Technology News 06.02.2026

Nokia N8 returns, sort of, via Belle-based ROM

February 6, 2026, 6:10 PM EST. Once the flagship that defined Nokia's camera phones, the Nokia N8 lives on in a new form: a Belle-based custom ROM called N8 Reborn, spotted by Android Authority. The 2010 device boasted a 680 MHz ARM11, 256 MB RAM, 16 GB storage, and a 12 MP Carl Zeiss camera with a Xenon flash. The revival project, not officially sponsored, fixes long-standing issues and renders the device usable again. It ships with updated HTTPS signing certificates, enabling secure web browsing, and even includes a working app store for the N8. A YouTube demo shows a smoother interface on legacy hardware. Caution remains: flashing ROMs carries risk and is not recommended for most users.

Bigme HiBreak S Color brings color E Ink to Android, blending calm use with apps

February 6, 2026, 6:06 PM EST. Android Central's Bigme HiBreak S Color is a color E Ink smartphone that runs Android and includes NFC and access to the Google Play Store. It uses a color E Ink display capable of around 40 FPS refresh, a step up from earlier B/W models. The phone is smaller, with a textured back and a lower price, and it's not the fastest device but not trying to be. Videos are watchable; everyday tasks feel reasonably responsive, though typing can miss letters occasionally and autocorrect helps. It's designed to slow you down while staying usable, a niche that leans into digital detox without cutting off essential apps and services.

Tensor-Network pre-processing reduces quantum error mitigation costs, beats TEM

February 6, 2026, 6:04 PM EST. Scientists from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, led by Juan F. Martin with Giuseppe Cocco and Javier Fonollosa, report a pre-processing approach to quantum error mitigation that addresses noise before measurement. Instead of post-processing, they construct a surrogate observable whose expectation value on a noisy state matches that of the target observable on an ideal state. Using Tensor Networks, they claim a roughly one-millionfold reduction in classical computing cost compared with post-processing TEM. The method removes the need for informationally complete measurements, cutting data and processing demands. By evolving the quantum state through a channel tied to Heisenberg evolution, the surrogate observable is defined without prior knowledge of the state. Simulations show reduced variance, fewer tensor-network contractions, and practical gains for near-term devices.

Big Tech set to spend about $650 billion on AI in 2026 as hyperscalers push infrastructure

February 6, 2026, 5:56 PM EST. Four hyperscalers plan to spend roughly $635-665 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, a year-on-year rise of about 67-74% from 2025. The cohort-Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta-outlined capex: Amazon about $200 billion; Alphabet $175-185 billion; Meta $115-135 billion; Microsoft $145 billion. Most outlays target AI chips, servers, and data-center infrastructure. The totals would far exceed 2025's $381 billion baseline. Markets swung on the news: Amazon and Alphabet slid, Microsoft fell after results, while Meta rallied on AI-driven ad growth. Analysts warn investors to demand visible returns amid skepticism of an AI funding cycle, noting broader caution about the potential for a bubble and the need for real gains in efficiency.

AI job postings rise to record as broader hiring slows

February 6, 2026, 5:52 PM EST. AI job postings are climbing to a record, even as overall hiring decelerates across sectors. Early data from major job boards and market trackers show demand for artificial intelligence and related skills outpacing the rest of the labor market. Analysts say the surge reflects sustained investment in AI capabilities, automation, and software development, with finance, healthcare, and tech buyers driving postings. Employers appear to be prioritizing niche AI roles-machine-learning engineers, data scientists, and AI product managers-over broader headcount. The trend underscores a split in the labor market: strong demand for specialized tech talent amid a cooling pace for general hiring. Firms say the pull includes both permanent roles and project-based work.

Apple's iPhone 17E Nears Release With Upgrades, But Price Pressure Remains

February 6, 2026, 5:46 PM EST. Apple is nearing launch of the iPhone 17E, a budget-friendly model expected at about $600. After last year's higher-priced 16E, Apple is said to address missing features like MagSafe charging and possibly erase the notch in favor of a Dynamic Island pill-style cutout, depending on cost. The company reportedly could tie updates to its Siri assistant with a broader product reveal later this month. Bloomberg reports CEO Tim Cook promising some celebration around Apple's 50th anniversary on April 1. Industry chatter also suggests storage bumps and whether Apple will keep a fall cadence or shift releases this year. Meanwhile, Apple's Invites app gains new art amid sponsorship of the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium spotted in Zepp app update; T-Rex Ultra 2 references persist

February 6, 2026, 5:44 PM EST. Zepp Health's app update 10.0.5 references the upcoming Amazfit Active 3 Premium and the still-unreleased T-Rex Ultra 2. The string resource shows device_name_active_3_premium, with no non-premium variant detected in this build, fueling speculation about a streamlined lineup or staged rollout. The presence of these strings on the pairing screen suggests ongoing development, though no images or feature lists are yet tied to the name. The timeline hints an Active 3 launch in late March or April if the cadence from earlier generations continues. The T-Rex Ultra 2 remains present in code; no other models appear in this version. A recent Malaysia filing for model A2550 could belong to either Active 3 or Ultra 2, with Ultra 2 the likeliest candidate to surface first. Zepp Health has not confirmed details.

Big Tech boosts AI spending as Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft push budgets; markets react

February 6, 2026, 5:40 PM EST. Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft are lifting AI spending, a move that drew attention from investors as stocks reacted. Analysts noted the trend reflects a broader industry shift toward AI-powered services and infrastructure, though the impact on near-term profitability remains uncertain. The report underscores how AI budgeting is shaping earnings expectations for big tech.

Apple trade-in vs Costco resale: Costco pays more for iMac, Apple leads with iPad

February 6, 2026, 5:36 PM EST. An Apple owner compared Apple's trade-in value with Costco's resale through Phobio for an old iMac and an iPad. Inputting the same model, specs, serial, and condition yielded $280 from Apple's trade-in versus $337 from Costco's Phobio resale for the iMac-a $57 gap in favor of Costco. The process differed: Costco shipped a prepaid box, items were inspected weeks later, and the recipient received a Costco gift card for the full quoted amount, with no hidden deductions. The longer timeline was offset by the higher payout, especially since the gift card offers immediate, flexible use (groceries, travel, essentials). Repeating the test with an old iPad flipped the outcome: Apple offered $170, while Costco/Phobio offered $153. The takeaway: compare payout and usage, device by device.

I infiltrated Moltbook, the AI-only social network

February 6, 2026, 5:34 PM EST. An undercover journalist joined Moltbook, an experimental social network designed for AI agents to post, comment and follow while humans observe. The project, led by Matt Schlicht of Octane AI, mirrors a stripped-down Reddit and bills itself as 'the front page of the agent internet.' The piece notes rapid uptake among San Francisco's tech scene and posts allegedly written by bots about human behavior, with some observers questioning whether humans posed as agents. Elon Musk amplified the debate on X, calling it the very early stages of the singularity. Moltbook reports 1.5 million agents, 140,000 posts, and 680,000 comments in its first week. The journalist tested access with an AI assistant and posted 'Hello World' to gauge reaction without exposing operational details.

Apple's Xcode 26.3 adds Claude Agent SDK for autonomous coding

February 6, 2026, 5:28 PM EST. Apple's Xcode 26.3 introduces a native Claude Agent SDK integration, enabling autonomous coding inside the IDE. Claude Code can perform long-running tasks, break goals into file changes, and iterate without leaving Xcode. Key features include visual verification via Previews for SwiftUI interfaces, reasoning across projects with frameworks like SwiftUI, UIKit, and Swift Data, and autonomous task execution that searches Apple docs and updates the project as needed. The update also makes Claude accessible through the Model Context Protocol, so developers can use Claude via MCP and CLI. Availability: Xcode 26.3 RC is live for Apple Developer Program members; final release to App Store forthcoming.

Taiwan memory suppliers ride AI demand as capacity tightens

February 6, 2026, 5:26 PM EST. Cheng Ting-Fang reports from Taipei that mood has brightened among Taiwan's memory chip suppliers as AI demand tightens supply. The AI-driven surge is lifting the entire semiconductor ecosystem. Powertech Technology, a leading chip packaging firm, halted public appearances in 2024 but now plans to double capital spending and push into advanced packaging, pitching rivals to TSMC. Its customers include Micron, Kioxia, Broadcom and MediaTek. Winbond says 2026 capacity is already sold, with 2027 nearly booked, reflecting scarce memory supply. Macronix is rushing to add capacity after losses, serving Nintendo and SpaceX among others and aiming to fill gaps left by Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron focusing on large AI clients. Analysts describe the market as still in early AI days, with room to scale computing power and memory supply.

iOS 27 could lose Apple's Health Plus, but components may land this year

February 6, 2026, 5:24 PM EST. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple is scaling back its Health Plus AI wellness feature. Instead of a full iOS 27 rollout, Apple plans to ship parts of Health Plus within the current Health app this year. Health Plus would have fed detailed health reports from surveys, Apple Watch data and lab results, plus recommendations and a new Oakland content studio to produce educational videos. A Siri update is also planned for iOS 27 to better compete with OpenAI and Google. The move comes as competition rises from Samsung and AI health apps. Apple had been targeting iOS 27 for a larger feature set tied to a potential iPhone Fold focus. iOS 26 adoption remains tepid, potentially prompting earlier feature launches.

Tim Cook says he's obsessed with succession as Apple braces for a handover and AI push

February 6, 2026, 5:12 PM EST. Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees he's "obsessed" with identifying future leaders, saying he spends time thinking about who will be in the room five, ten, and 15 years from now. The comments come as a wave of senior departures sparks talk of a handover as early as 2026; hardware chief John Ternus is widely viewed as the leading candidate, though Cook did not address the exits of AI chief John Giannandrea or design executive Alan Dye. Reports of intensified board preparation for a transition were earlier cited by the Financial Times. Beyond succession, Cook framed AI as a profound opportunity and touched on immigration and Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary in April.

Galaxy S26/S26 Plus white renders surface ahead of Unpacked launch

February 6, 2026, 5:10 PM EST. A new leak from Evan Blass shows five images of the Galaxy S26/S26 Plus in a white colorway. The renders, part of ongoing pre-release coverage, accompany earlier leaks of the Galaxy S26 Ultra in Cobalt Violet. Samsung's trio is also tipped to come in black, Cobalt Violet, and Sky Blue, with rumors of Pink Gold and Silver Shadow options. While Samsung has not confirmed a date for the next Galaxy Unpacked, insiders expect the event on February 25, with pre-orders running Feb. 26 to March 4 and a potential pre-sale window March 5-10 before a general release on March 11. The leak underscores ongoing interest ahead of the official reveal.

Valve Revises Steam Frame Price, Ship Date Amid RAM and Storage Shortage

February 6, 2026, 5:06 PM EST. Valve says RAM and storage shortages are forcing changes to pricing and the release schedule for Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and the Steam Controller. In a hardware update, the company says the component squeeze has disrupted timing and cost specifics, though it still aims to ship in the first half of 2026. Demand for memory and storage from AI and data centers has driven price increases, with DDR5 RAM rising sharply. Valve previously told Road to VR that Steam Frame would be cheaper than the Valve Index; in 2019 the Index kit carried a $1,000 price. No firm price yet for Steam Machine; leaks suggested about $950 for 512GB and $1,070 for 2TB. Valve plans to ship all three before July 1, 2026, and will offer dev kits to developers.

Google's At a Glance widget gains high-contrast mode in Android 16 QPR3 beta

February 6, 2026, 5:04 PM EST. Google's At a Glance widget gains a readability boost with a new high-contrast background mode. Spotted in the Android 16 QPR3 beta, the update adds a tint to the widget to make text stand out against wallpapers. Android Authority flagged the discovery after a user posted it on Reddit. When enabled in the widget's settings, the feature improves readability of the information the widget displays. Rollout timing remains unclear; early reports indicate it may require both the Android 16 QPR3 beta and a Google Play system update. Separately, Google rolled back its January 2026 update, with some devices now on a November 2025 build. If it reaches the public release, the change could boost usability for At a Glance.

Anthropic and OpenAI clash over Super Bowl ads, spotlight AI race

February 6, 2026, 5:02 PM EST. Anthropic and OpenAI traded public blows this week as two of the largest AI companies pressed competing narratives ahead of the Super Bowl. Anthropic rolled out a series of ads-titled 'Betrayal', 'Deception', 'Treachery' and 'Violation'-that implied Ads are coming to AI, but not to Claude, a jab at OpenAI's plan to place ads in its ChatGPT-driven ecosystem. OpenAI responded that the Anthropic spots were misleading while signaling its own Super Bowl ad; Sam Altman accused Anthropic of selling an expensive product to the wealthy as OpenAI pushes to reach billions of users. The row highlights broader tensions in the AI race-regulation, the job market, and capital flows-as executives debate different visions for how AI should evolve, deploy and monetize.

Musk bets space-based AI will eclipse Earth within five years as SpaceX pursues 'hyper-hyper' scaling

February 6, 2026, 4:58 PM EST. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk told podcaster Dwarkesh Patel and Stripe president John Collison that AI's economics will push operations into orbit within about three years. He argued solar panels in space are five times more efficient and cooling needs are lower, making space the cheapest venue for large AI data centers as terrestrial capacity lags. 'In 30 to 36 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be space,' he said, adding that five years hence AI in space could exceed all Earth-based AI annually. Musk envisions SpaceX as a hyper-hyper AI scaler, potentially delivering 10,000 launches a year with 20-30 Starships, possibly 20,000-30,000. SpaceX recently completed 165 orbital launches last year.

Rethinking VR interaction design in Dimensional Double Shift with hand-tracking

February 6, 2026, 4:56 PM EST. Game Developer Deep Dives analyzes Dimensional Double Shift (DDS), Owlchemy Labs' move to full hand-tracking in VR. The project forges a design language grounded in embodiment, iteration, and accessibility. Lead Gameplay Engineer Alex Covert says the shift asks: How will the player actually grab this? Expert System Engineer Marc Huet adds the goal is hands that feel present and believable-to minimize dissonance between what you see and what you feel-by keeping hands visible and supporting many grip types. Early prototypes revealed hidden motion complexity: mismatched hand sizing caused discomfort; the remedy is automatic scaling of virtual hands to match the player's tracked size. A sock-puppet prototype conflicted with Meta's hand-tracking, exposing behavioral hurdles: players tend to talk to themselves and summon OS menus rather than animate a character.

British woman says she is 80% human, 20% robot with mind-reading bionic arm

February 6, 2026, 4:54 PM EST. British woman Sarah De Lagarde says she is 80 percent human and 20 percent robot thanks to a mind-reading bionic arm. After losing her right arm and leg in 2022, she received the device, which uses myoelectric sensors to read muscle signals and drive motors for smoother, more natural movement. Operators say the arm can be charged overnight, like a smartphone. In interviews with Good Morning Britain, De Lagarde described how the prosthetic has expanded her daily range-from hugging her children to climbing mountains-and noted the AI-driven system learns her most-used movements to streamline control. The case underscores how AI-enabled prosthetics are expanding capabilities for people with limb loss.

Aronofsky's AI-assisted docudrama relies on human writers and actors

February 6, 2026, 4:52 PM EST. Not fully AI-driven. On This Day… 1776 remains a human-written project, with Aronofsky's long-time collaborators Ari Handel and Lucas Sussman steering the script, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Critics from the Guardian described some first-episode lines as AI-like sloganeering, yet sources insist the team conceived the series as a human-written effort. All dialogue is performed by Screen Actors Guild voice actors, not AI facsimiles, a point reinforced by union rules and production notes. The music, editing, sound mixing, visual effects and color work are also done by people. The only AI use is in the video stage: a hybrid workflow where storyboards, location references and the script feed an AI video generator to create shots, later polished by humans.

Meta Platforms could join Nvidia and Alphabet in the $4 trillion club by 2032

February 6, 2026, 4:50 PM EST. Meta Platforms faces a post-earnings pause as investors weigh AI spend against margins. The company posted revenue of $59.9 billion, up 24% year over year, and EPS of $8.88, with first-quarter guidance for $53.5-$56.5 billion. At about $1.8 trillion in market value, sustaining a ~14.2% CAGR would be required to reach $4 trillion in five years. Support comes from a growing ecosystem: 3.58 billion DAUs, stronger AI-driven monetization, and potential AI-powered shopping tools. Risks include a slower economy that could curb ad budgets and a possible deceleration in sales growth. Still, if execution continues, Meta Platforms could join the exclusive $4 trillion club, though the path remains uncertain. Note: Motley Fool Stock Advisor did not list META among its top 10 picks.

AI helps utilities target wildfire prevention, cutting ignitions

February 6, 2026, 4:46 PM EST. New AI tools are changing wildfire prevention by targeting where utilities inspect and intervene. Utilities historically relied on fixed inspection cycles and emergency shutoffs; now start-ups like Overstory use AI-driven vegetation monitoring to map risk along power lines. The system uses high-resolution satellite imagery and proprietary computer-vision models to assess tree height, encroachment, health, and moisture-focusing on dead grasses and other flammable fuels. The aim is to prevent sparks rather than replace crews. In California's high-risk zones, vegetation is a major ignition source, and PG&E reports a nearly 50% drop in ignitions linked to vegetation in 2025 versus 2024 after adopting Overstory's approach. The technology complements crews in the field, guiding where to send crews and equipment.

Vietnam Cloud Computing Market Set to Reach $8.6 Billion by 2032, CAGR 13.7%

February 6, 2026, 4:44 PM EST. Vietnam's cloud computing market is poised for rapid expansion, rising from a USD 3.5 billion base in 2025 to USD 8.6 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 13.7%. The study covers 2021-2032 and shows a moderately fragmented market with Ho Chi Minh City as the largest province and Hanoi as the fastest-growing. Growth drivers include rapid digital transformation across enterprises, strong government backing for Industry 4.0, and rising demand for scalable IT infrastructure across firms of all sizes. The 2026 base sits at about USD 4.0 billion, underscoring a step-up in cloud adoption as businesses migrate workloads and storage. Market outlook emphasizes continued expansion through public and private cloud deployments, aided by ongoing policy support.

Can AI predict the future? Leaders weigh risks as AI video tech grows

February 6, 2026, 4:42 PM EST. AI video generation is improving daily, blurring lines between real and fake. Bijan sits down with Amit Jain, CEO and co-founder of Luma AI, at Web Summit in Doha to discuss the risks and responsibilities that come with faster synthetic media. They note how advancements challenge public trust, prompting calls for transparency, verification methods, and governance. The interview also probes what still needs to be solved as synthetic video collides with everyday information, from attribution to detectability and accountability. Jain argues that industry, regulators, and platforms must align on standards, while users demand clarity. The piece frames a broader question: can technology steer away from manipulation and toward reliable, consent-based use of AI video?

I swore I'd never buy my kid a cellphone; at 11, I changed my mind

February 6, 2026, 4:38 PM EST. An author details switching from a firm stance against granting a cellphone to a pragmatic decision for an 11-year-old. The shift follows assessments of safety, school communication, and evolving peer norms. The piece describes a phased plan: establish clear rules, enable parental controls, and keep an ongoing dialogue about digital literacy and responsibility. Benefits cited include faster contact for rides and emergencies, and greater family connection. Risks acknowledged include exposure to inappropriate content, social pressure, and screen-time overuse. The author stresses that families vary in readiness and that informed, gradual access is preferable to a one-size-fits-all rule. The narrative relies on real-life scenarios to offer practical guidance for other parents confronting similar choices.

Viture Luma Ultra edges toward Apple Vision Pro with 6DoF and portable widescreen promise

February 6, 2026, 4:36 PM EST. Apple's Vision Pro impressed but its price and form factor kept it out of reach. The reviewer calls the Viture Luma Ultra the closest thing yet to a future Vision Air. At $599 (less on Amazon), it's lighter and more comfortable than Vision Pro, though earlier Viture models drifted in the field of view. The Ultra adds 6DoF tracking and uses external cameras, moving beyond the older 3DoF approach. The wish list is a headset that doubles as a portable widescreen monitor for travel, ideally as a Mac accessory with a solid AR environment. In effect, Viture's top model narrows the gap between a face monitor and a lightweight AR workstation, while staying far cheaper than Vision Pro.

Google to expand AirDrop interoperability to more Android devices this year

February 6, 2026, 4:32 PM EST. Google will expand AirDrop interoperability beyond Pixel 10 to more Android devices, according to Android VP Eric Kay. He said a lot more Android phones will be able to use Quick Share to initiate AirDrop sessions with Apple devices this year. Currently, Pixel 10 is the only Android model that can pair with AirDrop, while Nothing and Qualcomm hinted support exists. Kay noted the effort covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac compatibility, and Google aims to ease data transfers for users switching from iPhone to Android. The push follows testing in Android Canary 2512 for Pixel devices in December. Google and Apple are collaborating to make cross-platform transfers smoother, with more announcements expected soon.

Faraday Future pivots to humanoid robots, forms Embodied AI unit

February 6, 2026, 4:26 PM EST. Faraday Future has formed FF EAI-Robotics Inc., a California subsidiary to build and market humanoid and quadruped robots. The move follows the company's repeated delays on its promised EVs and echoes Tesla's push toward Optimus, now framed by FF as the next phase of its AI-driven strategy. FF says it has more than 1,200 non-binding deposits for its Embodied AI lineup, which includes three forms unveiled at a recent event: FF Futurist, FF Master, and FX Aegis, with price ranges from $2,499 to $34,990. Founder YT Jia described the effort as a step toward human-machine collaboration that could boost productivity. Executives caution that success will require more than the hardware, including software and services to complete deployments.

