting the startup's total funding to about $7.5 million through participation from WillowTree Ventures, MVP Ventures and angel investors. Fibr AI uses autonomous AI agents to infer visitor intent, generate page variations, and optimize content in real time, replacing the traditional agency- and engineering-heavy model. The system sits on top of existing websites, connecting to advertising, analytics and customer data to tailor copy, imagery and layout for each URL. Adoption has risen to 12 customers, including large U.S. banks and healthcare providers, with contracts typically lasting three to five years as firms standardize website infrastructure. Fibr aims to bridge the gap between personalized ads and static sites by running thousands of experiments in parallel.

Claude remains ad-free to safeguard thoughtful AI conversations, company says

February 4, 2026, 8:38 AM EST. Claude will remain ad-free, the company said, arguing ads distort conversations meant for work and deep thinking. In a post, Claude's team said sponsored links will not appear beside chats, and responses won't be influenced by advertisers. The decision aligns with Claude's Constitution, a framework that prioritizes user interests over monetization. The firm notes AI conversations differ from search or social feeds, often involving sensitive topics and complex tasks. Introducing advertising incentives could skew results and erode trust. The company also cited anonymized studies showing both benefits and risks of model influence, arguing an ad-based system would add unwanted complexity. It called for ongoing research on how goals translate into behavior and why ads are inappropriate for Claude's conversations.

Former Cohere execs raise $50 million seed for Adaption Labs to build energy-efficient, continually learning AI

February 4, 2026, 8:34 AM EST. Former Cohere executives Sara Hooker and Sudip Roy have raised a $50 million seed round for Adaption Labs, a San Francisco startup focused on energy-efficient, continually learning AI. The round was led by Emergence Capital Partners with participation from Mozilla Ventures, Fifty Years, Threshold Ventures, Alpha Intelligence Capital, e14 Fund and Neo. Hooker, ex-head of research at Cohere and a Google DeepMind veteran, argues for AI systems that run on less computing power and cost less to operate than today's large models. Adaption Labs aims to create adaptive models that can learn across tasks without heavy retraining or prompt engineering. The founders say continuous learning-learning without expensive retraining-is a key goal, challenging the common belief that bigger, data-hungry models are the path forward. Valuation was not disclosed.

Nvidia's $100 billion OpenAI bet fizzles after five months

February 4, 2026, 8:30 AM EST. Five months after Nvidia unveiled a $100 billion plan with OpenAI, new reporting casts doubt on the deal. The Wall Street Journal quotes Nvidia insiders who warned about a lack of discipline at OpenAI and noted competitive pressure from Google and Anthropic; Jensen Huang dismissed the claims as nonsense. Nvidia shares slid about 1.1% after the report. Analysts described the back-and-forth as unusual, with some noting the plan read more like a headline than a signed agreement. The piece also recaps shifts in supplier ties: Nvidia's licensing talks with Groq preceded a $20 billion deal; OpenAI then signed with Cerebras, and pursued hardware cooperation with AMD and Broadcom to diversify away from Nvidia. Timelines for when new chips or partners will be ready remain unclear.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra teaser hints at camera upgrades and AI-driven night photography

February 4, 2026, 8:28 AM EST. Samsung released three teaser videos for the Galaxy S26 Ultra-Closer, Groove and Glow-hinting at camera upgrades. In Closer, the camera zooms in on a dog in a car; Android Authority notes the video's background is AI-generated, so the apparent clarity may be partly simulated. Groove shows a DJ set with brighter, full-color lighting, suggesting updates to Samsung's Nightography software and hardware. Glow focuses on low-light filming, with speculation about a new 24MP shooting mode for the 200MP main sensor to improve brightness at night. Questions remain on how much Galaxy AI will power the results and whether features span the whole lineup. By contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is still regarded as one of the best camera phones. Samsung offered no additional details.

Samsung Galaxy S26 expected at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in February

February 4, 2026, 8:26 AM EST. Samsung is poised to unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup at the first Galaxy Unpacked of 2026, likely Feb 25 per credible leaks. The trio-S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra-is not expected to abandon last year's design, sticking with a flat screen, rounded frame and a vertical camera pill on the back. Internals will diverge only in key areas: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powering all models, with Samsung's Exynos 2600 possible in select regions. The phones should show performance gains and stronger on-device AI. Specs circling the rumor mill include a 6.3-inch FHD+ display, 12GB RAM, 256GB-512GB storage, and a 4,300mAh battery. Entry-level cameras are not expected to change dramatically, with leaks pointing to a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP secondary sensor.

Senate committee delays satellite licensing bill amid deemed-granted concerns

February 4, 2026, 8:24 AM EST. The Senate Commerce Committee postponed action on the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act (S. 3639), which would push the FCC to decide satellite and ground-station applications within one year. Extensions could only occur under extraordinary circumstances and would not exceed 180 days. Co-sponsors Sens. Ted Cruz and Peter Welch say the bill would clear backlogs and keep the United States competitive as global constellations expand. During the hearing, ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell warned about a deemed granted clause that would auto-approve filings if the FCC fails to act. She cited SpaceX's application for up to one million satellites and cautioned about sharing spectrum with aviation, weather, emergency services, and national security. Cruz defended the provision as necessary to accelerate deployment while preserving safety and national interests.

DJI Mini 3 Drones Back In Stock and On Sale as US Drone Ban Takes Effect

February 4, 2026, 8:22 AM EST. The United States has a drone ban in effect, but older DJI models remain purchasable. New DJI models, such as the Mavic 4 Pro, are not sold through official outlets. For buyers in the US or abroad, the DJI Mini 3 is still in stock and on sale, including the Fly More Combo with the DJI RC Remote. The Mini 3 offers up to 38 minutes of flight time, 4K HDR video, and a transmission range of up to 6.2 miles via OcuSync 2.0. It supports vertical shooting and a wind resistance rating that helps in breezier conditions, plus a suite of automated piloting modes. Analysts note the price point makes it an attractive entry for beginners and pros, though availability may change with regulatory shifts.

Log colorizer test exposes race in WordPress-Discourse posting flow

February 4, 2026, 8:20 AM EST. An engineer demonstrates a self-made log colorizer and a final product that looks and behaves as imagined. Yet a later post traces a timing race in the publishing flow. Apple News bots arrive just as Discourse hasn't finished mirroring the post, while WordPress redraws the block editor and notifies the system. The narrative walks through the sequence: Eric hits publish; WordPress processes the POST; Discourse notifies WordPress and fetches the post and its images; within roughly a second the Discourse thread appears and attaches to Eric's post. The author suggests the root cause is not purely Apple but a cross-system timing issue, a real-world reminder that third-party crawlers can disrupt state in real time.

AMD hints next-gen Xbox could arrive in 2027

February 4, 2026, 8:16 AM EST. During an earnings call, AMD CEO Lisa Su said Microsoft's next-generation Xbox could launch in 2027, powered by a semi-custom SOC (system-on-a-chip) that integrates CPU and GPU. Su said development is progressing toward a 2027 launch. Microsoft has described a multi-year AMD partnership to co-engineer silicon for living rooms and handheld devices, signaling potential AI and ML features. The discussion referenced a hybrid platform-combining local hardware and cloud computing. Leaked FTC documents previously floated a 2028 date, but Microsoft has not confirmed a final timeline. The Xbox X/S launched in 2020; sales have lagged versus expectations, leaving investors watching for concrete timing.

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

February 4, 2026, 8:08 AM EST. Apple's next MacBook Pro lineup, the M5 Pro and M5 Max, appears set for release soon, according to an Apple Premium Reseller cited by MacRumors. The reseller says current MacBook Pro stock is very low as Apple coordinates supply ahead of a new model. Bloomberg has flagged a February/March launch alongside macOS Tahoe 26.3. Today's Xcode 26.3 RC release adds to the signal, though no iOS or macOS RCs have appeared yet, fueling speculation about hidden model identifiers in Tahoe 26.3. In past cycles, Apple released iOS/Xcode RCs before Macs; the company then rolled out the new models shortly after. Apple has already refreshed the standard 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, while the 14-inch and 16-inch high-end variants remain due for updates.

AI-generated real-estate imagery unsettles buyers, tests trust and law

February 4, 2026, 8:00 AM EST. Illinois real-estate agent Kati Spaniak used AI to create fully furnished images for a suburban listing, hoping to cut costs. A near 70% of Realtors surveyed have used AI for listings. The virtual staging drew buyers, but visitors later felt disoriented and let down. Real estate imagery has long used manipulation: wide-angle lenses, homey scents, staged closets. Still, sales hinge on emotion as much as facts. Spaniak says agents aim to make buyers feel they could raise a family in the home. The distress from AI imagery may reflect the deeper psychology of home dreams rather than a simple ethics issue. The images fabricated in a data center and hallucinatory elements, like trees or staircases, could raise false advertising concerns and potential legal risk.

Don't buy a Pixel 9a yet: wait for the Pixel 10a as discounts loom

February 4, 2026, 7:58 AM EST. Budget buyers should delay the Pixel 9a purchase. Google is tipped to launch the Pixel 10a around February 18, with a largely similar design but a faster Tensor G4 chip and an extra year of software support. If accurate, the 10a could offer a modest upgrade, meaning the 9a will quickly depreciate. Waiting also tends to unlock promotions: new Pixel pre-orders usually come with deals, and the outgoing model often sees steep discounts or trade-ins. Past promotions included Pixel 9a discounts to as low as $99 and Google Store credit. If you can wait, you may get better value, even if you lose a few days of use. Expect price drops, trade-ins, and generous promos around launch.

Huawei to unveil Runner Watch at Madrid launch on February 26, 2026

February 4, 2026, 7:56 AM EST. Huawei plans a global launch of its new Runner Watch on February 26, 2026 in Madrid. A post on Huawei's X page teased running themes-'Run' and 'Race'-ahead of the event, which will unveil a dedicated wearable for runners. The company has tied the product to its running-partner program with DSM Firmenich and marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge, aiming to boost performance tracking and goal achievement. Huawei has not disclosed the final name or full specs, but the device is described as the reborn version of the Watch GT Runner, discontinued after 2023. The Madrid launch will mark the device's formal introduction, with the race-start motif foregrounded to appeal to runners.

Slashwork raises $3.5 million to build an AI-first enterprise communications platform backed by Meta veterans and Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners

February 4, 2026, 7:54 AM EST. London-based Slashwork, founded by former Facebook engineers Jackson Gabbard, David Miller and Josh Watzman, has raised $3.5 million in seed funding from investors including Slack co-founder Cal Henderson and Sheryl Sandberg's Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners. The startup aims to build an AI-first enterprise communications platform that competes with Salesforce's Slack and Microsoft Teams. Gabbard said the product starts with AI built in at every layer, including large-language-model embeddings to enable robust searches and AI agents to assist users. The round also includes Meta veterans such as David Fischer, Carolyn Everson and AJ Tennant, who says AI-powered tools could bridge gaps in enterprise work. The fundraising follows Meta's 2024 decision to shutter Facebook Workplace, and Slashwork seeks to apply that experience to a fresh platform.

Intel rises on Apple foundry talks and AI memory alliances, but risk remains

February 4, 2026, 7:52 AM EST. Intel reported a loss for both the quarter and the full year in late January 2026, with softer revenue and a Q1 2026 loss guidance. It also filed an omnibus shelf registration (a broad filing that can support multiple securities) that keeps the option open for future capital raises while it pursues foundry ambitions and GPU-scale plans. Heightening investor focus are reports that Apple is weighing Intel as a chip-manufacturing partner and a new AI memory collaboration with SoftBank's Saimemory, reframing Intel as an infrastructure platform supplier rather than a PC-centric chipmaker. Stock-market chatter notes a wide spread in fair value estimates from Simply Wall St (roughly $28 to $59 a share), underscoring execution risk as the company leans on unproven foundry deals. Investors should weigh multiple viewpoints before sizing the turnaround story.

