Technology News 26.01.2026

Brax open_slate privacy-focused tablet targets de-Googled Android and Ubuntu via crowdfunding

January 26, 2026, 11:58 PM EST. BraX Technologies' open_slate is a 12-inch, privacy-focused tablet built for open-source software. It features a 2400×1600 IPS LCD, 90 Hz, MediaTek Genio 720, up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, with hardware kill switches and user-replaceable parts including a removable battery and an M.2 2280 slot. Retail is expected from $599, with early pledges on Indiegogo as low as $399. Brax plans a February crowdfunding launch and August 2026 shipping, hoping to avoid delays seen with its BraX3 smartphone. The device will run an Android-based Brax OS stripped of Google apps and Play Store to limit data tracking; Linux support is promised but may be rough. Canonical offers Ubuntu builds for Genio, and Yocto is supported. Crowdfunding is not a guaranteed pre-order.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch triggers sonic booms on Central Coast as ECOBOOM expands

January 26, 2026, 11:52 PM EST. Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties reported an aggressive sonic boom linked to a Sunday morning SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The 9:30 a.m. lift-off from SLC-4 East carried 25 Starlink satellites. The first stage, on its sixth flight for this mission, separated and landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific. SpaceX noted booms vary with weather conditions. Edhat readers described sounds from a house shake to a window-rattler. The ECOBOOM program, a research partnership with BYU and CSUB, has tracked 23 launches and 477 acoustic recordings to guide future launch planning and minimize community impact.

Job Simulator hits 6 million installs as Owlchemy Labs notes enduring VR momentum

January 26, 2026, 11:50 PM EST. Owlchemy Labs says Job Simulator (2016) has surpassed 6 million installs, averaging about 600,000 per year. The VR hit helped define modern object interaction and room-scale play, though it wasn't a smooth launch on Vive, PSVR, or Oculus. It went platinum in 2020 after selling over 1 million copies, then found new life on Quest and later on PSVR 2 and Apple Vision Pro in 2023-24. Install counts reflect bundles and subscriptions, including HTC Vive freebies in 2016 and Meta's Horizon Plus since March 2025. The game also remains popular in arcades via SpringboardVR. Separately, Dimensional Double Shift crossed 1 million downloads and has become Owlchemy's fastest-growing title, with 2.5 million hours played since its September 2024 open beta.

Code Vein II review: a disappointing return to a vampire world

January 26, 2026, 11:48 PM EST. Code Vein II lands in a vampire-themed setting with a custom Revenant Hunter, but the experience quickly wears thin. The sprawling narrative overkills with jargon, while the visual style is garish and off-putting. The combat system never fully fuses original ideas with a familiar skeleton, and the 42-hour campaign drags due to repetitive storytelling, loading screens, and expository cutscenes. The world's alternating present and 100 years past offers a promising premise; early ideas about motive and factions lose bite as arcs extend. The standout is the character creator, and a rock-infused Baroque soundtrack provides some atmosphere, but the overworld is dull and traversal is tedious. One notable four-arc sequence hints at what could have been; otherwise, Code Vein II disappoints.

Apple's iOS 26.3 adds Limit Precise Location to curb carrier tracking

January 26, 2026, 11:42 PM EST. Apple's iOS 26.3 introduces a new Limit Precise Location switch to curb what mobile networks can access. When enabled, carriers see only the device's neighborhood rather than a street address. The feature works on devices with Apple-designed C1 or C1X modems, including the iPhone Air and iPhone 16e, plus cellular M5 iPad Pro, and requires iOS 26.3 or iPadOS 26.3. Regionally, US users on Boost Mobile can enable it; UK support will come from EE and BT; Germany via Telekom; Thailand via AIS/True. Activation goes through Settings > Cellular > Mobile Data Options > Limit Precise Location, and a restart is required. Apple says it doesn't affect signal quality or emergency location data, nor data shared with apps via Location Services. The feature is in beta and will roll out publicly in coming weeks.

BCG's 10/20/70 AI rule puts CEOs in charge as agentic AI reshapes firms

January 26, 2026, 11:40 PM EST. A new study shows AI has moved from lab experiments to boardroom bets. Boston Consulting Group finds CEOs are tying AI success to strategy: about 50% say their jobs are at stake if AI efforts fail; 39% are ready to lead major AI programs, vs 38% of CIOs/CTOs. The report flags a rise in 'agentic AI'-systems that act with limited human input-and projects expecting ROI by 2026. Even so, more than 1% of revenue is typically spent on AI today (BCG notes 1.7%). The authors urge adopting the 10/20/70 framework: 10% on algorithms, 20% on technology and data, 70% on people and processes. Leaders must choose between decentralized agents or centralized infra and between pre-built solutions or in-house development. Without end-to-end process redesign, AI bets risk flopping, the authors warn, and managers will focus on higher-value work augmented by AI.

Satellites show EV adoption linked to lower NO2 in California, study says

January 26, 2026, 11:38 PM EST. A USC-led study links rising zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) registrations to a measurable drop in ground-level NO2 across California. Using ESA's TROPOMI satellite data and DMV registrations, researchers found about a 1.1% NO2 reduction for every 200 ZEVs added in a neighborhood between 2019 and 2023. The analysis, published in The Lancet Planetary Health and partly funded by the NIH, covered 1,692 neighborhoods and excluded heavy-duty trucks. Lead author Sandrah Eckel and senior author Erika Garcia say the result shows immediate air-quality benefits from the EV rollout, complementing the climate case for electrification. The approach overcomes gaps in ground monitors by tracking NO2 statewide and daily.

AI-chip startup Ricursive hits $4B valuation after $300M round

January 26, 2026, 11:36 PM EST. Ricursive Intelligence, a startup building an AI chips system to design and automatically improve silicon, has raised $300 million at a $4 billion valuation, led by Lightspeed. The round follows a seed led by Sequoia, bringing total funding to about $335 million, per The New York Times. Ricursive says its system can create its own silicon substrate layer and accelerate chip improvements, a cycle founders say could hasten progress toward AGI. The company was founded by former Google researchers Anna Goldie (CEO) and Azalia Mirhoseini (CTO), whose AlphaChip reinforcement learning method for chip layouts has been used in four generations of Google's TPU. Investors include DST Global, NVentures, Felicis Ventures, 49 Palms, and Radical AI. Ricursive is not to be confused with Recursive, another AI startup reportedly valued at $4 billion.

Google Play Services v26.03 adds CTAP2 NFC security-key support and Wallet digital IDs

January 26, 2026, 11:34 PM EST. Google rolled out Play Services v26.03, delivering five changes across Android Automotive, under 18 accounts, Wallet and the broader ecosystem. In Automotive, accounts for users under 18 can sign in again when conditions are met. In Wallet, users can now create digital IDs and receive bug fixes. The update enables account authentication via NFC security keys that support CTAP2 across devices, including phones, TVs and Wear OS. It also improves data portability when moving data between devices. Separately, Google Play Store v49.9 reduces subtasks in the Organized by AI section of search results. The changes emphasize security, digital identity, and cross-device usability across the Android family.

Nvidia rolls out open-source AI weather models as federal funding wanes

January 26, 2026, 11:28 PM EST. Universities and private firms race to apply AI to weather prediction as federal funding dries up. Nvidia released open-source weather models built on data largely funded by the public, boosting credibility but raising questions about long-term access and cost. Stanford's Noah Diffenbaugh notes real gains and caution, arguing results must be grounded in reality and rigorous evaluation. He and others say universities operate without profit motives, unlike private developers who may charge for model access. Some researchers warn against assuming end-to-end AI-a full pipeline from data collection to forecast-can replace the current weather-modeling workflow, especially as climate change reshapes California's atmospheric rivers, snowpack, and wildfire risk. The core debate: who funds, controls, and benefits from these tools.

Apple stock gains on iPhone 17 demand; analysts lift targets, Alphabet AI tie-up eyed

January 26, 2026, 11:26 PM EST. Apple shares rose about 3.3% in the afternoon on investor optimism ahead of its earnings, driven by chatter of strong iPhone 17 demand. JPMorgan lifted its target to $315 from $305, citing solid iPhone sales and a leaner cost structure. Morgan Stanley said demand could push revenue toward $139.5 billion, keeping an Overweight rating. Reports of a multiyear partnership with Alphabet to deploy its Gemini AI in Siri and other Apple Intelligence features added to the upbeat tone. The stock later traded at $255.34, up about 3% from the previous close. Year to date, Apple is down roughly 5.8% and sits about 10.8% below its 52-week high of $286.19 set in December 2025. The piece notes production shifts and tariffs risk as potential near-term headwinds.

Microsoft unveils Maia 200 AI chip to rival Nvidia, Google and Amazon

January 26, 2026, 11:16 PM EST. Microsoft launches the Maia 200, its next-generation AI chip designed for in-house data centers and to curb reliance on Nvidia or AMD. Built on TSMC's 3-nanometer process, the Maia 200 targets large-scale AI workloads with efficient performance per dollar. It will ship in server racks with four chips per tray, and Microsoft says parts can be installed and running AI models within days. The move tightens competition with Google's TPUs and Amazon's Trainium, and follows the company's Maia 100 powering its own and OpenAI's models. Analysts say the chips help Microsoft diversify supply and potentially speed deployments, but Nvidia's ecosystem remains highly multipurpose and attractive to many customers. As cloud rivals extend in-house silicon ambitions, the AI hardware race accelerates.

Nothing Phone 4a clears UAE certification ahead of expected launch

January 26, 2026, 11:14 PM EST. GSMArena reports Nothing has cleared UAE certification for the Nothing Phone 4a, model A069, signaling a near-term launch. Last year's Phone 3a debuted in March, so the timing fits. No specifications were disclosed in the UAE listing, echoing the familiar pattern of devices passing through the FCC in other markets. The certification suggests progress even as details for the US remain unclear. Nothing has a history of hyping launches, and industry chatter points to an imminent reveal. If you're tracking the brand, expect a formal update soon and a market-by-market rollout outside the United States.

OpenAI details AI coding agent loop and prompt architecture

January 26, 2026, 11:12 PM EST. OpenAI has published a closer look at how its AI coding agent operates. The company and Anthropic open-source their coding CLI clients on GitHub, but not the ChatGPT or Claude web interfaces. Bolin's piece highlights the core agent loop that stitches user prompts, model output, and tool calls. In practice, the loop takes user input, builds a multi-part prompt, invokes the Responses API for model inference, and returns either a final answer or a request to run a tool. When tools are requested, the agent executes them, feeds the results back, and re-queries the model until it yields a user-ready message. The prompt uses system, developer, user, and assistant roles, with fields for instructions, tools, and sandbox context, including directory and environment.

Tencent's Nvidia H200 access could reshape AI ambitions and investment outlook

January 26, 2026, 11:10 PM EST. Chinese regulators granted in-principle approval for Tencent to prepare orders for Nvidia's H200 chips, easing a key hurdle in Tencent's AI roadmap. The move signals Beijing's willingness to balance foreign chip imports with domestic compute ambitions and could accelerate Tencent's plans to scale AI infrastructure, cloud services and monetization of its user base. In the near term, analysts cite potential catalysts in online advertising, gaming and fintech, plus how buybacks and dividends translate earnings into per-share value. Still, risks tilt toward policy conditions on imports, ongoing regulatory scrutiny and competition from global suppliers and domestically backed AI clouds. Valuation gaps remain, with shares trading well above some estimates of fair value, adding downside potential if policy hurdles persist.