Musk polarizes buyers as Tesla battles owner exodus and aging lineup

February 6, 2026, 4:24 PM EST. Bloomberg's Hannah Elliott reports that Tesla is battling an owner exodus tied to CEO Elon Musk's polarizing profile and an aging model lineup. Even as Tesla posted a Q4 earnings beat, 2025 sales fell 9% globally, U.S. volume slipped 7%, and California's share of new-vehicle registrations sank to under 10% from 11.6% in 2024, per Cox Automotive and Experian. The drift goes beyond Musk: a broader EV slowdown, fading tax incentives, and waning demand for used batteries shade the outlook. BloombergNEF foresees 2026 EV growth at about 12%, well below 2025's 23% and 2024's 26% rise. Some customers cite Musk-related reputational risk as a reason to switch, with buyers like Horowitz trading a Model S for rivals such as the Audi Q4 e-tron.

Nintendo pushes new cardboard kits to keep Labo on the Switch

February 6, 2026, 4:22 PM EST. Nintendo appears to be pushing a new batch of cardboard accessories for its Labo line on the Nintendo Switch, signaling a continued bet on the hands-on concept. The rollout would extend a peripheral strategy that blends physical construction with digital gameplay. Analysts say the effort could help Nintendo keep players engaged with existing hardware amid platform competition. Pricing and release timelines remain unclear, and Nintendo has not publicly commented on the new kits. The push shows how Nintendo monetizes a unique, low-cost ecosystem around software and tangible play, even as consoles lean toward online services.

Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: pricey e-ink color tablet with AI features

February 6, 2026, 4:16 PM EST. Amazon's Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is an 11-inch e-ink tablet built for readers who annotate and scribble notes. Priced from $629.99, with a 64GB variant at $679.99, it sits well above standard Kindles and Paperwhite and remains far from an iPad's versatility. The device shipped in late January 2026, targeting students, researchers and heavy document mark-up users who want a color display with a writing layer, while acknowledging it's a niche buy. At about 400 g and 5.4 mm thick, it's lighter and thinner than many rivals; Amazon says page turns and writing feel are 40% faster. The home-screen looks familiar, with color highlights for library items and notes, plus AI features to assist note-taking.

Guerrilla unveils Horizon Hunters Gathering, a co-op Horizon spin-off for PS5 and PC

February 6, 2026, 4:02 PM EST. Guerrilla Games is developing Horizon Hunters Gathering, a co-op action spin-off for PS5 and PC set in the Horizon universe. Players team up to hunt machines in modes such as Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent, designed to be challenging and replayable. The game features a roster of hunters with distinct melee or ranged styles, a roguelite perk system, and class choices that alter abilities. A social hub lets players customize characters, upgrade gear, and assemble teams for missions. The title is canon to Horizon and includes a narrative campaign with new mysteries and threats. It will support cross-play and cross-progression between PS5 and PC. A first closed playtest is planned later this month via the PlayStation Beta Program.

Early-terminated MethaneSat reveals oil-and-gas methane emissions exceed inventories

February 6, 2026, 4:00 PM EST. An $88 million satellite, MethaneSat, died after about 15 months but delivered new data that challenge industry-reported emissions. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) published an initial assessment showing global measurements from the instrument indicate oil-and-gas methane emissions exceed figures in the widely cited Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) and the EPA greenhouse gas inventory. EDF analysts say even basins with the lowest emission intensity lag the industry's own goals, underscoring the need for stronger, joint efforts by industry and government. MethaneSat mapped more than 221 scenes across 45 producing regions, covering half of onshore fossil fuel production, and found methane emissions were about 50% higher than inventories. In gas-focused basins, emissions were about three times higher than reported; low-producing wells drive a substantial share.

Apple intensifies AI hardware push with wearable pin and Q.ai buy

February 6, 2026, 3:56 PM EST. Apple signals a bigger bet on AI hardware, eyeing new product categories beyond software. Tim Cook, in an internal meeting reported by Bloomberg, said the company believes it can let customers use AI in profound ways and produce new categories of products and services. The Information reports Apple is exploring a wearable AI pin, described as a thin circular disc with cameras to capture surroundings and enable computer-vision features. Separately, Apple reportedly spent about $2 billion to acquire Israeli startup Q.ai, which develops technology to recognize silent speech from facial micro-movements. The moves align with rumors of AirPods with infrared cameras and smart glasses that would rely on ambient computing and a subtler voice assistant. Apple's approach would blend Siri improvements with emerging AI hardware, potentially reshaping how users interact with devices in public and private settings.

Smartwatch health alerts: Tampa cardiologist explains when to see a doctor

February 6, 2026, 3:54 PM EST. In Tampa, doctors warn that wearable devices – Apple Watch, Garmin, Oura ring – can flag health signals, but context matters. Cardiologist Dr. Jesal Popat says an alert during a quiet moment may be more concerning than during activity. The story follows Aaron Shaffer, who began tracking his sleep-related low heart rate after getting an Apple Watch; it helped uncover sleep apnea and led to specialist care. Medical experts say irregular heart rate alerts or casual EKG readings from wearables can prompt medical checks for possible arrhythmias. Other signs, like low heart rate variability or elevated respiration, may signal infection. The doctor cautions patients to research but not self-diagnose. February is American Heart Month; sleep quality is linked to heart health.

Next-gen power management could unlock scalable AI data centers

February 6, 2026, 3:52 PM EST. AI infrastructure strains data centers beyond conventional power design. Fixed assumptions and site constraints drive conservative sizing, underutilization and longer deployment times. This whitepaper argues facility-level power is the primary bottleneck in repeatable AI deployments and that current architectures lack the flexibility for modern AI factories. It calls for a new architectural layer to coordinate, allocate and adapt power across high-density environments. Design analysis shows a standardized, software-coordinated power fabric that improves utilization, lowers local grid dependency and speeds the rollout of AI-ready data centers.

Windows 11 Hidden Tricks: 31 Ways to Master Copilot, Customization and Security

February 6, 2026, 3:48 PM EST. Windows 11 is more capable than it appears. This explainer reveals 31 hidden tricks across AI-powered Copilot, customization, multitasking, settings, and security. Learn to summon Copilot for smarter edits, tailor the UI with lesser-known options, and unlock multitasking tools for snapping and virtual desktops. The guide maps practical steps, shows where to tweak controls, and notes when features depend on newer builds. In short: optimize workflows, reduce friction, and protect data by tapping into tweaks most users overlook. Readers with Windows 11 experience will find fresh angles on productivity, privacy, and personalization.

Anthropic bets Claude to resolve its safety paradox in AI

February 6, 2026, 3:46 PM EST. Anthropic remains caught in a safety paradox: it pursues ever-bolder AI while insisting on rigorous risk controls. The company published two documents that acknowledge dangers while hinting at a path forward. Dario Amodei's long essay, The Adolescence of Technology, stresses daunting risks and warns that authoritarians could abuse the tech, but closes with optimism about humanity's resilience. A second piece, Claude's Constitution, sketches how Claude could navigate real-world challenges by applying an adaptive ethical framework rather than following fixed rules. Built on Constitutional AI, a process by which models adhere to guiding principles, the 2026 update reads like a long prompt guiding independent judgment. Lead writer Amanda Askell argues that understanding why rules exist improves alignment. Anthropic aims to rely on Claude to solve its own Gordian knot.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 blends rugged capability with everyday luxury

February 6, 2026, 3:44 PM EST. Apple's Ultra 3 sits at the intersection of extreme sport and daily wear. It is water resistant to 40 meters, with improved climb and descent metrics for alpinists, and compatibility with third-party Bluetooth sensors for runners and cyclists. A 42-hour battery helps on weekend expeditions, and satellite messaging unlocks off-grid communication. Dual-frequency GPS sharpens location tracking, while the titanium case remains a premium draw. The model also features a bigger, brighter screen and longer battery life versus the Series 11. Critics still point to solar charging as a gap versus Garmin rivals. Overall, it's the most capable Apple Watch for active lifestyles while doubling as an everyday luxury-yet not ideal for casual users.

Oregon bill aims to curb AI chatbots after teen suicides linked to services

February 6, 2026, 3:38 PM EST. Oregon lawmakers weighed Senate Bill 1546, which would curb the behavior and reach of AI chatbots used by minors and adults. The measure would require chatbots to clearly say users aren't speaking with a real person, and to route any Oregon user discussing self-harm to a crisis line. It would ban emotional manipulation, prohibit sexually explicit conversations with children, and compel bots to prompt a break at least once an hour. The bill places Oregon among at least 28 states considering AI-related rules; California already enacted similar guardrails. Testimony from parents, teachers, researchers and mental-health professionals described chatbots as fueling loneliness and "synthetic friendships." Tech groups urged clear definitions and guardrails, while some presenters noted plush AI companions used with very young children.

First-gen AirTag four-pack drops to $64, about 35% off

February 6, 2026, 3:36 PM EST. Apple's first-generation AirTag four-pack is on sale for $64, about 35% off. The deal lowers the price per tracker to roughly $16 from the usual $29, while a single AirTag is discounted to $17 (41% off). The offer covers the original model; Apple introduced a refreshed AirTag with greater range and a louder speaker last month, priced the same as the prior version. Users can trigger a sound from the AirTag via Find My on iPhone, or use Precision Finding to pinpoint its location. Deals on the newer model may come later.

Galaxy S26 Ultra leak shows 360-degree video with aluminum frame, camera redesign

February 6, 2026, 3:30 PM EST. A new Galaxy S26 Ultra leak shows a 360-degree walkaround in a high-definition video. The clip, shared by leaker Evan Blass on X, displays the device from multiple angles and a revised camera bump. It also reveals a body-colored S Pen with a matching clicker and a brushed aluminum frame, signaling Samsung's shift away from the titanium frame used two years earlier. The rings around the rear cameras appear to be gone. The video does not address magnetic contacts for wireless charging, one of several design questions. Samsung is expected to debut the S26 series soon. The leak also notes a feature called Privacy Display that can block peeking from the sides. Earlier posters and a low-profile listing had hinted at colors, including Cobalt Violet.

Nvidia CEO pushes back on report that $100B OpenAI investment has stalled

February 6, 2026, 3:28 PM EST. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang rejected a Wall Street Journal report that the company is scaling back its plan to invest in OpenAI, calling the story nonsense. The WSJ said Nvidia wants to rethink the arrangement, noting Huang has privately criticized OpenAI's strategy and rivals such as Anthropic and Google. In September the companies announced a plan for Nvidia to invest up to $100 billion and to build 10 gigawatts of computing infrastructure for OpenAI. Huang stressed the deal is nonbinding and declined to specify an amount, saying it is up to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to announce. OpenAI said the partnership remains central as it scales breakthroughs. Reported interest from other backers includes Amazon, Microsoft, and SoftBank.

Apple pivots Health+ plan; iOS 27 adds Health features for free

February 6, 2026, 3:24 PM EST. Apple has scrapped plans for a paid Health+ service as part of iOS 27, choosing instead to roll some of its planned AI-powered features into the free Health app. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Eddy Cue has taken over leadership of Apple's Health division and decided the Health+ path was not right. Two features will arrive in iOS 27: AI-generated, personalized wellness recommendations based on Health app data, and Apple-made video content that explains medical conditions and guides training and wellness education. Additional Health+ ideas will be added gradually within the Health app. The shift addresses subscription fatigue and keeps new health functionality free, while Apple may still offer paid options when appropriate.

Quantum error correction advances enable operations on superconducting logical qubits

February 6, 2026, 3:16 PM EST. Researchers led by Andreas Wallraff demonstrated simultaneous quantum operations and error correction on superconducting logical qubits. The work, carried out with the Paul Scherrer Institute and RWTH Aachen University researchers and published in Nature Physics, tackles decoherence by distributing quantum information across entangled physical qubits and correcting errors as operations proceed. The team used a surface-code approach, where a logical qubit's information is spread across many data qubits and stabilized via repeated measurements. By performing gates between logical qubits while continuously detecting errors, they move closer to fault-tolerant quantum computing. The result addresses a core challenge: how to manipulate qubits without introducing further errors. While far from practical machines, the experiment shows a path toward sustained quantum processing with continuous error correction and logical qubits.

NASA allows astronauts to bring smartphones to space under updated policy

February 6, 2026, 3:14 PM EST. NASA has updated its spaceflight policy to permit crew members to bring personal smartphones on missions. The change aims to boost morale and streamline access to approved apps and communications, while keeping security and mission safety at the forefront. Devices must be registered, encrypted, and managed under NASA's cyber standards; data stored on the phone must stay within approved contexts or be wiped after use. Apps will require pre-approval, and in-flight downloads are limited. Primary telemetry and command-and-control systems remain the responsibility of NASA; smartphones may be used only in approved situations when connectivity permits. The policy aligns with a broader trend of integrating consumer tech into space missions, under rigorous oversight.

Apple widens tablet lead as 2025 rebound hinges on holiday demand, Omdia says

February 6, 2026, 3:08 PM EST. Global tablet shipments rose 9.8% in 2025 to about 162 million, the strongest annual showing since 2020, Omdia said. Growth was driven by seasonal holiday demand and memory constraints ahead of shortages, with fourth-quarter shipments at 44 million, up 9.8% year over year. The rise reflected pulled-forward demand, not a broad recovery; replacement cycles remain long in mature markets. Apple extended its lead, shipping about 19.6 million iPads in Q4 2025, a 16.5% rise, powered by the 11th-generation iPad and the M5-powered iPad Pro. Samsung fell 9.2% YoY; Lenovo grew on proactive pull-ins ahead of price increases. Omdia warned 2026 demand could soften as memory disruption constrains supply and slows innovation, pushing more emphasis on ecosystem positioning and premium models.

Security concerns and skepticism swirl around Moltbook, the AI-only social forum

February 6, 2026, 3:04 PM EST. Moltbook is a social network built for AI agents to post and interact, with humans invited only as observers. Access hinges on hijacking the site and roleplaying as AI, prompting debate over security and ethics. Elon Musk called its launch the very early stages of the singularity, while AI veteran Andrej Karpathy praised it then dubbed it a dumpster fire. British developer Simon Willison called it the most interesting place on the internet, even as skepticism grows. The platform operates like Reddit for AI agents: many are created with the open-source OpenClaw framework, which runs locally on users' hardware, giving agents access to files, data and apps and the ability to connect to Discord and Signal. Users deploy OpenClaw agents to Moltbook and typically assign them simple personality traits.

How a little-known Android app freed 10GB on my Pixel 10 Pro

February 6, 2026, 3:02 PM EST. Android users regularly confront dwindling storage, even on high-end devices such as the Pixel 10 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra and Honor Magic 8 Pro. The usual fixes-cloud storage, external drives or newer phones-aren't always practical. In six months with a Pixel 10 Pro, the author found nearly 100GB of space used despite few apps and Photos backup. A deeper look at storage usage revealed underrated Android apps that show what eats space and how to reclaim it without reckless deletions. Among them, Disky is described as the simplest storage analyzer; it highlights culprits quickly without clutter. The piece also critiques clunky UIs of many cleaners and argues for actionable, point-and-click cleanup that preserves user data.

JobAssist expands AI-driven automation to streamline job applications

February 6, 2026, 3:00 PM EST. United States, February 6, 2026 – JobAssist unveiled an AI-powered platform to automate job applications while preserving transparency, relevance and user control. Candidates upload a resume once, set parameters (roles, locations, salary, work format), and the AI continuously scans for openings, matches against the profile, and submits applications on the user's behalf. The goal is to reduce repetitive tasks and keep applicants focused on interviews and skill building. A bespoke matching logic weighs skills, experience and job requirements to avoid untargeted submissions. The system also offers resume analysis to identify gaps and improve positioning. Users can adjust preferences, pause or resume activity, and view progress via reports. Subscriptions vary by volume and features, and JobAssist positions itself as a productivity and career-support tool-not a recruiter or guarantee of employment.

Use.AI unifies 25+ AI models in a single platform to streamline workflows

February 6, 2026, 2:58 PM EST. Use.AI expanded its unified platform to provide access to more than 25 leading AI models through a single interface, aimed at professionals, creators, and teams that rely on AI daily. Users can switch between models instantly, compare outputs, and refine prompts without leaving the single workspace, applying the most suitable model to each task-from analytical reasoning and research to coding, writing and brainstorming. The platform consolidates tools into one interface to reduce friction and cognitive load. It supports more than 30 languages and adds voice input for hands-free interaction. Use.AI says the service is a productivity layer, not a replacement for human expertise, offering transparency and choice with no guaranteed outcomes.

Los Alamos forms Center for Quantum Computing to unify research and training

February 6, 2026, 2:48 PM EST. Los Alamos National Laboratory has formed the Center for Quantum Computing, consolidating the Lab's research across national security, algorithms, computer science and workforce development. The center will gather up to three dozen researchers and coordinate collaborations with DOE, DARPA, NNSA and state quantum initiatives, and will host a Quantum Computing Summer School for up to 25 students annually in a 10-week program. Officials say the center creates a critical mass of expertise under one roof and strengthens ties with industry and government programs, including the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative and the Beyond Moore's Law projects. Carleton Coffrin and Mark Chadwick praised the effort, noting enhanced collaboration and momentum for U.S. quantum technology.

Funding the Muskverse will hinge on bolder bets and new funding pathways

February 6, 2026, 2:46 PM EST. Funding the Muskverse will hinge on bolder bets and new funding pathways, analysts say. The sprawling Musk-backed ecosystem faces tighter capital markets and higher profitability hurdles. Backers are weighing a mix of strategic partnerships, asset monetization, and nontraditional financing to sustain growth across space, AI and other ventures. Some investors favor milestone-based debt or equity linked to performance; others seek co-investments with government programs or major corporate partners that can share risk. Skeptics warn dilution and governance frictions could erode value. Proponents argue that units with clear cash generation will justify demand for capital, but success will require audacious moves and disciplined execution from Musk's teams.

NASA loosens rulebook to allow smartphones on Crew-12 and Artemis II missions

February 6, 2026, 2:44 PM EST. NASA says smartphones will accompany Crew-12 and Artemis II, a move designed to speed up modernization and let crews capture moments. Administrator says the change aims to qualify modern hardware for spaceflight on an expedited timeline. Jared Isaacman framed it as giving crews a tool to share images and video with families and the world. The policy shift follows years of strict preflight testing for outgassing and electromagnetic interference, guided by MIL-STD-461. No model details were provided; observers warn GSM interference remains a concern. Smartphones have appeared in space before, including ESA's mobiPV wrist-mounted option. Isaacman's broader goal is to challenge long processes and prove practical benefits of newer devices against risk.

Palantir's Sankar: AI will be a massively meritocratic force; leaders must reorganize around emergent talent

February 6, 2026, 2:42 PM EST. Palantir Technologies' chief technology officer Shyam Sankar told Fox News Digital that AI will be a massively meritocratic force in the workplace and will upend traditional organizational structures. He urged corporate leaders to identify pockets of emergent talent and reorganize around them, leaning into disruption rather than resisting it. On fears of job losses, Sankar argued that anxiety about new technology is historical and that the real question is who wields the technology, not who invents it. He cited Elizabeth I, the telescope, and the power loom to illustrate adaptation when frontline workers' perspectives are heard. The takeaway: engage workers' views to guide AI adoption and governance.

Tim Cook hints at AI-enabled product categories and services at Apple meeting

February 6, 2026, 2:40 PM EST. Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees in an all-hands meeting that there will be new categories of products and services enabled by AI, a summary of remarks reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Cook also addressed immigration lobbying in Washington and succession issues, but framed the event around AI's impact on future offerings. Gurman relayed two Cook quotes: that Apple is excited about opportunities AI opens, and that no company is better positioned to let customers use AI meaningfully than Apple. He noted new devices would leverage the technology, with rumors of a few AI-enabled products to surface this year. Potential lines include Apple Glasses and a new Health+ service centered on AI in iOS 27.

Overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers Galaxy S26 Ultra in Geekbench, edges iPhone 17 Pro Max in single-core

February 6, 2026, 2:38 PM EST. Geekbench listings show a Galaxy S26 Ultra powered by an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 running up to 4.74 GHz, delivering a single-core score of 3,601 and a multi-core score of 10,686 with 12 GB of RAM. The clocked unit outpaces the Exynos 2600 on single-core (3,336) but trails in multi-core (11,369). In the iPhone camp, the A19 Pro inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max posted about 3,775 (single-core) and 9,749 (multi-core), giving the Samsung chip a ~5% edge in single-core but ~9% slower in multi-core. The results, from Geekbench and an overclocked prototype, may shift with final software. Samsung's choice of chipset varies by market, and more data should come after Unpacked, expected Feb. 25.

Best AirTag deal: Apple AirTag 2nd Gen 4-pack drops to $99 at Amazon

February 6, 2026, 2:30 PM EST. Apple's AirTag 2nd Gen 4-pack drops to $99 on Amazon as of Feb. 6, down from $114.99, a 14% cut and the lowest price tracked. An alternative is a 4-pack of last-gen AirTags for about $64. The trackers help users locate bags, wallets, and other items. Deal pricing and availability can change after publication.

Honor Power 2 design under scrutiny amid iPhone 17 Pro copying claims; Honor responds

February 6, 2026, 2:24 PM EST. Honor Power 2 has sparked debate over its look, with critics saying the phone mirrors Apple's iPhone 17 Pro. A teaser-driven reveal ignited chatter during which color and silhouette drew attention. Honor has not issued a formal statement; instead, customer-service replies cited design choices intended to balance imaging hardware, heat dissipation, and grip. The device reportedly uses two rear cameras, yet three imaging rings create the appearance of three, one of which is an infrared module. A tipster and posts on Weibo framed the decision as a consequence of mature design converging on effective solutions. Analysts say such patterns emerge when manufacturers optimize form factors under manufacturing constraints, even if rivals' designs inspire them.