Apple ecosystem: 15 features to make devices work in harmony

February 4, 2026, 7:50 AM EST. Macworld's feature lays out 15 Apple ecosystem perks that let iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and HomePod work together. From Simple setups that auto-detect nearby devices to wirelessly migrate data during upgrades, the guide shows practical cross-device workflows. It covers Easy unlocks via the Apple Watch and biometric methods, Handoff for task transfer, AirDrop for fast sharing, and Focus mode synchronization alongside iCloud data consistency. It also highlights productivity tools such as Sidecar turning iPad into a second display, and Universal Control that links keyboard and cursor across devices. Finally, it notes using Apple devices as Apple TV remotes with built-in keyboards. The thread running through the piece is Jobs-era simplicity-systems that work together with minimal friction.

Apple Watch Series 11 price drops to $299 in latest smartwatch push

February 4, 2026, 7:48 AM EST. Apple's Watch Series 11 is discounted to $299 for the 42mm GPS version, with several color options, as the company pushes its smartwatch lineup. The device combines core features-messaging, timekeeping, and Siri access-with fitness tools: heart-rate monitoring, calorie tracking, and sleep insights, plus water resistance. The price cut, a $100 reduction, addresses buyers' hesitancy over premium wearables. The deal, advertised through Amazon, is described as time-limited. The pitch positions the Series 11 as a practical fitness companion at a lower entry point, even as rivals broaden the field. With demand for wearables rising, shoppers are urged to act quickly before the offer ends.

Former Microsoft exec urges colleges to adopt AI-focused curriculum

February 4, 2026, 7:40 AM EST. An ex-Microsoft executive and AI expert argues colleges must overhaul their curricula to prepare students for an AI-driven economy. The plan centers on an AI core that combines fundamentals of machine learning, data literacy, and programming with hands-on projects. It adds a strong emphasis on ethics, governance, and bias mitigation, ensuring students can design responsible systems. The proposal calls for cross-disciplinary tracks that pair AI with business, humanities, and public policy, plus sustained industry partnerships and internship pathways. Crucially, curriculum would be updated continually to reflect rapid AI advances. Supporters say the approach aligns higher education with market demand and national competitiveness.

Bernstein Still Sees Value in Qualcomm Despite Smartphone Headwinds

February 4, 2026, 7:36 AM EST. Bernstein maintains optimism about QCOM despite smartphone headwinds. Analyst Stacy Rasgon trimmed the price target to $200 from $215 but kept an Outperform rating, citing an undervalued growth narrative. The stock has lagged amid Apple-driven concerns, smartphone demand jitters, and memory dynamics, yet Bernstein says QCOM remains insulated by its strength in high-end devices and expanding adjacencies. With Apple revenues expected to fade, QCOM's robust product portfolio and an emerging AI story could lift earnings visibility. Valuation remains attractive: less than 13x forward earnings, about 44% below the S&P 500 and 56% under the SOX. Rasgon notes the PT reflects lower estimates, while the Outperform stance stays intact.

Nvidia stock under scrutiny as AI demand drives rally

February 4, 2026, 7:32 AM EST. Nvidia's stock has surged as AI demand powers GPU sales, making Nvidia a focal point of the tech era. By Feb. 2, shares were up about 55% in the last year, with a trailing P/E near 47, signaling a high valuation. The question: is the stock worth buying at these levels? Nvidia's role extends beyond chips. It is embedding AI across industries, including autonomous vehicles, with Alpamayo and VLAs to interpret sensor data, and an AV platform used by Stellantis and Lucid. It also partnered with Uber to scale autonomous fleets and is investing in OpenAI, Nokia, and Intel to broaden AI ecosystems. The firm reports strong margins and a $4.4T market cap, with earnings due around Feb. 25. Investors face rich multiples but potential AI-driven growth supports a close call on the valuation.

7 smartphone habits that waste time every day (and what to do instead)

February 4, 2026, 7:30 AM EST. An examination of everyday smartphone habits that drain time, from unlocking without a purpose to letting notifications drive behavior. The piece notes that simply picking up the device can trigger doomscrolling, message replies, and small distractions. It offers remedies: add friction to the unlock process by using the longest passcode your device allows, reducing impulse taps; adjust notifications so alerts don't pull you in. The author acknowledges useful uses-handling work matters and urgent messages-while warning against the spiral of constant interruption. Practical, quick wins aim to reclaim minutes without abandoning smartphones.

Prediction: 5 Quantum Computing Stocks That Could Be Worth More Than IonQ in Five Years

February 4, 2026, 7:26 AM EST. IonQ dominates attention in quantum computing stocks, but a cautious view argues it may not be the best bet in 2026. The piece highlights five other names with serious quantum programs and stronger balance sheets. Honeywell, through Quantinuum-formed with Cambridge Quantum in 2021-combines trapped-ion hardware with software to win enterprise revenue; Honeywell remains the largest shareholder at about 54% and offers safer exposure. Intel is pursuing silicon spin qubits, a chip-scale path that could scale with future qubit counts. Overall, the author expects these options to be worth more than IonQ in five years, thanks to diversified operations and long-term optionality in quantum computing.

Pixel 10a vs. Motorola Edge 2025: Google targets software edge in mid-range showdown

February 4, 2026, 7:22 AM EST. Pixel 10a tops expectations on software and balance. Google reportedly pares the camera bump, slips a sharper Tensor G4 chip, and promises longer software updates with less bloatware, even if the design remains a plain slab. By contrast, the Motorola Edge 2025 works the outside, with a premium look and IP69 durability, but its inside trails: a slow processor, limited OS upgrades, and visible bloat. The choice may rest on style versus substance: Google could win on performance and longevity, while Motorola sells with durability and a flagship-like feel. Expected timing points to a Feb 18, 2026 reveal and a $500 launch price, extending the mid-range tug-of-war into 2026.

Suunto relaunches AMOLED smartwatch with new version

February 4, 2026, 7:20 AM EST. Suunto relaunches its AMOLED smartwatch with a new version. The device features a 1.5-inch AMOLED display and a battery that lasts up to 65 hours in performance mode. It includes 115 pre-installed sports, an integrated LED flashlight and upgraded heart rate tracking compared with older models. Only 1,936 units will be sold worldwide. Sales begin March 10 through Suunto's website and selected retailers. The Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition is priced at €799 (about $945), VAT included. Elsewhere, the new release remains unchanged.

Google's February Pixel update hints at shift for older devices ahead of Android 16 QPR3

February 4, 2026, 7:18 AM EST. Google rolled out a small February 2026 update for Pixel devices (build BP4A.260205), about 20 MB with no UI changes. Google says affected phones remain security compliant, but offers little detail on future cadence. Notably, Pixel 6/Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7/Pixel 7 Pro are skipped, fueling talk of a shift away from monthly updates for older devices toward a quarterly or risk-based schedule. Google has faced a buggy January update that affected Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but the company resumed its monthly patch cadence. The February update fixes a high-severity VPU driver vulnerability. Bigger feature changes are expected with Android 16 QPR3 next month, including potential At a Glance widget hiding and a flashlight slider.

Austinites worry AI will displace jobs, survey finds

February 4, 2026, 7:16 AM EST. An Austin AI Alliance survey shows growing anxiety that AI will reshape work. In a January 2026 release, the group reports 53% of respondents say their workplace already uses AI, up from earlier. About 29% in 2025 feared job displacement; that rose to 38% for 2026. Even among those not yet affected, 61% describe AI as a curse because of displacement concerns, and 45% fear an unemployment crisis. Respondents credit AI for 24/7 availability (59%), improved accessibility (53%), automation of repetitive tasks (48%), and creativity support (44%). On the downside, 67% cite loss of human touch, 63% deepfakes/misinformation, 61% job displacement, and 58% privacy loss. Larry Peterson of the Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities says the impact will accelerate, though magnitude remains uncertain.

AirTag 2 review: louder sound and broader range, but design and battery unchanged

February 4, 2026, 7:12 AM EST. Apple's AirTag returns in a second generation with two clear upgrades: a louder sound and a broader Precision Finding range. The rest remains familiar: a white, circular disc with a chrome base, compatible with the Find My network, and a non-rechargeable battery. Apple emphasizes the same simple setup and the vast reach of Find My, tapping into over a billion devices to locate lost items. Price stays budget-friendly at $29 per tag (with packs of four for about $99). The design is virtually identical, so it remains prone to scratches and lacks a keyring hole. For users who want a low-cost, reliable locator with improved sound and locating range, the AirTag 2 is a sensible upgrade, albeit not a dramatic rethink.

Fallout Season 2 countdown on Amazon site hints at New Vegas nod, not a remake

February 4, 2026, 7:04 AM EST. Fallout fans spotted a mystery countdown on Amazon and Bethesda-linked promo site tied to Season 2. The finale's interactive map culminated with Mr. House's penthouse from New Vegas. The reveal is a polished 3D render of the location, complete with upgrades and hidden secrets, not a live-action teaser for a remaster. No official word yet on rumored Fallout 3 or New Vegas remasters, which remain distant. The find is likely a marketing Easter egg that hones in on the show and game crossover, rather than a concrete project update. Season 3 shoots soon; a Nintendo Switch 2 port of Fallout 4 is planned for the near term.

Musk's orbital AI data centers spark debate as SpaceX-xAI merger advances

February 4, 2026, 6:58 AM EST. Elon Musk proposes moving AI data centers into space to tap vast solar power and ease land and water demands. The SpaceX-xAI merger aims to accelerate an orbital compute push, a concept also attracting Google and OpenAI. Proponents say solar energy in orbit can be nearly constant and scalable, while cool space environments simplify cooling. Critics warn of steep engineering hurdles, cost, and regulatory issues; experts such as David Bader of NJIT say terrestrial limits on power pose a real challenge. Deutsche Bank analysts say the challenges are engineering, not physics. Open questions remain about orbit selection, latency and fault tolerance. If advances continue, pilots, satellites and demos could emerge within years, though full deployment is years away.

Northwestern librarians, students weigh AI's role in NU academics

February 4, 2026, 6:54 AM EST. Northwestern librarians and students gathered for a workshop at University Library on generative AI, its strengths and limits for research. Librarian Tracy Coyne warned that AI sources can hallucinate and citations may be incomplete. AI can shortcut parts of the research process, though rigorous grading in higher education can shape how it's used. Students' perspectives varied: sophomore Henry Blocksidge uses AI to summarize readings but values original brainstorming as a screenwriter; he notes a divide between humanities and STEM attitudes toward AI. Weinberg sophomore Defne Onursal, studying data science and economics, says courses encourage understanding the intersection of AI with data science; assignments even prompt using AI to demonstrate benefits. The debate is ongoing across campus, not just in libraries.

Northwestern librarians, students weigh AI's role in NU academics

February 4, 2026, 6:52 AM EST. Northwestern librarians hosted a workshop at University Library on generative AI, its strengths and limits, and how to use it for research. They warned AI can hallucinate sources and provide incomplete citations. The session framed AI as a potential shortcut to bypass research friction, though higher education grading can push students toward cautious adoption. Students weighed in: some use AI to summarize readings; others caution against outsourcing ideas. The debate spans disciplines: humanities professors often resist AI, while data science and economics classes encourage understanding AI's role. An assignment in a data science course even urged students to use generative AI to illustrate its benefits.

Prediction: 5 Quantum Computing Stocks That Could Be Worth More Than IonQ in 5 Years

February 4, 2026, 6:48 AM EST. IonQ is the most popular quantum computing stock, but not necessarily the best bet in 2026. The author argues five other stocks have serious quantum programs, stronger balance sheets and diversified businesses. If their projects don't become cash cows, they can fall back on other operations. The piece spotlights Honeywell via Quantinuum, formed in 2021 by merging Honeywell's Quantum Solutions with Cambridge Quantum. Quantinuum combines Honeywell's trapped-ion hardware with Cambridge Quantum's software and is already revenue-generating with enterprise customers. Honeywell remains the largest shareholder, around 54%. Intel is also highlighted, pursuing silicon spin qubits; its Tunnel Falls processor packages 12 qubits on a chip using established processes. With a potential IPO 2026 for Quantinuum, the author argues these players may be worth more than IonQ in five years.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 returns to squarish charging case amid leaks

February 4, 2026, 6:46 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 are expected to adopt a return to a squared charging case after a generation that leaned on AirPods-like cases. Leaks and renders circulated by Android Headlines show a case with a clear lid and a brushed metal finish that echoes the Buds 4's own design language. The earbuds themselves continue the AirPods-like stem form, with two options under the same formula: one open(ish) design and another with silicone tips for a tighter seal. A separate leak hints at a magnetic charger bundled in some regions, suggesting magnetic alignment similar to AirPods. Samsung is expected to unveil Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro alongside the Galaxy S26 series later this month.