Nvidia stock seen reaching higher levels by end-2026 amid AI growth

January 26, 2026, 11:06 PM EST. Nvidia has ridden the AI boom as the leading AI chip maker. The stock has climbed more than 1,100% over three years as AI demand expands. Analysts see the AI market approaching $2 trillion by the early next decade, a tailwind for Nvidia's GPUs. Nvidia's early bets on CUDA and GPUs for AI solidified its leadership, with annual chip updates aimed at staying ahead of rivals. The stock trades around 24x 2026 revenue expectations, below some of its higher historical levels. Nvidia has crowned a narrative of rare scale, becoming the first company to reach, and later surpass, a $4 trillion market value. With a 2026 revenue consensus near $213 billion, a $6 trillion market value is possible, though outcomes are uncertain and risks remain.

Apple's Creator Studio could reshape investor view of its services ecosystem

January 26, 2026, 11:04 PM EST. Apple unveiled Apple Creator Studio, a US$12.99/month or US$129/year bundle including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and enhanced iWork across Mac, iPad, and iPhone. By turning long-standing software purchases into a recurring, cross-device subscription anchored in privacy and Pencil features, it enlarges user lock-in to Apple's hardware and services. The move fits a broader shift from one-off hardware cycles to ongoing, cross-device software relationships. Investors will weigh whether AI-powered tools and a "pro creator" tier meaningfully lift Services margins or stay incremental. Near-term drivers include iPhone demand and Services surpassing US$100 billion, while rising memory costs and regulation pose risks. Apple's story mixes loyalty, scale, and execution.

NOAA launches Wildland Fire Data Portal with NGFS satellite data

January 26, 2026, 11:00 PM EST. NOAA launches a Wildland Fire Data Portal to give the public open access to experimental NGFS products. NESDIS says the portal taps GOES East and GOES West data, using an automatic heat-anomaly algorithm that can see through clouds and smoke to spot new ignitions and monitor fire intensity in near real time. The effort complements existing fire-detection tools and supports emergency responses, smoke tracking, air-quality assessment, and long-term land-management planning. NOAA Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) have already used NGFS in major events, including the 2025 Dragon Bravo in Grand Canyon National Park, and earlier this month helped flag a small Colorado fire. The NGFS is slated to become fully operational later in 2026. Wildfire costs exceed $424 billion annually, underscoring the portal's potential value.

Tesla ends Autopilot on new US/Canada orders; Autosteer moves behind FSD subscription

January 26, 2026, 10:58 PM EST. Tesla has stopped including Autopilot with new vehicle orders in the United States and Canada, removing Autosteer from configurations. New cars will ship with only Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC), forcing buyers to choose between keeping TACC or paying extra for FSD (Full Self-Driving). Tesla plans to make FSD a subscription-only service next month and will stop selling FSD as a one-time purchase on February 14, 2026. The change mostly affects the standard lineup; the Model S/X upsell remains with the Luxe Package, and the Cybertruck remains incompatible with Autopilot due to older software. Tesla displays a $99/month FSD subscription at checkout; a 30-day guest trial of FSD (Supervised) remains with new orders, while referrals grant a 90-day trial. The move appears aimed at expanding FSD uptake.

Motorola's Moto Watch debuts with 13-day battery, Polar-powered GPS, open-source software

January 26, 2026, 10:52 PM EST. At CES, Motorola unveiled the Moto Watch, a 47mm Android-compatible smartwatch. Motorola says it can last up to 13 days on a single charge, seven days with the always-on display. It features Polar-powered dual-frequency GPS for more accurate outdoor tracking and wellness tools. Unlike most Android wearables, it runs open-source software rather than Wear OS. Core metrics include steps, distance, heart rate, and sleep, plus Nightly Recharge, Activity Score, Smart Calories, and reminders for hydration and medication. Durability is IP68 dust and water resistance. The watch supports voice calls from the wrist, Bluetooth notifications, and offline music. It is set to launch January 22. Pricing was not announced.

Artemis II wet dress rehearsal prep advances at Kennedy Space Center

January 26, 2026, 10:48 PM EST. NASA's Artemis II team at Kennedy Space Center continued preparations for a wet dress rehearsal of the SLS rocket and Orion. Since the vehicles arrived at Launch Pad 39B on Jan. 17, technicians connected purge lines, tested communications with the Launch Control Center, and conducted swing tests on the crew access arm. The emergency egress system was hooked up, and Orion and core stage, ICPS, and boosters have been powered on. Teams are conducting multi-day RF communications tests with the Eastern Range. Over the weekend, technicians will service the twin boosters with hydrazine and load final items into Orion, including tablets, medical kits and the AVATAR payloads. The wet dress rehearsal will demonstrate propellant loading of more than 700,000 gallons, simulate a countdown, and practice safe propellant removal without astronauts aboard. Readiness will be reviewed to determine a definitive launch date.

Amazon slashes 20% off Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite with S Pen

January 26, 2026, 10:44 PM EST. Amazon has trimmed the price of Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 Lite by 20%, bringing the 10.9-inch Android tablet below $300 in the gray 256GB configuration. The S10 Lite is Samsung's budget option in the Tab lineup and includes the company's S Pen for note-taking and drawing. It uses an LCD instead of AMOLED, contributing to the lower cost, but still offers a 90Hz display, expandable storage via microSD (up to 2TB) and access to Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search. Samsung rates battery life at up to 16 hours with fast charging that can restore a full charge in about two hours. The deal targets buyers wanting a compact tablet with a stylus and solid battery life without stepping to premium models.

Apple iOS 26.3 adds Limit Precise Location feature for Apple-modem devices

January 26, 2026, 10:42 PM EST. Apple's iOS 26.3 adds a feature called Limit Precise Location for devices with Apple's in-house modems. The setting reduces the data cellular networks may use to determine your location, potentially showing only a neighborhood rather than a street address. Apple says it does not affect signal quality or user experience, and it does not change emergency location accuracy. Availability is limited to iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular on iOS 26.3 or later, with certain carriers: Germany's Telekom; UK's EE and BT; US Boost Mobile; Thailand's AIS and True. To enable: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options (select a line if you have multiple SIMs) > Limit Precise Location, then restart if prompted. This niche feature reflects Apple's modem strategy and may expand to more devices later.

Pixel update cripples Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and camera on some Pixel phones

January 26, 2026, 10:40 PM EST. Android Authority reports a surge of post-update problems on Pixel devices, led by the Pixel 10 series and, in some cases, Pixel 8. Users describe Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dropping and camera failures after installation. Google Play Services is mentioned as a potential factor, with forums suggesting background processes open too many files, disrupting other systems. Google has acknowledged the reports but has not issued public fixes or guidance. The publication will monitor for official statements and remediation advice and invites affected users to share details to gauge the scope.

Google to pay $68 million to settle class-action over Google Assistant recordings

January 26, 2026, 10:36 PM EST. Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a California federal class-action accusing its Google Assistant of secretly recording private conversations after accidental activation. The settlement, filed in U.S. District Court, would distribute funds to eligible owners of Google devices dating back to May 2016. Plaintiffs' lawyers may seek up to about $22 million in fees. Google says it denies wrongdoing and wants to avoid litigation. The suit contends recordings were shared with advertisers to tailor ads and that assistants sometimes triggered without consent. The case mirrors a January settlement with Apple over Siri. The deal still requires approval from U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.

AI-driven chip demand could hit automakers as shortages loom

January 26, 2026, 10:34 PM EST. Automakers face a fresh chip pinch as AI-enabled data centers drive rising demand. Chips for ADAS, infotainment and voice assistants rely on scarce supply, risking higher new-car costs. A S&P Global analysis this month suggests AI data-center demand could lift chip prices by 70%-100% and extend shortages for about two years. Samsung cautioned electronics price risks during CES 2026, per PYMNTS. Tariffs and higher raw materials add pressure, likely nudging costs to consumers. Some makers are testing decontenting to blunt sticker shock; Fiat CEO Olivier François floated capping EU top speeds at 73 mph to trim ADAS costs on low-speed cars. Software-defined vehicles and sensor suites keep driving chip demand higher.

Microsoft Opens 2026 Quantum Pioneers Program for Measurement-Based Topological Computing

January 26, 2026, 10:32 PM EST. Microsoft has launched the 2026 Quantum Research Pioneers Program (QuPP) to advance measurement-based approaches for topological quantum computing. The program targets foundational work in measurement-based quantum logic, error correction, simulation, and early fault-tolerant experiments. Selected academic proposals may receive up to $200,000 in funding. Applications open November 15, 2025, and close January 31, 2026, with decisions announced March 15, 2026. Proposals may involve collaboration with the Microsoft Quantum team. Microsoft says topological quantum computing encodes information in global properties of matter, offering potential intrinsic error resilience, but scaling will require innovations across physics, engineering and computer science. The initiative focuses on readout and control, circuit compilation for measurement-based schemes, and verification methods.

Android 17 leaks reveal new UI blur, screen recorder UI, and app lock features

January 26, 2026, 10:28 PM EST. A leak via RKBDI offers an early look at Android 17, including a new blur for System UI. The volume panel shifts from solid backgrounds to translucent material themed by Dynamic Color, with app icons visible at the bottom in the full panel. The power menu becomes translucent to blur the current screen. A new screen-recording tool uses a floating pill; when Entire screen is chosen, options include Record device audio, Record microphone and Show touches. The status bar count stays visible, and tapping the recording returns to a control pill with doodle colors and a share/edit preview. Long-pressing apps may reveal a Lock app option, and Bubble could extend beyond conversation-focused use.

Microsoft unveils Maia 200 AI chip, launches software tools to challenge Nvidia

January 26, 2026, 10:24 PM EST. Microsoft on Monday unveiled the Maia 200, the second generation of its in-house AI chip, online in a data center in Iowa with a second site planned in Arizona. The move places Microsoft squarely in competition with Nvidia as cloud providers build their own chips. Maia 200 ships with a software package to program it, including Triton – an open-source tool with contributions from OpenAI that competes with Nvidia's CUDA. Like Nvidia's forthcoming Vera Rubin chips, Maia 200 is built by TSMC on a 3-nanometer process and uses high-bandwidth memory, albeit with an older generation than Nvidia's upcoming parts. Microsoft backs the chip with heavy SRAM to speed multi-user AI workloads, a trait also seen with Cerebras and Groq.

Google settles privacy lawsuit over voice assistant for $68 million

January 26, 2026, 10:22 PM EST. Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class-action accusing its voice-activated Assistant of spying on smartphone users and using private conversations for ads. Filed in a San Jose federal court, the deal requires approval from U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman. Plaintiffs said Google recorded and disseminated conversations after the Assistant was triggered by hot words such as 'Hey Google' and that misinterpreted commands-false accepts-led to targeted ads. Google denies wrongdoing but settled to avoid the risk and cost of litigation, per court papers. The settlement covers people who bought Google devices or were subjected to false accepts since May 18, 2016. Lawyers for plaintiffs may seek up to one-third of the fund, about $22.7 million, in fees. Apple reached a similar $95 million settlement last year.