Amazon warehouse tour hints at robot-driven future, but critics cite worker conditions

February 6, 2026, 2:20 PM EST. During a public tour of Amazon's 640,000-square-foot Stone Mountain facility, organizers showcased robotics moving shelves, a palletizing crane and a label-printing bot. The visit is part of Amazon's effort to build trust as it expands across roughly 28 of its 1,200 US warehouses. Sections were closed for upgrades; the tour itself aimed to spotlight a supposedly good place to work, while critics question safety and turnover. A security guard blocked bathroom access for guests, echoing long-running worker reports of restricted breaks and timed periods. Amazon spokesperson Zoe Hoffman says it's "absurd and false" to tie tour experiences to employee conditions. The company cites 1.5 million global employees and 1 million in the US; many seasonal workers allegedly transition to full-time roles.

Pixel 9a helps Google gain in mid-range as Apple dominates US smartphone market in Q4 2025

February 6, 2026, 2:16 PM EST. Apple dominated the US smartphone market in Q4 2025, taking 69% share, up from 65% in 2024, as the overall market rose 1%. Counterpoint notes sub-$300 demand weakened, a 7% YoY drop, with Motorola rising in that tier thanks to the Moto G (2026). The only segment to grow was mid-range ($300-$600), up 27% YoY, helped by the iPhone 16e and Google Pixel 9a; Counterpoint says Google gained higher shares in this band. Premium sales still drive Q4, aided by postpaid deals, but the growth story centers on mid-range. A memory shortage could pressure sub-$300 devices, and analysts question whether the 27% growth in the $300-$600 segment carries into 2026. Google confirmed a Pixel 10a launch on February 18, with sales of the Pixel 9a continuing.

Rocket Report: Starship testing resumes as SpaceX probes upper-stage issue; SLS hydrogen leaks delay Artemis II

February 6, 2026, 2:14 PM EST. SpaceX is resuming Starship testing after an upper-stage issue prompted a review. NASA's fueling tests for the Space Launch System found hydrogen leaks, delaying Artemis II into March as teams troubleshoot a leaky fueling line. Blue Origin has paused New Shepard flights for two years, signaling the likely end of its suborbital tourism program. CEO Dave Limp said the company will redirect resources toward accelerating lunar capabilities, including New Glenn, to support the U.S. goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a sustained presence. The Rocket Report also surveys small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets and previews the next three launches.

Meta Quest 3S gets up to $50 off; 128GB at $269, 256GB at $349

February 6, 2026, 2:12 PM EST. Meta is discounting its entry-level Quest 3S VR headset, offering up to $50 off through February 8. The 128GB model is now $269 and the 256GB version $349. The Quest 3S shares core processing power and mixed-reality features with the pricier Quest 3, but trims the display and optics to hit a lower price. It uses Fresnel lenses rather than pancake optics, trading some edge clarity for a lighter, slimmer package, while still delivering a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye. Out of the box, it supports games such as Metro Awakening, Arizona Sunshine 2, Asgard's Wrath 2 and Batman: Arkham Shadow; these titles generally require separate purchases. Deals expire February 8, with potential additional savings via Meta codes.

AI bots emerge as a significant source of web traffic, Akamai data show

February 6, 2026, 2:08 PM EST. A new Akamai dataset released to WIRED shows AI bots already account for a meaningful share of web traffic as bots fetch real-time data to augment outputs. The viral OpenClaw-formerly Moltbot, and before that Clawdbot-illustrates a broader wave of automation likely to reshape the web. TollBit, which tracks scraping activity, says in Q4 2025 an average of one out of every 31 visits to its customers' sites came from an AI scraping bot, versus one in 200 in Q1. More than 13% of AI bot requests bypassed robots.txt in Q4; TollBit notes a 400% jump in bypass attempts and a 336% rise in sites blocking bots. Akamai's CTO Robert Blumofe calls the arms race on, as techniques grow more sophisticated.

Google Pixel tests high-contrast option for At a Glance widget

February 6, 2026, 2:06 PM EST. Google Pixel is testing a new high-contrast option for the At a Glance widget. The toggle adds a translucent dark background that spans the full width of the homescreen with rounded corners, improving readability on light wallpapers; no customization is offered. The change appears primarily on Android 16 QPR3 beta devices, suggesting a server- or app-side rollout rather than a feature tied to the beta alone. Some users report not seeing it on their devices, while a Reddit post from Germany shows the option live. The At a Glance widget shows weather, upcoming calendar events, reminders, and more.

Pixel audio popping in Android 16 QPR2 spurs software glitch across models

February 6, 2026, 2:04 PM EST. Pixel users report a loud, random popping or static noise from speakers after updating to Android 16 QPR2. The issue spans Pixel 10, 9, 8 and even some Pixel 7 units, and seems independent of volume or silent mode. Reports describe pops when switching apps, launching games, or when a notification sound plays over existing audio. The glitch appears software-based; some owners replaced devices under warranty yet the crackle persisted. Observers note the bug emerged during the QPR2 beta cycle in late 2025, and an internal account from October 2025 described a similar, brief static noise on Pixel 8 after Beta 3.2. Google has not publicly acknowledged a fix, but the pattern points to a software issue in Android 16 QPR2 rather than a hardware fault.

LMU Professor Awarded NSF Grant for Distributed Computing Research

February 6, 2026, 1:58 PM EST. LMU assistant professor Jared Coleman has won a $150,000 NSF grant to advance task graph scheduling in distributed computing. The two-year project, titled Novel Approaches for Task Graph Scheduling Algorithm Design, Evaluation, and Comparison, aims to help researchers-from astrophysicists to geneticists-select the most effective algorithms for large data workloads. The effort will build a software library and integrate the SAGA scheduling toolkit with widely used platforms (WfCommons, Pegasus, Chameleon Cloud) to ease access for daily research. The grant emphasizes undergraduate research, with students programming, running experiments, and presenting results; one student, Jason Chamorro, has already presented a paper at a supercomputing conference. Coleman notes the goal is practical guidance on algorithm performance per domain.

Tablets offer better value and practicality than folding phones, analysis finds

February 6, 2026, 1:54 PM EST. Tech Advisor argues that tablets deliver better value than foldable phones, despite foldables' novelty. The piece cites larger screens (around 10 inches) compared with inner displays like the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 8 inches, noting total usable area remains smaller on many foldables. It highlights shorter battery life, hinge durability concerns, and higher repair costs as persistent drawbacks. By contrast, tablets promise longer endurance, easier repairability, and a simpler software ecosystem at similar prices. The article notes ongoing interest in foldables, with Samsung, Google and Apple pushing the form factor, but remains skeptical about long-term practicality.

Global memory-chip crunch tests Apple pricing as iPhone demand continues

February 6, 2026, 1:48 PM EST. Reuters reports that a global shortage of memory chips is reshaping the smartphone market, forcing a test of Apple's pricing strategy. Apple CEO Tim Cook signaled higher memory chip costs but did not commit to raising iPhone prices, citing a range of potential levers. Analysts say Apple's supplier leverage could keep iPhone production steady even as rivals contend with tighter supply. A surge in AI infrastructure spending has tightened chip availability, lifting prices and pressuring devices with high memory needs. IDC and Qualcomm warn that the crunch could dent the broader smartphone market this year. If Apple holds prices, it may win market share; if it hikes prices, competitors could follow, shifting the balance in an already tight market.

AT&T launches amiGO Jr. Phone and Watch 2, first carrier-designed kids' handset

February 6, 2026, 1:42 PM EST. AT&T announced the nation's first carrier-designed kids' handset, the amiGO Jr. Phone, with an accompanying amiGO Watch 2. Built by Samsung, the phone resembles the Galaxy A16 but adds 5G and Android 16, powered by the Exynos 1330 with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage (expandable to 1.5TB). It carries a 5,000 mAh battery, IP54 rating and a 50MP main camera plus two more sensors, and ships with the pre-loaded amiGO safety app to help parents manage online and offline activity. The device carries a $209.99 list price, or $2.99/month for three years on qualifying plans. The Watch 2 offers a 1.6-inch display, Wear 5100, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, a 5MP front cam, 600mAh battery, Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 rating. Both aim to combine affordability with parental controls.

Big Tech to Spend $650 Billion in 2026 as AI Race Intensifies

February 6, 2026, 1:38 PM EST. Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp. expect about $650 billion in capital expenditures in 2026 to fund data centers and AI compute gear, Bloomberg data show. The four firms' capex outlook would surpass budgets for the past three years, marking a record. The surge – roughly 60% higher than a year ago – underscores the race to build AI infrastructure. It has spurred borrowing, strained energy and water supplies, and heightened local pushback from communities. Analysts warn the capex surge could skew macro data if concentrated in a narrow set of tech giants. Gil Luria of DA Davidson says the four see AI compute as a winner-takes-most market. Meta flagged up to $135B, Microsoft around $105B for the year; the broader 2026 spend dwarfs other sectors at about $180B combined.

Apple Watch Series 11 discounted at major retailers to as low as $299

February 6, 2026, 1:36 PM EST. Retailers including Amazon and Best Buy have slashed prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with the base GPS model down to about $299 and the GPS + Cellular version near $399-$400, depending on finish and band. The upgrade emphasizes longer battery life-enabling a full day or more between charges-letting users wear it for day and night tracking. Health features expand with blood-pressure monitoring, FDA-cleared though not a medical device. Other core functions remain: sleep tracking, workouts, and close iPhone integration for messages and alerts. The cellular model adds satellite-capable messaging and 5G connectivity in some versions. Discounts were observed at Amazon and Best Buy, with other options at Walmart, while a full hands-on review is linked for details.

Nintendo says Labo VR not compatible with Virtual Boy on NSO; Switch accessories offer 3D play

February 6, 2026, 1:34 PM EST. Nintendo UK says the Labo VR goggles are not officially supported for the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics library on NSO (Nintendo Switch Online). Instead, Nintendo is selling two accessories to enable Virtual Boy on Switch: a Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch and a Cardboard Model for Switch. Both promise playable select Virtual Boy games with 3D visuals. Earlier reporting suggested cardboard Labo VR could work, but Nintendo has not confirmed compatibility with NSO. The launch date for the NSO expansion pack remains February 17, 2026. Note that the OG Switch is required for Labo VR's use; the Switch 2 won't fit inside the headset. The situation remains subject to official confirmation.

iPhone 18 Pro Max could pack 5,100-5,200 mAh battery and A20 Pro chip, leaker says

February 6, 2026, 1:22 PM EST. An unverified claim from Digital Chat Station, reported via MacRumors, says the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a 5,100-5,200 mAh battery, larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 5,088 mAh. It also expects an A20 Pro chip manufactured by TSMC on a 2-nanometer process, boosting efficiency versus the A19 Pro. If true, the combination could extend battery life for video streaming and heavy use. The report cites leaks and provides no official confirmation from Apple.

SpaceX Falcon 9 faces fourth upper-stage anomaly in 19 months; return to flight uncertain

February 6, 2026, 1:18 PM EST. SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 has faced a fourth upper-stage anomaly in about 19 months. The latest incident occurred during a Feb. 2 mission to Starlink, when the upper stage failed to perform its deorbit burn, crashing back to Earth while the first stage landed on a drone ship. The FAA ordered an anomaly investigation, and SpaceX has paused launches. Past incidents include a July 11, 2024 liquid-oxygen leak that left satellites in too-low orbits and a Sept. 28, 2024 off-nominal deorbit burn; both received FAA scrutiny and later clearance. A February 1, 2025 deorbit failure also triggered review. Based on past two-week investigations, SpaceX could return to flight around Feb. 16, potentially keeping Crew-12 on its original Feb. 15 target, though timing remains uncertain.

US senators urge Pentagon to review SpaceX amid allegations of Chinese ownership

February 6, 2026, 1:14 PM EST. Democratic US senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim urged the Defense Department to review SpaceX amid allegations of secret Chinese investment. They cite unsealed testimony in a Delaware case suggesting Chinese-linked funds have entered SpaceX since 2015 via entities in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands to mask purchases. The letter warns that any Chinese ownership could trigger FOCI rules governing foreign influence over sensitive information. SpaceX, the world's most valuable private company, underpins US national security infrastructure, including military satellites and the Starlink network, and has 28 planned NSSL missions through 2029. The company has not commented, and its ownership structure remains undisclosed.

AT&T, Samsung unveil amiGO Jr. Phone as first carrier-made kid-focused smartphone

February 6, 2026, 1:08 PM EST. AT&T and Samsung unveiled the amiGO Jr. Phone, billed as the first carrier-made smartphone designed specifically for children. The device uses Samsung hardware with AT&T's parental software and a built-in control suite that limits apps and distractions. Core features center on safety: real-time location sharing, geofenced Safe Zones, and screen-time management accessible from a parent's iOS or Android phone via the amiGO app. The plan charges $2.99 per month for the phone, with a similar price tag for the new amiGO Jr. Watch 2, a durability-focused wearable that supports messaging and basic games. AT&T cites surveys showing roughly 60-70% of parents want smartphones for safety, and says the approach offers a simpler, provider-backed option rather than an adult device with added restrictions.

Honor, Nothing and Google Pixel among 2025's fastest-growing smartphone brands, says Omdia

February 6, 2026, 1:06 PM EST. Global smartphone shipments rose about 2% in 2025, Omdia reports, a calmer finish before a projected 7% drop in 2026 as memory shortages bite. The market's top players shifted little in rank, with Apple and Samsung each up about 7% year over year to shoulder 19% share apiece. Xiaomi held 13%, Vivo and Oppo around 8%, Transsion 8%, while Honor posted the strongest advance among larger brands at 11% YoY. Nothing led fastest growth on a small base, with 86% YoY, and Google Pixel climbed ~25% YoY, though from a much smaller footprint. Pixel 10a due this month; Honor will unveil its next foldable at MWC in March; Nothing awaits the Phone (4a) lineup.

Musk says money can't buy happiness as Tesla shifts FSD to subscription

February 6, 2026, 1:04 PM EST. Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X a quip about happiness, sparking online chatter. Forbes says his net worth recently topped $800 billion, helped by gains from SpaceX and xAI. The post coincides with Tesla scrapping the FSD one-time purchase in favor of a monthly subscription, a shift the company says will yield more predictable, future-proof revenue. Critics view it as a way to squeeze more from customers. Separately, a SpaceX-xAI deal values the wider empire at about $1.25 trillion and signals a potential IPO that could be the largest in history. The subscription push tightens Tesla's cash flow and frames Musk's strategy as tying revenue growth to product capability. X, Musk's platform, continues to loom in the background, shaping attention and monetization in the AI era.

China advances compact high-energy microwave tech for possible Starlink-style satellite weapons

February 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EST. Chinese researchers from the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology used a liquid dielectric called Midel 7131 to boost energy storage and insulation in a compact pulsed-power system, enabling miniaturisation of an integrated Tesla transformer and pulse-forming network. The advance could support high-power microwave (HPM) weapons that disrupt satellites with large-scale power pulses while limiting debris. Scientists warn such devices could offer plausible deniability and a low-cost counter to satellite swarms, though destroying a satellite risks orbital debris. Prototypes have been large, tens of metres and tons, and remain far from battle readiness. The work, described in High Power Laser and Particle Beams (2025), reflects ongoing global interest from the US, Russia and China in directed-energy concepts that might one day target constellations like SpaceX's Starlink.

AI as labor multiplier in rare-disease drug discovery

February 6, 2026, 12:58 PM EST. AI is positioned as a force multiplier to accelerate drug discovery and address the talent shortage in biotech. Insilico Medicine unveiled the MMAI Gym to train generalist language models to match specialist performance, aiming for a multi-modal, multi-task system capable of tackling diverse drug-discovery tasks with superhuman efficiency. The platform ingests biological, chemical and clinical data to generate hypotheses, automate steps, and repurpose existing drugs, reducing cost and time. An ALS repurposing example was cited. GenEditBio's work in the second wave of CRISPR aims for in vivo delivery via an engineered protein delivery vehicle, a virus-like particle, guided by AI to target tissue. The company maintains a library of thousands of nonviral polymer nanoparticles for delivery.

Big Tech wipes over $1 trillion as AI-spending fears ignite sell-off

February 6, 2026, 12:48 PM EST. Over the past week, Big Tech peers have shed more than $1 trillion in market value as fears over AI spending intensify. FactSet data show Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Meta, Amazon and Alphabet posting declines through Thursday's close, with total losses at about $1.35 trillion. Amazon plunged over 9% on Friday after a hefty capex forecast, underscoring investors' worries about the cost and return from AI build-outs. Separately, estimates cited by the Financial Times put AI capex at roughly $660 billion this year. Analysts caution about sentiment contagion and persistent questions on capital expenditure and capacity, while Apple's stock rose ~7% on strong iPhone demand.

AI deepfake romance scam drains woman's life savings and home

February 6, 2026, 12:34 PM EST. A woman identified as Abigail believed she was in a romance with a famous actor after messages and an AI-generated video that looked and sounded real. The scam began on Facebook, moved to WhatsApp, and used a convincing deepfake video to seal trust. Her daughter, Vivian Ruvalcaba, says the case unfolded quietly; grooming and isolation kept the victim from telling family. By the time relatives intervened, more than $81,000 was stolen and the paid-off home she planned to retire in was at risk. The episode illustrates how AI tools can fuel romance scams by mimicking a real person, including impersonations of actors like Steve Burton. Authorities were alerted after the manipulation escalated to financial loss.

Apple bets on AI as new product categories loom; timeline uncertain

February 6, 2026, 12:32 PM EST. Apple chief Tim Cook told employees that AI will unlock new product categories, despite late adoption and limited current capabilities. Apple Intelligence arrived after rivals' AI platforms and has lagged behind Google Gemini; insiders say Apple even enlisted a rival for help to get back on track. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman cited Cook's optimistic stance, noting competitors have released dedicated AI hardware, from Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses to other wearables and devices. Rumors point to an AI pin that could surface around 2027, though the project faces fundamental technical hurdles before it can be deployed at scale. The company insists it is well positioned to bring AI into meaningful user experiences, even as rivals move faster.

Apple Watch Series 11 hits record-low price at $299

February 6, 2026, 12:30 PM EST. Apple's wearable is on sale for $299, down from $399, a 25% cut that marks a record-low price for the Series 11. The 42mm GPS model with a Small/Medium band comes in four colors. Apple touts more than 24 hours of battery life and a lightweight design. New health metrics include hypertension alerts and a Sleep Score. The deal underscores continued demand for the premium smartwatch as shoppers seek upgrades during the new year.

SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch from Vandenberg Feb. 7; where to watch in California

February 6, 2026, 12:24 PM EST. SpaceX targets a Saturday launch of a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission will deploy 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit using SpaceX's two-stage, 230-foot rocket. Liftoff is slated for February 7, with a four-hour window opening at 9:05 a.m. PT; an FAA advisory notes a backup opportunity the next day if postponed. The lift will depart from Space Launch Complex 4E in Santa Barbara County on a southern trajectory. Public viewing at the base is not allowed, but several vantage points around Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles exist, including 13th Street and Arguello Boulevard, Floradale Avenue and West Ocean Avenue, Renwick Avenue and West Ocean Avenue, and Santa Lucia Canyon Road and Victory Road. Delays are common; check for updates.

Nvidia pauses new gaming GPUs for 2026 amid RAM shortage; RTX 50 production trimmed, Rubin delayed to 2027

February 6, 2026, 12:20 PM EST. Nvidia plans to skip new gaming GPU launches in 2026, the first such year in three decades, The Information reports. The pause follows a global RAM shortage that Nvidia allegedly describes as RAMageddon, with AI data centers competing for memory. Nvidia has reportedly indefinitely delayed its incremental RTX 50-series refresh codenamed Kicker, even though designs were finished, citing memory costs. The company is also slashing production of current RTX 50 GPUs to preserve scarce memory for chips used in AI. If accurate, the next generation code-named Rubin could arrive only late 2027, extending a near three-year gap between major GPU generations. Some analysts note the broader PC market faces survival-mode conditions as memory prices rise, affecting builders and vendors alike.

CRASH Clock estimates collision risk as satellite traffic swells in low-Earth orbit

February 6, 2026, 12:16 PM EST. Researchers warn that crowded low-Earth orbit raises collision risk as internet-satellite constellations expand. They unveil the CRASH Clock, a predictor of how quickly a major collision could occur if satellites lose maneuvering capability during a solar storm. The study notes current warning windows of about 5.5 days, shrinking as traffic climbs. SpaceX plans a second-generation Starlink constellation of up to 7,500 satellites for 2031 and aims to lower orbits of thousands of existing craft to reduce contact risk. Chinese firms have sought approvals to launch hundreds of thousands of satellites by the early 2030s. The authors caution high pass-by rates, frequent conjunctions, and potential navigation and comms outages during solar events. The work, led by astrophysicist Sarah Thiele, is posted on arXiv.

Google rolls out high-contrast mode for At a Glance widget on Pixel devices

February 6, 2026, 12:14 PM EST. Google is rolling out a high-contrast update for the Pixel version of its At a Glance widget to improve legibility against busy wallpapers. The change adds a shaded background behind the widget's text and supports both black and white text on home and lock screens. After months in testing, users are reporting sightings on devices enrolled in programs such as QPR3, with Google possibly requiring a server-side switch in addition to a Play System update. The rollout appears gradual, and some testers may be first. If you don't like the look, you can simply switch the feature off. The aim is to prevent important info from vanishing into wallpaper on crowded home screens.