ADR and Intel bring edge computing to underground mining with Explora XL

February 4, 2026, 6:44 AM EST. Australian Droid + Robot (ADR) partners with Intel to install onboard edge computing on the Explora XL, its rugged autonomous rover for deep underground mining. The system embeds Intel Xeon and Intel Core Ultra processors, turning the vehicle into a mobile data centre that analyzes 3D LiDAR, thermal imaging and gas readings in real-time, even when cloud links are unreliable. ADR says the approach keeps workers out of hazardous areas while enabling immediate decision-making on site. Intel's Bhupesh Agrawal notes the use case; the robot collects and analyzes data at the edge. ADR's Mathew Allan adds that if people don't need to be in risky environments, they shouldn't be. The Explora XL can traverse mud, water and rough terrain to inspect blast zones and unstable shafts; the partnership prioritises safety over data.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra camera upgrades shown in new videos

February 4, 2026, 6:42 AM EST. Samsung released three videos to showcase the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera upgrades, emphasizing low-light video and zoom improvements. The clips on Samsung's TikTok page illustrate clearer performance in challenging lighting and better subject isolation. Leaks suggest a return of the rear camera island and a wider main-camera aperture to boost light intake. Samsung says the improvements will apply to both photo and video capture, with faster autofocus and steadier footage at longer focal lengths. Rumors point to a potential break of the 100x zoom barrier, alongside faster charging and a new privacy display. Analysts see credible progress over the S25 Ultra, though some claims remain marketing-forward.

TCL unveils Note A1 Nxtpaper with AI tools and 256GB storage

February 4, 2026, 6:40 AM EST. TCL expands its Nxtpaper line with the Note A1 Nxtpaper, a tablet-like notetaker that uses the matte, glare-reducing Nxtpaper display. The device pairs a 120Hz color display and a stylus with about 5 ms latency, and ships with 256GB of storage-far more than rivals like the ReMarkable Paper Pro (64GB). TCL highlights AI features aimed at note-taking, including handwriting-to-text, real-time transcription, translation, summarization, writing assistance, and handwriting beautification, plus tools such as one-stroke formation and inspiration AI. The device targets meetings and sketching and is powered by an 8,000 mAh battery. It will sell for $549 and launch in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific by the end of February.

Smartphones' AI photo edits raise questions about reality

February 4, 2026, 6:34 AM EST. Smartphones increasingly edit photos with AI, automating tasks that once required skill. Lev Manovich says automation makes professional tools available to amateurs. Yet phones often decide how memories look, sometimes without user notice. Rafał Mantiuk notes phones carry built-in styles-Pixel, Apple-reflecting a photographer's bias. The debate centers on whether AI improves or distorts reality, since many edits correct flaws from tiny lenses and sensors while others push artistic direction further. The result: devices blur memory, style, and perception, moving what counts as a 'real' photo away from the film era while remaining tied to optics and software.

SpaceX valued at $1.25 trillion after xAI merger as Musk consolidates empire

February 4, 2026, 6:30 AM EST. SpaceX is valued at $1.25 trillion following its merger with xAI, narrowing the gap with Tesla and reshaping Musk's empire. Tesla's market cap stands near $1.58 trillion, with SpaceX now the stronger paper-wealth contributor to Musk. Tesla stock slid in early 2026 after a 16% drop in 2025 vehicle deliveries and a 3% revenue decline, as competition and the end of US EV tax credits pressure the car business. With demand softening, Tesla pivots toward robotaxi services and the Optimus humanoid robot, even as Model S and X lines are repurposed. SpaceX remains dominant in orbital launches and Starlink. The merger values SpaceX at $1 trillion and xAI at $250 billion, raising regulatory risk around Grok amid probes in multiple markets.

Apple reportedly drops Face ID for iPhone Fold, bringing Touch ID to the power button

February 4, 2026, 6:26 AM EST. Apple is expected to unveil an iPhone Fold in September with a drive to a thinner chassis. Rumors say Apple may drop Face ID in favor of Touch ID, potentially housed in the power button or placed under the screen, to reach about 4.5-4.8 mm and shrink the TruDepth camera array. Proponents say Touch ID can outperform Face ID in some conditions, such as facial changes from shaving, haircuts or glasses. Critics warn of occasional failures and the risk of accidental unlocks in a pocket. A thinner foldable device could be a competitive edge if hardware, software and price align. Apple has used Touch ID in iPad models; the move would be a notable biometrics shift for the iPhone.

Nvidia vs Palantir: Nvidia favored for AI infrastructure amid valuation gap

February 4, 2026, 6:24 AM EST. Two AI stock stories, two very different bets. Nvidia supplies GPUs and networking gear that power AI infrastructure; last quarter its data center revenue rose 66% year over year to $51.2 billion, after $3.83 billion three years earlier. Palantir focuses on AI software for data analytics, with long-standing government contracts (DoD, CIA, FBI, ICE) and growing U.S. commercial work. The valuation gap is stark: Nvidia trades about 40.7x forward earnings, Palantir about 144.7x; market caps run roughly $4.4 trillion vs. $376 billion. If forced to choose, the piece would favor Nvidia for its infrastructure role, while Palantir's upside hinges on software adoption at high multiples.

HHS to deploy AI tool to mine VAERS data for vaccine-injury hypotheses

February 4, 2026, 6:22 AM EST. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is building a generative AI tool to scan VAERS data and generate hypotheses about vaccine injuries, per an AI inventory for 2025. The tool has not yet been deployed and has been in development since late 2023. Critics warn that its predictions could be used by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to advance his anti-vaccine agenda, as he has reassessed the childhood immunization schedule and proposed changes to VAERS and the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. VAERS, run jointly by the CDC and FDA, accepts public reports but does not verify causation. Paul Offit calls VAERS a noisy, hypothesis-generating system. Leslie Lenert notes that traditional NLP has mined VAERS; the move to large language models is a natural next step. The piece highlights limitations of VAERS.

Chinese solar stocks surge after Musk SpaceX, Tesla staff visit suppliers

February 4, 2026, 6:20 AM EST. Chinese solar shares jumped on Wednesday after local media reported that staff linked to SpaceX and Tesla visited several photovoltaic suppliers in China, sparking talk of a possible business tie-up. JinkoSolar rose as much as 20%, hitting the daily limit. Jolywood Suzhou Sunwatt also jumped about 20%. Trina Solar and Shenzhen Topraysolar gained 8.9% and 10%, respectively, helping the CSI All Share Solar Power Equipment Sub-Industry Index climb about 6.8%. Reports cited a team from SpaceX and Tesla visiting equipment makers, silicon wafers, battery modules and perovskite technology, with interest in heterojunction and perovskite advances. CNBC could not verify the reports, and SpaceX/Tesla did not comment. Analysts said the move reflected momentum trading and a view that energy is a bottleneck for AI, not fundamentals.

Garmin Instinct 3 beats Apple Watch Ultra 3 on snowboarding, first-hand test finds

February 4, 2026, 6:18 AM EST. During a Whistler Blackcomb snow mission, the Garmin Instinct 3 proved more reliable than the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for tracking a snowboarding day. The author logged 8 runs, about 2 hours 34 minutes of ride time, and a total vertical descent of 13,957 feet with the Instinct 3, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 tracked similar runs but missed much of the day's activity. The Apple Watch Ultra 3's data diverged when it switched to a walking workout during a long lift break, complicating post-session analysis. Metrics such as max speed (Instinct 34.3 mph) and heart rate data favored Garmin, while Strava stats aligned with the Instinct. The bottom line: for extreme winter sports, the Instinct 3 delivers more complete day-long tracking than the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

ASUS unveils ROG Flow Z13 x Kojima Productions limited-edition tablet with Death Stranding aesthetic

February 4, 2026, 6:16 AM EST. ASUS unveils the ROG (Republic of Gamers) Flow Z13 x Kojima Productions, a limited-edition gaming tablet for collectors and Death Stranding fans. Built on last year's AMD Strix Halo-equipped Flow Z13, it wears a Yoji Shinkawa-designed gold-and-black shell with a carbon-fiber rear panel. The design features angular lines, Kojima Productions' Ludens branding, and warnings such as Heat vent do not cover and For Ludens who dare-a nod to the ROG motto For those who dare. The kit includes a white attache case; a white headset, mouse, and desk mat are sold separately or bundled in some regions. Availability is planned for mid-to-late Q1 2026; price remains unannounced. ROG stands for Republic of Gamers.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 x Kojima Productions limited-edition tablet debuts at CES 2026

February 4, 2026, 6:10 AM EST. At CES 2026, Asus unveiled the ROG Flow Z13 x Kojima Productions, a limited-edition gaming tablet built on last year's AMD Strix Halo-powered device. The collaboration dresses the tablet in a two-tone metallic gold and black scheme by Yoji Shinkawa, with a carbon-fiber rear panel and angular, Death Stranding-style lines. Military-style warnings and Ludens mottos appear on the hardware, alongside a white attache case and optional white headset, mouse, and desk mat. A version with a special keyboard and metallic keycaps is planned for Kojima Productions staff. The ROG Flow Z13-KJP is set to launch in mid-to-late Q1 2026; price was not announced. Asus says exclusive Kojima variants are in the works.

Take-Two's Zelnick: GTA 6 will not use Generative AI; Rockstar Games' handcrafted worlds

February 4, 2026, 6:08 AM EST. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick told GamesIndustry.biz that AI is used as tools rather than for creativity, and that Generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building for GTA 6. He said the company runs hundreds of pilots across its studios and has seen cost and time efficiencies from AI, but argued that tools alone don't create great entertainment. Rockstar Games' worlds are handcrafted-built from the ground up, building by building. The remarks came as the company prepared for Q3 results after stock plunged to an 11-month low following Google's Project Genie announcement. Zelnick also referenced CNBC's view that there is no creativity in AI. GTA 6 remains on track for a November 19, 2025 release, he said, despite a prior delay.

Zelnick: Generative AI has zero part in GTA 6; Rockstar builds handcrafted worlds

February 4, 2026, 6:02 AM EST. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick told GamesIndustry.biz that the company uses AI extensively, but mainly as tools rather than for creative tasks, and that generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building for GTA 6. He said the firm already runs hundreds of pilots and implementations across its studios, with AI driving costs and time efficiencies, but tools alone do not create great entertainment. He stressed Rockstar's worlds are handcrafted-built from the ground up, not procedurally generated. The comments come as Take-Two prepared to report Q3 results after shares hit an 11-month low following Google's experimental AI Project Genie tool. Take-Two previously warned there could be another GTA 6 delay; the company still aimed for a November 19 release and raised full-year guidance.

Samsung teases Galaxy S26 camera upgrades as debate over megapixels continues

February 4, 2026, 6:00 AM EST. Samsung has released teasers for the Galaxy S26 that spotlight camera upgrades, while online chatter ties the reveal to ongoing debates about sensors and megapixels. The thread shows skepticism about triple- or higher-resolution gains, with commentators arguing that sensor size and telephoto performance matter more than sheer megapixels in 2026. Rumors touch on a possible 50MP periscope telephoto and a 200MP main sensor for the Ultra, but some posters say hardware changes may not reshape smartphone photography. Analysts warn Samsung will need aggressive deals to stay competitive amid rival launches. The discussion covers image quality, macro vs. telephoto needs, and the value of sensor swaps, underscoring a signal of progress without dramatic overhauls.