YouTube overtakes Reddit as top citation source in AI-generated responses, data show

January 26, 2026, 10:16 PM EST. YouTube has overtaken Reddit as the leading social source cited by AI models, according to Bluefish and four data sources. In the past six months, YouTube appeared in 16% of AI-generated answers, compared with 10% for Reddit. The shift comes as transcripts, explainers and other video metadata improve how models read video content. The change reverses a period when Reddit was the dominant source for AI citations. Other user-generated platforms still appear, but YouTube's rise underscores video content as a readable source for large language models (LLMs). Analysts note that citation patterns vary by model and dataset.

Turning a tablet into an e-reader on iPad or Android

January 26, 2026, 10:14 PM EST. Tablets already do most e-reader tasks, but eye strain and distractions push users toward dedicated devices. This guide shows how to tailor an iPad or Android tablet into a capable reader: delete or disable distracting apps, enable Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode, and load reading apps such as Kindle, Libby, or Apple Books. Kindle Unlimited users can access their library anywhere. Tablets offer more storage and support for EPUB, MOBI, and PDF without conversion, plus the ability to add news apps and personal files. To cut fatigue, apply a matte screen protector, warm up backlight temperatures, and use dark mode or built-in eye-comfort features. Accessories like compatible grips can improve comfort, though mainly for longer sessions.

Microsoft misroutes example.com traffic to sei.co.jp subdomains via Autodiscover

January 26, 2026, 10:10 PM EST. Microsoft briefly mishandled traffic intended for the testing domain example.com, routing it to sei.co.jp subdomains in Japan via its Autodiscover service. Under RFC2606, example.com is not routable and exists to prevent testing noise. In Azure and other Microsoft networks, mail and account-setup traffic appeared to be sent to imapgms.jnet.sei.co.jp and smtpgms.jnet.sei.co.jp, as shown by curl-derived outputs. UCLA Health cybersecurity researcher Michael Taggart called the incident a simple misconfiguration. A Microsoft spokesperson offered no immediate explanation and did not respond Friday; by Monday morning the improper routing had ceased, with no further comment from the company.

Which Motorola Moto G 2026 model to buy

January 26, 2026, 10:08 PM EST. Budget phones outpace their price tags. Motorola's Moto G Play 2026, the Moto G 2026 (midrange) and the Moto G Power 2026 are priced from $179.99 to $299.99. All run Android 16 with two OS upgrades and three years of software updates. Every model uses the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 and supports 5G sub-6. The Play and the 2026 share 6.7-inch LCD displays at 120Hz, while the Power 2026 sports a 6.8-inch LCD with Full HD+. RAM ranges from 4GB to 8GB; storage 64GB to 128GB, expandable to 1TB. Cameras vary from a 32MP baseline to 50MP main plus 2MP macro and 8MP ultrawide. The lineup points to a broader Moto G 2026 family, possibly adding a Stylus 2026 later.

Tesla to raise Full Self-Driving subscription price as capabilities expand

January 26, 2026, 10:06 PM EST. Tesla founder Elon Musk said on X that the $99/month Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscription will rise as the system's capabilities improve, aiming for an unsupervised ride. Business Insider reported prices could top $100. The company's site now lists only Traffic-Aware Cruise Control as standard, with a one-time $8,000 option for the full system set to be removed from February 14. The shifts follow backlash from customers over changes to standard features and a move away from free Autopilot upgrades. Tesla has not publicly commented on the backlash. The report cites Mehak Walia of Mandatory.

Wildlight's Highguard aims to stand out from Concord and Overwatch with 3v3 siege PvP

January 26, 2026, 10:04 PM EST. Wildlight Entertainment positions its debut, Highguard, as distinct from Overwatch-style shooters and the now-defunct Concord. Co-founder Chad Grenier tells Variety the trailer undersold the game's innovations, and Monday's launch will let players judge for themselves. The game abandons the 5v5 model for tight 3v3 matches, a shift the studio says helps start a match quickly. It is also free-to-play with cross-play across PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5. Publishers describe it as a hybrid of siege warfare and territory control on a growing map, where teams of Wardens loot, harvest resources, upgrade gear and contest the Shieldbreaker, a key objective in battles.

Client Challenge tests site resilience as JavaScript-disabled browsers block loads

January 26, 2026, 10:02 PM EST. Web teams are wrestling with a recurring failure mode: when JavaScript is disabled, essential site components fail to load. The client challenge exposes how a single setting can render pages unusable, with banners stating that JavaScript must be enabled. In practice, users lose access to navigation, forms, and content if scripts don't run. Causes include browser extensions, ad blockers, or restrictive network policies that block scripts. Diagnosing the problem requires testing with JavaScript turned off, reproducing environments, and verifying fallback paths. Operators increasingly rely on progressive enhancement and server-side rendering to keep critical flows functional. The episode reinforces the need for clear user guidance and resilient design, especially for enterprise deployments where policy governs browser behavior.

Apple debuts second-gen AirTag with expanded range and louder findability

January 26, 2026, 10:00 PM EST. Apple unveils a second-generation AirTag with a longer Bluetooth range, louder speaker and enhanced Precision Finding. Powered by an updated Ultra Wideband chip, the device offers up to 50% greater search distance and can be located from farther away. For the first time, Precision Finding works on Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later. The new AirTag is 50% louder and emits a clearer chime to help recover items like keys, wallets or instruments. It remains privacy-focused and relies on the Find My network to crowdsource locations from nearby Apple devices. Pricing stays at $29 for one tag or $99 for a four-pack, with free engraving. Availability begins today.

Rigetti Computing stock risk rises as cash provides runway in crowded quantum race

January 26, 2026, 9:58 PM EST. Rigetti Computing remains a speculative quantum computing play. In the latest quarter, revenue was about $1.9 million while operating losses reached roughly $20.5 million, underscoring a burn rate typical of early-stage tech firms. As of Nov. 6, the company held about $600 million in cash and equivalents, providing runway for several years at current spending but leaving financing risk if results falter. Rigetti was not selected for a major DARPA program stage after participating in Stage A, a sign it lags peers in the space. The field is crowded, with rivals such as IonQ viewed by some investors as the stronger bet. The stock slid around 7% in trading, near $21.76, but continued losses could pressure the capital outlook and survival chances.

Apple updates AirTag with louder speaker and better range

January 26, 2026, 9:54 PM EST. Apple on Tuesday introduced a refreshed AirTag with a louder speaker and improved range, aiming to address user complaints about locating items in real-world conditions. Apple says the AirTag's speaker is 50% louder, and the update enhances accuracy and range without adding major new features. The company reiterates its encryption promise that only the owner can use the tag to locate items, and notes a collaboration with airlines that lets partners access Apple's network to help locate objects such as lost luggage. Pricing remains unchanged at $29 for a single AirTag or $99 for a four-pack. The new model is available to order on Apple's website and will reach physical stores later this week.

Anthropic CEO warns humanity may not be mature enough for advanced AI

January 26, 2026, 9:46 PM EST. Anthropic founder Dario Amodei warns that society is about to gain power through AI and may not have the maturity to wield it. In a sprawling essay, The Adolescence of Technology, he frames this as a transitional era-turbulent, perhaps dangerous-where AI-enabled authoritarianism could emerge. He argues progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) could arrive within years if the exponential trend continues, challenging human supremacy in many tasks. He cites scenarios like a 'country of geniuses' and warns of misuse if a vast public remains vulnerable to manipulation or weapons-grade capabilities. A side note recalls Anthropic offering Claude to the Trump administration for $1 per year. Despite the risk, Amodei says Anthropic will continue developing AI.

Galaxy S26 rumors: base storage could move to 256GB, price hints surface

January 26, 2026, 9:30 PM EST. Rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 base model could drop its 128GB option in favor of a starting 256GB configuration, with a potential 512GB top tier. The S26 Plus and Ultra storage options are said to stay similar, though other chatter hints at a 1TB option for the Ultra. A Finnish retailer listing reported by SuomiMobiili, picked up by Android Headlines, fuels the speculation. Price chatter puts the base at $799, with the S26 Plus at $999 and the S26 Ultra at $1,299. Battery rumors include a possible 4,300mAh base model with 25W charging, while the Plus and Ultra could be 4,900mAh (45W) and 5,000mAh (60W) respectively. Launch is expected around February, as leaks intensify.

Nvidia expands CoreWeave investment as AI infrastructure strategy deepens

January 26, 2026, 9:26 PM EST. Nvidia expanded its investment in CoreWeave by about $2 billion, a move tied to Jensen Huang's plan to speed AI infrastructure. CoreWeave will deploy Nvidia tech, including the Vera CPU and BlueField storage, as it pursues more than five gigawatts of data-center capacity by 2030. The private placement added roughly 22.94 million CoreWeave shares to Nvidia at $87.20 each, lifting CoreWeave stock intraday before momentum cooled and Nvidia shares edged lower. Critics call it circular investing; proponents say Nvidia has the cash to fund strategic bets and that the ties help standardize demand for its hardware and software across the AI value chain. Huang said the investments are a small fraction of what's needed, with more money to come.

Anthropic CEO warns AI boom poses civilizational risks in 38-page essay

January 26, 2026, 9:24 PM EST. In a sprawling 38-page note published Monday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei maps civilizational risks from powerful AI: bioterror, autocracy, labor upheaval, and wealth concentration. He argues the AI prize is glittering and its strategic value obvious enough that participants cannot slow the rush, risking systems more powerful than institutions. The piece uses a recurring metaphor of a country of geniuses in a datacenter, illustrating machines acting at machine speed. The essay also serves as a positioning move for Anthropic as it races to market with Claude; on the same day, the company released an MCP extension. Five risk buckets frame the discussion: autonomy; misuse by individuals (notably biology); misuse by states; economic disruption; and indirect effects. Governance gaps remain.

Rigetti stock faces accuracy hurdles as DARPA QBI setback weighs on prospects

January 26, 2026, 9:22 PM EST. Rigetti Computing remains a stock favorite for some, but investors face a technology gap. In 2025 the name surged, and it added more gains in early 2026. The company advertises quantum computing speed, claiming systems far faster than peers, yet it trails on accuracy. Two-qubit gate fidelity runs about 99.5%, vs IonQ at 99.99%, and below the roughly 99.9% threshold many analysts cite for practical error correction. DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) did not advance Rigetti to Stage B, a setback reflecting performance concerns. The firm has delayed its Cepheus-1-108Q 108-qubit system to improve error rates. Still, a handful of upgrades followed by calls from analysts-Rossenblatt Securities initiating a buy, B. Riley lifting its target after an order from India's CDAC, and Wedbush raising targets-haven't closed the gap with rivals.

Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom Lead AI Chip Stocks as Market Growth Accelerates

January 26, 2026, 9:20 PM EST. Three AI chip stocks headline January action: Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom. The AI boom keeps demand for AI chips ahead of supply as large language models and generative AI drive purchases. Precedence Research pegs the global AI chip market to grow at a 27.9% CAGR from 2026 to 2035. Nvidia and AMD sell discrete GPUs optimized for parallel tasks, handling AI workloads and gaming-to-datacenter transitions. Nvidia tends to offer pricier, higher-end chips and its CUDA platform helps lock-in customers. A H100 data-center GPU runs around $25,000, while AMD's MI300X sits near $15,000. Broadcom does not make GPUs; it sells custom AI accelerator ASICs for hyperscalers, pairing them with networking gear and software for efficiency.