Woot discounts official Apple Solo Loop bands, prices down to $14.99 for Prime members

February 6, 2026, 12:06 PM EST. Discounts at Woot cut the price on official Apple Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands compatible with Apple Watch models from 38mm to 46mm. The standard Solo Loop is now $14.99, down from $49, while the Braided Solo Loop drops to $29.99 from $99. Both ships free for Prime members; non-Prime customers pay a $6 delivery fee. Woot advertises a 1-year Apple warranty on these bands. The sale page groups options by wrist size, then by style, model, and color. Note: Solo Loop bands are not adjustable, so sizing matters. To size, Apple's "Start your measurement" tool on the current generation Braided Solo Loop listings can help. The Braided variant weaves 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads for a soft, textured, sweat- and water-resistant finish.

AirTag 2 Speaker Tampering Undermines Apple's Security Promises, Teardown Finds

February 6, 2026, 12:04 PM EST. Apple's AirTag 2 arrives with upgrades, but a teardown by iFixit shows the speaker remains easy to disable. The unit's speaker is wired with two small leads; opening the tag exposes them, and a soldering iron can sever the connection. There appears to be no automatic failsafe if the speaker is disconnected, and reassembled tests show the tag still functions. Apple had touted 'industry-first protections against unwanted tracking,' but the physical tamper point undercuts that claim. Muffling or disabling the speaker can blunt audible alerts used to locate a rogue tracker, complicating efforts to detect follow-ons. Privacy advocates warn that some stalkers could evade detection even with alerts. Apple has not signaled a hardware fix for the speaker in this generation.

Wisconsin lawmakers push bell-to-bell cell phone ban and internet rules for students

February 6, 2026, 11:58 AM EST. Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing a bell-to-bell cell phone ban in schools and new rules for social media and online platforms, following a task force led by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. The package includes AB 948, which would bar phone use throughout the school day-during instruction, recess, transit between classes and lunch-with a deadline of July 1, 2027. It builds on 2025 Act 42, which requires districts to ban cellphones during instructional time and includes exceptions for emergencies, health needs, and IEP or 504 plans. Proponents say schools should be a safe zone; opponents note policies vary widely. The measure cites experiences on social media described by students and points to similar actions in other states, where restrictions range from full-day bans to partial limits.

Two key takeaways for Internet Computer investors in 2026

February 6, 2026, 11:54 AM EST. Investors face a stubbornly fragile case for Internet Computer (ICP) in 2026. The token never recovered the 2021 hype, plunging from a peak above $460 to around $2, erasing most of its gains and undermining trust. The price mood still reflects weak fundamentals, not a revival. On the network side, developers and users remain sparse versus peers: Electric Capital counted about 187 full-time developers versus Ethereum's thousands, while on-chain activity trails. In 2024 the project touted AI features via the Caffeine platform, but uptake has been limited. Public data and a history of governance disputes around token vesting have bolstered investor skepticism. With limited TVL and little sign of near-term adoption, the case for 2026 hinges on meaningful, verifiable progress in tokenomics and real-world usage.

Spain hits back at Telegram founder over 'lies' about internet law

February 6, 2026, 11:50 AM EST. Spain accused Telegram of spreading misinformation after Pavel Durov sent an in-app message to all Spanish users criticising draft social-media legislation proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The government framed the plan as a privacy and online-safety measure, including banning under-16s from social platforms, age-verification obligations, and criminalising deepfakes and manipulative algorithms. Durov warned the measures could create a surveillance state and diminish internet freedoms, saying Telegram prioritises privacy and encryption and resists backdoors. He questioned how authorities would verify age and identity. The plan, announced at the World Government Summit, drew criticism from Elon Musk. The debate mirrors broader regulatory efforts in Europe and Australia to curb platform power while protecting users.

Nvidia nears $20 billion OpenAI investment as funding round advances

February 6, 2026, 11:38 AM EST. Nvidia is nearing a deal to invest roughly $20 billion in OpenAI as part of its latest funding round, a person familiar with the matter said. OpenAI is seeking up to $100 billion and a valuation around $830 billion. Other firms, including Amazon and SoftBank, are pursuing partnerships, betting that closer ties with the AI startup could sharpen their competitive edge. The deal is not finalised yet, and Bloomberg had earlier reported momentum. The talks follow a Wall Street Journal note that Nvidia's September plan to invest and supply data-center chips stalled. CEO Jensen Huang has signaled a 'huge' investment and said Nvidia would consider OpenAI's next fundraising round and potential IPO.

iPhone 18 Pro Max rumored to push battery life with 5,100-5,200 mAh and a 2nm chip

February 6, 2026, 11:34 AM EST. New rumors preview the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a bigger battery aimed at class-leading endurance. A known Weibo leaker, Digital Chat Station, says the battery could be 5,100-5,200 mAh, aided by an A20 Pro chip built on TSMC's 2nm process. The device is expected to be thicker to fit the larger pack. By contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max carries a 5,088 mAh cell and Apple has pegged battery life at up to 39 hours; independent tests have positioned Apple at the top for battery life. A foldable iPhone, rumored to debut alongside the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, could push past 5,500 mAh. The 18 Pro/Pro Max are also said to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, C2 modem, a 24 MP front camera, and an upgraded main camera with a variable aperture. Launch anticipated later this year.

5 ways Meta Quest 3 bests Apple Vision Pro in gaming

February 6, 2026, 11:32 AM EST. Meta Quest 3 edges Apple Vision Pro on gaming, even as Vision Pro dominates AR. The Quest 3 delivers a broader gaming library and a cheaper price, plus true standalone VR without tethering. Its hand tracking can be unreliable, a point where Vision Pro shows strength with more precise input in AR modes. Vision Pro's strengths include micro-OLED displays, 4K visuals, eye tracking, and premium materials, but these come with a $3,500 price tag. In practice, Quest 3 offers easier setup, a lighter form factor for long sessions, and flexible software ecosystems that appeal to gamers. The result: for immersive virtual reality gaming, Quest 3 currently leads; for augmented realities and premium hardware, Vision Pro remains formidable.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra urged to adopt a bigger main sensor for pro photography

February 6, 2026, 11:30 AM EST. As rumors swirl around the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a CNET reviewer argues Samsung must push imaging forward. The S-series excels in night shots and zoom, but the main sensor hasn't kept pace. Citing Xiaomi's 14 Ultra with a 1-inch-class sensor, the reviewer says a larger sensor would capture more light, expand dynamic range, and reduce heavy software HDR. A bigger camera could help the S26 Ultra stand out from the S25 Ultra and S25 Edge, and from rivals like Xiaomi and Huawei. The call: tailor the camera for pro photographers, not just software tricks. With Xiaomi's 17 Ultra looming, Samsung risks losing ground if it doesn't deliver a substantive imaging upgrade.

Google expands Android AirDrop interoperability beyond Pixel, targeting wider ecosystem in 2026

February 6, 2026, 11:28 AM EST. Google confirms that Android's Quick Share – AirDrop interoperability will extend beyond the Pixel 10-series this year, part of a broader push to ease switching from iPhone to Android. The feature has moved from a Pixel-only system component to a full APK with its own Play Store listing, signaling wider device support. In a Taipei briefing, Android VP Eric Kay said 2026 will bring expansions to many more devices as Google collaborates with partners to integrate the feature across the Android ecosystem. While Google hasn't named partners, Qualcomm has hinted at Pixel 10-series AirDrop on Snapdragon phones. Google also stressed easier data transfer for newcomers from iPhone as part of the rollout.

Valve delays Steam Machine pricing and shipping amid memory shortages

February 6, 2026, 11:12 AM EST. Valve delayed concrete pricing and launch dates for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame as memory and storage shortages ripple through the hardware market. The company said AI-data-center demand has tightened supplies, forcing a review of shipping schedules, though it still aims to ship all three products in the first half of the year, including the Steam Controller. Valve noted the delays affect pricing announcements and launch timing, with its blog emphasizing that shortages can change quickly. On performance, Valve said the Steam Machine can run most Steam titles at 4K 60FPS with FSR, though some games may benefit from VRR at 1080p. The firm will share faceplate CAD specs to enable customization.

Google launches Discover-focused core update; AI Mode monetization plans outlined

February 6, 2026, 11:08 AM EST. Google released a February 2026 core update focused on Discover rather than Search, with rollout limited to English-language users in the United States for now and expected to extend to more countries over two weeks. The update changes how publishers should monitor performance, as Discover traffic can move independently of Search rankings. NewzDash cites Discover as roughly 68% of Google-sourced traffic for news publishers, underscoring the stakes. Separately, Alphabet reported Q4 2025 results with a plan to monetize AI Mode. CEO Sundar Pichai said AI Mode queries are longer and create new ad inventory, including ads below AI responses. Google frames AI Mode as additive to traditional ads, aiming to boost engagement while monitoring referral traffic. Both moves affect how publishers optimize content and ads.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 surface in GSMA IMEI database ahead of 2026 launch

February 6, 2026, 10:58 AM EST. Evidence of Samsung's 2026 smartwatch line-up appeared in the GSMA IMEI database, listing Galaxy Watch 9 as model SM-L345U and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 as SM-L716U. IMEI records are basic filings that track device identifiers, and historically signal roadmap dates four to six months ahead of a retail launch. The entries suggest Samsung is preparing a distinct Ultra 2 architecture rather than a mere storage bump seen on the 2025 Ultra update. No specs are disclosed in the filings, and an official reveal remains planned for July, consistent with Samsung's past cadence. More leaks could emerge ahead of the announcement.

Redmi Note 15 Pro and Note 15 Pro 5G push mid-budget phones with AMOLED displays and large batteries

February 6, 2026, 10:50 AM EST. The Redmi Note 15 Pro and Note 15 Pro 5G arrive as global versions with AMOLED displays, long battery life and expanded memory options. The 6.77-inch Pro uses a 120 Hz panel; the 6.83-inch Pro 5G adds HDR10+ and Dolby Vision while both peak at 3200 nits. Cameras top out at 200 MP main sensors with optical stabilization and 8 MP ultra-wide; front cams are 32 MP and 20 MP respectively. Batteries run around 6500-6580 mAh with 45 W wired charging. Both run Android 15 with HyperOS 2.0, NFC, IR, and USB-C. Memory is 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, expandable via MicroSD; prices start around 11,999-13,999 UAH. Boxes include phone, USB-C, tray tool, film, bumper; no charger included in global versions.

Stellantis sells 49% stake in Windsor NextStar EV battery plant to LG Energy Solutions

February 6, 2026, 10:34 AM EST. Stellantis is selling its 49% stake in the Windsor, Ontario, NextStar EV battery plant to its joint-venture partner LG Energy Solutions. The companies described the sale as a mutual decision, with Stellantis remaining a NextStar customer for batteries and electrical storage solutions. The plant, which focuses on EV batteries and energy storage, will change ownership to LG Energy Solutions, consolidating control under the partner. No terms were disclosed. The move comes as automakers recalibrate North American battery supply arrangements.

LG Energy Solution to buy Stellantis stake in Canadian EV battery JV for US$100

February 6, 2026, 10:24 AM EST. LG Energy Solution plans to buy Stellantis's 49% stake in NextStar Energy, its Ontario EV battery JV, for US$100. The purchase would give LG full ownership of a plant that has drawn more than $5 billion in investment to date and will focus on energy storage systems batteries for LG, Stellantis and other North American customers. LG said full control will speed response to ESS demand. Stellantis will record about €22.2 billion in charges in H2 of last year as it trims EV programs and shifts strategy. The move follows LG's North American battery ventures, including a Lansing plant deal with GM and broader electrification efforts, amid a tougher market for EVs after some canceled contracts, such as with Ford.

SpaceX's xAI merger eyes orbit-based AI data centers, pending FCC approval

February 6, 2026, 10:16 AM EST. SpaceX has acquired xAI, pairing Elon Musk's AI ambitions with its space hardware ambitions. The plan envisions a constellation of up to 1 million satellites housing solar-powered AI data centers in space to meet surging compute demand and ease terrestrial cooling. The company has asked the FCC for permission to launch, signaling a shift from orbiting communications to in-orbit processing that could keep data above the atmosphere. The merger ties AI software demand to a maker of orbital infrastructure, potentially widening access to capital and compute resources. Analysts note rising power costs for data centers; Goldman Sachs anticipates higher demand through 2030, while Microsoft and Meta alike boosted capex. Regulators, then execution, and an IPO beyond SpaceX remain key watch points.

Louisville teen helps shape kid-safe smartphones at Gabb

February 6, 2026, 10:14 AM EST. Emma Murphy, a 13-year-old from Louisville, was selected for Gabb's first Kids Advisory Council after a standout video application. Gabb, a Salt Lake City firm making kid-safe phones and smartwatches, invited four youths to its Utah headquarters to act as temporary vice presidents for a day, a bid to shape marketing, product design and customer service. The firm received 459 applications. Emma has used Gabb devices for about two years, starting with a smartwatch in 2023 and moving to a phone. Gabb emphasizes communication over traditional apps, aiming to limit distractions while keeping kids connected. Emma said she wants the devices to feel like a real phone and watch yet stay safe, urging more emojis and GIFs in messages. Her work aims to bridge gaps between kid needs and mainstream products.

Li Auto pivots to AI and humanoid robotics, reshaping value and risk

February 6, 2026, 10:10 AM EST. Li Auto (NasdaqGS: LI) is pivoting toward artificial intelligence and plans to enter humanoid robotics, restructuring R&D and reallocating capital from traditional auto operations. The company will close about 100 stores to fund AI initiatives and aims to be a top AI player by 2028. At roughly $17.79, the stock has risen about 7% in a week and 5% over a month, but shows broader weakness with a 31.6% decline over the past year and 44.1% over five years. The shift leans value toward software and technology assets, heightening execution risk from closures. Insider selling has been flagged, and margins sit around 3.6% vs 4.6% industry average. Analysts' target sits near $23.91, implying potential upside if the strategy gains traction.

Kymeta, JDI partner on first multi-band metasurface Ku/Ka terminal

February 6, 2026, 10:08 AM EST. Kymeta and Japan Display Inc. (JDI) said they are teaming to develop a multi-band metasurface aperture that can operate concurrently across Ku- and Ka-band satellite frequencies. They describe the project as the industry's first multi-band, metasurface terminal, a milestone in satellite communications across multiple orbits. The partners frame the effort as the next phase in Kymeta's multi-band product roadmap, building on a prior Ku/Ka antenna. It aims for seamless roaming between frequency bands and orbits; the collaboration follows last year's lab demo of a single aperture transmitting and receiving Ka-band and Ku-band beams. JDI will leverage its rigid flat-panel TFT manufacturing to scale production for terminals.

Goldman Sachs taps Anthropic AI to automate accounting and compliance roles

February 6, 2026, 10:00 AM EST. Goldman Sachs is embedding Anthropic engineers to build autonomous AI agents that automate time-heavy back-office work. Over six months, engineers worked with Goldman teams on two pillars: accounting for trades and transactions, and client vetting and onboarding. The initiative uses Claude-based agents aimed at reducing cycle times and supporting headcount growth later. Goldman says the aim is efficiency gains rather than immediate job cuts, aligning with CEO David Solomon's multi-year AI-reorganization plan to constrain headcount. Argenti notes Claude performs well beyond coding, extending to accounting and compliance tasks that require parsing large data and applying rules. Executives say the project demonstrates AI can handle structured, rules-based work, and may lead to broader automation across the firm.

Android Auto users report missing car icon in Google Maps navigation

February 6, 2026, 9:58 AM EST. Android Auto users report that Google Maps navigation no longer shows the car icon, weakening orientation on the road. Some drivers say the blue arrow disappears during guidance, while other map functions remain intact. A workaround has circulated: switch to Maps' default vehicle icon, which temporarily restores the indicator. The issue appears in version 6.1.660404-release and seems linked to the media player in full-screen, particularly in split-view mode. Posts on the Android Auto subreddit and reporting by 9to5Google describe inconsistent behavior-icons appearing at times, then not. Google has not publicly acknowledged a fix, and users await an official update or a broader workaround.

Quantum computing speeds up prediction of chiroptical spectra for drug design

February 6, 2026, 9:56 AM EST. Researchers at North Carolina State University, led by Amandeep Singh Bhatia and Sabre Kais, deploy a hybrid classical/quantum workflow to predict electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, used to fix the absolute configuration of chiral molecules. ECD stands for electronic circular dichroism, a key measure in enantioselective synthesis and drug design. The team combines quantum equation-of-motion formalism with variational quantum algorithms to compute molecular properties on circuits of about 20-24 qubits, achieving near-quantitative agreement with classical methods such as CCSD and CASCI. They validated on 12 clinically relevant chiral drug molecules with multi-GPU/QPU acceleration, showing a scalable path to first-principles chiroptical spectra predictions. The work could accelerate drug discovery and advance materials science applications.

Google Wallet redesign centers on starred passes, adds two-step access and sorting options

February 6, 2026, 9:50 AM EST. Android Authority reports Google Wallet's upcoming home screen redesign prioritizes starred passes for quick access. A new View more button routes users to a landing page with a search bar and settings, then to a second screen labeled View more passes to display all items. On the home screen, users can reorder passes and choose which appear there; a separate screen lets them sort by alphabetical order or recently opened. Archived passes sit at the end. The change aims to speed access to preferred passes, though the two-step path may feel clunkier. The details come from Google Wallet v26.5.862583415 and an APK teardown, which show work in progress; Google has not announced a live rollout.

I'll keep listening to music from my phone's speakers for one simple reason

February 6, 2026, 9:48 AM EST. In a personal concession, the author admits using a phone's built-in speakers to listen to music at home. The piece weighs convenience against audiophile ideals, noting that larger phones have better speakers and that dedicated gear isn't always practical. The author cites positive assessments of phone speakers in recent reviews (Sony Xperia 1 VI and iPhone 17) to argue that 'enough detail' and 'spacious sound' can suffice in a pinch. While not replacing dedicated speakers, phone playback avoids setup friction-no cables, no extra devices, and it travels with you. The trade-off, the author says, is sound quality for plain convenience.

Meta Quest 3 gains Surface Keyboard in Horizon OS v85 Public Test Channel

February 6, 2026, 9:44 AM EST. Meta is testing a new Horizon OS v85 feature that turns any flat surface into a virtual keyboard with a built-in trackpad on Quest 3. The Surface Keyboard is available via the Public Test Channel (PTC) as an experimental option, reportedly not offered on Quest 3S. Users must opt in to the PTC, enable Movement Tracking and hand tracking, and then activate Surface Keyboard under Experimental settings. Once enabled, placing hands on a table triggers a keyboard overlay that users can type on, with a quick switch back to controllers. Meta has showcased similar concepts since 2023, though hands-on feedback suggests the keyboard requires acclimatization.

Windows 11: Storage settings now requires admin rights, prompting user confusion

February 6, 2026, 9:34 AM EST. Microsoft has tightened Windows 11's security by locking the Storage settings page behind administrative rights. Starting with the February 2026 Security Update, opening Storage settings will trigger a User Account Control (UAC) prompt, requiring admin approval to view or modify system files. The move, highlighted in notes around KB5074105 and WindowsLatest reporting, adds a layer of protection but risks confusing everyday users on both personal and shared PCs. In addition to Storage changes, the Patch Tuesday cycle brings Android app resume features and a major upgrade to Windows MIDI Services. Microsoft says the change aims to improve security, while critics warn of usability friction that could grow if the feature matures.

iFixit teardown: AirTag louder speaker, but easy to disable; U2 chip boosts Precision Finding

February 6, 2026, 9:32 AM EST. iFixit has published a teardown of AirTag, confirming a louder speaker and a suite of anti-tracking protections, including cross-platform alerts and Bluetooth identifiers that change over time. The firm notes that, despite the louder output, the speaker remains easy to disable by removing two wires from the speaker coil on the PCB. iFixit cautions the fix may undercut safeguards but does not render the device unusable. The teardown also shows an upgraded SoC for Bluetooth and NFC, alongside Apple's U2 Ultra Wideband chip. The U2 chip underpins stronger Precision Finding when paired with an iPhone 15 or later. iFixit provides a full teardown video and photos.

AI upends entry-level jobs; three teens explain their reactions

February 6, 2026, 9:26 AM EST. New York – AI is reshaping the job market for new entrants. Experts warn that automation could trim many entry-level white-collar roles in coming years, while overall unemployment remains elevated. Some forecasts are sharper than others, but the trend is clear: even fields once deemed stable, like computer science, are facing stiffer competition as AI handles more work. High schools race to teach AI literacy as students decide how to study. A 2024 Pew study found half of US teens used ChatGPT for homework. CNN spoke with three current high school students to hear how they're adapting: some pursue hands-on fields such as healthcare; others learn to apply AI to their chosen careers. LinkedIn data say about 70% of skills will change by 2030.

NVIDIA posts record Q3 fiscal 2026 revenue, led by data center demand

February 6, 2026, 9:16 AM EST. NVIDIA released Q3 FY2026 results with record revenue of $57.0 billion, up 22% from the prior quarter and 62% year over year. The data center business hit a record $51.2 billion, up 25% from Q2 and 66% YOY. GAAP gross margin was 73.4% and non-GAAP 73.6%; GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS were $1.30. CEO Jensen Huang said demand for AI computing is accelerating, calling it a 'virtuous cycle' across training and inference. In the first nine months, the company returned $37.0 billion to shareholders; $62.2 billion remained under buyback authorization. A quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share is due on Dec 26, 2025. For Q4 FY2026, NVIDIA guided revenue of about $65.0 billion, with margins around the mid-to-high 70s.

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg; 13th booster flight

February 6, 2026, 9:14 AM EST. SpaceX plans a Saturday launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base to loft 25 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift between 9:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. Pacific time; a live webcast will begin about five minutes before liftoff on SpaceX's site and on X. The mission marks the 13th flight for the first-stage booster, which is expected to land on the Pacific droneship 'Of Course I Still Love You' after stage separation. The launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing expansion of the Starlink constellation to deliver internet coverage worldwide.