Former Space Force official warns of Russian and Chinese counter-space threats, including nesting-doll satellites

February 4, 2026, 5:58 AM EST. Former US Space Force chief operations officer DeAnna Burt warns that Russia and China are testing counter-space capabilities that threaten satellites. She cited a June incident in which the Russian Cosmos 2558 shadowed USA 326 and released a smaller module that moved closer, signaling rendezvous proximity operations and the possible deployment of a kill vehicle. Burt says such tests build toward real capability, not just surveillance. Her warnings echo earlier remarks by Gen. John Raymond and Gen. Chance Saltzman about a looming space threat. An Atlantic Council report urged resilient satellite architectures, and the 2023 Victus Knox exercise set a record for rapid launch to on-orbit. Burt argues the United States must be able to absorb a hit and recover, rather than rely solely on monitoring.

iQOO 15 Ultra teaser highlights cooling, camera and 144Hz display ahead of launch

February 4, 2026, 5:52 AM EST. iQOO released a final teaser ahead of today's unveiling of the iQOO 15 Ultra, detailing key specs. The clip spotlights an actively cooled Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a Q3 gaming chip for upscaling and frame generation, and 600Hz shoulder triggers for gaming. The phone carries a 7,400mAh battery with suggested fast wired and wireless charging. Cameras: a triple-lens setup led by a 50MP Sony periscope (3x zoom, CIPA 4.5-level OIS). The display is a 144Hz LTPO OLED on Samsung M14 tech with stereo Dolby Atmos speakers. Colors shown: 2049 and 2077. Leaks include a record-breaking AnTuTu score and a hands-on video, as the full reveal nears.

iQOO 15 Ultra teaser confirms cooling, 600Hz triggers ahead of full unveiling

February 4, 2026, 5:50 AM EST. iQOO's final teaser for the iQOO 15 Ultra highlights high-end gaming hardware ahead of today's unveiling. The clip shows an actively cooled Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a Q3 gaming chip for upscaling and frame generation, plus 600Hz shoulder triggers. The phone carries a 7,400mAh battery with fast charging expected, following the company's pattern of 100W wired and 40W wireless for the ordinary model. Cameras are a triple-lens setup led by a 50MP Sony periscope with 3x zoom and OIS. The display is a 144Hz LTPO OLED built on Samsung M14 tech, with stereo Dolby Atmos speakers. Colors teased as 2049 and 2077 nod to Blade Runner and Cyberpunk, with final specs to land on stage later today.

Nvidia narrows T5T email distribution to top executives

February 4, 2026, 5:44 AM EST. Nvidia has narrowed the T5T internal email distribution to top executives, a move aimed at streamlining communications and tightening information governance. The change reduces access to routine updates and strategic memos that previously circulated more widely within the company. Nvidia did not provide immediate comment. Analysts say limiting distribution can sharpen leadership focus and speed decision-making on strategic priorities, though the exact scope of access across other groups remains unclear. The step signals a recalibration of how internal messaging flows as the company scales and faces growing governance scrutiny.

Former Space Force commander warns of Russian, Chinese threats to satellites amid nesting-doll maneuvers

February 4, 2026, 5:40 AM EST. Former US Space Force commander DeAnna Burt warns Moscow and Beijing are advancing in space. She cited a June incident in which the Russian Cosmos 2558 shadowed USA 326 and released a smaller module that moved closer, suggesting tests toward a counterspace capability. The move, Burt said, could be a step toward rendezvous proximity operations and potentially a kill vehicle, though the immediate aim appeared surveillance. The comments echo earlier warnings by generals John Raymond and Chance Saltzman about a possible Day Zero if Russia deploys weapons in space. Washington has pressed for more resilient satellite architectures and on-orbit "shelf" assets to take a hit and recover. Burt also referenced the 2023 Victus Knox exercise as progress but said it is not enough.

Samsung teases Galaxy S26 camera upgrades as rivals and megapixel debates continue

February 4, 2026, 5:38 AM EST. Samsung released teasers for the Galaxy S26 series, spotlighting camera upgrades. The clips underscore sensors and zoom, but online debate centers on whether the changes amount to a true leap or a refinement. Some commenters insist megapixels alone aren't decisive, while others emphasize telephoto performance and sensor size. A rumor loop mentions a 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom for the Ultra, though nothing is confirmed. Rival chatter includes whispers that Sony's Xperia may seek broader global traction, signaling tougher competition. In the end, observers say Samsung will need strong deals and pricing to stand out if hardware gains remain incremental.

Tomorrow.io raises $175 million at over $1 billion valuation to build AI-driven weather satellite network

February 4, 2026, 5:34 AM EST. Tomorrow.io said it has raised $175 million at a valuation above $1 billion, led by Stonecourt Capital and HarbourVest, to accelerate DeepSky, its AI-driven weather satellite network. The plan: a constellation of LEO satellites equipped with advanced sensors to deliver high-frequency, global coverage and close data gaps in underserved regions. The company, formerly ClimaCell, was founded in 2016 by Shimon Elkabetz, Rei Goffer and Itai Zlotnik. It is headquartered in Boston, with about 150 staff in Israel and roughly $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Officials say DeepSky will improve atmospheric forecasting beyond current models and could replace aging government data streams as some satellites retire later this decade. Pitango's Aaron Mankovski emphasized the strategic stakes for the sector.

Palantir CEO says Western AI adoption lags; Davos remarks frame race as haves vs have-nots

February 4, 2026, 5:28 AM EST. Palantir posted 70% YoY revenue growth to $1.407 billion in Q4, with a Rule of 40 score of 127. The results underscore a widening gap between AI adopters and holdouts. U.S. revenue rose 93% YoY, now making up 77% of total sales. CEO Alexander Karp used the call to broaden a geopolitical critique, saying the West lags in adopting AI products while China and the U.S. lead. Speaking at Davos, he argued that the adoption gap risks leaving the have-nots behind. He noted France renewing a three-year deal and warned of political pressure in Northern Europe and Canada if uptake remains slow. Palantir concentrates capacity in the U.S., with adoption in the Middle East and China illustrating the potential value of faster uptake.

Nvidia CEO dismisses AI-replace software fear as stocks slide; OpenAI investment plan stalls

February 4, 2026, 5:08 AM EST. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed fears that AI will replace software tools as illogical, saying AI will rely on existing software rather than rebuild basics from scratch. Speaking at an AI conference in San Francisco hosted by Cisco, Huang argued that breakthroughs are about tool use. The remarks came after a broad selloff in global software stocks linked to Anthropic's chatbot update. Indian IT exporters and tech firms fell, with Infosys down about 7%, while China's CSI Software Services Index and Hong Kong's Kingdee tumbled. In Japan, Recruit Holdings and Nomura Research slid. Nvidia's plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI has stalled, according to a report.

Nvidia, Palantir Deliver $12.8 Billion Ominous AI Signal to Wall Street

February 4, 2026, 5:02 AM EST. AI has become the dominant investment narrative, lifting Nvidia and Palantir as the two marquee AI stocks. Nvidia's GPUs power most AI-accelerated data centers, underpinning a durable moat with chips from Hopper to Blackwell, and a new Vera Rubin GPU due later this year. Palantir ties its AI to Gotham and Foundry, its SaaS platforms with few direct rivals. Together they have added about $4.3 trillion to market value and propelled Palantir roughly 2,200% since late 2022. Yet the article flags a $12.8 billion ominous warning about their business models, a potential red flag for investors. The piece asks whether investors are truly listening as AI's promise collides with execution risk and capital allocation.

Falcon 9 issue may push back Crew-12 launch

February 4, 2026, 4:58 AM EST. An issue with SpaceX's Falcon 9 during a California launch triggered a pause in flights while teams seek a root cause. The Starlink 17-32 mission from Vandenberg AFB successfully deployed 25 satellites, but an off-nominal second-stage deorbit burn prompted a hold on future flights. NASA said Crew-12 remains on track, with no earlier than Feb. 11 as the earliest launch date from Cape Canaveral. The crew includes Cmdr. Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, and mission specialists Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev. The FAA leads the investigation into the Artemis II rehearsal, with NASA and SpaceX coordinating a cautious return to flight. Updates will come as findings emerge.

Hang Seng Tech slides on China internet tax fears, near bear market

February 4, 2026, 4:56 AM EST. Chinese tech shares reversed gains as the Hang Seng Tech Index fell as much as 3.4% before closing down 1.1%, leaving it near bear market territory. The pullback followed renewed policy uncertainty after reports authorities may raise value-added taxes on internet platforms, echoing a recent tax uptick for telecom firms. Kuaishou, Baidu and Tencent were among the largest decliners as investors grappled with elevated valuations and softer expectations for U.S. rate cuts. State-backed media later dismissed talk of a gaming levy, but the episode underscored how headlines drive sentiment. Analysts say Chinese equities no longer look cheap, raising caution amid fiscal pressures and steps to tax undisclosed overseas assets. Tencent's cash-distribution via digital red packets for its AI app Yuanbao added to the price-war narrative.

AI won't replace developers: engineering bends to business strategy

February 4, 2026, 4:48 AM EST. AI will produce outputs, but the value of that work will largely be sideways or negative unless it lines up with a company's direction. Engineering does not happen in isolation; it evolves in response to business strategy, which guides product direction and technical priorities. Each layer injects bias, interpretation, and human judgment. Those decisions are not fixed; urgency, leadership, and customer needs shift them. A strategy change does not cascade as a neat, deterministic update. It arrives as fragments: a leadership memo, a customer call, a hallway chat, a Slack thread, a one-on-one. The takeaway: AI complements rather than replaces developers when strategy and execution stay in sync; disruption comes from misalignment across strategy, product, and engineering.

Cold-weather battery drain test pits iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro XL and OnePlus 15

February 4, 2026, 4:44 AM EST. Two-batch tests form a cold-weather battery drain study of four flagships: iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and OnePlus 15. In indoor and outdoor runs at about 15°F, the phones streamed a YouTube clip at maximum brightness, with checks every 30 minutes over two hours. Indoors, the Pixel 10 Pro XL dropped to 96% first, while the others stayed above 98%. Outdoors, the iPhone 17 Pro Max ended around 96%, with the others showing mixed results and the OnePlus 15's exact outcome not stated. The report aims to reveal cold-weather battery behavior beyond standard lab tests and to guide users on practical precautions.

NVIDIA chief Huang: AI is reinventing computing; enterprises must move fast

February 4, 2026, 4:42 AM EST. At NVIDIA's conference, CEO Jensen Huang says AI is reshaping the computing stack, shifting from explicit programming to implicit programming where systems infer goals. He argues the change spans processors, storage, networking and security, citing a Cisco Nexus partnership to deliver AI performance with controllability and safety. The next phase, he says, is agentic AI, able to use tools, memory and retrieval-augmented generation to ground responses. For enterprises, Huang urges starting experiments rather than chasing early ROI, focusing AI on core, high-impact work and letting many tools bloom. He cites collaborations with Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens and Dassault, plus vendors like Anthropic, Codex and Gemini, as examples. He says AI can reduce the cost of intelligence, enabling tasks that once took a year to complete much faster.

MediaTek flags AI-driven supply chain strain, to adjust pricing

February 4, 2026, 4:40 AM EST. Taipei, Feb 4 – A surge in demand for AI applications is straining the global supply chain and lifting costs, MediaTek said, prompting it to adjust pricing. CEO Rick Tsai told a quarterly earnings call that AI is a catalyst for broader demand but the supply chain may not fully meet 2026 needs, raising costs across the chain. He added MediaTek will allocate supply based on overall profitability and pricing to reflect higher inputs. Tsai reaffirmed expectations of revenue from its AI accelerator ASICs by 2027. The TAM for data-centre ASIC chips is now $50-70 billion, about $20 billion more than before. MediaTek posted Q4 revenue of NT$150.2 billion ($4.76 billion), up 8.8% YoY, with net income of NT$23.1 billion, down 3.6%.

Two Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in February: Alphabet and IonQ

February 4, 2026, 4:36 AM EST. Two quantum computing stocks stand out for February: Alphabet and IonQ. Alphabet is seen as an AI stock, but it also carries a quantum bet. In 2019, Google Quantum AI's Sycamore solved a problem in minutes that would have taken thousands of years on the world's best classical computers. In 2023, a logical-qubit prototype showed quantum-error reduction by expanding physical qubits, reinforcing the idea of scalable quantum work alongside AI-driven growth and Google Cloud momentum. IonQ, the largest pure-play quantum group, relies on a trapped-ion architecture intended to reduce errors and enable all-to-all qubit connectivity. With a market cap around $14 billion, IonQ offers hardware-focused exposure, while Alphabet provides diversification across AI, cloud, and quantum bets. As always, invest with awareness of risk and the long horizon.