Apple releases iOS 26.3 beta 3 for iPhone

January 26, 2026, 9:18 PM EST. Apple has released iOS 26.3 beta 3 for iPhone. The update introduces an easier way to switch between Android and iPhone, and tweaks to the Astronomy and Weather wallpaper galleries, plus other refinements. It follows iOS 26.2 and 26.2.1, which added tweaks to Liquid Glass design elements and more CarPlay customization options. A public release date remains unconfirmed, though early February is a likely target. Looking ahead, iOS 26.4 is expected to include a long-delayed Siri upgrade powered by Gemini, the engine Apple and Google have discussed for Apple Intelligence. Reuters will monitor the beta cycle for further changes and features.

Nearly a Quarter of Japanese Consumers Considering Switching ISPs Over Quality, Airties Survey Finds

January 26, 2026, 9:16 PM EST. Nearly a quarter of Japanese households say they are considering switching their home Internet provider in the near term, driven by quality issues, according to Qualtrics data released at the Wireless Global Congress APAC 2026. The survey shows 24% in Japan, versus 28% in the US and 37% in the UK. Analysts say up to 60% of potential churn could be avoided by investing in better quality, stronger features, and improved customer support, independent of pricing. Main reasons: dissatisfaction with home Wi-Fi or Internet (38%), missing advanced features (13%), and poor support (9%), vs 34% for price. Interest in a Guaranteed or Smart Wi-Fi service rises to 44%, with willingness to pay more. 51% face problems; 18% contacted their ISP. Very dissatisfied users are five times likelier to churn than very satisfied (61% vs 12%).

Apple releases beta 3 for iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3 and more

January 26, 2026, 9:08 PM EST. Apple released developer beta 3 for iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3 and visionOS 26.3, two weeks after the prior cycle. Updates on these platforms remain light, with most changes reserved for iOS 26.3. The iOS release reportedly adds an Android transfer tool and several EU-related fixes. An updated wallpaper gallery introduces a dedicated weather section that also touches iPadOS. Beta 3 could include new features, but early notes show no major user-facing changes yet. Apple has not detailed further fixes. Developers on the beta should watch for small refinements and any undiscovered additions in coming days.

Tesla Camp Mode turns EV into a mini camper, part of a growing suite of vehicle modes

January 26, 2026, 9:06 PM EST. Tesla promotes Camp Mode, which keeps cabin temperature and powers outlets so drivers can sleep in the car. The feature, shown on YouTube and via Tesla's support page, complements other OTA-enabled modes such as Dog Mode, Sentry Mode, and Bioweapon Defense Mode. Tesla's OTA updates routinely add new capabilities, including Caraoke, a karaoke display. The Model Y is used in examples, and the interior size limits camping practicality. Tesla sold 589,000 EVs in 2025 per Cox Automotive, aided by a dense Supercharger network. With BYD overtaking Tesla as the top EV seller, many headlines frame the brand's ongoing software-led innovation as a differentiator. Analysts note the feature's appeal is incremental rather than transformative.

Davos panel says waiting on quantum computing is not an option

January 26, 2026, 9:00 PM EST. At Davos, a World Economic Forum panel debated whether quantum computing could arrive by 2026-27 or if patience is required. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna; John Martinis, Nobel laureate in Physics; ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin; and Novo Nordisk Foundation's Lene Oddershede described quantum tech as transitioning from pure science to complex systems engineering. Panelists drew a clear distinction among three areas: quantum computing for problems in finance, climate modeling, and cryptography; quantum communication for secure data transmission and the potential for a secure quantum internet; and quantum sensors, which are already a reality. While much remains future, the group agreed that progress now hinges on engineering scale and integration, not only discovery. The discussion underscored that waiting for a breakthrough is not an option for policy and industry.

Apple iOS 26.2.1 update adds AirTag 2nd Generation support

January 26, 2026, 8:56 PM EST. Apple releases iOS 26.2.1 for iPhone, iPadOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 to support AirTag (2nd Generation) with improved range and bug fixes. The updates are available now via Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone and iPad, and via the Watch app on Apple Watch. AirTag (2nd Generation) comes with longer range and shares the same starting price as the first generation, $29. Separately, Apple issued older OS updates for devices unable to run the latest software: iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6 and iOS 12.5.8.

Why AI Shouldn't Run Your Social Life

January 26, 2026, 8:48 PM EST. AI tools are moving from productivity to personal guidance. People increasingly use LLMs such as ChatGPT and Gemini to draft apologies, decode ambiguous texts, and rehearse conversations. Psychologist Rachel Wood warns that AI is shifting the relational bedrock of society, rerouting in-person talks into chatbots. As a generation grows up outsourcing social decisions, the implications for communication, dating, and group dynamics remain uncertain. Early use is often a second opinion: paste a message, ask what it means, or whether the other person shows narcissistic traits. Clinicians like Stanford's Dr. Nina Vasan describe AI as a social rehearsal space-drafting messages, setting boundaries, and debriefing after exchanges. The trend raises questions about autonomy and the emotional labor of connection.

Nvidia's Earth-2 weather models promise faster, more accurate forecasts ahead of winter storm

January 26, 2026, 8:46 PM EST. At the AMS meeting in Houston, Nvidia unveiled its Earth-2 weather forecasting suite, claiming faster, more accurate forecasts than current AI rivals. The centerpiece, Earth-2 Medium Range, allegedly outperforms Google DeepMind's GenCast on more than 70 variables, after GenCast's 2024 release that improved forecasts up to 15 days. Nvidia says Earth-2 uses a new Atlas architecture and simple, scalable transformer designs, signaling a shift from niche AI models. The bundle includes Nowcasting for 0-6 hour predictions, trained on globally available geostationary satellite data, and a Global Data Assimilation model using weather stations and balloons. Nvidia says the approach reduces traditional supercomputing loads, delivering rapid, global snapshots on GPUs.

Wells Fargo's AI Hire and Emberpoint Bet May Prompt Rethink for Investors

January 26, 2026, 8:40 PM EST. Wells Fargo is modernizing operations and squeezing value from scale. The bank named Faraz Shafiq as Head of AI Products and Solutions and joined Emberpoint, a wildfire-technology venture backed by over $100 million. Analysts say the moves support strategy and capital-markets leverage but do not materially lift near-term earnings. The chief near-term catalysts remain earnings execution, expense control, and ongoing buybacks under a $40 billion authorization, plus credit quality trends. The AI hire and Emberpoint signal where Wells Fargo wants to compete, yet carry regulatory and litigation risks and the challenge of turning tech spend into measurable returns. Some investors view the stock as trading above fair value, complicating the investment case.

China approves H200 orders after halt, signaling push for AI independence

January 26, 2026, 8:34 PM EST. Beijing's reversal on NVIDIA's H200 chips signals a pragmatic pull between long-term semiconductor self-sufficiency and near-term access to advanced hardware. After ordering a halt earlier this month, regulators granted in-principle approval for Alibaba, Tencent and ByteDance to prepare purchases, with discussions on quantities allowed and a domestic-chip purchase condition. Chinese firms had eyed more than 2 million H200 units for 2026 delivery, with Alibaba and ByteDance seeking north of 200,000 each, and a 25% tariff previously in effect for access. The move acknowledges that China's domestic capabilities still lag the H200 in AI training and inference. Regulators previously criticized Huawei's H20; competition now hinges on aligning independence goals with immediate AI needs.

Highguard launches amid mystery as creator streams and embargo lifts

January 26, 2026, 8:30 PM EST. Highguard from Wildlight launches today amid a cloak of mystery after a quiet pre-release run. The game is pitched as a difficult-to-define raid shooter and is free-to-play, with a creator-promotion push underway as embargoes lift and streams begin. A launch window is set for 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET, with a reveal stream overlapping play. Early creator buzz exists but remains provisional. Analysts will watch SteamCharts to gauge demand, though comparisons to Concord era free titles aside, success hinges on long-term engagement beyond day one. The PvP shooter space remains crowded; past 2025 entries such as Marvel Rivals and ARC Raiders suggest strong first impressions aren't enough. The outcome will depend on sustained player interest after launch.

BofA: Nvidia a compelling value as chip reshuffle shifts from toolmakers to compute engines

January 26, 2026, 8:28 PM EST. Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya argues the semiconductor reshuffle favors NVIDIA and other compute names. In a note to clients, BofA sees NVDA, AVGO, AMD and CRDO growing sales about 42% on average, while trading at a notably low 0.5x PEG. The math, Arya says, suggests the AI cycle is not a bubble but a discount on growth. The view comes as the sector enters a key earnings week with ASML, Lam Research and Texas Instruments reporting. The Philadelphia SOX has risen about 11% this year, but BofA warns the easy money in equipment makers may have run. It shifts toward compute engines like NVIDIA, which trades below historic multiples despite a 49% earnings growth forecast through 2027. Investors should be cautious on analog chips amid seasonality.

NVIDIA and Lilly to invest up to $1 billion in AI co-innovation lab for drug discovery

January 26, 2026, 8:24 PM EST. NVIDIA and Eli Lilly will jointly invest up to $1 billion over five years to build an AI co-innovation lab in the San Francisco Bay Area, pairing Lilly's biology, medicine and manufacturing with NVIDIA's accelerated computing and AI infrastructure. The lab will run on NVIDIA BioNeMo and the Vera Rubin architecture, co-locating Lilly scientists with NVIDIA model-builders to generate data and develop AI models to speed drug discovery. CEO Jensen Huang says AI will transform life sciences; Lilly CEO David A. Ricks says the collaboration could reinvent drug discovery. The program aims to create a continuous learning system that links wet labs with computational dry labs, enabling 24/7 AI-assisted experimentation and next-generation foundation and frontier models for biology and chemistry. It expands both firms' research and compute capabilities.

NVIDIA launches Earth-2 open AI weather models to accelerate forecasting

January 26, 2026, 8:20 PM EST. NVIDIA unveiled the Earth-2 family – an open and accelerated set of AI weather models and tools for forecasting. The suite includes Earth-2 Medium Range, CorrDiff and Nowcasting, with Brightband running Medium Range to issue daily forecasts. The Israel Meteorological Service uses CorrDiff in operation and plans Nowcasting, aiming for up to eight updates per day and a 90% reduction in compute time at 2.5-kilometer resolution versus traditional NWP. The Weather Company and the National Weather Service are evaluating Nowcasting for localized severe-weather workflows. Energy groups like TotalEnergies and Eni are testing Earth-2 models, including FourCastNet and CorrDiff, for probabilistic, high-resolution forecasts weeks ahead. GCL uses Earth-2 for photovoltaic prediction with better accuracy at lower cost.

Anthropic launches Claude apps for Slack, Canva, Figma and more

January 26, 2026, 8:18 PM EST. Anthropic is expanding Claude with interactive apps that run inside the chat interface. Workplace tools such as Slack, Canva, Figma, Box and Clay can be used with a logged-in instance of the service, with Salesforce support expected soon. The feature, available to Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise subscribers, is not offered to free users. Eligible customers can enable the tools at claude.ai/directory. The system mirrors OpenAI's Apps and rests on the open standard Model Context Protocol (MCP) introduced by Anthropic in 2024. When paired with Claude Cowork, a recently released all-purpose agent built on Claude Code, apps could let Cowork access cloud files or ongoing projects, though developer notes say that app access will arrive later. Users are warned that agentic systems can be unpredictable; avoid granting broad permissions and consider a dedicated working folder for Claude.