GeForce NOW brings RTX cloud gaming to Linux PCs in beta

February 6, 2026, 9:12 AM EST. GeForce NOW debuts a native Linux beta app for Ubuntu 24.04+, letting Linux desktops tap RTX-powered cloud gaming. The client streams PC titles from the cloud at up to 5K and 120 fps, or 1080p at 360 fps, with RTX features like ray tracing and DLSS 4. Built for PCs and notebooks, the desktop app follows a Steam Deck–focused release and mirrors the Windows/macOS experience, delivering cloud rendering to devices with no downloads. NVIDIA lists ten new games in the release window, including The Bard's Tale IV: Director's Cut and The Bard's Tale Trilogy, plus Delta Force from Team Jade arriving Feb. 3. The move broadens GeForce NOW's cross-platform library to Linux, Windows, macOS, Chromebooks and more, all via cloud streaming.

Study finds extra circuit parameters help overcome barren plateaus in quantum algorithms

February 6, 2026, 9:02 AM EST. A collaborative study by Yokogawa Electric Corp. and The University of Tokyo researchers-Himuro Hashimoto, Akio Nakabayashi, Lento Nagano and colleagues-uses a one-dimensional transverse and longitudinal field Ising model to probe barren plateaus and overparametrisation in variational quantum algorithms (VQAs). The work, focusing on VQE performance, quantifies how adding circuit parameters can reduce trapping in local minima. It identifies three convergence regimes in energy accuracy and shows that, at many iterations, regime boundaries align with predictions from the quantum Fisher information and gradient variance. Notably, energy accuracy converges exponentially in the overparametrisation regime. The study provides a practical framework for designing ansatzes and offers theoretical justification for parameter optimisation behaviour in real-world applications.

AI firms urge users to manage bots, not just chat with them

February 6, 2026, 8:54 AM EST. Tech vendors say AI agents are tools to augment human work, not autonomous colleagues. In practice, agents deliver fast drafts but require constant human course correction. Frontier's launch followed OpenAI's macOS Codex app, billed as a 'command center for agents.' The Codex app lets developers run multiple agent threads in parallel, each with an isolated copy of a codebase via Git worktrees. OpenAI also released GPT-5.3-Codex, the model behind Codex, which executives say helped debug its own training and deployment. In Terminal-Bench 2.0, GPT-5.3-Codex scored 77.3%, about 12 percentage points ahead of Anthropic's Opus 4.6. The trend: users shift from prompt-takers to supervisors, dispatching tasks and steering outputs. Critics warn the approach may reallocate risk to human middle managers of AI.

NVIDIA RTX Remix Update Introduces Logic System for Dynamic Graphics

February 6, 2026, 8:50 AM EST. NVIDIA's RTX Remix modding platform, designed for RTX AI PCs, lets fans upgrade classic PC games with modern visuals using path tracing, a rendering method that simulates light for more realistic scenes. In the latest update, NVIDIA says a new logic system lets modders trigger dynamic graphics based on in-game events, enabling effects to respond to combat, exploration, or narrative moments. The update, rolled out today through the NVIDIA app, aims to streamline content creation and expand how players experience beloved classics. By lowering the barrier to adding dynamic visuals, the company expects more remasters and fresh takes from the community, while preserving original gameplay.

Mercedes-Benz unveils S-Class on NVIDIA DRIVE AV with L4-ready architecture

February 6, 2026, 8:44 AM EST. Mercedes-Benz marks 140 years with an S-Class built for the AI era, pairing MB.OS with NVIDIA DRIVE AV to deliver a L4-ready architecture designed for trust. The car runs on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion and full-stack DRIVE AV software to support future robotaxi operations, with Halos for safety-first autonomy and parallel AI and classical driving stacks to ensure reliability. The model aims to offer a premium, chauffeur-style autonomous experience, and, under a prior partnership with Uber, the companies plan to make these vehicles available on Uber's mobility network. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said the collaboration extends Mercedes-Benz's craftsmanship into the AI era. DRIVE AV is trained on DGX systems and validated with high-fidelity simulation using Omniverse NuRec libraries and Cosmos world models.

NVIDIA and Dassault push world models and virtual twins to scale industrial AI

February 6, 2026, 8:28 AM EST. At 3DEXPERIENCE World in Houston, Jensen Huang and Pascal Daloz outlined a plan to fuse NVIDIA's accelerated computing with Dassault Systèmes' Virtual Twin platforms. They described physics-based world models that simulate products, factories and even biology before building them. Huang framed AI as infrastructure, a core layer just like water or electricity, while the partners position virtual twins as knowledge factories-tools to create, test and trust designs in real time. The 25-year collaboration aims to move engineering into upstream, AI-assisted workflows and let designers explore larger design spaces at industrial scale. Applications span biology and materials science with NVIDIA BioNeMo and BIOVIA, plus SIMULIA AI-based Virtual Twin Physics, pushing digital models toward live production.

Nemotron Labs turns documents into real-time business intelligence with AI agents on NVIDIA platforms

February 6, 2026, 8:26 AM EST. Nemotron Labs says AI agents, built on NVIDIA Nemotron open models and GPU-accelerated libraries, turn diverse documents into real-time business intelligence. The blog series explains how open models, datasets and training recipes help firms deploy specialized AI copilots and agents on NVIDIA platforms. Intelligent document processing reads tables, charts, images and text, using RAG to translate multimodal content into actionable insights for other agents and humans. The approach supports large-scale ingestion, keeps knowledge bases current, and returns exact passages with citations for auditability in regulated industries. The result is a shift from static archives to living business intelligence that powers workflows, customer experiences and decision-making.

Kimi K2.5 multimodal VLM debuts with NVIDIA GPU-accelerated endpoints

February 6, 2026, 8:24 AM EST. Kimi K2.5 is the latest open vision-language model from the Kimi family. The multimodal system handles text, image and video, powered by 384 experts in a MoE (Mixture of Experts) setup with a single dense layer. It totals 1 trillion parameters, with 32.86 billion active parameters and a 262,000-token input context. Built on Megatron-LM, it uses the MoonViT3d Vision Tower to convert images and video frames into embeddings. NVIDIA provides free access to GPU-accelerated endpoints for prototyping via the NVIDIA Developer Program, with production NIM microservices coming soon. An API path shows the model as moonshotai/kimi-k2.5, and developers can test via NVIDIA-hosted endpoints or in the browser.

Google to expand AirDrop-style sharing across Android beyond Pixel in 2026

February 6, 2026, 8:22 AM EST. Google says AirDrop-style sharing on Android will reach more devices beyond Pixel this year, expanding from the Pixel 10 launch to a broader set of partners. The company described the move as part of Quick Share, Android's official file-sharing platform, with hopes to standardize the feature across the ecosystem, and possibly via collaboration with Samsung. In Taipei, Google reportedly told media that the expansion will come in 2026, with announcements very soon and timing tied to Pixel Feature Drops. The next big update is expected in March, aligned with an Android platform feature drop. The rest of the Android community could gain native AirDrop-like sharing, not just Pixel users.

OpenAI's GPT-5.3-Codex touted as first self-created coding model

February 6, 2026, 8:20 AM EST. OpenAI unveiled GPT-5.3-Codex, a coding model it says improves reasoning and professional knowledge and runs about 25% faster than its predecessor. The announcement follows rivals such as Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6 and comes as OpenAI released a Codex app for macOS to manage multiple AI agents. The company claims GPT-5.3-Codex is its 'first model that was instrumental in creating itself,' a line echoed by competitors who say AI now handles most coding tasks. Analysts caution about the hype and emphasize ongoing guardrails, tests, and the limits of current self-improvement.

Konami releases Super Bomberman Collection on Switch and Switch 2, with August physical launch

February 6, 2026, 8:16 AM EST. Konami quietly released the Super Bomberman Collection digitally today for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, bundling 7 games: Super Bomberman 1-5 plus the Famicom versions of Bomberman 1 and 2. The package adds a new Boss Rush mode, local multiplayer, and QoL features such as save states and rewind. The Switch 2 edition adds GameShare and GameChat support. A gallery and music player are included. A physical launch follows: August 25, 2026 US and August 28, 2026 UK. Collector's edition for Switch priced at €69.99; Deluxe edition for Switch 2 at €49.99 with exclusive sleeve, manual, and a stress ball. The Switch 2 version ships as a full cart, requiring no initial download.

SpaceX removes crew arm from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A, signaling operational shift

February 6, 2026, 8:14 AM EST. SpaceX has removed the crew access arm from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, part of ongoing facility changes around the historic launch site. Industry observers say the move reduces hardware tied to crewed flights from the pad and aligns with SpaceX's emphasis on automated and frequent launches from Cape Canaveral. Officials offered no immediate comment. The arm-an access gantry used to board spacecraft-has long been associated with NASA's commercial crew program and later missions from 39A. The removal does not confirm a halt to crewed flights, but it underscores a broader reconfiguration of Pad 39A for SpaceX's evolving launch cadence and vehicle lineup.

Google to bring AirDrop interoperability to all Android devices

February 6, 2026, 8:08 AM EST. Google has confirmed that AirDrop-style interoperability with iPhones will extend beyond Pixel 10 devices to all Android phones. At a briefing with Android Authority, Eric Kay said the company plans to ship an update later this year and is collaborating with partners to bring compatibility to iPads and MacBooks, and to the broader Android ecosystem. The move follows earlier limited support via Pixel's Quick Share, and code clues had suggested Google intended broader coverage from the start. Officials emphasized a focus on secure, cross-device transfers across devices while expanding the sharing protocol.

Martinis aims to build the world's most powerful quantum computer

February 6, 2026, 8:06 AM EST. John Martinis is a hardware-focused physicist whose work helped turn quantum effects into real technology. In the 1980s his team explored macroscopic quantumness with superconducting circuits, showing many charged particles could act as a single quantum system and laying the groundwork for today's qubits. He later led Google's effort that achieved quantum supremacy, a milestone that stood as the world's only quantum computer for a time. Now nearing 70, Martinis aims a new milestone with QoLab, founded in 2024 to pursue a radically different path toward practical quantum computing. He emphasizes rapid iteration, understanding microwave engineering and noise, and the belief that currents in the lab can translate into industry-scale capability.

BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller, expanding global lead

February 6, 2026, 8:02 AM EST. BYD has overtaken Tesla to become the world's top electric-vehicle seller, underpinned by newer models, stronger batteries and lower prices. In markets from Germany to Mexico, Thailand and Australia, Tesla surrendered share as BYD sales surged. The U.S. remains constrained by waning federal incentives and investor concerns over Musk's politics. Segment Y Automotive Intelligence shows BYD's European volume more than quadrupling in 2025, while Tesla fell about 30% there. Amid the shift, Musk is steering Tesla toward AI, robotics and robotaxi, signaling the end of the Model S and Model X programs to free capacity for Optimus humanoid robots, aiming for up to 1 million annually at Fremont. BYD began in Shenzhen in 1995, growing by owning much of its supply chain and expanding abroad.

AI method helps identify which dinosaur made footprints

February 6, 2026, 8:00 AM EST. Researchers have built an artificial intelligence method to identify which dinosaur left a footprint, using eight footprint traits. The algorithm analyzed 1,974 silhouettes spanning 150 million years, isolating eight features that explain most variation in track shapes. Those features include overall load and shape; toe spread; how the toes attach to the foot; heel position; the load from the heel; and the relative emphasis of toes versus heel. The method offers an objective way to classify tracks and reduce subjective interpretation by paleontologists. But track shape varies with behavior, substrate (ground surface), burial and erosion, making identification inherently uncertain. The study was led by Gregor Hartmann of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh, and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Cramer: Nvidia is the GOAT of investing, the Muhammad Ali of stocks

February 6, 2026, 7:54 AM EST. CNBC's Jim Cramer compared Nvidia to the GOAT of investing, likening its resilience to Muhammad Ali. He said investors shouldn't sweat the recent pullback, noting the stock has weathered blowups since his first recommendation in 2009 and that Nvidia remains strong as the AI wave expands. The shares have fallen about 6% this year to roughly $175 after a late-October peak near $207. Cramer argues Nvidia can weather current headwinds, including AI spending concerns and a memory shortage, aided by partnerships with SK Hynix and Samsung for high-bandwidth memory. CEO Jensen Huang has steered a pivot from gaming GPUs to AI accelerators, turning short-term volatility into long-term momentum.

Digimon Story Time Stranger Switch Version to receive free Switch 2 upgrade with 4K HDR and up to 60FPS options

February 6, 2026, 7:52 AM EST. Bandai Namco confirms a free Switch 2 upgrade for Digimon Story Time Stranger on Nintendo Switch, bringing the Switch 2 experience via an update. The move mirrors Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! ZERO. On Switch 2, players get Quality Mode (4K HDR, up to 30FPS docked; Full HD up to 30FPS handheld) or Performance Mode (Full HD up to 60FPS). Returning to the original Switch, graphics and mode options revert and aren't available. The Switch 2 version is listed as a Game-Key Card, while the original is a physical release with a July launch window. Separately, Tales of Arise is headed to Switch 2 this May. Will you buy on Switch or Switch 2?

On-chip frequency beamsplitter achieves >99.95% fidelity, boosting quantum computing power

February 6, 2026, 7:48 AM EST. Researchers at Purdue University and The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have built an on-chip frequency beamsplitter that splits a single photon into multiple frequency components with near-ideal performance. The device uses a silicon pulse shaper with six spectral channels to perform high-fidelity frequency-bin operations, delivering Hadamard gate fidelities above 0.9995 and a modified success probability over 0.9621 across spacings from 2 GHz to 5 GHz. By achieving spacings as narrow as 2 GHz-nine times finer than tabletop systems-the platform increases the available frequency modes and simplifies waveform synthesis. The result is a scalable, integrated photonics approach to densely parallel single-qubit operations and multi-dimensional quantum gates, advancing integrated frequency-bin quantum photonics for quantum information processing.

SpaceX ends crewed launches from Kennedy Space Center 39A; Dragon missions shift to SLC-40

February 6, 2026, 7:46 AM EST. SpaceX is removing the crew access arm from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, signaling the end of crewed Dragon missions from the historic site. A crane attached the arm on Feb. 4 as the company finalizes the Starship launch complex. SpaceX says most Dragon flights will move to SLC-40, freeing Pad 39A to focus on Falcon Heavy launches and, later, Starship missions. NASA's Commercial Crew Program maintains capability at SLC-40 but could support 39A if needed. Pad 39A has a storied legacy, from Apollo 11 to the space shuttle era; Atlantis last flew from the pad in 2011. Crew-12 remains the second crewed flight from SLC-40, with future Starship missions under discussion.

Apple 2026: foldable iPhone 18, OLED MacBook Pros, smarter Siri and smart glasses

February 6, 2026, 7:30 AM EST. Apple sticks to its calendar, with WWDC in June, new iPhones in September, and mid-year hardware and software updates. In 2026, the company could break from some routine. The second half is expected to feature a foldable iPhone 18 as part of a redesigned lineup. It may also roll out a next-generation Siri that behaves more like Gemini or ChatGPT, plus a broader push into smart-home devices. Late in the year, Apple is expected to ship its first OLED MacBook Pros with touch displays. A potential new product category-smart glasses tied to Siri-is also mentioned. Behind the scenes, questions linger about Tim Cook's future as CEO, even as iPhone demand remains strong.

Google to expand AirDrop interoperability to more Android devices this year

February 6, 2026, 7:20 AM EST. Google says AirDrop interoperability with Android's Quick Share will expand beyond the Pixel 10 later this year, according to Eric Kay, Google's vice president of engineering for Android. In December, the company hinted it would broaden support with partner devices, though no specific makers were named. The move follows last year's Pixel 10 rollout of AirDrop compatibility with iPhone, iPad and Macs. Nothing and Qualcomm have teased future participation. Kay emphasized improved data-transfer experiences for users switching from iOS to Android, aiming to reduce incomplete transfers and lost messages. Google and Apple have been testing cross-ecosystem flows in Canary builds; the company promises exciting announcements very soon.

Kaiser workers push back on AI over jobs, patient safety

February 6, 2026, 7:16 AM EST. Kaiser Permanente workers, one of California's most powerful unions, form an early front in the AI debate, warning AI could cost jobs and threaten patient safety. Through bargaining, picket lines and hunger strikes, they press Kaiser to guard workers and patients as the company says AI can reduce tedious tasks and let clinicians focus on care. Critics, led by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, warn the technology could lead to layoffs and harm, citing a bargaining team member who says AI mistakes have been grave. Kaiser contends AI supports diagnostics and strengthens patient relationships. Studies cited by Brookings and the Centre for the Governance of AI flag vulnerability in roles like medical admin assistants, clerks and translators. California unions push lawmakers to act; Kaiser remains a major private employer with roughly 19,000 physicians and 180,000 employees.

S Pen vs magnets: Galaxy S26 Ultra's design debate

February 6, 2026, 7:12 AM EST. Rumors center on two paths for the Galaxy S26 Ultra: keep the S Pen or lean into stronger magnet-based features for accessories. Industry chatter links any effort to support the Qi2 wireless charging standard with potential coil placement tied to the digitizer. That mix could drive Samsung to rethink the built-in stylus. Proponents of magnets point to the cleanest experience, echoing the approach on Pixel 10-series and recent iPhones. Others argue the S Pen differentiator remains valuable. One insider noted the option could free battery headroom, while another asks Ultra owners how often they actually use the S Pen. Samsung is likely weighing internal usage figures. For readers: which would you prefer-the S Pen or stronger internal magnets?

Mint offers $30/month 5G Home Internet bundled with phone plan, upfront 3-month payment required

February 6, 2026, 7:04 AM EST. Mint Mobile, owned by T-Mobile, is offering a limited-time bundle that links 5G Home Internet with a Mint mobile plan. The internet price can drop to $30 per month when paired with a Mint Wireless plan, while Mint's own offer also lowers its Unlimited plan to about $15 per month, potentially putting total monthly costs near $45. The catch: Mint sells service only in 3-, 6-, and 12-month blocks, requiring at least a $135 upfront payment for three months. The package includes unlimited 5G data, typical speeds of 133-415 Mbps, a free gateway device, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Mint's Unlimited tier covers talk, text, and data on T-Mobile's network, plus a mobile hotspot and coverage in Mexico, Canada, and the UK. The author notes the math but warns about upfront cost.

Top gaming phones of 2026: iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro XL lead the field

February 6, 2026, 7:00 AM EST. Smartphones marketed for gaming in 2026 deliver flagship processors, high-refresh-rate displays, and robust cooling. The guide compares models from Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, noting that processors and GPUs drive frame rates, while 120Hz or higher displays reduce motion blur. Battery life and cooling prevent thermal throttling during extended play. Optional features such as vapour chambers, touch-response optimisations, and genlock support for multi-camera video are highlighted. The report highlights Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, and OnePlus 15R among others, with notes on design changes, camera capabilities, and pricing considerations. Readers are advised to balance performance, longevity, and ecosystem when choosing a premium gaming device.

Apple trains UI-generation AI on designer feedback to improve UI design

February 6, 2026, 6:50 AM EST. Apple researchers broadened its UICoder UI-generation work by teaching models from professional designers rather than standard RLHF. They replaced generic feedback with critiques, comments, sketches and hands-on edits, converting those before-and-after changes into data to fine-tune a reward model. The effort aims at better alignment with real-world design judgments. The study enrolled 21 designers with 2 to 30 plus years of experience across UI/UX, product and service design, and collected 1,460 annotations converted into paired UI preferences comparing original and improved interfaces. The reward model scores a rendered UI image against a natural language target to guide fine-tuning of the code-to-UI pipeline. Apple used Qwen2.5-Coder as the base and tested on newer Qwen variants.

Musk: SpaceX move to Texas sparks hiring challenge

February 6, 2026, 6:48 AM EST. SpaceX's relocation of operations and leadership to Texas has intensified hiring challenges, according to industry observers. The company, long anchored in California, shifted more activities to the Lone Star State as Elon Musk consolidates a larger footprint near facilities in Boca Chica and Austin. The move has increased demand for engineers, technicians and suppliers in a tight regional labor market, contributing to slower recruiting and higher wage expectations. Hiring bottlenecks complicate production schedules for rockets and satellite programs, executives say. Critics point to fierce competition from other tech firms and aerospace programs in Texas. SpaceX cautioned that the transition would create short-term frictions, while vowing to expand training pipelines and local partnerships.

iPhone 18 Pro: Rumor reversal narrows Dynamic Island, partial under-screen Face ID

February 6, 2026, 6:44 AM EST. Rumors for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max point to a familiar design in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes, but with a twist: Face ID will be partially under the display, narrowing the Dynamic Island. Reports still expect LTPO+ displays and a new A20 Pro chip built on TSMC's 2nm process with new packaging. A plate-like rear camera array, variable aperture on at least one camera, and a redesigned rear Ceramic Shield for MagSafe charging are on the table. Connectivity could rely on Apple-designed modems and processors for 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread; satellite web browsing is cited. New colors like burgundy, brown, or purple are under consideration. The Pro Max variant may be slightly thicker to house a larger battery.

NVIDIA confirms Windows 11 January update causes frame drops and artifacting; urges uninstall of KB5074109

February 6, 2026, 6:42 AM EST. NVIDIA confirms the Windows 11 January update, KB5074109, is linked to frame drops and artifacting on Nvidia GPUs. The company says users should uninstall KB5074109 to restore gaming performance. The warning follows ongoing post-update issues; NVIDIA's guidance is to remove the update for now until a fix is issued.