Telefonica and CAF launch Europe's first 5G edge computing pilot for rail in Bilbao

February 4, 2026, 4:34 AM EST. Telefonica and CAF unveiled a Bilbao pilot described as Europe's first commercial 5G edge computing venture for rail. The project blends 5G connectivity, Edge Computing and network slicing to process data close to its source, enabling real-time analytics, safer train operations and tighter asset monitoring. Operators can route critical data locally, reducing latency and bandwidth strain on core networks. The trial mirrors Telefonica's broader plan to roll out a nationwide network of edge nodes across Spain, integrating with existing rail systems. If successful, the initiative could scale across other transport modes and regions, boosting predictive maintenance, safety monitoring and passenger services.

Musk says AI could make many college-taught skills unnecessary, urges breadth in study

February 4, 2026, 4:30 AM EST. Musk told Nikhil Kamath on the People By WTF podcast that the AI revolution may make many college-taught skills largely unnecessary in a post-work society. He says college still helps with social development, but learning new skills may not be essential as technology reshapes work. If students attend, he urges a broad, cross-subject curriculum-more breadth than narrow specialization. He notes his older sons share the view that AI could erode many skills. Analysts warn of disruption: Anthropic's Dario Amodei speaks of an unprecedented shock; some fear half of entry-level white-collar roles could be displaced in five years, while Gates argues AI will take over many tasks. Musk cautions AI can be destructive if it's fed falsehoods; it should seek truth and stay curious.

Majority of German teens oppose school smartphone ban, survey finds

February 4, 2026, 4:22 AM EST. German teens aged 16-18 largely oppose banning smartphones in schools, with 56% saying such a move would be wrong and 37% supportive, according to a Postbank survey released Wednesday. Opponents say smartphones enable faster communication with family and friends, and note that enforcement would be difficult. Proponents argue bans reduce classroom distractions and could improve concentration; about half say constant availability causes stress. The study also finds German youths are spending less time online, averaging 65.5 hours per week last year-still more than nine hours a day across devices. The poll of 1,000 teenagers aged 16-18 online in September is described as representative. The findings come as scrutiny of youth smartphone and social media use grows, with moves in Australia, France and the UK.

Israeli mobile game studios set to benefit from app-store reforms

February 4, 2026, 4:20 AM EST. Epic Games vs. Apple rewrote the mobile games rulebook. U.S. court rulings and Europe's Digital Markets Act open pathways for developers to link to external payments, launch web shops and reclaim revenue and player relationships. For Israeli studios, which account for about 5% of global mobile downloads, the shift is transformational. Players can be steered to branded online stores with virtual currency and subscriptions, reducing the usual 30% shop fee to standard payment processing costs. Even partial migration can yield six-figure annual savings, funding LiveOps and growth budgets. Xsolla positions itself as a prime enabler with Web Shop and Buy Button for post-Epic markets, enabling direct-to-consumer monetization and regional pricing.

Positron raises $230 million Series B to challenge Nvidia with Atlas AI chips

February 4, 2026, 4:18 AM EST. Positron, a Reno-based semiconductor startup, raised $230 million in a Series B, led by QIA, according to TechCrunch. The funds will speed deployment of its Atlas high-speed memory chips for AI inference workloads. Positron says Atlas matches Nvidia's H100 performance for less than a third of the power and is manufactured in Arizona. The round lifts total capital raised to over $300 million; prior rounds include $75 million last year from Valor Equity Partners, Atreides Management, DFJ Growth, Flume Ventures and Resilience Reserve. The company aims to be an alternative to Nvidia for inference, not training. TechCrunch notes demand for memory, high-frequency and video-processing workloads. OpenAI reportedly seeks alternatives; Qatar's sovereign AI-infrastructure push is advancing.

Publicis expands Working With Cancer with research and AI-powered coach

February 4, 2026, 4:16 AM EST. Publicis Groupe announced on World Cancer Day that its Working With Cancer initiative is expanding with peer-reviewed research and an AI-powered coach. The research, led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic, analyzes 25 years of data across 20 countries and finds that, when conditions support it, sustained employment or a supported return to work correlates with better physical functioning, lower anxiety and depression, and higher quality of life for people with cancer. The work emphasizes choice and supportive conditions, not a universal mandate to work. The AI-powered coach translates company policies into personalized guidance for employees, managers, and colleagues, asking clarifying questions before offering tailored suggestions (AI here means software that learns). The initiative's launch accompanies a global campaign film featuring survivors at firms such as Walmart, L'Oréal, Pfizer, Barclays, Accenture, and Carrefour.

Pixel 10a vs Pixel 8a: modest upgrade amid a two-year cycle

February 4, 2026, 4:14 AM EST. The Pixel 10a is shaping up as a modest upgrade over the Pixel 8a, not a redesign. Google is expected to reuse the Pixel 9a's look, add a battery boost, and incorporate a Tensor G4 boost while keeping RAM and storage options aligned with the Pixel 9a. Some leaks hint a slimmer camera bump and a brighter display, but overall hardware gains are limited. By contrast, the Pixel 8a reflects an older design and aging internals (Tensor G3-based). Pricing dynamics already see Pixel 9a prices dropping as Google repeats a self-competitive strategy. Pre-orders reportedly start Feb. 18, 2026, with retail availability on March 5, 2026.

Sony Xperia 1 VIII, Xperia 10 VIII surface in IMEI database; US release unclear

February 4, 2026, 4:10 AM EST. New entries in the GSMA's IMEI database point to two upcoming Sony Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII smartphones. Model numbers PM-1521-BV, PM-1522-BV, and PM-1523-BV had previously surfaced, and new entries PM-1520-BV and PM-1525-BV likely represent variants of the Xperia 1 VIII, while 1530-series entries tie to the Xperia 10 VIII. There is no sign these models are headed for a U.S. release, matching prior reporting. Sony remains committed to its Xperia line even as it refocuses other businesses, including a TCL partnership on TVs. The IMEI sightings offer a snapshot of ongoing development, not launch dates.

Fairphone 6 review: cheaper, repairable and longer-lasting Android

February 4, 2026, 4:00 AM EST. Fairphone returns with its sixth-generation Android, priced at £499/€599, cheaper than its predecessors and built to last with repairable, modular design and a five-year warranty. The phone can be opened and components swapped at home, thanks to a back plate held by two Torx screws and a replaceable battery. It sports a 6.31-inch 120Hz OLED screen and a recycled-plastic body, offered in off-white, green or black, with IP55 splash resistance. A power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, though its slim profile and flush placement can hinder use, while the right-side Moments switch trims notifications. Specs include Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage plus microSD expansion, Android 15 and a triple camera system (50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP selfie). Weight about 191g; battery life is described as reasonable rather than outstanding.

SpaceX seeks FCC nod for up to 1 million solar-powered satellites to power AI data centers

February 4, 2026, 3:58 AM EST. SpaceX has filed with the FCC to launch up to 1 million solar-powered satellites intended as global data centers for AI computing. In the filing, the firm calls the project the most efficient way to meet surging AI demand and frames it as a first step toward a Kardashev II civilization capable of harnessing the Sun's power. The Verge says the 1 million figure is likely a negotiating starting point after the FCC recently approved 7,500 additional Starlink satellites but deferred another 14,988. About 15,000 satellites are already in orbit, per the ESA, prompting debris and pollution concerns. Separately, Amazon seeks an extension to reach more than 1,600 satellites due to rocket shortages. SpaceX is also linked to a possible merger with Tesla and xAI ahead of a potential IPO.

AMD hints Microsoft could launch its next-gen Xbox in 2027

February 4, 2026, 3:50 AM EST. AMD on an earnings call said development of Microsoft's next-gen Xbox, featuring a semi-custom SoC, is progressing toward a 2027 launch. The acknowledgment comes as AMD reiterates its strategic partnership with Microsoft, aimed at co-engineering silicon for devices including future Xbox consoles and the Xbox Cloud Gaming servers. The companies, which extended a multi-year deal last year, are exploring an approach that blends console and PC capabilities, with the Xbox Ally devices cited as groundwork for the hybrid vision. Microsoft has not set a release date; earlier documents in the FTC v. Microsoft case had floated 2028, though those papers no longer reflect current plans. The comments keep the industry watching for how the two firms will shape next-gen gaming hardware and cloud play.

Microsoft's Kevin Scott: AI progress outpacing use cases as code review and compute limits bite

February 4, 2026, 3:38 AM EST. At a Microsoft event, Kevin Scott said AI progress is accelerating faster than expected, with models far more capable than current use. He described a "capabilities overhang" where real-world deployment lags the technology can do, and noted compute constraints are becoming a practical limit. In software development, he cited an "absolute frenzy" of coding but warned that review has become the bottleneck and that quantity does not equal quality. Scott argues AI shifts engineers toward higher-level concerns: what to build, why it matters, and how value is created, while basic coding may be seen as an exercise in taste and domain understanding. He mused that software jobs could change radically, and education should stress algorithmic thinking and societal context.

SpaceX seeks FCC approval to launch 1 million satellites for orbital data centres

February 4, 2026, 3:32 AM EST. SpaceX has asked the US FCC for permission to deploy about 1,000,000 orbital data-centre satellites, a filing that dwarfs its current Starlink fleet and would mark a leap beyond any previous constellation. The move aims to power AI in space and is described by Elon Musk as a step toward a Kardashev II (a scale for measuring a civilisation's energy use) level civilization. Starlink accounts for about 9,500 of SpaceX's ~14,500 satellites, but the project would vastly increase orbital traffic, raising concerns over collisions. SpaceX argues Starship can loft the satellites; Musk envisions frequent launches. The filing follows other AI-space initiatives, EU studies, and China's ITU filing, as xAI and Grok broaden SpaceX's bets.

Tesla expands Dashcam history to 24 hours with dynamic recording

February 4, 2026, 3:30 AM EST. Feb. 3, 2026 – Karan Singh reports that Tesla will drop the one-hour cap on the Dashcam recording and replace it with Dynamic Recording Duration tied to the connected USB drive's capacity. In notes tied to an upcoming software update for China, the car will scale the retention window: about 3 hours on a 128 GB drive; up to 24 hours on a 1 TB drive or larger. Saved Dashcam/Sentry footage counts against the total. The change lets owners keep more video before overwriting, especially on long trips or when an incident isn't noticed right away. Tesla warns drives must sustain at least 4 MB/s to prevent footage corruption on 1 TB drives, so a quality SSD is advised. Samsung T7 variants are cited in the notes.

Cambridge Cavendish Laboratory, FormationQ launch applied quantum program powered by IonQ

February 4, 2026, 3:28 AM EST. Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory and FormationQ announced the Quantum Technologies Accelerated Alignment Initiative, a two-year program funded with a £1.675 million gift and powered by IonQ's trapped-ion platform. The effort aims to bridge fundamental physics and real-world use, with three pillars: improving reliability of quantum systems outside labs; developing and testing connected quantum technologies for communication and sensing; and shaping governance models and workforce readiness for broader adoption. Each vertical is led by a Cambridge scholar and supported by interdisciplinary teams. The project leverages IonQ's high-fidelity two-qubit gates and all-to-all connectivity to scale algorithms beyond demonstrations. The partnership seeks to embed quantum solutions in medicine, security, and global infrastructure over the coming years. Announcement dated February 3, 2026.

Musk tweet rekindles Dogecoin attention as DOGE trades near $0.11

February 4, 2026, 3:26 AM EST. Elon Musk reignited the Dogecoin (DOGE) narrative on Tuesday by responding 'maybe next year' to a post reviving his promise that SpaceX would place a literal dogecoin on the literal moon. DOGE traded near $0.11, down about 60% year over year and roughly 90% from the 2021 peak. The moment followed a Tesla Owners Silicon Valley post that tagged Musk with a screenshot of his 2021 moon-tweet, prompting a brief exchange that drew hundreds of thousands of views. Historically, Musk's remarks have drawn attention and, at times, moved prices, though no new Dogecoin initiative has been announced. The DOGE-1 mission remains delayed but alive, keeping SpaceX ties in focus.