AI DinoTracker app helps identify dinosaur footprints

January 26, 2026, 8:16 PM EST. A team of researchers unveiled a free app, DinoTracker, that uses AI to identify dinosaur footprints by analyzing 2,000 unlabelled silhouettes rather than relying on pre-labelled identifications. They trained the model to measure eight features-toe spread, ground contact, heel position, and more-to gauge similarity among prints. The app lets users upload a footprint silhouette, view the seven most similar footprints, and adjust the eight features to see how classifications shift. In tests, the system matched expert classifications about 90% of the time, though researchers warn that footprint material and age can affect results. The work, published in PNAS, supports observations that Triassic and early Jurassic tracks are birdlike, hinting at a deeper ancestry for birds, though authors say it remains inconclusive and could reflect meat-eating dinosaurs with birdlike feet.

Encrypt Windows disk with BitLocker while keeping recovery keys local

January 26, 2026, 8:04 PM EST. Windows users can encrypt their disk with BitLocker only after upgrading to Windows 11 Pro. The Home edition supports encryption only when signed in with a Microsoft account and stores the recovery key on Microsoft servers. To access the full BitLocker tool and back up your own recovery key, upgrade via the Microsoft Store or use a valid product key. In Settings > System > Activation, choose Upgrade your edition, select Change product key, and enter a Windows 11 Pro key (Windows 10 Pro keys may also work). A restart suffices; you won't reinstall Windows or lose apps or data. Once upgraded, you can reinstall and reactivate Pro on that device without re-entering the key. Keep the key safe for reinstall or hardware upgrades. Third-party keys vary in reliability.

Xiaomi SU7 outsells Tesla Model 3 in China's premium EV sedan market for the first time in 2025

January 26, 2026, 8:02 PM EST. Xiaomi's SU7 has toppled the Tesla Model 3 in China's premium electric sedan segment for the first time since Model 3's 2019 debut, CPCA data show. In 2025, Xiaomi delivered 258,164 SU7 units, vs. 200,361 Model 3s. Tesla's overall 2025 China deliveries fell 4.78% to 625,698, with the Model Y down 11.5%. The SU7, launched in March 2024, edges price (RMB 215,900 vs RMB 235,500), offers a longer CLTC range (700 km vs 634 km for the Model 3 RWD), and tight integration with Xiaomi HyperOS and standard LiDAR on updated variants. Tesla responded with subsidies; Xiaomi plans more models in 2026, including the YU7 SUV.

iPhone Air 2 rumored to add thinner Face ID and second rear camera

January 26, 2026, 7:54 PM EST. Rumors circulating online suggest Apple's iPhone Air 2 could gain a second rear camera and a thinner version of Face ID to free internal space. The plan envisions a horizontal camera array with a 48MP ultrawide pair, with an unnamed supplier said to be collaborating. The device reportedly won't debut alongside the iPhone 18 this year and is targeted for Spring 2027. Apple has slowed Air production, yet remains committed to the form factor, weighing a potential second 48MP sensor while space constraints could rule out a tetraprism periscope zoom. A thinner Face ID variant could also touch MacBooks, per online chatter, and a smaller Dynamic Island has sparked additional speculation.

Nvidia commits $2 billion to CoreWeave in expanded AI infrastructure push

January 26, 2026, 7:50 PM EST. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) deepens exposure to AI infrastructure with a $2 billion commitment to CoreWeave (CRWV), expanding a partnership aimed at building more than 5 gigawatts of AI capacity by 2030. The investment, via purchase of CoreWeave Class A common stock at $87.20 a share, signals a joint push to scale production environments as demand for AI accelerators grows. Nvidia plans to help CoreWeave accelerate land, power and shell infrastructure, and to deploy multiple generations of Nvidia hardware across CoreWeave's platform, including early access to the Rubin compute platform, Vera CPUs and BlueField storage systems. CoreWeave also plans to offer Nvidia's Vera Rubin NVL72 alongside Nebius and Supermicro. CoreWeave stock jumped about 15%; Nvidia rose roughly 1%.

AirPods Max price cut nears all-time low in Best Buy flash deal

January 26, 2026, 7:48 PM EST. Best Buy is offering the AirPods Max with USB-C for $429.99 in a flash deal through January 27, about $120 off and near the lowest price on record. The over-ear headphones blend premium aluminum, steel and fabric with features that pair tightly with Apple devices-automatic device switching and hands-free Siri. They also tap into the Find My network and support audio sharing from a single iPhone or iPad. On the audio side, they deliver balanced sound with 24-bit/48kHz lossless playback over USB-C, solid noise cancellation, ultra-low latency, and a transparency mode. The price drop keeps AirPods Max attractive for Apple users, even as rivals stay cheaper.

Robot artist Ai-Da debuts architecture with space-age home design in Denmark

January 26, 2026, 7:46 PM EST. Ai-Da, the world's first robot artist, has turned to architecture with a retro-futurist design for a building of the future on display at Denmark's Utzon Center. The concept frames a space-exploration and co-living pod wrapped in curved windows, inspired by space-age optimism of the 1950s-60s. British gallerist Aidan Meller says the project shows human-machine collaboration, with Ai-Da and a team of assistants shaping the work while retaining the majority creative influence. The installation is part of the 'I'm not a robot' show at the Utzon Center in Aalborg, Denmark, through Oct. 18, with more Ai-Da designs planned for London. Ai-Da's profile includes a 2022 Parliament appearance and the 2024 sale of A.I. God at Sotheby's for $1 million.

Pebble Returns With Open-Source PebbleOS as Founder Relaunches Minimalist Smartwatch

January 26, 2026, 7:44 PM EST. Pebble is back. The smartwatch brand closed in 2016 is reborn around an open-source reboot of its PebbleOS. Founder Eric Migicovsky told Reuters he returned to a box of working watches and found the old approach lacking. The 2012 Kickstarter pioneer helped push the smartwatch from hobby to mainstream, but later pursued broader health and sports aims and faded after a sale to Fitbit. When Google acquired Fitbit, it open-sourced PebbleOS, enabling a new start. Migicovsky credits a Google insider who carried the project, calling it a labor of love. The relaunch favors a minimalist, app-light experience and seeks a complementary role in a market led by Apple, Google, and Samsung.

Apple's upgrade decision: six weeks to update iPhone

January 26, 2026, 7:40 PM EST. Updated Jan. 26 with new information on Apple's imminent update. Apple urges users to restart and install security fixes issued in mid-December. For six weeks, iPhones that hadn't installed the patches remained vulnerable as two WebKit exploits moved from targeted attacks to broader risks. Apple's decision to withhold an iOS 18 update for devices able to run iOS 26 means hundreds of millions of devices may not have restarted, leaving them exposed until they upgrade. Security agencies advise regular restarts, though most users do not perform them. The iOS 26.2 release includes more than 25 fixes, with iOS 26.3 expected by late January or February. Geeky Gadgets notes the focus is on stability and security rather than new features.

Five simple ways to give your old Android phone a second life

January 26, 2026, 7:36 PM EST. Repurposing an aging Android device saves waste and extends usefulness. This guide outlines five practical options to breathe new life into a old phone. One popular path is turning the device into a dedicated camera. Apps like AlfredCamera let you deploy a security camera with livestream and motion detection; the free tier covers basics, while a subscription unlocks extra features. Other ideas include using the device as a secondary media hub, a kid's device, or a test handset for new apps. The piece notes battery health and software updates, and cautions about data usage. With the right setup, an old Android phone can serve new purposes without a full upgrade.

Not a fair contrast: Microsoft BitLocker keys case vs Apple's 2015 stance, says article

January 26, 2026, 7:30 PM EST. A report argues that comparing Microsoft's handing over BitLocker keys to the FBI with Apple's 2015 stance is misleading. Microsoft confirmed giving keys for three laptops seized in a Guam fraud probe; the keys were stored in the company's cloud, a design using weaker encryption to help users recover access if they forget a passcode. In contrast, Apple refused to bypass the Secure Enclave on the iPhone used in the San Bernardino case, a move the article says protected all users' data. The piece notes a later Pensacola case where Apple again resisted while the FBI pursued other avenues. It adds that users can opt out of online key storage, and that iCloud protections were once weaker. Context matters.

Apple weighing ultra-thin Face ID for iPhone Air 2 with second camera, report says

January 26, 2026, 7:28 PM EST. Apple is pursuing a thinner Face ID module to reclaim space in the iPhone Air 2, per a well-known Weibo leaker and corroborating outlets. Instant Digital says Apple has asked suppliers for an ultra-thin component to allow an ultra-wide camera alongside the main lens. The redesign aims to address complaints that the Air's design compromises are too visible at the $999 price, requiring major internal changes. Digital Chat Station and The Information have floated a second camera. Separate chatter about a foldable iPhone mentions Touch ID in the side button to keep the profile slim. While a thinner TrueDepth system could enable Face ID on a MacBook someday, there are no active rumors of a product change. The iPhone Air 2 remains pegged for next year.

Tesla removes Autopilot from Model Y and Model 3 standard kits as FSD becomes paid option

January 26, 2026, 7:26 PM EST. Tesla has removed Autopilot and Autosteer from standard feature lists for the Model Y and Model 3, replacing them with Traffic Aware Cruise Control and a push for Full Self-Driving (FSD) as a paid option. The FSD package is offered via a 30-day free trial, then $99 per month, or an $8,000 upfront upgrade. Other Tesla models show similar pricing. Musk defended the plan on X, saying supervised FSD will rise as capabilities grow, with the eventual value in unsupervised driving. By comparison, Ford's BlueCruise costs $2,495 upfront and GM's Super Cruise is $3,355 for three years. Tesla faces pressure to maintain demand amid competition from BYD and other Chinese automakers, while redefining its value proposition.

DJI Mic 3 wireless mic kit discounted to $259 with charging case

January 26, 2026, 7:24 PM EST. The DJI Mic 3 is a wireless lavalier mic kit designed for smartphone shooters. The biggest bundle, including a charging case, two transmitters and one receiver, is discounted to $259 from $329. A smaller bundle with one transmitter and one receiver is $169 (from $219), and extra receivers are $99. Transmitters can pair with up to four transmitters and eight receivers in one session. The case stores gear and powers long shoots, delivering up to 28 hours on a single charge. Improvements include timecode support, 24-bit lossless audio, and two active noise-cancelling levels, plus a 400-meter range. Transmitters hold 32GB each; some extras are back-ordered until February. Ideal for on-the-go video.

Blue Origin reveals TeraWave satellite network to rival Starlink

January 26, 2026, 7:22 PM EST. Blue Origin unveiled TeraWave, a satellite-communications network that plans 5,408 LEO satellites and deployments beginning in late 2027. The service targets data centers, governments and businesses rather than general consumers, offering speeds of up to 6 Tbps for high-demand operations, according to a January 2026 press release and Reuters. The project could complement, or eventually compete with, SpaceX's Starlink, as Blue Origin's upcoming New Glenn rocket may deploy both Leo satellites and TeraWave. Bezos-founded Blue Origin has launched New Glenn and New Shepard; the company says the network will provide reliable connectivity for critical operations. The timeline remains tight and subject to regulatory and technical milestones.