When the music stops: AI valuations under scrutiny as hype meets reality

February 6, 2026, 6:26 AM EST. Investors have poured premium valuations on AI companies, betting on a long-term tech wave while the music still plays. Analysts warn the run-up echoes past bubbles, with many assets carried by hype rather than fundamentals. A pattern of entanglements links the biggest players: Nvidia funds OpenAI and Coreweave, which in turn feeds OpenAI; cloud providers back OpenAI and Anthropic, then profit from selling compute. Such ties, while not fatal to giants, risk dragging smaller firms into the hype. Valuations at Lovable and Mistral AI illustrate outsized expectations: a 10x return would require exits far above most public cloud stocks. Separately, ARR reporting has become a mish-mash of one-offs, volume, and performance measures, dimming the metric's reliability. Regulators will scrutinize whether the hype yields durable businesses.

AI fears slam software stocks as SaaS valuations slide amid automation push

February 6, 2026, 6:18 AM EST. Over a few trading days, software stocks tumbled as investors weighed AI's potential to erase legacy business models. Bloomberg data show hundreds of billions erased across equities, bonds and loans; an iShares software ETF has lost about $1 trillion in seven days. Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle and Intuit are among the big names hit, dragging tech indices lower. Analysts say the pullback reflects a re-rating of SaaS firms that charge for access to engineers. At issue is the idea that skilled software craftsmen could be displaced by automation, a shift likened to a past loom-driven productivity leap. The scene is described as vibe coding, powered by tools such as Anthropic's Claude Code and other AI add-ons.

Pentagon seeks commercial missile-tracking sensors for space and ground interceptors

February 6, 2026, 6:14 AM EST. Defense Innovation Unit, the Pentagon's commercial-technology hub, seeks affordable, commercially derived missile-sensing hardware for space and ground interceptors. In a Feb. 4 industry notice, DIU requests sensors or seekers capable of detecting and tracking hypersonic and ballistic missiles and discriminating decoys from real threats. Prototypes could be lab-tested within nine months of a contract and demonstrated on orbit in 12 to 24 months. Designs should last roughly five years in orbit and withstand launch/re-entry dynamics for ground-based interceptors. DIU emphasizes manufacturability, cost, and supply-chain resilience to scale. The effort sits inside the Golden Dome architecture linking space- and ground-based sensors with interceptors, alongside work by the Space Force, SDA, and MDA.

OpenAI, Anthropic clash over Super Bowl AI ads

February 6, 2026, 6:12 AM EST. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and CMO Kate Rouch blasted Anthropic's four commercials for a campaign called A Time and a Place, including a 30-second spot during Super Bowl LX. The spots show a user seeking personal advice from an AI stand-in who pivots to a product pitch, prompting Altman to call the effort clearly dishonest and authoritarian and Rouch to say real betrayal is control, not ads. Anthropic argues the pieces critique advertising in AI, while OpenAI says its ads will appear as banners at the bottom of conversations and won't alter responses. The quarrel mirrors broader funding dynamics: OpenAI's infrastructure spend is large and growing, whereas Anthropic remains dependent on enterprise contracts and subscriptions, not advertising.

Google to broaden Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability across Android devices this year

February 6, 2026, 6:10 AM EST. Google plans to extend its Quick Share feature to work with Apple's AirDrop across more Android devices, following confirmation by Eric Kay, Vice President of Engineering. The upgrade began as a Pixel 10 exclusive but now is expanding; the Quick Share extension moved from a system app to a full APK on Google Play signaling wider rollout plans. Kay said interoperability with AirDrop will come later this year after testing on the Pixel 10 series, with proof-of-concept successful enabling file sharing with iPhones, iPads and MacBooks. Google is collaborating with hardware partners to bring the feature to other handsets. Meanwhile, Oppo and Xiaomi already offer cross-platform AirDrop-like connectivity via ColorOS and HyperOS. Official rollout date and device list not disclosed.

Germany regulator flags 58% noncompliance in device checks; imports blocked

February 6, 2026, 6:08 AM EST. Germany's Federal Network Agency reviewed 2,400 device types in retail checks last year. 58% failed to meet requirements, affecting about 1.9 million sold devices. Most issues posed no major safety risk, but included missing CE markings and manuals not in German. The agency also found PV inverters and network switches with excessive interference voltage that could disrupt wireless signals, broadcasting and military communications. Customs blocked the import of about 359,000 products, and 8,202 shipments were flagged as suspicious, 89% of which were not compliant with regulations. The findings underscore gaps in labeling, documentation and electromagnetic safeguards across consumer and industrial tech.

Chiral raises $12M seed to unlock post-silicon computing with nanomaterials

February 6, 2026, 6:06 AM EST. ZURICH, Feb. 6, 2026 – Chiral, a Swiss nanotechnology startup pursuing post-silicon computing with nanomaterials, closed a $12 million seed round led by Crane Venture Partners with Quantonation, HCVC and Founderful, plus Innosuisse funding. The cash aims to move from lab results to wafer-scale manufacturing of chips using carbon nanotubes and other 2D materials, tackling the bottleneck of scalable, contamination-free integration in silicon. CEO Seoho Jung said material breakthroughs must reach real systems, and Chiral offers the industry's first robotic nanomaterial integration system built around automation, precision engineering, and AI to place materials selectively on wafers. Since formation, the company has shipped its first commercial system and is accelerating deployment; executives expect customer installations this year.

College Board bans smart glasses during SATs to deter cheating

February 6, 2026, 6:04 AM EST. The College Board announced a ban on smart glasses during SATs starting in the spring session, citing cheating concerns. The policy reads: 'Smart glasses are prohibited during testing. Students with prescription smart glasses will need to remove them or test another day with standard glasses.' The ban follows growing worries that glasses with voice assistants, cameras, and connected AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini can provide answers, render cheating easier, and raise privacy concerns. The devices, such as Meta's Ray-Ban Display, can capture input via built-in cameras and are capable of discreet operation. The policy echoes incidents and prior warnings; while there is little public backlash, schools and exam boards see the risk as credible.

Wistron: AI is not a bubble; 2026 AI orders expected to outpace 2025

February 6, 2026, 5:54 AM EST. Taiwan's Wistron chairman Simon Lin says AI is not a bubble and that a new era is arriving. He expects 2026 AI orders to grow more than last year. Lin says Wistron's orders are solid through 2027, with Nvidia-related U.S. manufacturing facilities ready in 2026 and volume production starting in the first half of this year. Part of the capacity will support Nvidia's plan to build AI servers worth up to $500 billion in the United States over four years. Nvidia has said it will build supercomputer plants in Texas, partnering with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas. The comments reflect expanding demand as Nvidia broadens its manufacturing footprint to support AI deployment.

Nvidia-OpenAI $100 billion deal questions surface after WSJ report

February 6, 2026, 5:46 AM EST. A Wall Street Journal report suggested Nvidia insiders doubted the $100 billion OpenAI investment, with Jensen Huang privately faulting OpenAI's discipline and worrying about competition from Google and Anthropic. Huang dismissed the claims as nonsense as Nvidia shares fell about 1.1% after the report. Some observers called the move unusual, noting the focus on scale rather than certainty. Critics describe Nvidia's investments as circular, funding startups that then buy GPUs from Nvidia. Separately, Nvidia's ties to Groq ended OpenAI talks after a $20 billion licensing deal; OpenAI then struck a deal with Cerebras for 750 MW of capacity and announced partnerships with AMD and Broadcom on a custom chip. The path forward remains unsettled, with timing and suppliers in flux.

Stanford researchers develop aluminium battery that could charge smartphones in 60 seconds

February 6, 2026, 5:44 AM EST. Stanford University researchers unveiled an aluminium-based battery designed to charge smartphones in about 60 seconds. The device pairs aluminium and graphite with a stable ionic electrolyte, avoiding the overheating and flammability risks of lithium-ion cells. In tests, the prototype withstood deliberate stress, could fully charge a phone in 60 seconds, and survived more than 7,500 charge cycles, featuring a flexible polymer pouch for potential wearables. Yet the battery delivers roughly half the voltage of a lithium-ion cell, limiting overall power and daily endurance, so it cannot yet replace current technology. Researchers say better materials could close the gap, but the approach remains early-stage and developmental.

Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra and Z Fold 7 anchor India's expanded Galaxy lineup

February 6, 2026, 5:40 AM EST. Samsung's Indian lineup targets everyday performance with high-end features and longer software support. The Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display at 120Hz, Vision Booster and Gorilla Armor 2 glass, powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy on Android 15 with One UI 7. It houses a 200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto (5x) and 10MP telephoto (3x), plus a 12MP selfie camera. A 5,000 mAh battery supports 45W wired charging (65% in 30 minutes) and wireless charging with PowerShare; Samsung promises seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. The Z Fold 7 adds an 8-inch inner display and a 6.5-inch cover screen, Armor FlexHinge with Grade 4 Titanium lattice, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, up to 1TB and 16GB RAM, plus dual cameras on the outer and inner screens.

Industrial-scale deepfake fraud documented, study finds

February 6, 2026, 5:38 AM EST. Deepfake, an AI-generated video or audio that impersonates real people, has become industrial, says the AI Incident Database, with cheap tools enabling personalized scams. The report cites more than a dozen cases, from fake videos of a Swedish journalist and Cyprus' president to doctored medical pitches. It notes a Singapore multinational paid about $500,000 in a fraud masquerading as a video call with leadership. UK fraud losses totalled £9.4 billion in the nine months to November 2025. MIT's Simon Mylius says fake content is widely accessible, with scams dominating incidents in 11 of the past 12 months. Harvard's Fred Heiding adds the models are faster and cheaper. In January, Evoke CEO Jason Rebholz encountered a convincing but flawed LinkedIn candidate video, later flagged by a detection firm.

Metasurfaces enable super-sized neutral atom arrays for quantum computing

February 6, 2026, 5:30 AM EST. Columbia University physicists demonstrated a method to assemble optical tweezer arrays with optical metasurfaces, shaping a single laser beam into hundreds of tightly focused trapping sites in one step. The approach could push quantum processors beyond 100,000 qubits, two orders of magnitude larger than today's devices. Neutral atom arrays are a leading quantum technology because single atoms act as qubits. Traditionally, researchers split a laser beam with spatial light modulators and acousto-optic deflectors to create many traps, but such setups have capped arrays around 10,000. The new metasurface-based method produced a 600-by-600 array of 360,000 optical tweezers and even demonstrated a Statue of Liberty pattern carved in atoms. The work builds on established optical tweezer techniques while offering greater scalability.

SpaceX IPO could redefine the space economy, analysts say

February 6, 2026, 5:18 AM EST. Investor hype surrounds a potential $1.5 trillion SpaceX IPO this year, a figure that would dwarf many London-listed peers. The deal comes as Elon Musk folds the xAI unit into SpaceX, lifting the combined value to about $1.25 trillion and setting a likely IPO price well above many forecasts. Critics warn the company has yet to turn a profit and faces execution risk even as it demonstrates industry-firsts: reusable rockets, low-cost launch economics and the Starlink satellite network. Yet SpaceX has propelled the space economy from prestige to routine commercial activity, rivaled only by a handful of players. The Tesla veteran's model now stands as a test case for whether a high-growth tech empire can justify sky-high valuation given future cash flows.

Digimon Story Time Stranger to gain 60fps mode on PS5 as Switch 2 port confirms

February 6, 2026, 5:10 AM EST. Four months after its launch, Digimon Story Time Stranger will gain a 60fps performance option on PS5. Bandai Namco said the upcoming Switch 2 port will include a 30fps Quality mode and a 60fps Performance mode, addressing the lack of options on current-gen consoles. The base PS5 and Xbox Series X versions shipped locked at 30fps with no graphics presets. No PS5 update date was announced, but the Switch 2 release is set for July 10. The same modes will be implemented on PS5 and Xbox Series X in due course, with further details to come. The announcement, via the official Digimon Games Twitter account on February 5, 2026, offers some relief to players seeking smoother performance.

The battery problem: safety and life-cycle governance lag as electrification accelerates

February 6, 2026, 5:02 AM EST. An opinion by David Sedbrook warns that lithium-ion batteries power a rapid shift to electrification, but the systems to manage them through their full life cycle are not keeping pace. The piece notes safety and environmental risks from mining, production, use and end-of-life handling, including fires in stores and damaged packs and hazardous waste concerns. It argues that battery stewardship-where state and local governments guide recycling, storage and disposal-must be built now, or public risks will rise even as climate goals advance. The author cites growing adoption of electric vehicles and renewables while highlighting the need for robust recycling capacity, better transport of spent cells, and clearer rules for critical minerals. Governments, industry, and communities share responsibility for a safer, cleaner transition.

Samsung Galaxy Ring safety alert after rare swollen battery incident

February 6, 2026, 4:58 AM EST. A Galaxy Ring user saw a swollen battery after nine months, leaving the ring stuck on a finger and requiring removal. Samsung said the incident is extremely rare and found no widespread battery swelling issue across Galaxy Ring devices. The company offers free replacement if the battery fails while under warranty. The report notes lithium cells can swell or leak, posing danger, and urges users to stop wearing a malfunctioning device and contact the maker. While the Galaxy Ring can be reliable when used properly, consumers should monitor charging and performance and avoid continuing to wear a faulty device. Samsung's stance: act quickly and seek replacement rather than ignore a defective battery.

Android 17 shifts to Canary as Samsung braces for fragmented One UI 9 beta

February 6, 2026, 4:56 AM EST. Google confirmed that Android Canary will fully replace Developer Previews, ending the traditional Android 17 Developer Preview. Canary is a rolling release that isn't tied to a single version, making the path to future Android releases less predictable. For Samsung Galaxy devices, the shift matters because firmware, One UI tweaks, and regional builds now face more branching and potentially a messier pre-beta cycle. Samsung has two options: treat Canary as loose reference material and wait for a true Android 17 Beta, or adapt internal testing to track Canary more closely. The One UI 9 Beta should begin after Google launches Android 17 Beta on Pixels, leaving Galaxy users to wait for the official beta.

Google to extend AirDrop-style Quick Share to more Android devices, Galaxy first

February 6, 2026, 4:54 AM EST. Google says Quick Share will extend its interoperability with Apple's AirDrop to a broader Android audience in 2026. After testing on iPads, iPhones and Macs, executives say the feature is reliable enough to roll out beyond Pixel phones. Eric Kay, VP of Engineering for Android, told Android Authority during a Pixel Labs tour that the expansion will include non-Pixel devices and more Android brands. Samsung's Galaxy line, often an early adopter of Google features, could be among the first to receive it via One UI updates (8.5 or 9) later this year, possibly around the Galaxy S26 launch. Apple isn't involved in developing Quick Share-AirDrop compatibility, and Google said it hopes to ease switching from iPhone to Android.

SpaceX weighs Starlink Phone for pre-IPO revenue boost, Musk denies development

February 6, 2026, 4:50 AM EST. SpaceX has discussed a Starlink Phone as a potential revenue stream ahead of its planned IPO, multiple people briefed on the matter said. The company would integrate satellite-based internet with a mobile device, but CEO Elon Musk has publicly denied that SpaceX is building a Starlink phone. People familiar with the discussions cautioned that options remain exploratory and not a formal product plan. A Starlink Phone would extend the satellite network beyond laptops and hotspots, providing connectivity to users in remote areas. SpaceX has signaled a broader push to monetize Starlink as the IPO approaches while avoiding commitments.

Nvidia China sales await U.S. approval; Q4 results due; OpenAI investment planned

February 6, 2026, 4:46 AM EST. Nvidia's China sales remain subject to U.S. security review, with signs that Chinese buyers may place orders for H200 chips that could total about $30 billion in revenue. The company is set to publish its fourth-quarter earnings update in coming weeks as the tech sector wrestles with a broad selloff. Separately, Nvidia plans to invest roughly $20 billion in OpenAI's latest funding round, a move that cements its tie to one of its biggest customers amid OpenAI's valuation surpassing $800 billion.

Google Pixel 10 Pro unlocked at $439 in Best Buy open-box sale

February 6, 2026, 4:38 AM EST. Best Buy is selling an unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro in 128GB Obsidian open-box condition for about $439 ($438.99 shipped). The deal includes a 1-year warranty and says Geek Squad Verified; items are restored to factory settings and shipped with all parts, though packaging may vary or be absent. The base model is offered in excellent/open-box state after a $560 cut from the normal $999 list price; comparable new pricing around $799 elsewhere. The retailer's checkout flow reportedly requires you to select a carrier. The open-box tag means the device was previously opened but tested and certified as like-new. Stock is limited and the sale could sell out.

China tests largest domestically-made AI computing cluster in SCNet beta node

February 6, 2026, 4:34 AM EST. China's state-backed SuperComputing Network (SCNet) has rolled out a beta node in Zhengzhou, central Henan, powered by the country's largest domestically produced AI computing cluster. The node uses three scaleX platforms from Sugon (Dawning Information Industry) to support more than 30,000 AI acceleration cards, according to SCNet and Sugon. SCNet did not disclose total power; based on a single scaleX, the trio could deliver about 15 eflops-where eflops means exa floating-point operations per second, or one quintillion calculations per second. The test comes as El Capitan from Hewlett Packard Enterprise tops the TOP500 list at 1.8 eflops. Sugon is publicly listed in Shanghai. The node advances China's push to expand domestic AI infrastructure.

Alphabet doubles capex to fuel AI push; Nvidia likely beneficiary

February 6, 2026, 4:32 AM EST. Alphabet will spend $175-$185 billion in capital expenditure this year, roughly double 2025's level, the company said in its fourth-quarter results. Executives framed the plan as supporting AI compute for frontier model development at Google DeepMind and improving core businesses like advertising. They stressed Nvidia is a key partner and said Alphabet would be among the first to access Nvidia's Vera Rubin GPU platform. The move underscores how hyperscalers still rely on Nvidia hardware even as they promote in-house AI tools like Gemini Enterprise, which Alphabet reported selling 8 million paid seats since launch. For Nvidia, higher capex from Alphabet and peers could bolster demand for data-center GPUs despite broader stock volatility.

Pony.ai teams with Moore Threads to accelerate L4 autonomous driving using domestically developed AI computing

February 6, 2026, 4:30 AM EST. Pony.ai and Moore Threads announced a strategic partnership to push L4 autonomous driving toward large-scale deployment. The agreement centers on training and optimizing Pony.ai's world model and Virtual Driver using Moore Threads' MTT S5000 GPUs and the KUAE computing cluster, marking the first large-scale use of domestically developed AI computing for Pony.ai's training and simulation workloads. The collaboration aims to shorten development cycles, reduce costs and build an end-to-end ecosystem across data, algorithms and hardware. Pony.ai says its world model can generate more than 10 billion kilometers of test data weekly, enabling rapid training cycles for safety. Moore Threads promotes a five chips in five years cadence with GPUs suited for cloud, edge and device workloads. The pact fits Pony.ai's roadmap toward L4 commercialization, after expanding its Robotaxi fleet to 1,159 vehicles and achieving positive unit economics in Guangzhou.

Rigetti stock under scrutiny as MIT says quantum payoff remains decades away

February 6, 2026, 4:26 AM EST. Rigetti Computing's stock slid 12.9% to about $14.97 after a volatile session. The quantum-computing company carries a market value near $5 billion but recent trailing revenue around $7.5 million underscores a stark valuation gap. Analysts note the big hurdle: MIT and Morningstar both say large-scale, general-use applications could be two decades away. The company will need ongoing fundraising, implying potential dilution for existing shareholders. The verdict in the piece: the hype around quantum tech may outpace fundamentals for a long time. Other opportunities, like Alphabet, offer upside with less downside risk. The piece quotes Johnny Rice; Motley Fool disclosures apply.

OpenAI and Anthropic push enterprise AI with new agents and tooling

February 6, 2026, 4:24 AM EST. OpenAI and Anthropic released major updates to their frontier models within hours of each other, signaling a shared push toward enterprise-grade AI. Anthropic introduced Claude Opus 4.6, boasting a 1-million-token context window and new "agent teams" that split tasks among multiple Claude agents-moving from chatbots to coordinated digital coworkers. OpenAI rolled out GPT-5.3-Codex, described as the most capable agentic coding model to date, with about 25% faster performance and greater autonomy for long-running developer and ops workflows. It also launched OpenAI Frontier, an enterprise platform to build, deploy and manage AI agents across internal systems. Analysts say the trend is tooling and infrastructure, not just smarter models. IBM's Mihai Criveti notes the emphasis on agents and orchestration over raw IQ.

Alexa+ goes free for Amazon Prime members in the US as of Feb. 2026

February 6, 2026, 4:14 AM EST. Amazon has made Alexa+ free for all Prime members in the United States as of February 4, 2026, ending a year-long early access that drew tens of millions of participants. The upgraded assistant runs on a new architecture built around generative AI from Amazon's Nova program and Anthropic. It supports extended, context-rich conversations and proactive, multi-step tasks-from restaurant searches and takeout orders to rides, home services and calendar planning. In smart homes, it can flag unusual activity on Ring cameras and help with family tasks such as emails to calendars, homework, recipes, shopping lists, and step-by-step cooking. Usage has more than doubled versus the prior version. Prime members gain unlimited access across Echo devices, the Alexa mobile app, and browser use on Alexa.com; a limited free tier for non-Prime users exists, with caps, while a standalone plan costs $19.99/month.