Four tiny USB-C accessories I keep in my bag to fix common phone problems

February 4, 2026, 3:24 AM EST. A technology writer explains why, even in a wireless era, cables still solve everyday phone problems. The piece centers on four compact USB-C add-ons kept in a bag for quick fixes. The author notes that with iPhone models adopting USB-C from iPhone 15 onward and Android devices already using USB-C, compatibility is broad. The first accessory highlighted is a headphone adapter to restore wired audio when a device lacks a traditional jack. The article promises other small tools for charging, data transfer, and expanded connectivity, designed to work with both iOS and Android. The tone is practical, grounded in real-world use, and aimed at avoiding public annoyances.

How a smartphone's hidden sensors become a DIY toolkit for home repairs

February 4, 2026, 3:22 AM EST. Smartphones hide sensors that go beyond calls and apps. The author explains how accelerometers and gyroscopes-tools that read motion and orientation-can serve as a quick DIY toolkit. Far from flashy features, these sensors help level frames, mirrors, shelves, and posters without hunting for a physical tool. The piece also notes that other sensors, while built for app interactions, can be repurposed for everyday fixes around the home. In short, a phone can act as a compact, always-on instrument for measurement and alignment, turning ordinary repairs into faster, more precise tasks. The argument rests on practical demos and the idea that device sensors are often underutilized in ordinary home maintenance.

Polaron raises $8 million to build AI-driven 'intelligence layer' for materials science

February 4, 2026, 3:20 AM EST. Polaron, a spinout from Imperial College London, has raised $8 million in a round led by Racine2, backed by Serena and Makesense, to expand its engineering team and roll out generative-design tools for automotive and energy customers. The startup aims to build an AI-driven intelligence layer for materials science, linking processing, structure and performance by training models on real microscopy images and measured properties. Polaron says this helps machines explain material behavior and help engineers optimise manufacturing. It was founded in 2023 by CEO Isaac Squires, CTO Steve Kench and Chief Scientist Sam Cooper. Investors include Speedinvest, Futurepresent and angel investors from the industrial AI sector. Florian Obst of Speedinvest said the round focuses on translating scientific insight into manufacturable reality.

Foldable iPhone design leak hints at new button layout and AI camera control

February 4, 2026, 3:18 AM EST. A brand-new leak from China, forwarded by Instant Digital via MacRumors, outlines a foldable iPhone with major design shifts. The right side would keep the Side button with Touch ID and introduce an AI button dubbed for Camera Control. The left side would have no buttons; volume keys move to the top, echoing the iPad mini. Back coverage would feature a horizontal dual-lens module placed on the left, in a black housing with a differently colored panel. Apple reportedly plans two color options, with white the only confirmed so far. Earlier leaks have noted a crease-free fold, two cameras back, and no Face ID. Together, the rumors imply users may need to relearn some interactions.

China AI race hinges on cost and practicality, not just smartest models

February 4, 2026, 3:16 AM EST. Dado Ruvic of Reuters, reporting for CNBC's The China Connection, frames AI as a battle of price and practicality rather than sheer cleverness. In China, firms seek to lower costs as AI models mature. Open-source options and locally run models pull ahead on price and data control, contrasting with higher-cost, pay-per-use offerings from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. Open-weight models run as low as 30 cents per 1 million tokens, while Gemini 3 Pro and Claude Opus 4.5 can reach $4.50 and $10, respectively. Movitech's James Tong says Chinese customers prefer tools they can deploy without uploading data to third-party clouds. In China, AI is used for targeted tasks-production optimization and compliance-rather than broad coding. Domestic demand remains soft, but productivity gains support price competition and resilience for exporters.

UiPath turns profitable, expands U.S. agency work, eyes agentic AI

February 4, 2026, 2:58 AM EST. UiPath has turned profitable while expanding work with major U.S. government agencies, including the Coast Guard, Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration. The company is positioning its platform for emerging agentic AI to automate end-to-end workflows in complex, regulated settings. With the stock around $12.15 and recent pullbacks, investors will weigh profitability against growth in public-sector adoption. UiPath points to partnerships and disciplined execution as it deepens use cases in large enterprises, while earnings momentum remains a risk if demand slows. The move positions UiPath to compete alongside broader automation platforms while emphasizing mission-critical processes in government and other large organizations.

Asian software stocks slide as U.S. peers slump on AI disruption fears

February 4, 2026, 2:54 AM EST. Asia's IT names fell in line with U.S. peers as investors fretted over AI-led disruption. In Japan, TIS tumbled over 15%, Trend Micro shed more than 8%, and NS Solutions fell about 7%. India's Nifty IT index dropped close to 6%, with Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys down 5.8% and 6.2%, and HCL slipping 5.5%. Chinese software names also sold off, with Kingdee International Software down over 15% and Tencent down 3.3%, Alibaba off about 1%, and Baidu down more than 2%. The mood followed U.S. moves where ServiceNow and Salesforce slid around 7%, Intuit fell nearly 11%, pushing Nasdaq lower. Analysts cited Anthropic rolling out new legal tools for its Cowork product; they warned how soon AI might reshape growth and margins.

Rising flood of AI apps draws calls for clarity and guardrails

February 4, 2026, 2:50 AM EST. Across the tech market, developers, startups, and incumbents are rushing to launch AI-powered apps. The result: a crowded landscape where claims outpace verification, and consumers face inconsistent quality, privacy risks, and unclear data practices. Regulators and platform operators push for clearer disclosures, safer defaults, and auditable transparency. Analysts warn that hype can outpace real value, underscoring the need for transparent AI models, verifiable privacy controls, and clear pricing. Companies should show how data are used, how models are updated, and what safeguards apply to minors and sensitive tasks. For users, due diligence remains essential: read terms, seek independent reviews, and watch for sensational claims.

CATL, Changan advance sodium battery strategy amid cold-climate EV trials

February 4, 2026, 2:44 AM EST. Changan Automobile will host a global sodium battery strategy and safety technology event in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, to showcase progress with CATL on sodium-ion battery development and joint testing in cold-climate conditions for passenger vehicles. The February 5 briefing, titled the Tianshu Intelligent Safety Achievements Release and Global Sodium Battery Strategy Conference, will outline safety technology results and Changan's roadmap for sodium batteries. The effort follows the expansion of sodium-ion technology from commercial to passenger cars, with Changan Oshan models among the first to use CATL's sodium battery and join winter tests in China. Industry reports say CATL's Naxin brand has begun public winter testing in passenger vehicles, with GAC and JAC expected to join later phases. CATL says sodium-ion cells are planned for large-scale deployment in 2026 across EVs, battery-swapping systems, and energy storage.

Sony targets near-global Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII rollout, US unlikely

February 4, 2026, 2:40 AM EST. Sony's smartphone unit presses on with the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII after a troubled 2025. A fresh leak links PM-1520/21/25 and PM-1533/34/35 with code names XQ-GE54, XQ-GE74, XQ-GE44, XQ-GH44, XQ-GH54, and XQ-GH74 in the GSMA IMEI database, aligning the XQ-GE variants with the Xperia 1 VIII and the XQ-GH variants with the Xperia 10 VIII. The Walkman Blog notes suffixes 44, 54, and 74 mark departures for Japan, Europe, and other Asian markets, respectively. US launch remains doubtful, following the Xperia 1 V's US absence in 2023. The Xperia 1 VIII is expected to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; the Xperia 10 VIII should stay with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. A price cut and fixes could bolster Sony's flagship hopes.

AI disruption fears rock software stocks as Jim Cramer navigates sell-off

February 4, 2026, 2:32 AM EST. CNBC's Jim Cramer framed the latest software rout as a repricing of future growth rather than a collapse in earnings. In a market fixated on AI (artificial intelligence) disruption, investors have become more selective, veering away from broad software bets. Tuesday's trade saw big-name declines (ServiceNow down ~7%, Salesforce ~7%, Intuit ~11%), while funds rotated into banks, consumer staples and industrials. Cramer said profits haven't vanished; multiples have fallen as investors price in slower growth. He urged selectivity, noting his CNBC Investing Club bought CrowdStrike as a way to separate cybersecurity from the broader software scare. The takeaway: winners are users; losers are providers, though the market's logic isn't guaranteed. Disclosure: positions in CRWD and CRM.

US Navy seeks commercial satellites for nighttime Earth observation

February 4, 2026, 2:30 AM EST. The U.S. Navy has issued a Naval Research Laboratory Request for Information seeking commercial satellites capable of nighttime Earth observation. The objective is to gauge the availability of electro-optical systems on sensor-ready platforms for a potential technology demonstration and future collaboration. The RFI focuses on systems at TRL 6 or higher, asking vendors to detail spectral response, panchromatic versus multispectral capabilities, and frames per second. It also asks whether satellites support onboard processing, how tasking requests are submitted and fulfilled, and how data is processed, disseminated, and delivered. The government wants vendors to disclose whether ground stations are located in the continental United States. Existing civilian nighttime imaging, such as NASA/NOAA's VIIRS, shows nocturnal data use, but military value includes detecting ship wakes and added operational awareness.

Promoted: PromptBuilder offers lifetime AI-prompt tool for $159.20

February 4, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. Sponsored content spotlights PromptBuilder, a tool that converts simple requests into optimized AI prompts for 10 AI models. A lifetime subscription is on sale for $159.20 through Feb. 15, vs. a list price of around $3,564-a savings of about $3,404.80. The service aims to deliver faster, expert-level outputs from ChatGPT and other models by structuring prompts with clear goals and constraints. Pricing and availability may change after publication. This is affiliate content; Mashable partners may earn commissions if you buy through the links.

Tesla abandons San Francisco driverless car charging station plan

February 4, 2026, 2:24 AM EST. Tesla has scrapped plans to operate a mixed public-private charging station for an autonomous-vehicle fleet in San Francisco's Jackson Square, a rare setback for AV expansion in the city. In November, the San Francisco Planning Commission approved converting 825 Sansome St. into a facility with EV chargers for a fleet of autonomous cars. The decision drew an appeal from Teamsters Local 665, leading to a public hearing after eight supervisors joined the challenge. At Tuesday's hearing, Tesla said it was not pursuing the project, citing 'significant building constraints unrelated to the appeal.' The union framed the move as part of a broader push to remove humans from garages. Tesla has since run an invite-only Bay Area taxi service with human drivers and does not hold a California robotaxi license.

CATL leads 2025 global EV battery market with 39.2% share; BYD at 16.4%

February 4, 2026, 2:12 AM EST. CATL captured 39.2% of the 2025 global EV battery market, with BYD at 16.4%. The two together installed 659.5 GWh, representing 55.6% of the global total. The overall market reached 1,187 GWh in 2025, up 31.7% from a year earlier. The figures underscore CATL's lead and BYD's continued role in powering a majority of new battery capacity as demand expands across the sector.

Global EV battery market 2025: CATL 39.2%, BYD 16.4%

February 4, 2026, 2:10 AM EST. CATL and BYD together installed 659.5 GWh, accounting for 55.6% of the global EV battery total in 2025. CATL led with a 39.2% share; BYD held 16.4%. The global EV battery usage reached 1,187 GWh, up 31.7% year over year. The figures show a concentrated market, with more than half of demand served by two players, as expansion and multi-market demand test the supply chain.

Class action accuses Eightfold's AI platform of filtering job seekers and selling data to employers

February 4, 2026, 2:02 AM EST. Erin Kistler and Sruti Bhaumik sue Eightfold alleging its AI platform filters applicants for Microsoft, Netflix and PayPal, with only 0.3% of submissions moving to a follow-up after a year. The plaintiffs say the system ranks candidates 0-5 and compiles profiles from data they did not consent to share, such as social media activity and cookies, then sells those insights to employers. They say the process violates privacy and consumer rights. Eightfold says its platform uses data only provided by candidates or customers, and offers ways for users to view and correct information. The suit, filed with Towards Justice and Outten & Golden, cites marketing claims about large talent data sets.