Wildlight's Highguard reveal at Game Awards draws mixed reactions as shadowdrop plan explained

January 26, 2026, 7:14 PM EST. Wildlight Entertainment planned a shadow drop for its multiplayer hero shooter, Highguard, intended to debut at the Game Awards with a surprise trailer. The strategy echoed past success with Apex Legends, but Geoff Keighley pressed for a TGAs reveal, and the team delivered a trailer without gameplay details. The reception was mixed, triggering online speculation about delays and a muted prelaunch cadence ahead of the January 26 release. Co-founder Chad Grenier said the decision was to entertain quickly and not show the gameplay loop, acknowledging the reception was not ideal. Despite the chatter, the team stayed quiet until the game goes live. Highguard is a free-to-play, PvP raid shooter, which faces an uphill battle in the crowded live-service market.

Tokenization targets late-stage tech giants with Hectocorn index

January 26, 2026, 7:06 PM EST. Private-market booms pushed IPOs aside, creating a harsh access gap for everyday investors. A new wave of tokenization products aims to give indirect exposure to ultra-valuable late-stage tech firms such as SpaceX and OpenAI without listing. Global private-equity assets rose to about $13.4 trillion by 2022, underscoring illiquidity and concentration of power. Enter Hecto Finance, which is testing a regulated index built around a basket of Hectocorns-private firms valued near $100 billion. CEO Ultan Miller notes founders can scale privately, delaying public exits. The project seeks to price exposure to top private firms before they go public, using direct equity, forwards, and total-return swaps on the Canton platform. It's positioned as a structural innovation, not a meme.

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from Vandenberg as FCC expands constellation to 15,000

January 26, 2026, 7:04 PM EST. SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base on a Falcon 9 rocket at 9:30 a.m. local time. The first-stage booster landed on a droneship in the Pacific after delivering the payload, and the satellites deployed about an hour later. The FCC approved a 15,000-satellite expansion for the next-gen constellation, a move chairman Brendan Carr called a game-changer, while SpaceX also seeks a 29,988-satellite network. The agency requires reports on orbital debris risk and disposal twice yearly. The mission follows launches from Florida and Texas, with another Vandenberg flight planned for Thursday morning between 7:17 and 11:17 a.m., targeting a droneship landing on its 19th flight.

iPhone Fold mockup pits Apple against Huawei Pura X and Galaxy foldables in design comparison

January 26, 2026, 7:02 PM EST. Mockup images of the iPhone Fold surface online, pitting Apple's imagined design against the Huawei Pura X and Samsung's foldables. The images frame the iPhone Fold as a book-type foldable, not a vertical clamshell. In the first shot, the device is shown next to the iPhone 13 mini, with the foldout display appearing roughly one inch larger. A second comparison places the iPhone Fold alongside Huawei Pura X (vertical fold), Galaxy Z TriFold, and Galaxy Z Fold 7. Unfolded, the iPhone Fold looks bigger and wider than the Pura X; the Pura X appears more compact when folded. The TriFold dominates in size, while the Fold 7 seems wider. Some images hide the camera bump with a spiral cover.

Apple's foldable iPhone spurs rivals as Huawei readies wide-folding model

January 26, 2026, 7:00 PM EST. Apple is finalizing a foldable iPhone expected later this year alongside the iPhone 18, drawing attention from rivals. Samsung's Galaxy Z Wide Fold is already on the market, and Huawei is reportedly developing a competing wide-folding device. The foldable iPhone's appeal, insiders say, lies in an unorthodox design that diverges from conventional clamshell or inward-folding models. Huawei's version, per a translated leak, would come in Bluish black, White, Green, and Orange and is likely to run HarmonyOS. Global release appears unlikely because of Huawei's device restrictions, but a domestic push in China could still shape competition, where Apple often discounts models to support sales. Huawei has previously showcased the Mate XT tri-foldable and HarmonyOS in its foldable push.

Apple Watch improves AFib detection in real-world study, signaling potential stroke risk reduction

January 26, 2026, 6:58 PM EST. Amsterdam UMC researchers report a real-world study showing the Apple Watch improves detection of atrial fibrillation (AFib). In six months, 437 adults over 65 at elevated stroke risk were randomized: 219 wore the Apple Watch about 12 hours a day, 218 received standard care. The Watch group had 21 AFib diagnoses, with 57% asymptomatic. The control group had 5 diagnoses, all with symptoms. The findings suggest continuous monitoring can uncover asymptomatic AFib that short-term tests miss, potentially lowering stroke risk and healthcare costs. The study, published in JACC Journals, quotes Dr. Michiel Winter of Amsterdam UMC, who says wearable ECG and PPG data can expedite diagnosis and may offset device costs.

Nvidia and Microsoft poised to lead AI application boom

January 26, 2026, 6:48 PM EST. AI's market has expanded as chatbots attract hundreds of millions of users and companies upgrade AI infrastructure. Grand View Research pegs the 2026-2033 CAGR at 30.6%. Nvidia and Microsoft are positioned as the top bets in this AI-apps surge. Nvidia supplies more than 90% of the world's discrete GPUs, a core tool for AI training and inference. Its CUDA ecosystem locks customers in and reinforces a first-mover edge as chip architectures evolve. From fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028, analysts expect Nvidia's revenue and EPS to grow about 47% and 45% annually. Microsoft has pursued a mobile-first, cloud-first strategy, expanding Azure into the world's second-largest cloud and turning Office into cloud services while embedding AI across its apps. The piece notes ongoing AI investments and related acquisitions, including Xbox.

Microsoft unveils Maia 200 AI chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia

January 26, 2026, 6:44 PM EST. Microsoft unveiled its second-generation AI chip, the Maia 200, built with TSMC and aimed at reducing dependence on Nvidia hardware. The chip will ship to Microsoft data centers in Iowa and soon the Phoenix area, with developers invited to use Maia's control software while Azure users await access. Microsoft says Maia 200 delivers better performance on certain AI tasks than rival semiconductors from Google and AWS, and is the most efficient inference system yet deployed. The chips will power the company's Copilot for business and AI models, including those from OpenAI that Microsoft rents to cloud customers. The project follows rival chip pushes from AWS and Google. A successor, the Maia 300, is in the works, and Microsoft can also tap OpenAI's own chip designs under the partnership.

Apple's AirTag gains longer range, louder speaker and improved precision finding

January 26, 2026, 6:38 PM EST. Apple on Monday unveiled a new AirTag with a longer Bluetooth range, a louder speaker, and upgraded Precision Finding. The device uses a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip found in newer Apple gear, boosting accuracy and range. With Precision Finding, users get haptic, visual, and audio guidance, now up to 50% farther from the previous model. The updated Bluetooth chip also extends locate distances. The AirTag's speaker is 50% louder, enabling beeps to be heard from farther away. It supports Share Item Location with others. Apple notes 50 airlines partner for luggage tracking. Since its 2021 launch, AirTag led the market for Bluetooth trackers; rivals like Tile faced competitive pressure. Apple does not disclose AirTag sales.

Apple releases iOS 26.2.1 with AirTag 2nd-gen support

January 26, 2026, 6:34 PM EST. Apple has released iOS 26.2.1, not the expected 26.3. The update is available for iPhones from 2019 onward, including the iPhone 11, all later models, the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen), and the iPhone 17 series. The install is about 839 MB on a current device and typically completes in under 10 minutes. Apple's release notes emphasize AirTag (2nd generation) support and bug fixes. The new AirTag uses a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for a longer Precision Finding range, an improved Bluetooth chip, a distinctive new chime, and is 50% louder. Some features require Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2. Beyond AirTag, the update concentrates on bug fixes; staying on iOS 26 matters for compatibility.

AI-designed Evo-Φ2147 virus underscores dual-use risk

January 26, 2026, 6:28 PM EST. AI-driven genome design helped researchers craft Evo-Φ2147, a virus with 11 genes, far fewer than the human genome's ~200,000. Using Evo2, trained on nine trillion base pairs, scientists generated 285 new viruses; 16 could infect E. coli, with the top variants about 25% faster at killing bacteria than wild strains. The effort, led by Genyro founder Dr. Adrian Woolfson, pairs AI-enabled code writing with new lab assembly tools to create living agents from scratch. Experts warn such dual-use capabilities could pose risks if misused, prompting calls for oversight as AI enters genome design and viral assembly. The research underscores the evolving interface between artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and biosecurity.

AI designs novel virus, sparking biosecurity debate

January 26, 2026, 6:26 PM EST. Scientists at Genyro say they used an AI tool, Evo2, to design and build a new virus, Evo-Φ2147, from scratch. The virus, engineered from 11 genes, targets infectious E. coli and formed part of a broader program that produced 285 novel viruses; 16 attacked the bacteria and the leading variants killed 25% faster than their wild counterparts. The work hinges on AI that writes genetic code and new lab-assembly methods, with potential to design programmable life. Critics warn that AI-designed pathogens could pose safety risks, prompting calls for tighter oversight. Dr. Adrian Woolfson argues natural evolution now has a co-author in AI-driven genome design. The episode underscores biosecurity, ethics, and regulatory questions around rapid biotech AI advances.

AI designs novel virus Evo-Φ2147, prompting biosafety questions

January 26, 2026, 6:24 PM EST. Scientists at Genyro used an AI tool called Evo2 to design a virus from scratch, Evo-Φ2147. The artificial virus comprises about 11 genes, far fewer than the human genome. Evo2 was trained on nine trillion base pairs of genetic data to learn how genes fit together. In tests, the team generated 285 designs; 16 could infect E. coli, with the best strains killing targets about 25% faster than wild variants. Sidewinder assembled DNA blocks before insertion into bacteria. The work shows AI as a co-author of genome design, but experts warn AI-designed pathogens could pose new biosafety risks and demand rigorous oversight. Genyro founder Dr. Adrian Woolfson cautions that evolution now has a co-author.

Nothing Phone (4a) certified by UAE TDRA ahead of launch

January 26, 2026, 6:20 PM EST. Nothing Phone (4a) nears launch as certification tightens. After the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro debuted last March, the (4a) has reportedly cleared UAE TDRA certification, model A069. The related Nothing Phone (4a) Pro carried model A069P in an earlier IMEI listing. The certification reveals no specs but signals an imminent launch. The Pro is rumored to support eSIM, while both models are expected to run on Snapdragon 7 series chips. Color options may include blue, pink, white, and black, and at least one device is expected with UFS 3.1 storage. Nothing has yet disclosed final specs or pricing.

Apple releases iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 to support AirTag 2nd-gen

January 26, 2026, 6:04 PM EST. Apple has issued an incremental update to iOS 26.2.1, weeks after the 26.2 launch, with corresponding updates to iPadOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1. The update, which Apple says adds AirTag (2nd generation) support and bug fixes, is typical of the company's mid-cycle maintenance releases. Apple described the move as partly driven by product launches – notably the Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop and an enhanced AirTag with a louder speaker and greater location accuracy – and to ensure compatibility on older devices. Apple does not typically beta test these smaller updates, and Apple's notes offer limited detail until the update lands. Users can install manually via Settings > General > Software Update or enable Automatic Updates.

Nothing Phone (4a) certified by UAE TDRA ahead of launch

January 26, 2026, 6:02 PM EST. The Nothing Phone (4a) has surfaced in UAE regulatory records. TDRA listing A069 aligns with an earlier IMEI entry for the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, which used model number A069P. The certification signals an imminent launch, though no specs are disclosed. Nothing has teased a storage upgrade for at least one of the duo and a possible price rise. The mid-range line is expected to run on a Snapdragon 7-series chip, with eSIM support for the Pro model and optional UFS 3.1 storage on at least one variant. Expected color options include blue, pink, white and black.