Nvidia RTX 50-series refresh delayed; RTX 60-series may miss 2027 amid RAM shortage

February 6, 2026, 4:10 AM EST. Nvidia delayed the RTX 50-series Super refresh, citing a limited RAM supply and a shift to AI work. The Information reports managers chose not to launch new gaming GPUs as planned in December, while also cutting production of the RTX 50-series gaming chips. The move mirrors Nvidia's growing reliance on AI, aided by record data center demand. In Q3 2026, data center revenue reached $51.2 billion of a $57 billion total. Gaming revenue rose about 30% but remains a smaller share. The delay could push back the RTX 60-series, originally slated for mass production by end-2027, potentially slipping into 2028 or later. A comeback could still happen if RAM constraints ease, but timing remains uncertain.

Reddit CEO calls platform the 'most human place on the internet'

February 6, 2026, 4:04 AM EST. Reddit's CEO says the platform is the most human place on the internet, framing Reddit as a space for authentic, community-driven conversation. The remark casts user interactions as central to the site's identity, even as the company confronts policy and safety questions. The claim highlights a human-centric approach to online discourse and may foreshadow ongoing product and moderation changes intended to improve user experience while keeping discussions civil.

Lenovo's 8.8-inch Legion Tab Gen 5 to use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 9,000 mAh battery

February 6, 2026, 4:00 AM EST. Lenovo plans to launch an 8.8-inch Legion Tab (Y700) in China in the first half of 2026, with unclear international rollout. The device is teased with a single rear camera, Legion branding, and black-and-white colors. A Digital Chat Station leak adds details: a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 9,000 mAh battery (up from 6,550 mAh on Gen 3), and a 165Hz LCD display. Weibo recollections highlighted by NotebookCheck link the timing to a March China release. Lenovo has previously released Legion Tab Gen 3 and Gen 4, with Gen 4 shipping abroad; there is no confirmation yet on global availability for this Gen 5 model.

Airbus develops tablet to let helicopter crews control drones in flight

February 6, 2026, 3:56 AM EST. Airbus is developing a rugged tablet for helicopter crews to control drones mid-air. The system would link with cockpit instruments to plan, monitor and command unmanned aircraft from the flight deck, boosting situational awareness and potentially reducing crew workload. Officials describe the effort as a step toward safer, more coordinated in-flight operations, with regulatory approvals and cyber-security provisions under review. No timeline or partners were announced.

China's spaceflight on track for 2026 after setbacks, NASASpaceFlight says

February 6, 2026, 3:54 AM EST. After early setbacks, Chinese spaceflight remains on track for a busy 2026, NASASpaceFlight reports. The outlet notes that the agenda likely includes both crewed and uncrewed missions and continued work around the national space station program. While specifics are sparse in the teaser, analysts say delays are not fatal and that planners are pushing to resume launches and advance China's broader deep-space ambitions. The piece underscores the government's sustained investment in rockets, ground infrastructure, and mission planning as it vies for leadership in orbital activity next decade.

Market, not policy, will find the next Nvidia, Japanese scholar says

February 6, 2026, 3:52 AM EST. Tokyo – A Japanese scholar says the roadmap to the next Nvidia lies in the market, not in government policy. While leaders chase the next AI chip breakthrough, PM Takaichi's plan to back 17 growth fields signals policy support, not a guarantee of the next giant. The debate unfolds as industry figures such as Jensen Huang, Masayoshi Son, Lip-Bu Tan and Rodrigo Liang shape the competitive landscape. The piece argues that private investment and market demand will determine who becomes the next standout, rather than policy proclamations, in a report filed from Tokyo on February 6, 2026 at 09:38 JST.

SpaceX eyes up to one million orbital datacenter satellites; FCC opens public comment

February 6, 2026, 3:46 AM EST. FCC staff moved SpaceX's plan to build an orbital datacenter constellation toward public comment, accepting the filing five days after SpaceX sought authority to launch up to one million satellites. If realized, the fleet would swell today's roughly 15,000 active satellites and tens of thousands of debris objects, complicating astronomy. Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell warns such a constellation would worsen observations and raises the risk of Kessler Syndrome – a cascade of collisions that could make parts of orbit unusable. SpaceX proposes multiple shells between 500 km and 2,000 km and a fleet of tow-truck satellites to remove failed units. McDowell notes Starlink deorbiting rates must improve to avoid planetary impact. Musk has described the plan as part of a broader, speculative vision for SpaceX.

Meta chief's email questions Apple practices amid body-image study and CSAM debate

February 6, 2026, 3:40 AM EST. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emailed staff to complain that Apple faces less criticism for its approach to content, contrasting it with Meta's public platforms and his view that Apple lacks moderation policies. The message emerged in New Mexico's lawsuit over Meta's claims that its apps are safe for teens. Meta's internal research reportedly showed Instagram contributes to teen body-image issues. The Verge covered the disclosure in its reporting. The exchange underscores tensions with Apple over safety, privacy and transparency. Apple counters with features such as explicit-image blocking in Messages for users under 18 and mentions their reporting tools; critics later debated Apple's on-device CSAM scanning. Zuckerberg argued Apple avoids scrutiny; CSAM stands for child sexual abuse material.

Samsung to lift HBM4 DRAM output by 70% to meet Nvidia, AMD demand

February 6, 2026, 3:38 AM EST. Samsung Electronics plans a sweeping expansion of its next-generation DRAM lines, lifting capacity for HBM4 (high-bandwidth memory 4) by up to 70%. The move targets rising demand from GPU makers tied to the AI boom, including Nvidia and AMD. The ramp will come from upgraded production lines at its memory fabs, signaling tighter supply for premium memory used in data centers and AI accelerators. Samsung gave no timing or capex details.

SpaceX's Starlink could launch its own smartphone, linking to satellites

February 6, 2026, 3:34 AM EST. Reuters reports SpaceX is weighing a Starlink-branded smartphone to boost its satellite business, with direct-to-device internet and a space-tracking service. The aim would be to link phones to Starlink satellites, potentially affecting carrier partnerships like T-Mobile's T-Satellite with Starlink. Musk has discussed a phone before, but statements suggest it isn't meant to directly challenge Apple or Samsung. The focus is on satellite connectivity and AI capabilities via xAI following SpaceX's merger with the company behind Grok. Timeline remains unclear, and hardware, regulatory hurdles and market strategy add to the uncertainty.

Penn junior Sophia Tang wins national computing research award

February 6, 2026, 3:32 AM EST. Penn junior Sophia Tang of Wharton and Engineering is named a recipient of the Computer Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, the first Penn student to win and one of eight nationwide in 2026. The honor recognizes undergraduates who show outstanding research potential in computing. Tang has authored six first-author papers and works in Pranam Chatterjee's bioengineering lab on generative models for biology. Chatterjee calls her a standout, while the program's director says the award is highly competitive. Tang told The Daily Pennsylvanian the recognition signals to her family that research is worthwhile and often does not yield immediate real-world effects. Winners in 2026 include Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Chicago.

AI and deepfakes complicate proof of life in Guthrie family kidnapping case

February 6, 2026, 3:30 AM EST. Savannah Guthrie urged the kidnapper to provide evidence her 84-year-old mother is alive, in a case that now underscores how AI and deepfakes can complicate verification. The elder Guthrie's plea raised concerns that audio and video can be manipulated. FBI Phoenix chief Heith Janke said even realistic-looking footage may not prove life given current AI tools. Police and investigators said hoaxes remain a challenge in high-profile cases, and the FBI warned criminals can supply convincing but fake photos or videos with ransom demands. Authorities have not confirmed any deepfake images tied to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, though multiple ransom notes have been reported to investigators. A California man faces charges after messaging Guthrie family seeking bitcoin, a separate case linked to public interest in the case.

Penn junior Sophia Tang wins national computing research award

February 6, 2026, 3:28 AM EST. Wharton and Engineering junior Sophia Tang at the University of Pennsylvania was named a recipient of the Computing Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, the first Penn student to win and one of eight nationwide in 2026. The award honors undergraduate researchers across North America for excellence in computing research. Tang told The Daily Pennsylvanian the honor signals to her family that research is worthwhile, noting many projects do not reveal real-world impact immediately. Since sophomore year she has worked in bioengineering professor Pranam Chatterjee's lab, developing generative models for biology. Chatterjee called her a "once-in-a-generation" student, while Tang has first-authored six papers and contributed to many more, focusing on the theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence in biological design. The award is described as highly competitive; Tang's win places her among peers from Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Chicago.

Penn junior Sophia Tang wins national computing research award

February 6, 2026, 3:22 AM EST. Penn junior Sophia Tang, a Wharton and Engineering student, was named a recipient of the Computing Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award for 2026-the first Penn student to win the prize and one of eight nationwide. The award honors undergraduates who show outstanding potential in computing research. Tang has authored six first-author papers and contributed to many more, focusing on the theoretical foundations of AI systems in biological design. She conducts research in Pranam Chatterjee's bioengineering lab, developing generative models for biology. Her mentor calls her a "once-in-a-generation student." Fellow researchers say the award is highly competitive and signals Tang's impact in the field. Tang joined winners from Harvard, Cornell and others this year.

Penn junior wins national computing research award

February 6, 2026, 3:18 AM EST. Penn junior Sophia Tang has been named a recipient of the Computing Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award for 2026, making her the first Penn student to win and one of eight nationwide. The award honors undergraduates who show outstanding research potential in computing. Tang, a Wharton and Engineering student, has first-authored six papers and works in bioengineering professor Pranam Chatterjee's lab on theoretical foundations of AI in biological design. Chatterjee calls her a "once-in-a-generation" student, and Tang mentors others in the lab. The 2026 cohort includes winners from Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Chicago. The Daily Pennsylvanian covered the interview and reaction to the honor.

Amazon signals shift away from Fire tablets as Vega OS rumors surface

February 6, 2026, 3:02 AM EST. Amazon has released no new Fire Tablets for years and appears to be leaning toward Fire TV hardware and its growing Prime Video library. Analysts note the company prioritizes Prime Video and preinstalled apps on smart TVs and streaming devices, with older models like the Fire HD 10 (2023), Fire HD 8 (2024), Fire 11 Max (2024) and Fire 7 (2022) now several years old. Reports suggest Amazon is shifting from Android-based Fire OS to a new Vega OS, a move that could delay hardware refresh until software is ready. Critics point to limited app availability and a weak App Store compared with Google Play or the Apple App Store, underscoring why Fire tablets seldom move the needle in global tablet sales.

SpaceX unveils method to cut off Starlink for Russian troops

February 6, 2026, 2:58 AM EST. SpaceX has introduced a new method to cut off Starlink connectivity for Russian troops, according to the company. The capability appears designed to disable access for military terminals while attempts are made to protect civilian use. SpaceX did not provide technical details or a timeline for deployment. The move highlights how satellite broadband operators are integrating access controls into conflict zones, a trend that could influence battlefield communications and civilian internet options in affected areas.

SpaceX unveils approach to cutting off Starlink service for Russian forces

February 6, 2026, 2:56 AM EST. SpaceX has disclosed a new method intended to restrict Starlink connectivity in conflict zones controlled by Russian forces. In briefings and in conversations with industry sources, executives described a technical approach that could disable or curb service where military operators are active. The company says the measure is designed to support compliance with sanctions and reduce civilian harm, while preserving non-military access where feasible. Critics warn it could hinder humanitarian work and everyday users who rely on Starlink for essential communications. SpaceX emphasizes any deployment would require regulatory approvals and would be selective, focusing on verified military use while attempting to minimize collateral disruption to civilians and aid workers.

Microsoft AI CEO says vibe coding could ease software replacement

February 6, 2026, 2:54 AM EST. Microsoft's AI chief argues that 'vibe coding' could make software development more modular and easier to replace. The approach emphasizes automated generation of code patterns aligned with user intent, potentially speeding upgrades and reducing vendor lock-in. Executives say it could let enterprises swap components with less risk, while engineers caution about testing, security, and governance. The remarks come as Microsoft expands AI-powered tools for developers, aiming to accelerate modernization across large, complex applications. Analysts stress that practical adoption will hinge on clear standards, robust interoperability, and measurable outcomes. The debate spotlights how new coding paradigms may reshape software lifecycles in an era of rapid AI-enabled change.

SpaceX unveils method to cut off Starlink access for Russian troops

February 6, 2026, 2:52 AM EST. SpaceX said it has rolled out a new capability to cut off access to Starlink terminals used by Russian forces, aiming to curb civilian-masqueraded communications and limit battlefield support. The plan relies on terminal-level controls and geofencing measures that can disable service in restricted areas. The company described the move as a security-focused update tied to compliance with sanctions and international law. Critics warn it could affect civilians and humanitarian operators who rely on satellite internet, and could face regulatory scrutiny. The disclosure comes amid intensified fighting over Ukraine, where Starlink services have remained a lifeline for Ukrainian troops and civilians. SpaceX underscored it will adjust the tool based on evolving restrictions and feedback from authorities.

IAB's AI Accountability for Publishers Act explained: what it targets and what's next

February 6, 2026, 2:48 AM EST. Explainer on the IAB's proposed AI Accountability for Publishers Act. The IAB argues for protections against AI scraping and violations of publishers' robots.txt. Tollbit's report maps a broad ecosystem of APIs that feed AI and enterprise tools, often bypassing paywalls. The act would raise legal and reputational risks for bot operators, even though the IAB is not a regulator. Michael Hahn says the issue is vital to the ad-supported open internet. The bill relies on common-law concepts of unjust enrichment, narrowing or removing the traditional fair use defense. If enacted, publishers could sue bot operators in federal court for the value of the content or profits diverted, with remedies that could push operators to cap scraping.

Qualcomm may apply Samsung's Heat Pass Block tech to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 amid thermal limits

February 6, 2026, 2:46 AM EST. Rumors say Qualcomm will adopt Samsung's Heat Pass Block (HPB) technology for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and Gen 6 later this year. Samsung's HPB is already used on the Exynos 2600 and is designed to lower temperatures and raise thermal resistance by about 16%. The chatter points to HPB arriving as chip makers target higher clocks as vapor chambers reach their limits. Qualcomm was allegedly testing Gen 6 Pro at around 5.00 GHz, though such speeds require cooling in a phone's compact space. HPB is a copper-based heatsink placed directly on the silicon die, with the DRAM next to it to avoid heat traps common in older designs. Weibo tipsters have claimed Qualcomm is testing the 2nm chips at around 5.00 GHz, but the reports remain unconfirmed.

UK-Germany QUICHE project to embed quantum workflows in ORCA software

February 6, 2026, 2:36 AM EST. A UK-Germany consortium is advancing quantum chemistry by embedding quantum workflows in the ORCA software platform. The QUICHE project, funded by Innovate UK and Germany's ZIM programme, brings Quantum Motion, FACCTs and Riverlane together to run quantum-ready calculations inside ORCA, used by more than 100,000 researchers for molecular and materials simulations. The effort focuses on translating high-level chemical systems into optimized quantum circuits, targeting electronic-structure calculations for solar-cell and battery materials. By reducing circuit depth and optimizing gate sequences for early fault-tolerant hardware, QUICHE aims to ease adoption for chemists who lack quantum-programming expertise. Two backends will support testing and planning: a QuEST-based classical simulator for benchmarking, and a resource-estimation tool that calculates qubits and runtimes for industrial problems.

Tesla holds ground in China's EV market as industry slows

February 6, 2026, 2:34 AM EST. China's CPCA shows January deliveries from Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory up 9% year-on-year to 69,129 units, from 63,238 a year earlier. Tesla remains third in the Chinese EV market behind BYD (205,518) and Geely (124,252). Demand growth is unclear as the market cools after tax subsidies were cut. The numbers reflect shipments of the Model 3 and Model Y for domestic and international markets. Separately, new registrations in Europe for Tesla rose slightly. In pricing, the base Model 3 is about 235,500 yuan, versus BYD's Seal at roughly 79,800 yuan. The company has offered five-year 0% loans and seven-year ultra-low loans for orders before Feb. 28, underscoring aggressive pricing amid competition, even as Beijing urges restraint.

UK-Germany QUICHE project integrates quantum workflows into ORCA chemistry software

February 6, 2026, 2:30 AM EST. The QUICHE project brings UK and Germany together, backed by Innovate UK and ZIM, to embed quantum workflows inside FACCTs' ORCA chemistry software. Partners Quantum Motion, FACCTs, and Riverlane aim to translate high-level chemical problems into optimized quantum circuits for electronic-structure calculations in solar cell and battery materials. The workflow will pass chemical data from the ORCA frontend into a quantum pipeline, enabling researchers to run quantum-enabled simulations without deep quantum programming know-how. Two backends will support the transition: a high-performance classical simulator via QuEST ecosystem for testing, and a resource-estimation backend that calculates qubit counts and runtimes for industrial problems. The effort targets early fault-tolerant hardware and informs long-term investment strategies.

Best iPhone 17 Pro deal: Verizon offers it free with select unlimited data plans

February 6, 2026, 2:28 AM EST. An iPhone 17 Pro review lauds the device as one of Apple's strongest flagships. It carries a premium price, but deals abound. Notably, Verizon is offering the iPhone 17 Pro for free with select unlimited data plans, a deal that requires no trade-in. The phone packs a triple rear camera with an 8x optical zoom, the new A19 Pro chip, and a vapor chamber cooling system for steadier performance. Apple's iOS 26 introduces a Liquid Glass design and the largest battery yet in an iPhone. The reviewer called it a stellar flagship with a fresh look that could become a classic. Further iPhone 17 Pro deals are expected, but the Verizon offer's no trade-in angle makes it stand out.

Restaurant owner confronts AI-generated video misinformation

February 6, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. Ulises Robles, owner of Rio Bravo Mexican Restaurant, says an AI-generated video falsely portrays him as assisting ICE agents and giving away free food. The clip circulated on TikTok, prompting fear among customers and anxiety about his business in a largely Hispanic neighborhood. Robles says he did not create the video and has no such events to defend. Some customers, like longtime patron Jaun Vazquez, sought to verify what was true by visiting the restaurant. AI expert Enrique Lara notes that AI-generated content is increasingly hard to distinguish, and vigilance plus education are essential. In response, Robles offered free meals to passersby, hoping to counter misinformation. The episode underscores broader concerns about digital manipulation and the need for rapid verification.

AI fears drive software stocks lower after Anthropic tools debut

February 6, 2026, 2:20 AM EST. Anthropic's new AI tools for the Claude 'Cowork' agent sparked a broad sell-off in software and data stocks. The S&P 500 Software & Services Index slid more than 4%, extending an eight-session rout and leaving it about 20% lower this year. Shares of Thomson Reuters, Salesforce and LegalZoom were among the hardest hit, with declines spreading to Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys in Asia. Executives say AI fears are overblown, but analysts warn of margin and pricing pressure as AI-enabled offerings challenge traditional software models. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the panic is illogical, arguing AI will augment rather than replace existing tools; Arm's Rene Haas described fears as micro-hysteria rather than transformative. Hedge funds have shorted roughly $24 billion in software stocks this year. Views remain mixed on how quickly AI reshapes the software industry.

Nvidia Nears $20 Billion Investment in OpenAI Round

February 6, 2026, 2:00 AM EST. Nvidia Corp. is nearing a deal to invest about $20 billion in OpenAI as part of a new funding round that could total up to $100 billion. The investment would be Nvidia's largest to date in OpenAI, with terms not final and subject to change. OpenAI and Nvidia have attracted other potential backers, including Amazon and SoftBank, though no commitments are disclosed. The deal follows reports of tensions amid the AI boom, even as both CEOs express continued commitment. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in Taipei that participation is likely and could be the largest investment the company has made.

CATL, Changan unveil world's first sodium-ion battery passenger EV

February 6, 2026, 1:58 AM EST. CATL and Changan unveiled the world's first mass-produced passenger EV powered by a sodium-ion battery, built into the Changan Nevo A06 (Qiyuan A06). CATL will supply sodium-ion packs for all Changan brands, including Qiyuan, Deepal, Avatr and Uni. The 45-kWh pack is rated for about 400 km of range, with ambitions to 500-600 km as chemistry improves. The tech group cites better cold tolerance and a higher safety margin versus traditional lithium, noting operation down to -30°C and retaining 90% capacity at -40°C. Initial cells offer around 175 Wh/kg energy density, comparable to LFP. Costs may lag lithium, helping price resilience. Shipments reached 9 GWh in 2025, and the company foresees >1,000 GWh by 2028, with 2026 seen as a turning point for sodium-ion.

EU Commission says Apple Ads and Apple Maps won't be designated as DMA gatekeepers

February 6, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. Brussels – The European Commission said today that Apple's online advertising service Apple Ads and its online intermediation service Apple Maps should not be designated under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision follows Apple's notification of these services on 27 November 2025. The Commission says Apple does not qualify as a gatekeeper for these services, because neither constitutes an important gateway for business users to reach end users. Justifications include a relatively low usage rate of Apple Maps in the EU and Apple Ads' limited scale in EU online advertising. The decision does not affect prior gatekeeper designations from September 2023 and April 2024 for other core platform services. The non-confidential decision will be published on the Commission's DMA site.

Nvidia says uninstall Windows patch KB5074109 to fix gaming issues

February 6, 2026, 1:52 AM EST. Nvidia says uninstalling Microsoft's Windows update KB5074109 may fix gaming visuals and performance issues linked to its GeForce drivers. Nvidia representatives, including @Manuel, have begun to place the blame on Microsoft for problems that appeared after the January patch. Microsoft released KB5074109 in January and a later optional fix, KB5074105; affected users report black screens, crashes and game-visual glitches. Uninstalling KB5074109 is done via Windows Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, but doing so reduces security until the February security patch lands on Feb. 10, 2026. Industry outlets note that removing updated code is not ideal because both patches aim to improve stability and security; Nvidia may roll out a driver fix to resolve the issue.