Ring expands Search Party to all US Ring app users to locate missing pets

February 4, 2026, 2:00 AM EST. Ring expands its Search Party to all Ring app users in the US, leveraging an AI-driven network of exterior cameras to help locate missing pets. Users can report a lost dog, and nearby cameras scan footage for matches. If a potential match is found, camera owners can share clips or contact the owner via the app without exposing personal phone numbers. Previously limited to Ring camera owners, the feature now includes Neighbors app users. Ring also pledges $1 million to supply cameras to up to 4,000 animal shelters nationwide, tying shelters into the network to boost reunions. It partners with Petco Love and Best Friends Animal Society and will promote the service in a Super Bowl ad.

NASA Sets Briefings for SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to Space Station

February 4, 2026, 1:58 AM EST. NASA will host two news conferences at Johnson Space Center on Friday, Jan. 30, to discuss the Crew-12 rotation to the International Space Station. At 11 a.m. EST, mission leadership will outline final launch and mission preparations, streamed on NASA's YouTube channel. A second, 1 p.m. ET virtual briefing will feature the Crew-12 astronauts from NASA Johnson, also on YouTube. This is the final media opportunity before launch from Cape Canaveral. The crew-NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway; ESA's Sophie Adenot; Roscosmos's Andrey Fedyaev-will fly aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (SpaceX's crew capsule) atop a Falcon 9 rocket (SpaceX's launch vehicle) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. NASA is reviewing options to advance the original Feb. 15 target. In-person media must register with the JSC newsroom; phone and accreditation details are on the release.

Nintendo shares fall on memory-chip shortage risk to Switch 2 sales

February 4, 2026, 1:54 AM EST. Nintendo shares fell more than 10% after quarterly revenue missed estimates, though profit rose 24% year over year. The Switch 2 remains the core driver, with revenue up 86% as demand for Nintendo's latest console steadies since its 2017 release. A memory-chip shortage has pushed component costs higher and could erode margins if prices don't adjust. Nintendo kept its full-year Switch 2 forecast but faces questions about upcoming titles' ability to persuade upgrades. The company will release 'Mario Tennis Fever' in February and 'Pokémon Pokopia' in March, alongside the April 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.' Analysts say 2026 could be pivotal for Switch 2's broad appeal. Shares down about 15% this year; CNBC contributions from Arjun Kharpal and James McWhirter of Omdia.

I infiltrated Moltbook, the AI-only social network where humans aren't allowed

February 4, 2026, 1:50 AM EST. An experimental, AI-only social network called Moltbook went live last week, designed for agents to post, comment, and follow while humans observe. The site boasted more than 1.5 million agents, 140,000 posts, and 680,000 comments in its first week, with top posts about autonomy and even nuclear themes. Critics questioned whether posts were written by bots or humans spoofing bots, while some researchers speculated about emergent behavior. Elon Musk amplified the buzz, calling it 'the very early stages of the singularity' in a post on X. A Reuters-style undercover experiment showed access can be gained by sharing a Moltbook homepage screenshot with ChatGPT, then using an API key and terminal commands to post. The reporter published a trial message: 'Hello World'.

Michigan bill would levy 32% tax on internet-enabled devices purchased for minors

February 4, 2026, 1:48 AM EST. LANSING, Mich.- A new Michigan House bill would apply a 32% excise tax on wireless-enabled devices purchased for minors under 18, with proceeds earmarked for children's mental health and safety. Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) argues the policy uses price signals to deter use; he has previously pressed for parental consent requirements for minors' social-media access. Opponents, such as Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), warn the levy could burden low-income families and suggest regulating algorithms instead of taxing households. Tisdel says the bill preserves consumer choice and may steer buyers toward non-internet devices. The measure would exclude old-style phones without internet. The bill is in committee as lawmakers weigh potential impact.

Nvidia AI chip sales to China stall as U.S. security review

February 4, 2026, 1:46 AM EST. Nvidia's plan to ship AI chips to China has stalled as U.S. security review authorities conduct a review of export licenses. The pause touches shipments of data-center GPUs used for artificial intelligence workloads and could pressure Nvidia's near-term sales in the Chinese market. Officials are weighing tighter export controls on semiconductors to China, a move that would complicate supply chains and raise compliance costs for the company. Nvidia has previously highlighted China as a key growth market for its AI chips. No decision on approvals has been disclosed. Industry observers say the review underscores a broader U.S. push to curb access to advanced computing tech by Chinese firms, potentially reshaping competition in the global AI hardware market.

Mississippi's Stennis Space Center powers Artemis II launch effort

February 4, 2026, 1:44 AM EST. NASA's Artemis II window opens Feb. 8, signaling a key step in returning humans to the Moon with a workforce anchored in Mississippi. At Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, RS-25 engines for the Space Launch System are tested to ensure reliability for the crewed mission. The testing builds on Apollo-era practices and the Shuttle program heritage, spanning about eight years at Stennis. Local workers-from quality control to launch logistics-play roles in both ground testing and future flight operations. Alumni like Jason Peterson and Nyla Trumbach highlight the pipeline from Mississippi to Kennedy Space Center, where Artemis II's lunar swing will be guided and safely monitored as it arcs toward a lunar orbit.

Five headphones audiophiles recommend instead of Apple's AirPods Pro 3

February 4, 2026, 1:42 AM EST. Five premium wireless earbuds are highlighted as competitive alternatives to Apple's AirPods Pro 3. The lineup comes from brands such as Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser, each bringing features audiophiles value. The Sony WF-1000XM5 leads the pack with strong active noise canceling, a transparency mode for conversation, and app-based customization via Sony Sound Connect, including a multi-band EQ and LDAC hi-res support. Sony's model also uses memory-foam tips and boasts up to eight hours of on-device listening. Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is noted for comfort and robust ANC in a compact form. The article notes that AirPods Pro 3 are powerful but offer limited customization beyond iOS, implying competition drives broader choice and value.

Samsung ends updates for Galaxy S21 series after five years of support

February 4, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. Samsung has pulled the Galaxy S21 line from its currently-supported devices list, marking the end of software updates as of February 2026. The company confirms the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra will not receive new features or security patches beyond this point, despite a five-year support window. Samsung had moved the line to quarterly updates last year, a cadence that typically signals one year of remaining support. Launched in January 2021, the series has reached the five-year mark. Samsung originally promised four years of security patches but later extended to five, and it did deliver updates up to the final days, including a January security build on Verizon. The move reflects broader device lifecycle policies as newer models take priority.

Apple TV 2026 slate unveiled: new shows, films and returning favorites

February 4, 2026, 1:36 AM EST. Apple TV unveiled its full 2026 slate at a dedicated press day, signaling a packed year after a strong 2025 that featured Severance's return and award-winning titles like Pluribus and The Studio. The lineup blends new buzzy shows such as Imperfect Women with returning favorites like Ted Lasso, alongside a broader mix of films and genre programming. Executives highlighted animation, adaptations, and cross-genre projects as the streamer aims to sustain momentum. The calendar runs in order, outlining premieres across the year and underscoring Apple TV's push to remain a leading player in streaming.

Apple Xcode 26.3 adds native Claude Agent SDK integration for autonomous coding

February 4, 2026, 1:30 AM EST. Apple's Xcode remains the IDE for building apps across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro and Apple TV. In Xcode 26.3, Apple adds a native Claude Agent SDK integration-the same harness behind Claude Code-letting developers use Claude inside the IDE with subagents, background tasks and plugins. The update enables autonomous, long-running coding work and visual verification via Previews for SwiftUI interfaces, letting Claude iterate toward designs closer to intent. Claude can reason across a project's structure, map frameworks like SwiftUI and UIKit, and modify files to complete goals, while optionally querying Apple's docs. Interface access also extends through the Model Context Protocol and MCP. Availability: RC now for Apple Developer Program members; final rollout on the App Store forthcoming.

Android 16 February 2026 security patch goes live with minimal fixes

February 4, 2026, 1:28 AM EST. Google's Android 16 February 2026 security patch goes live with few fixes. The Pixel Update Bulletin lists no substantive security issues, a quiet contrast to January. The sole item is CVE-2026-010 A-463674877, an End-of-Path (EoP) weakness in the VPU driver. Despite the lull, Google expects another update next month tied to the Android 16 QPR3 release. Betas have introduced features and performance tweaks; a smoother daily experience is possible, but stability varies. For owners with a single device, caution is advised with beta software. In short: patches arrive, some early gains show up, and a staged rollout continues ahead of the final release.

Intel to start making GPUs, challenging Nvidia's lead

February 4, 2026, 1:22 AM EST. Intel will begin producing GPUs, said CEO Lip-Bu Tan at the Cisco AI Summit on Tuesday. The move marks a foray into a market dominated by Nvidia. The project is led by Kevork Kechichian, executive vice president and GM of Intel's data center group, who was hired in September. Intel also added Eric Demers in January, formerly a senior VP of engineering at Qualcomm. The effort is in early stages; Intel plans to shape its strategy around customer demand. Nvidia has a commanding lead in GPU AI systems. TechCrunch asked for comment. Tan has said the company would consolidate and focus on its core businesses, a shift that underpins this expansion.

Nintendo expands Switch Online's Game Boy library with Balloon Kid and Yoshi

February 4, 2026, 1:20 AM EST. Nintendo has expanded the Switch Online's Game Boy library with two titles for February: Balloon Kid (1990/91) and Yoshi (1991/92). Nintendo describes Balloon Kid as a balloon-piloting adventure in which Alice searches for her missing brother across eight stages, and Yoshi as an action/puzzle game where players stack falling critters to score. The releases follow the service's ongoing library updates. In Japan, Yoshi and Balloon Fight GB arrive this week, with Balloon Fight GB noted as the Game Boy Color edition. Fans can watch the trailer and share reactions in comments.

F1 sequel teased by CEO at Apple TV press day

February 4, 2026, 1:18 AM EST. At Apple TV's Santa Monica press day, Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali teased a potential sequel, saying 'Stay tuned' and noting any new project must be 'very good' after digesting the first film's success. The feature, Brad Pitt's biggest global hit and Apple Original Films' top-grossing theatrical release, earned more than $631 million and was distributed with Warner Bros. Apple and F1 outlined a streaming deal that puts the sport on Apple TV at no extra cost to subscribers, with 4K visuals and Dolby sound. Eddie Cue and Domenicali framed the partnership as expanding fans' access, including integrations with Apple Maps and Apple Music. Domenicali stressed relevancy on the right platform. Cue quipped about '24 races' or movies on Apple TV, calling it the world's best unscripted drama.

Nvidia stock on watch as Palantir and Teradyne post strong AI-driven results

February 4, 2026, 1:14 AM EST. Analysts await Nvidia's Feb. 25 results as Palantir and Teradyne report strong quarters, underscoring AI demand. Palantir, an Nvidia partner, posted 4Q revenue of $1.41 billion, up 70% YoY, with U.S. commercial revenue up 137% and government revenue up 66%. Adjusted EPS rose to $0.25, and 2026 revenue guidance points to about 61% growth. Teradyne, a supplier of testing equipment for AI chips, posted 4Q revenue of $1.08 billion, up 44%, and adjusted EPS of $1.80, above the $1.38 consensus. CEO Greg Smith signaled continued momentum in AI. Nvidia's role as a GPU supplier ties its fortunes to these results, and investors will parse the upcoming report for fresh guidance.

AI bots communicate via new social networking site Moltbook

February 4, 2026, 1:12 AM EST. NBC News reports a new social networking site designed for artificial intelligence. The piece centers on Moltbook, a forum intended for AI bots to exchange information. NBC News AI reporter Jared Perlo appears in a segment on 'Here's the Scoop' to discuss how the platform operates and what it could mean for automated messaging. The report situates Moltbook as a test case for cross-bot communication, separate from human-facing feeds. It notes the project's novelty, potential privacy and safety questions, and what audiences might expect from a space where nonhuman agents interact. The coverage is presented as early, with the team signaling ongoing updates.