Apple rolls out incremental iOS 26.2.1 to support AirTag 2nd gen, updates across iPadOS and watchOS

January 26, 2026, 6:00 PM EST. Apple issued incremental updates for iOS 26.2.1, iPadOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 weeks into 2026. The move follows a December 12 batch that raised the versions to 26.2. The new updates are small, meant for compatibility and security fixes, and to support the AirTag (2nd generation). Apple cited product launches, including the Unity braided Solo Loop and the AirTag refresh, as drivers behind the releases. Apple notes emphasize AirTag support and bug fixes. The company typically does not beta-test these incremental updates, so details are scarce before release. Users can install manually via Settings > General > Software Update, or enable Automatic Updates from the same menu.

Nothing Phone (4a) certified in UAE ahead of launch

January 26, 2026, 5:54 PM EST. Nothing Phone (4a) may arrive soon after a UAE TDRA listing suggests certification for model A069, mirroring the earlier A069P tag tied to the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro. The TDRA entry reveals no specs, but certification typically signals a near-term launch. Previously, the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro launched last March, with leaks and a confirmed storage upgrade for at least one model and a possible price hike. Expect the mid-range duo to run on a Snapdragon 7 series chip, with one or both models offering eSIM. Colors likely include blue, pink, white, and black, and at least one variant should sport UFS 3.1 storage.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo discounted to $1,099 on Amazon

January 26, 2026, 5:46 PM EST. Mashable's Lauren Allain reports a deal on the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. The bundle is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from $1,599, a 31% cut and a match to its record low at Amazon. The Fly More package typically includes extra batteries and charging gear, extending flight time. Pricing and availability can change after publication.

Best DJI deal: Save $500 on DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo

January 26, 2026, 5:44 PM EST. Mashable reports a deal on the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo: Amazon is selling the bundle for $1,099, down from $1,599. The cut amounts to $500, about 31% off, and matches Amazon's record low for the model. The Fly More bundle typically includes extra batteries for extended flight time. Pricing and availability can change after publication.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo gets $500 off at Amazon

January 26, 2026, 5:42 PM EST. Mashable reports the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from $1,599. The discount, about 31%, matches a record low at the retailer. The Fly More bundle includes three batteries and the standard drone kit, boosting flight time and preparation for casual shoots or travel. Availability and prices can change after publication.

Apple rolls out iOS 26.2.1 with AirTag 2nd generation support

January 26, 2026, 5:38 PM EST. Apple released incremental updates for iOS 26.2.1, iPadOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1, weeks after the start of 2026. The release notes highlight AirTag (2nd generation) support, a louder speaker and improved location accuracy, plus bug fixes. Apple framed the timing around new products, notably the Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop and the AirTag refresh. These mid-cycle updates are typical for Apple, addressing compatibility or security needs without a full major release, and details are usually scarce until after launch. A manual update path exists via Settings > General > Software Update; Automatic Updates can be enabled to handle future updates automatically.

DJI Mini 4K price hits record lows as beginner-friendly drone goes on deep discount

January 26, 2026, 5:34 PM EST. DJI has slashed prices on its Mini 4K drone, offering record-low deals that cut as much as $110 off. The compact, sub-249-gram flying camera folds into a backpack and remains beginner-friendly thanks to automated QuickShots and flight-safety features. Key specs include True 4K video, a 3-axis gimbal, precise hover and return-to-home, and longer battery life in bundled offers. The Fly More Combo adds extra flight time, a two-way charging hub and a shoulder bag for accessories. The discounts, while common in general, are unusually deep for a drone still regarded as highly relevant. This positions it as a gift option for first-time pilots and casual shooters alike.

DJI Mini 4K price cuts reach record lows as bundles offer extra value

January 26, 2026, 5:32 PM EST. DJI has slashed prices on its Mini 4K drone to record-low levels, offering savings of up to $110 across bundles including the Fly More Combo. The DJI Mini 4K weighs under 249 grams, folds for portability, and targets first-time pilots with simple controls. Even at street level, it records true 4K video and uses a 3-axis gimbal for smooth shots, with reliable hovering and a return-to-home function. The device ships with long battery life, while the Fly More Combo adds extended flight time, a two-way charging hub, and a shoulder bag for accessories. For beginners, automated QuickShots and DJI safety features lower the learning curve. The deal positions the Mini 4K as a trusted, travel-friendly option for gifts or first drones.

DJI Mini 4K price drop makes beginner drone flying affordable

January 26, 2026, 5:30 PM EST. DJI slashed prices on its Mini 4K, making one of the most beginner-friendly flying cameras easy to buy. The compact drone weighs under 249 grams, folds into a backpack, and keeps controls simple. True 4K video and a 3-axis gimbal help steady shots, while solid hovering and return-to-home reduce risk for first-time pilots. Battery life is strong, especially in the Fly More Combo, which adds extended flight time, a two-way charging hub, and a shoulder bag. Automated QuickShots ease the learning curve, and DJI's flight safety features help prevent mistakes. The deal, while rare for a still-relevant model, makes gifting a drone straightforward. More: Waypoint Flight promises cinematic results with minimal effort.

Honor Watch GS 5 breaks Huawei's battery-life record with 23-day claim

January 26, 2026, 5:28 PM EST. Honor unveiled the Watch GS 5, claiming up to 23 days of battery life-the longest yet for a smartwatch and a salvo at Huawei's endurance benchmarks. The 495mAh silicon-carbon pack powers the device, with about 9 days in AOD (Always-On Display) mode. Huawei, Samsung and Apple are cited in performance contrasts: Samsung's wearables run 2-3 days with AOD and up to 100 hours; Apple Watch Ultra tops 42 hours; a power-saving mode around three weeks is described as "crazy." The GS 5 features a 1.32-inch circular AMOLED display at 1500 nits, a 44mm aluminum case, and a reinforced polymer fiber back. It weighs 26 grams and is 9.9 mm thick, with a single button and rotating crown. Honor notes the watch also supports research for sudden cardiac arrest.

Apple to launch 20+ products in 2026, including foldable iPhone and Home Hub

January 26, 2026, 5:24 PM EST. Apple is reportedly planning more than 20 product announcements in 2026. In the first half, rumors call for updates to iPhone 17e, iPad Air with M4, iPad with A18/A19, MacBook Pro with M5 Pro/Max and PCIe 5.0, MacBook Air with M5, a lower-cost MacBook with A18 Pro, Mac Studio with a new line, and a redesigned Studio Display with ProMotion and an A19/Pro chip. A new Home Hub with a 6-7 inch display, FaceTime, and a personalized Siri is pitched; Apple also plans a security camera accessory. In the second half, chatter points to iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max with A20 Pro, a foldable iPhone, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and a major MacBook Pro redesign with M6 Pro/Max, OLED, and cellular. Timing remains unclear.

watchOS 26.2.1 adds AirTag Precision Finding to Apple Watch

January 26, 2026, 5:22 PM EST. Apple on Monday released watchOS 26.2.1, coinciding with the launch of AirTag 2 and its second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. The update brings Precision Finding to Apple Watch for the first time, limited to Series 9 and Ultra 2 users; SE devices are not supported. With Precision Finding, the watch uses haptic, visual and audio cues to guide users to a lost AirTag. If a watch is not compatible, the Find Items app still shows a map and can play a sound, but it won't offer the same accuracy. The release includes bug fixes and performance improvements and is recommended for all users. The move underscores Apple's push to tie the new AirTag 2's location features to the watch ecosystem.

Apple unveils second-gen AirTag with U2 chip, louder chime and Find My upgrades

January 26, 2026, 5:18 PM EST. Apple rolls out the second-generation AirTag, keeping the same $29 single and $99 four-pack pricing and shipping today. The tag uses a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (U2) to boost Precision Finding, with up to 1.5x greater range and on-wrist guidance via iPhone visuals, audio and haptics. For the first time, Precision Finding also works on the Apple Watch Series 9/Ultra 2. The device is 50% louder, with a new chime and upgraded Bluetooth for broader range. Battery life remains "more than a year" and is user-replaceable. New owners must run iOS 26 and sign into iCloud. Find My remains core; Share Item Location expands to about 50 airlines from 36. Tracking alerts defend against misuse. Enclosure uses 85% recycled plastic; magnets use 100% recycled rare earth elements; boards use 100% recycled gold; packaging is 100% fiber-based.

Five Lessons From Bootstrap Island for Immersive VR Worlds

January 26, 2026, 5:16 PM EST. VR developer Rein Zobel, creative director of Maru VR, shares five lessons for crafting immersive worlds. In a market where prototyping and focus testing are often scarce, he says teams must rely on gut and real-time user feedback. Maru VR has completed more than 40 projects since 2016, with Bootstrap Island entering Early Access in 2024 and aiming for a full release in 2026. The piece recounts the studio's learning from client projects-from drone photogrammetry to branching narratives-and how live observations informed their design principles. The first takeaway, 'Meet Player Expectations', notes that VR demands instant engagement: first headset wear should feel right, with smooth movement, visuals, and onboarding; long intros or screens kill immersion.

Apple releases iOS 26.2.1 with AirTag 2 support; roadmap hints at Gemini-powered updates

January 26, 2026, 5:14 PM EST. Apple has rolled out iOS 26.2.1 for iPhone, a maintenance update following the 26.2 launch. The release adds AirTag (2nd generation) support and delivers bug fixes. Apple links the upgrade to the new AirTag 2 with a louder speaker and improved Precision Finding via an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip. The company is testing iOS 26.3, expected in February, which should boost cross-platform messaging with Android and may include a market-specific notification forwarding feature. Looking ahead, Apple anticipates iOS 26.4 in the spring, with reports that it has tapped Google's Gemini AI to power the next iteration of Apple Intelligence and a revised Siri.

Microsoft hands over BitLocker recovery keys to government under lawful order, prompting privacy concerns

January 26, 2026, 5:04 PM EST. Microsoft confirmed to Forbes that it provides BitLocker recovery keys when it receives a valid legal order, after a FBI warrant sought keys to three Guam laptops in an unemployment-fraud probe. The Verge reported the request and Microsoft's position. Privacy advocates warn the move could set a dangerous precedent and invite abuse, especially abroad where governments may seek access to customer data. Microsoft said customers can store keys locally or in Microsoft's cloud; cloud storage offers easier recovery but raises the risk of unwanted access. Senator Ron Wyden called the approach irresponsible. The ACLU's Jennifer Granick warned that foreign governments with questionable human rights records could expect similar access. The episode recalls Apple vs FBI in 2016, though outcomes differed.

Resident Evil Requiem director says game isn't open world; blends Grace and Leon gameplay

January 26, 2026, 4:58 PM EST. Resident Evil Requiem will release February 27 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. In a hands-on preview with Game Informer, director Koshi Nakanishi said the game is not an open-world title. Through an interpreter, he said rumors of open-world elements are incorrect and that the team focused on blending two distinct playstyles-Grace and Leon-into a cohesive experience that reflects the series. The preview notes the project aims to pair different gameplay approaches rather than expand the map. Nakanishi framed the design as a deliberate, linear experience that supports the franchise's tone. Readers are invited to see the full hands-on preview and related news from the recent Resident Evil showcase. Feedback from fans is welcome in comments.