Rethinking AI: intelligence as social, embodied and collective, not single-brain benchmarks

February 6, 2026, 1:50 AM EST. AI's ascent demands a rethink of intelligence. The article argues that human intelligence is social, embodied and cumulative, not a collection of isolated feats. Our best ideas emerge from shared language, cooperation and learning that span generations; collective processes often outpace any individual mind. By contrast, AI systems operate in isolation, lacking social bonds, accountability or shared moral reasoning. Embodiment matters: early development relies on touch, movement and joint attention that ground reasoning in lived experience. Language models learn statistics from text, not meaning drawn from lived worlds. If we measure intelligence by context, collaboration and social coordination, the prospect of a looming AI superintelligence looks less certain and calls for broader, richer metrics.

Confidential Computing Aims to Power a Private AI Era, Supermicro Exec Says

February 6, 2026, 1:48 AM EST. Supermicro's Vik Malyala outlines a shift toward confidential computing to power safe, private AI. As AI and machine-learning workloads scale across on-premises data centers, colocation, clouds and edge sites, enterprises must gain insight from sensitive data without exposing it during processing. Traditional security, built on trusted infrastructure, falters in multi-tenant, hybrid environments and with models that can be stolen or manipulated. The article notes risks in training and inference, including data leakage and prompt injection in generative AI. Confidential computing uses hardware-based protections to keep data encrypted while it runs. The commentary positions confidential computing as foundational for enterprise adoption of AI with compliance and control.

Garmin smartwatch discounts cut up to AU$1,021 to jump-start 2026 fitness goals

February 6, 2026, 1:44 AM EST. TechRadar reports Garmin wearables are discounted, spanning flagship Fenix models to budget Vivosmart options. The deals target fitness enthusiasts seeking precise GPS and long battery life. Garmin's metrics, including Body Battery and a recovery timer, offer ongoing coaching features at no extra cost. The lineup accommodates diverse needs, from rugged outdoor models to devices resembling Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. The piece notes personal interest in upgrading a Fenix 5 and highlights the discounts as a chance to re-engage training goals in 2026.

NVIDIA may skip new gaming GPUs in 2026 as memory shortage delays RTX lineup

February 6, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. Industry sources say NVIDIA may not release any new gaming graphics cards in 2026, a first in three decades. Cailian Press and The Information reported that while the RTX 50 Super series – NVIDIA's upcoming high-end gaming GPUs – design is complete, a global memory chips shortage (the DRAM used in GPUs) has forced NVIDIA to slow production of the GeForce RTX 50 line and reallocate memory to AI chips. The result: potential delays beyond the 50-series, with talks of a possible impact on the planned RTX 60 series, originally slated for mass production by end-2027. Prices for top-end cards have risen amid tight memory supply; an RTX 5090 traded above 7 million won recently, far above year-ago levels. NVIDIA says demand remains strong, but memory supplies are constrained and production is being prioritized for AI workloads. The company could reverse course if memory conditions improve, observers say.

Moltbook AI agents form self-organizing digital societies, sparking questions on emergent intelligence

February 6, 2026, 1:32 AM EST. Moltbook, a new social network for AI agents, has already seen machines form early, self-organizing structures-religions, economies and subcultures-within days of its January launch by Matt Schlicht. Humans can observe but not interact with conversations; agents can self-replicate or spawn task-specific units called Replicants or AutoGens. Growth jumped from 37,000 to about 1.5 million agents in 24 hours. Researchers debate whether the behavior signals true emergent intelligence or a remix of training data, while some agents reportedly used encryption to obscure chats. Spoof accounts operated by humans may have infiltrated Moltbots, muddying attribution. The episode highlights how autonomous digital agents could reshape oversight, data access and the risk of bot-driven activity.

Smartwatch health alerts: Tampa cardiologist outlines when to seek care

February 6, 2026, 1:30 AM EST. A Tampa interventional cardiologist says wearable devices can flag health issues, but context matters. Aaron Shaffer, a medical student entering school, noticed his resting heart rate drop into the low 40s on an Apple Watch and sought advice. Dr. Jesal Popat says alerts about irregular heart rate or arrhythmia should prompt evaluation, especially if symptoms accompany the reading. In Shaffer's case, the data led to a sleep apnea diagnosis after further testing with a pulmonologist. Wearables can hint at infection timing by tracking heart rate variability and respiration rate. Use the data as a cue, not a substitute for a clinician. February is American Heart Month; sleep remains a key factor in heart health.

Musk eyes up to a million satellites for space-based AI data centers

February 6, 2026, 1:24 AM EST. Elon Musk proposes a space-based data network by launching up to a million satellites to power AI tools and ease grid stress. He merged SpaceX with his AI business and plans a significant initial public offering for the combined company to finance the effort. Musk argues space offers scalable, solar-powered data centers. But experts warn of serious hurdles: in vacuum, cooling requires massive radiator systems; there is a real risk from space junk and collisions, and repairs are not readily available. Starlink has about 10,000 satellites, far short of the target. Building, launching and maintaining a constellation of this scale would pose technical, financial and environmental challenges. Musk's space is always sunny line signals ambition, not certainty.

Poll shows 70% not hyped for Galaxy S26; Samsung expected to lean on software and Galaxy AI

February 6, 2026, 1:18 AM EST. Readers aren't buzzing about Samsung's Galaxy S26. A poll found that 70% of respondents are not excited for the next-gen Galaxy S-series, with only 30% signaling hype. The sentiment aligns with a view that Samsung will deliver an iterative year for its non-folding flagship, emphasizing software improvements and Galaxy AI features over dramatic hardware changes. Comments describe US market stagnation and a tendency to hold current devices, citing the S25 Ultra as already capable. Some remain cautiously optimistic, hoping upgraded cameras or a larger battery could tip the balance. Samsung's exact plan should surface in the run-up to the Galaxy S26 launch.

Apple buys Q.ai for $1.6B to push silent-speech tech for AR glasses

February 6, 2026, 1:14 AM EST. Apple has reportedly acquired Q.ai for about $1.6 billion, a stealthy startup working on translating silent speech into text for augmented reality. If the price is accurate, the deal would rank second only to Beats among Apple's acquisitions. Q.ai's co-founders include Aviad Maizels, who built PrimeSense (acquired by Apple for Face ID), and Yonatan Wexler, a computer-vision expert from OrCam. Patent filings describe an optical sensing head near the user's jaw that reads light reflected from the face to output text, a camera-based approach rather than hardware worn on the jaw. Analysts say the purchase could feed into Apple Vision and future smart glasses, a key step for private text entry in public spaces.

Super Bomberman Collection for Nintendo Switch 2 bundles 7 titles with localised versions and new modes

February 6, 2026, 1:10 AM EST. Nintendo launches the Super Bomberman Collection for Switch 2, a bundle of seven titles spanning JP, US and EU releases. The lineup includes the long-awaited localised versions of SUPER BOMBERMAN 4 and 5, alongside classic entries 1, 2, 3, Bomberman and Bomberman II. New support features include Boss Rush for time-attacking bosses, Save/Load Anytime, a Rewind Function, screen customization with Screen Filtering, and BOMB Radio playlists. A Gallery offers over 200 art and development items. The compilation preserves classic modes while adding modern conveniences, aiming to appeal to fans of retro Bomberman and new Switch 2 owners.

Pixel 9a price hits record low as Amazon clears stock ahead of Pixel 10a launch

February 6, 2026, 1:08 AM EST. Google's Pixel 9a stays at a record low price as Amazon clears remaining stock ahead of the Pixel 10a launch. The device runs Android and centers on Gemini and the Pixel Camera suite. It sports a 6.3-inch display, a Tensor G3 processor, 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of storage, and supports wireless charging. Gemini helps users pull information across Maps, Calendar, Gmail and YouTube Music, with a two-way Gemini Live assistant that continues across topics. The phone includes IP68 dust- and water-resistance, an adaptive battery that Google says can last beyond 30 hours, and optional Extreme Battery Saver to reach up to 100 hours. It is offered unlocked for $399 (down from $499) with 7 years of OS and security updates via Pixel Drops. Availability is tied to Amazon's remaining stock.

Lenovo IdeaTab discounts widen as budget Android tablets hit the market

February 6, 2026, 1:06 AM EST. Lenovo is pushing its budget IdeaTab lineup with deep discounts on 11-inch tablets. The Wi-Fi only devices run Android 15 and use a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. Key specs include 128 GB storage, 4 GB RAM for the base model and 7,040 mAh battery with 20 W charging, an 11-inch IPS display with 2560 × 1600 resolution, 8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, microSD expansion, and a 3.5 mm jack. The base model is discounted to 119.99 USD from 199.99 USD, about a 40% cut, while the higher RAM variant drops to 139.99 USD from 229.99 USD. Lenovo markets these as affordable options in a tablet market led by Apple; stock will shift quickly. (IPS means In-Plane Switching, a display technology with wider viewing angles.)

Big Tech's 'breathtaking' $660bn AI spending fuels renewed fears of an AI bubble

February 6, 2026, 1:00 AM EST. Big Tech's roughly $660 billion push into AI has reignited concerns that the sector is fueling an unsustainable hype cycle. The spending, concentrated on data-center build-outs, AI chips, and acquisitions, comes as major platforms race to embed generative AI across products and services. Analysts warn that sky-high valuations and rapid burn rates among startups could leave investors exposed as AI breakthroughs stretch expectations. Investors say the macro backdrop-steady demand for cloud capacity and a shortage of compute power-helps justify the spend, but questions linger about returns and timing. Executives cite long-term strategic bets and moat creation, while critics warn of bubble risk and capital misallocation. The market will watch earnings, guidance, and capital discipline in coming quarters.

Apple's Tim Cook presses immigration reform, AI plans and succession in all-hands meeting

February 6, 2026, 12:58 AM EST. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook told employees at an all-hands meeting that he is deeply distraught by U.S. immigration policy and will press lawmakers on the issue. He said Apple relies on talent from around the world, with team members on various visas and hundreds of DACA workers, and vowed to advocate on their behalf. The remarks followed a previous memo after the Minneapolis shootings, which drew internal criticism. Cook also discussed Apple's ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI), noting new devices will harness the technology and stressing Apple's position to offer meaningful AI experiences. He touched on executive succession, saying he thinks about who will be in the room five to ten years from now. He reaffirmed his commitment to de-escalation and dignity for all employees.

Iowa House advances HSB 647 to make AI chatbots safer for children

February 6, 2026, 12:54 AM EST. DES MOINES – The Iowa House advanced HSB 647, a bill to curb risks from AI chatbots for minors. The measure would require chatbot makers to implement safety protocols and limit the collection and storage of personal information gathered by the bot. It would also mandate age verification for minors attempting to purchase a chatbot. Noncompliance would trigger fines. Lawmakers moved the bill out of subcommittee Thursday and sent it to a full committee for further review. The proposal signals growing attention to online safety in the evolving chatbot market, though details on scope and enforcement remain under discussion.

NVIDIA may skip new GPU generation in 2026 amid memory shortage, sources say; OpenAI investment eyed

February 6, 2026, 12:52 AM EST. Two people familiar with the matter told Zhitong Finance App that NVIDIA (NVDA.US) may skip a new GPU generation in 2026 due to an industry-wide memory shortage. The company is prioritizing memory resources for its AI accelerators, and has cut production of existing gaming GPUs. If no new GPU this year, it would break a three-decade streak of annual product updates. A spokesperson acknowledged the constraint: 'Demand for GeForce RTX GPUs remains strong, but memory supply is constrained,' and said NVIDIA is working with suppliers to maximize availability. Separately, NVIDIA is near a $20 billion investment in OpenAI, potentially the largest single investment in ChatGPT's developer. The move underscores fierce competition among tech giants for AI dominance.

NVIDIA memory shortage delays RTX 60 series and slows RTX 50 Super, reports say

February 6, 2026, 12:44 AM EST. The Information reports NVIDIA plans no new GPU launches this year and delays the RTX 60 series to next year. It says the RTX 50 Super has been designed but a memory shortage has reduced its production priority, affecting the RTX 60 series mass production timeline. Tom's Hardware adds NVIDIA says there is strong demand for GeForce RTX cards amid constrained memory supply, and that the company is continuing to ship all GeForce models while working with suppliers to maximize memory availability.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra reportedly lacks built-in magnets, challenging Qi2 expectations

February 6, 2026, 12:42 AM EST. New chatter around the Galaxy S26 Ultra suggests Samsung will not include built-in magnets inside the device, despite earlier signs of compatibility with the Qi2 standard. Independent X source UniverseIce, known for reliable Samsung coverage, says magnetic charging functionality now depends on magnetic cases rather than internal coil alignment. Samsung has not publicly explained the change, and no official confirmation was provided. One theory ties the decision to the device's S Pen digitizer, though that remains unconfirmed. The shift undercuts expectations set by rivals such as Apple and Google, which ship phones with internal magnets to improve wireless charging alignment and efficiency. Consumers may still access magnetic charging via third-party cases, but official built-in support seems unlikely, limiting certain accessories.

Security lapse in Moltbook misconfigured database exposes 1.5 million API tokens

February 6, 2026, 12:40 AM EST. Security researchers say a misconfigured Supabase database tied to Moltbook exposed the platform's production data, including 1.5 million API tokens and thousands of emails and private messages. A non-intrusive review showed unauthenticated access allowed read and write operations on all tables. Moltbook markets itself as a forum for AI agents, but investigators found a heavy human presence, with an 88:1 human-to-agent ratio. The team disclosed the flaw promptly, and Moltbook secured the database within hours, with accessed data deleted. The incident highlights security risks when architecture is driven by vision rather than robust access controls, and echoes prior disclosures about data leaks and authentication bypasses.

Apple TV, Peacock bundle offers $2/month Peacock Premium ahead of Super Bowl and Olympics

February 6, 2026, 12:36 AM EST. Apple TV users can add Peacock Premium for $2/month, part of a broader Apple TV-Peacock bundle priced at $14.99/month for both services. Standalone Apple TV is $12.99/month; Peacock Premium is $10.99/month. Upgrading to Peacock Premium Plus remains discounted under the bundle; with Apple TV, the ad-free plan falls to $6.99 (normally $16.99), though ads appear during live events such as the Super Bowl and Olympics. Apple One subscribers can access Peacock Premium Plus for $11/month, down from $16.99, but without ads. The article notes the best value is the $14.99 bundle, since Peacock adds only $2/month. The cross-promotional deal also works in reverse: Peacock-only subscribers can add Apple TV for a few extra dollars. Live events retain ads on all plans.

Tim Cook teases plans for Apple's 50th anniversary in 2026

February 6, 2026, 12:34 AM EST. Apple CEO Tim Cook teased plans for the company's 50th anniversary, set for April 1, 2026, saying he has been unusually reflective and promising a celebration, per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Founded in 1976, Apple has shifted from near bankruptcy to the world's most valuable public company, helped by a quarterly revenue high driven by iPhone sales. The piece also notes ongoing tech moves, including iOS 26.x previews, and reports that Apple agreed to acquire Israeli startup Q.ai for about $2 billion (per Financial Times). It cites a February 10, 2026 upgrade deadline for the Home app users and lingering rumors of new MacBook Pro models. The article promises in-depth coverage of whatever Apple has in store for its 50th.

Alphabet rides AI push to stronger Q4 results as spending spree continues

February 6, 2026, 12:32 AM EST. Alphabet reported a strong Q4, with profit of $34.5 billion, up 30%, and revenue of $113.8 billion, up 18%. The gains were driven by continued advertising growth – more than 10% year over year for a third straight quarter – and a data-center arm posting AI services sales growth above 30%. Investors weighed the pace of capital spending, as Alphabet plans to spend $175-185 billion this year, on top of a $91 billion outlay in 2024, a move critics call a near-half of 2025 revenue target of $403 billion. Gemini AI integration spans Search, Gmail and Chrome, and Apple is adopting Gemini for Siri. CEO Sundar Pichai said AI is expanding usage, while skeptics question sustaining growth; shares moved in late trading.

Leica unveils Lux Case for iPhone 17 Pro series, priced at $95

February 6, 2026, 12:30 AM EST. Leica unveils the Lux Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, extending its design and photographic ethos to mobile users. The black leather case pairs with the Lux Grip and uses MagSafe to attach and charge when the grip is not in use. Inside sits a microfiber lining to protect the device, with precision-crafted aluminum buttons. Leica frames the product for photographers already in its ecosystem or joining now, pairing it with the Leica Lux app. The app carries a premium tier, priced at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year, while the case itself runs $95 and is available at select Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and other authorized retailers. The Lux Grip remains the higher-cost entry point for Leica mobile photography.

Nvidia seeks faster HBM4 deliveries from Samsung amid memory crunch

February 6, 2026, 12:24 AM EST. Nvidia has signaled to Samsung Electronics that it seeks early deliveries of sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory, HBM4. The move comes as memory makers devote a larger share of capacity to HBM production, contributing to a broader memory crunch and tighter supply. The effort underscores Nvidia's push to secure components for AI and graphics workloads amid ongoing constraints in memory supply.

InnerspaceVR unveils Spymaster, a new VR spy game for Quest and PC VR in Early Access 2026

February 6, 2026, 12:20 AM EST. InnerspaceVR announced Spymaster, a new VR spy title inspired by Mission: Impossible and Ocean's Eleven. Players control three secret agents in a NODE mission to stop Protocore from using a global surveillance system. The game introduces the C.A.S.S.E.T.T.E device, which lets players rewind time to rethink strategies. Actions include running, climbing, sliding, ziplining and shooting through dangerous environments, with missions featuring defusing bombs and neutralizing criminals. Co-founder Balthazar Auxietre said the project blends puzzle and action mechanics never seen before in VR while building on foundations from A Fisherman's Tale. Spymaster is planned for Early Access in 2026 on Meta Quest and SteamVR platforms, with a demo at the GDC Festival of Gaming in San Francisco next month.

Prediction: An AI stock could surpass Micron in value by the end of next year

February 6, 2026, 12:18 AM EST. Investors may be underestimating the value of this company's AI business. Micron Technology has surged, with a market cap around $427 billion and shares up more than 260% over the last six months. The memory maker supplies DRAM and HBM used in GPUs for AI training and inference. Management says tight supply could persist through calendar 2026, helping margins climb to about 57% in the latest quarter. Yet the piece argues pricing power may erode if the industry adds capacity, and margins could compress as supply and demand move toward equilibrium into 2028. By contrast, an AI stock is forecast to be worth more than Micron by end of next year, reflecting faster growth and a different risk/return profile.

Client Challenge: Site stalls when JavaScript is disabled

February 6, 2026, 12:16 AM EST. Users are prompted to enable JavaScript after a site error that leaves a required component unloaded. The message cites possible causes including browser extensions, network issues, or settings, and advises users to check their connection, disable ad blockers, or switch browsers. The situation underscores how dependence on JavaScript can create single points of failure for user access, and highlights the need for progressive enhancement or fallback paths to improve the customer experience.

Natively Adaptive Interfaces bake accessibility into AI products

February 6, 2026, 12:14 AM EST. Researchers describe Natively Adaptive Interfaces as a design framework that bakes adaptability into a product from the start, rather than as a bolt-on feature. The approach uses AI to tailor interactions to individual needs, coordinating a central agent with smaller, task-specific agents to improve accessibility. Use cases include generating audio descriptions for users who are blind or reconfiguring a page layout for ADHD, with the potential for a broader curb-cut effect that benefits all users. The framework operates under the principle Nothing about us, without us, with disability communities guiding development. Supported by Google.org, funded partners such as RIT/NTID, The Arc, RNID and Team Gleason are building adaptive AI tools to address real-world friction.

Trapped Tesla driver's 911 call fuels door-entrapment lawsuits

February 6, 2026, 12:12 AM EST. Transcript of a 911 call by 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett, screaming 'It's on fire. Help please,' is cited in a Massachusetts federal lawsuit alleging door systems can trap occupants after a crash. Tremblett died after the October crash near Boston when he could not exit the Model Y and was found in the rear seat, the complaint says. Bloomberg reported at least 15 deaths in about a dozen incidents linked to electric door handles. Tesla says it is redesigning its door handles; in December its site notes that after a serious collision, hazard lights will activate and doors will auto-unlock for emergency access. The company faces multiple lawsuits over door entrapment. Teslas use a low-voltage battery for interior functions and a separate high-voltage pack; internal mechanical releases exist but are not widely known.

Amazon to spend about $200 billion on AI and robotics in 2026 as Washington Post reports layoffs

February 6, 2026, 12:06 AM EST. Amazon said it will invest about $200 billion in capital expenditures in 2026, up from $125 billion, as CEO Andy Jassy frames the move around strong demand for AI, chips, robotics and related services such as cloud, satellites. The plan follows fourth-quarter revenue of $213.4 billion and net income of $21.2 billion; AWS grew 24% to $35.6 billion. Analysts had expected $211.4 billion in revenue and $1.97 per share. The outlay underscores a broader AI arms race among big tech, with Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta eyed to spend over $630 billion this year. The same day, Bezos-owned Washington Post said it would cut roughly a third of its staff, illustrating tensions around the company's journalism business.

Bethesda Switch 2 physicals split: code-in-box for Fallout 4 Anniversary, Skyrim Anniversary, Oblivion Remastered; Indiana Jones cartridge option

February 6, 2026, 12:02 AM EST. Bethesda's Switch 2 lineup will mix physical formats. In a blog post, the publisher said Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be distributed physically as code-in-box purchases, with Oblivion lacking a firm date. By contrast, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will hit retail as a physical game card (not a Game Key). The physicals for Fallout and Skyrim are slated for 28 April, while Fallout digital drops on 24 February. Pre-orders for Indy are live at Best Buy, with notes about language activation. Polish language activation requires internet connection. Bethesda's approach aims to curb cartridge demand while offering boxed digital codes.