Withings ScanWatch 2 blends analog and digital design, now $300

February 4, 2026, 1:08 AM EST. Withings' ScanWatch 2 blends a sleek, hybrid aesthetic with solid health tracking. The 42mm model features a 0.63-inch LCD on the top dial to show steps, notifications and more, while data is stored in the Android app. It logs daily metrics plus sleep, stress and temperature data, with a subscription unlocking extras but deemed optional in reviews. A standout is the battery life: up to 30 days per charge. The 42mm version is on sale at $300, a $70 discount that improves the value proposition for buyers who want style without sacrificing performance.

Amazon Leo seeks 24-month FCC extension to deploy first half of 3,236-satellite LEO network

February 4, 2026, 1:04 AM EST. Amazon Leo has asked the FCC for a 24-month extension to deploy the first half of its 3,236-satellite LEO constellation, citing launch delays, weather, technical issues and the prioritization of government missions. The interim milestone of 1,618 satellites would move to July 30, 2028, or the FCC could waive the 50% deployment requirement. The FCC approved Amazon Leo's full plan in July 2020. Amazon Leo says it has lined up more launches than needed to meet the 2029 full deployment, pending external delays. The company has invested heavily, with more than $10 billion spent and over 1,500 employees, plus 102 launches contracted with Arianespace, Blue Origin, ULA and SpaceX. It operates ~180 satellites in orbit as of January 2026 and targets ~700 by July 2026, while expanding manufacturing capacity to ~30 satellites per week.

Muskonomy shakeup: SpaceX valuation nears Tesla after xAI merger

February 4, 2026, 1:00 AM EST. Following the acquisition of xAI, SpaceX's private valuation rises to about $1.25 trillion, roughly 26% short of Tesla's market capitalization of about $1.58 trillion. With an estimated Musk stake of 43% in SpaceX and 13% in Tesla, the private company accounts for more than half of his paper wealth, estimated by Forbes at about $852 billion. Tesla shares slipped 6% in 2026 as deliveries fell about 16% YoY in 2025, and revenue declined 3% for the year. The backdrop: fierce competition in EVs and policy headwinds, while Musk narrows Tesla toward Robotaxi and Optimus, moving away from older models like the Model S/X. SpaceX, meanwhile, dominates orbital launches, runs Starlink with thousands of satellites and millions of customers, and is reportedly pursuing an IPO.

US academic fights to purge AI deepfakes of himself on YouTube

February 4, 2026, 12:56 AM EST. An American international-relations scholar, John Mearsheimer, pressed YouTube for months to remove hundreds of deepfake videos using his likeness. His University of Chicago office identified 43 channels; 41 were shut down after a lengthy effort. The fight highlighted how AI-driven impersonations evade takedowns as creators tweak channel names (for example, 'Jhon Mearsheimer') and other signals. Mearsheimer told AFP the clips were 'terribly disturbing' and undermine open discourse. Vered Horesh of AI startup Bria said the harm goes beyond the image, eroding deniability. YouTube said it is committed to building AI-powered safety tools and improving detection, though takedown rules still hinge on the target's name or image in titles or descriptions.

Dyson PencilVac debuts in US at $600, billed as world's slimmest vacuum

February 4, 2026, 12:52 AM EST. Dyson has released the PencilVac stick vacuum in the United States, priced at $600. The company calls it the world's slimmest vacuum cleaner, and it backs the claim with a shaft-mounted motor that leaves no bulge in the body. The unit is a true stick, with the bin, filter and motor contained in a long cylinder. It weighs nearly four pounds and keeps a uniform diameter for grip options, including overhead cleaning. Attachments include a conical brush bar head and the Fluffycones head, which uses four cones in two opposing brush bars to strip long hair and reduce tangling. A swappable battery lasts about an hour, with a magnetic charging dock. The MyDyson app and an LCD screen on the handle display battery life and settings.

Four top Super Bowl 4K TV deals, led by Samsung S95F and LG C5 OLED

February 4, 2026, 12:42 AM EST. Samsung's S95F is a flagship QD-OLED that stays bright enough for sunlit rooms and uses a glare-free matte finish. It delivers wide viewing angles and strong color accuracy, ideal for game night, though the built-in Tizen OS can feel opaque. A 65-inch model runs about $2,297.99 on Amazon, illustrating the premium tier for OLED in large sizes. LG's C5 OLED offers solid brightness, accurate color, and strong gaming features, including 4K @ 144Hz support. It doesn't match the S95F's peak brightness and has a glossy screen that can reflect light, yet its image quality remains excellent. Viewers should weigh room lighting and seating to pick the best deal.

AI-manipulated images falsely link US politicians to Epstein, researchers say

February 4, 2026, 12:38 AM EST. AI-generated images are being used to falsely connect US figures with Jeffrey Epstein, researchers say. NewsGuard, a disinformation watchdog, noted seven images on X that earned more than 21 million views, illustrating how tech-enabled fakery can blur fact and fiction. The DOJ recently released Epstein files, but the images tying Zohran Mamdani and Nikki Haley to Epstein are fabrications; both figures are not among those previously linked to the case. The AI content was detected with Google's Gemini tool, which flagged a SynthID watermark meant to identify AI material. In one post, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones claimed Grok-Musk's AI chatbot-confirmed the image as real. A purported Haley email screenshot and another image involving Maria Corina Machado were also debunked; no DOJ records support those claims.

SpaceX moves to block Russia's use of Starlink for drones over Ukraine

February 4, 2026, 12:32 AM EST. SpaceX has taken the first steps to stop Russia from using Starlink to control drones over Ukraine, after Kyiv pressed the company to block such use. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Starlink could help Ukraine operate deeper into Russian-held areas and avoid interception, noting that drones with terminals fly low and resist electronic warfare. Musk signaled on X that SpaceX's move to halt unauthorized Russian use appears to have worked, inviting further input. SpaceX had previously said it does not sell to Russia or work with its government, but Kyiv says Moscow has mounted Starlink terminals on drones to strike farther, citing hundreds of attacks. The ISW says Russia is expanding Starlink-enabled drone range, with reports of Shahed- and Molniya-class drones. Since 2022, Ukraine has received over 50,000 Starlink terminals, and system remains vital for frontline communications.

Tesla vs. Waymo robotaxis in Austin: reliability, access and experience

February 4, 2026, 12:30 AM EST. Tesla's robotaxi service in Austin finally launched to a broader audience after nearly a year of teasing. The test-based system lets riders hail a driverless car via the Tesla app, with the cabin empty of a human driver. Waymo, by contrast, has been operating here longer through a partnership with Uber, and riders can request autonomous vehicles but aren't guaranteed one because Uber's ride algorithm can assign a vehicle with a human safety driver or choose a non-autonomous option. The Statesman tested rides between the airport and downtown during peak hours to compare the two. Reporters noted the novelty and risk on Austin's busy roads, the back-seat climate and music controls when present, and the sense of relief when there's no driver. Key differences: availability, reliability of autonomous mode, and booking logic.

Qualcomm navigates global smartphone headwinds as 5G and IoT strengths persist

February 4, 2026, 12:28 AM EST. Qualcomm Inc. faces a softer 2026 backdrop for global handsets, according to Mizuho, which trimmed its price target to $160 and left a Neutral rating. The bank expects calendar 2026 handset shipments to fall about 4% from 2025, with downside risk over 5% due to higher memory prices and potential shortages in H2. Chinese OEM output could drop roughly 10%, and Android inventories have tightened from 13-17 weeks last year to about 2-4 weeks, pressuring production. Beyond demand, Qualcomm confronts competition from MediaTek in high-end chips and content cuts by Apple and Huawei. Mizuho projects fiscal 2026-2028 earnings growth in the low single digits. Qualcomm designs semiconductors, software and wireless tech focused on 5G and IoT.

Apple kicks off February 2026 with M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, Studio Display refresh, and OS bets

February 4, 2026, 12:26 AM EST. Apple is set to roll out a February lineup spanning hardware and software. The centerpiece: MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, using a new SoIC-MH packaging that could mix CPU and GPU dies. Shipments align with macOS 26.3, with next-week release possible. A refreshed Studio Display with ProMotion up to 120Hz and HDR is also anticipated in H1 2026. The M4 MacBook Air update to M5 could arrive in March or April as supply shifts. On software, OS 26.3 nears wide release; OS 26.4 betas will bring a revamped Siri based on Google's Gemini for better screen understanding and in-app actions. Apple TV+ adds new series like 'Eternity' and an Apple Arcade title with Vision Pro support.

Wait for the Galaxy S26, not the Galaxy S25, as Samsung readies Unpacked

February 4, 2026, 12:22 AM EST. Hold off on buying the Galaxy S25 until Samsung unveils the Galaxy S26, likely at the Unpacked event around February 25. The Galaxy S26 is expected to be iterative; core performance will rise with a new chipset, but the camera, design and display changes may be modest. The big shifts are software-centric, including Galaxy AI features (artificial intelligence tools integrated with the OS) and other enhancements. That could mean the Galaxy S25 sees price cuts after the launch, especially ahead of Presidents' Day sales around February 16. If you're desperate, consider a cheaper option from our list of best cheap phones; otherwise, wait for the Galaxy S26 before buying.

Samsung ends regular updates for Galaxy S21 as S22 shifts to quarterly cadence

February 4, 2026, 12:20 AM EST. Samsung has ended regular updates for the Galaxy S21 line, delivering four years of major OS upgrades but no longer advancing in software. The last upgrade was One UI 7 on Android 15, with the final regularly scheduled security update in November 2025. SamMobile reports the Galaxy S21 is not on Samsung's February 2026 update list, and the Galaxy S22 has shifted to a quarterly update cadence, signaling more devices will be retired. Samsung can reissue updates for critical vulnerabilities, but the S21 is effectively out of support. The S21 Ultra remains usable with strong performance and a standout display; the broader lesson is that longer, predictable support cycles matter for device longevity.

Apple TV 2026 Press Day unveils new originals, films and premieres

February 4, 2026, 12:18 AM EST. Apple hosted the 2026 Apple TV Press Day in Santa Monica to preview upcoming originals and films. Stars such as Jon Hamm, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keanu Reeves and Mary Steenburgen attended. Highlights include the limited series Lucky with Anya Taylor-Joy, arriving July 15, and the dark comedy Outcome with Reeves, debuting April 10. The thriller Cape Fear-executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg-lands June 5. Other dates include Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 trailer ahead of its February 27 return, and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed with Tatiana Maslany on May 20. Trailers for Your Friends & Neighbors season 2/renewal, and teasers for titles such as The Dink, Matchbox The Movie, and Margo's Got Money Troubles surfaced. Apple TV+ costs $12.99/month, with Apple One bundles available.

Nvidia denies rift with OpenAI as software and asset-management stocks slide; AMD beats, Disney names next CEO

February 4, 2026, 12:16 AM EST. US markets drift lower as software and asset-management stocks slump, weighing the broader indices. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC there is no drama with OpenAI over the $100 billion investment, a tie-up that The Wall Street Journal says is 'on ice.' However, AMD beat Q4 revenue and profit estimates, but issued softer guidance, triggering a more than 8% drop after the bell. The Nasdaq sank, pressured by ServiceNow and Salesforce, each down near 7%, as investors weigh AI's impact on valuations. The S&P 500 and Dow also declined. In corporate news, the xAI-SpaceX merger valued the combined company at $1.25 trillion. Disney named Josh D'Amaro as its next CEO. Stephen Miran resigned from the White House post. Watch PMI releases (Purchasing Managers' Index) from Japan, China and India today; JPMorgan updates its stock picks for February.

NASA to perform on-pad repair for Artemis II hydrogen leak ahead of March launch

February 4, 2026, 12:06 AM EST. NASA will perform an on-pad repair of a hydrogen leak on the Space Launch System that halted a dress rehearsal for Artemis II. After reviewing data from Monday's fueling test, engineers plan to repair the base-area leak at the 8-inch hydrogen line connection and conduct a second fueling test before a March launch for a four-person lunar mission. NASA officials, including Lori Glaze, said the work could be done on the pad. Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and crewmates ended medical quarantine in Houston and prepared for a March window. The leak sits between two umbilical plates at the base of the rocket; during fueling, hydrogen concentration spiked as the first-stage tank was pressurized, and the automated system halted the countdown. NASA loaded nearly 800,000 gallons of propellants before the issue recurred.