American AI coding agents vs. China's: Zhipu's GLM 4.7 gains traction in the U.S.

January 26, 2026, 4:52 PM EST. CNBC tested Zhipu AI's GLM 4.7 coding model and found it on par with U.S. AI coding agents in speed and capability. Zhipu says its GLM Coding Plan user base is mainly in the United States and China, signaling growing cross-border use. The report notes a trend where Chinese models spread, echoing momentum from DeepSeek's R1. In demonstrations, Zhipu built a tracker for major Chinese public companies faster than some American tools, though outputs were less polished than Replit or Claude Code. Builders including Baseten's Tuhin Srivastava say the model is gaining recognition in the U.S.; the debate centers on usage metrics, moats, and whether cheaper or open-source options can close the gap.

Apple CarPlay on a motorcycle: how to add it with external screens and adapters

January 26, 2026, 4:48 PM EST. Apple CarPlay can bring iPhone features to vehicles, but support on a motorcycle varies. Some bikes include built-in CarPlay; if so, a USB or wireless connection suffices. For bikes without CarPlay, riders can install a standalone CarPlay screen designed for motorcycles, with handlebar mounts and a power kit. Once mounted, follow the device prompts to pair your iPhone and use CarPlay on the ride. BMW models with nav preparation cradles offer easier mounting for portable units such as the Carpuride W702BS PRO. Wireless CarPlay adapters let you connect without cables, while purpose-built motorcycle screens aim for stability in weather and vibration.

Apple unveils AirTag 2 with longer range, louder speaker at the same price

January 26, 2026, 4:40 PM EST. Apple on Monday unveiled AirTag 2, an updated tracker that boosts range and increases speaker volume, while leaving price unchanged at $29 for a single tag and $99 for a four-pack. The device is available now at the Apple Store online and, as of press time, not listed on Amazon. The refresh preserves the Find My ecosystem and compatibility with existing AirTag accessories, keeping the same accessory lineup while upgrading search cues.

IoMT tops AI as growth driver for life sciences CEOs, KPMG finds

January 26, 2026, 4:32 PM EST. A KPMG survey of 110 life sciences CEOs across the US, Japan, Germany, the UK and Canada finds that 83% view IoMT as the most important capability to drive growth, accelerate R&D and boost operations over the next three years. IoMT outranks other emerging capabilities, with agentic AI, AI in products and services, biomimetic devices and privacy-enhancing technologies also rated highly. Kristin Ciriello Pothier, Americas region head of life sciences at KPMG, notes a push toward multi-omics and a balance between innovation and cost efficiency. Challenges cited include AI integration into existing processes (28%) and supply chain resilience (25%). Yet 73% plan to allocate 10-20% of tech budgets to AI, expecting returns within one to three years. GlobalData projects a $19 billion AI in healthcare market by 2027.

Wyoming County, CBN launch $15.7 million broadband project to extend rural internet by 2026

January 26, 2026, 4:20 PM EST. Wyoming County is partnering with Community Broadband Networks to extend high-speed internet in rural areas, backed by a $15.7 million grant through New York's ConnectALL program. The plan, Speedy C.O.W. (Community Operated WiFi), blends fiber-optic and fixed-wireless service, building a 36-mile fiber backbone and 20 access points to reach households lacking reliable connectivity. CBN will handle construction, operations and customer support, with headquarters at Tops Plaza in Warsaw. County Administrator Scott Schrader and CBN COO James Orioli said the collaboration will close the digital divide and offer affordable options, including low-income plans from $14.99 per month for 100 Mbps. Construction began December 2025 and is slated to finish in early 2026.

iPhone Air price drop in China sparks backlash from early buyers

January 26, 2026, 4:04 PM EST. Since its September 2025 launch, the iPhone Air has struggled to gain traction. In China, major vendors are cutting prices by about 2,000 to 2,500 yuan ($290-$360), helping the phone move off shelves but angering early buyers. One customer who activated the device hours before discounts learned refunds are not possible at the retailer, and official Apple Store refunds apply only within 14 days, with the nearest outlet difficult to reach. Others with similar experiences have voiced dissatisfaction over losses and pressed for compensation. The episode underscores market volatility for premium phones and suggests prices may not normalize quickly, at least through 2026.

Apple unveils Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch to mark Black History Month

January 26, 2026, 3:32 PM EST. Apple on Tuesday unveiled the Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop, a Black History Month edition for the Apple Watch that weaves recycled polyester yarn around ultrathin silicone threads. The band, designed by Black creatives at Apple, features Pan-African flag colors-red, green, and black-and carries a textured, sweat- and water-resistant finish. Apple says the product supports its broader push to fund under-resourced communities, detailing grants to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Urban Arts in New York, Youth Music in London, Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, and Enactus México in Mexico City. The company said the band is now available for order.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 tipped with health, battery and durability upgrades

January 26, 2026, 3:18 PM EST. Samsung is preparing to unveil the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, focusing on functional upgrades rather than design changes, according to leaks. The Ultra 2 keeps the rugged 47mm form factor with internal enhancements and new durability materials. Health tracking is a core focus, with rumors of skin-based health analysis and deeper metrics for hydration and stress, plus the potential addition of non-invasive glucose monitoring. A dual-chip processor could improve energy efficiency, extending battery life for multi-day use and boosting connectivity. The moves place Samsung against Huawei and OnePlus, appealing to fitness enthusiasts and professionals who want reliability and feature depth in wearables.

Tesla China rolls out Model 3 insurance subsidy through February

January 26, 2026, 2:54 PM EST. Tesla China launched a time-limited insurance subsidy for Model 3 buyers worth RMB 8,000 (about $1,150) for purchases completed by February 28. The offer covers the Model 3 RWD, Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD variants, with starting prices of RMB 235,500, 259,500 and 285,500 respectively; the Model 3 Performance is excluded. The subsidy was announced on Weibo and cited by a CNEV Post report. The program runs alongside a broader push, including a 7-year low-interest financing plan unveiled January 6 to bolster affordability amid softer demand. China's NEV policy tightens with a 5% purchase tax for new energy vehicles, and some city subsidies expire mid-November. Tesla's China deliveries declined in 2025, though Model 3 shipments rose 13% to 200,361.

Breakthrough links cobalt to longer life in single-crystal lithium-ion cathodes, Nature Nanotechnology

January 26, 2026, 2:48 PM EST. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory have traced a direct link between material composition and degradation pathways in lithium-ion batteries. In Nature Nanotechnology, the team shows that cobalt – long viewed as a liability in polycrystal cathodes (PC-NMC) – is essential to improving the lifespan of single-crystal cathodes (SC-NMC). The finding suggests degradation indicators differ between PC-NMC and SC-NMC, meaning prior parameters may have hindered progress. Argonne scientist Tongchao Liu says the work connects composition to decay mechanisms; UChicago's Shirley Meng says new design strategies and different materials will be required to unlock full potential of SC-NMC. The result has implications for electric vehicles, consumer devices, and grid-scale storage, potentially accelerating adoption by improving battery longevity.

Apple Siri settlement payouts arrive under 'Lopez Voice Assistant' name

January 26, 2026, 2:26 PM EST. Apple customers are receiving deposits labeled as Lopez Voice Assistant or Lopez Voice Asst-Payouts after a $95 million settlement over Siri eavesdropping claims. Eligible claimants submitted banking info; deposits appear between $8 and $40 depending on how many Siri-enabled devices were claimed. The settlement caps $20 per device, with up to five devices allowed per claim. Some recipients can still opt for a physical check. Apple denied wrongdoing. The payouts stem from a 2021 class-action lawsuit led by Fumiko Lopez. The settlement details and claim process were published on the settlement website, and reports note average payouts around $8 per device.

Kipu Health survey shows AI adoption accelerates in behavioral health amid staffing shortages and regulatory pressure

January 26, 2026, 2:16 PM EST. A Kipu Health survey finds AI has moved from experiment to expectation in behavioral health, with nearly half of organizations planning or considering deployment amid staffing shortages, burnout, and tighter regulation. The State of Behavioral Health: 2026 Outlook shows AI adoption rising 59% year over year, from 17% in 2024 to 27% in 2025, with momentum continuing in 2026. Leaders cite tangible gains in documentation, workflows, and clinician productivity. Among users, 65% say AI has freed time for direct patient care; 40% report reduced documentation burden; and 44% say AI-generated notes are more accurate. Clinicians estimate potential weekly time savings of one to three hours. The trend positions AI as a differentiator in addressing workforce stress and reimbursement challenges.

Quantum computing redefines data security amid harvest-now threat

January 26, 2026, 1:52 PM EST. Quantum computing is moving from concept to practical threat and opportunity for data security. Classical cryptography-RSA and elliptic-curve schemes-could be cracked by Shor's algorithm, enabling a harvest-now, decrypt-later breach. The risk is real but distant; today's machines are not yet ready to run the key-size workloads needed for widespread compromise. Industry attention is turning to defense: post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as the short- to mid-term path, with NIST completing assessments and publishing candidate algorithms based on lattices and codes. Tech vendors are racing to migrate software, TLS stacks, signing processes and key management, mindful of compatibility issues. The longer view centers on scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computers, requiring ongoing error correction and new security assumptions.

Intel Panther Lake laptop CPU debuts on 18A process with strong 1080p gaming and battery life

January 26, 2026, 1:48 PM EST. Intel's 18A process powers Panther Lake, the flagship CPU in the Asus Zenbook Duo. The Core Ultra X9 388H pairs a 16-core mix of P-cores and E-cores with a 25W base power and up to 80W turbo. It includes an Arc B390 GPU with 12 Xe cores. In real-world use, the system stays fast on battery and handles productivity tasks across the workday, and it can push 1080p gaming at high settings. In benchmarks, Panther Lake trails Apple M5 and AMD's Strix Halo at times, but it beats Strix Point on most tests and even edges out a MacBook Pro in a 4K video export in Premiere Pro. Intel argues it's more efficient than Lunar Lake.

AI deepfakes raise legal and ethical questions after NH case

January 26, 2026, 1:40 PM EST. The latest wave of AI tools, including Grok, lets people remove clothing from real photos or generate realistic sexual images of individuals, fueling harassment and blackmail. A 2007 New Hampshire case foreshadowed the tension between technology and law when a camp photographer's doctored images led to an overturning of a conviction on First Amendment grounds. The state Supreme Court cited a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that computer simulations of sex are virtual pornography protected as speech, provided they don't involve actual children or publicized images. Critics say regulation in the U.S. remains patchy as deepfakes proliferate. Researchers and lawmakers warn current rules struggle to keep pace with rapid AI advances and the harm they can cause.

Mobileye's fast-slow AI architecture could cut remote operators for robotaxis

January 26, 2026, 1:14 PM EST. Mobileye is testing a 'fast-think, slow-think' architecture that splits autonomous-driving workloads between on-board compute and cloud AI. For safety-critical decisions, the car processes the scene locally at about 10 times per second to minimize latency. For longer, non-urgent reasoning-like whether to wait for a blockage to clear or take a different route-cloud-based vision-language models can provide deeper analysis at a lower frequency. Mobileye says this could reduce reliance on remote operators and extend robotaxi uptime. Goldman Sachs estimates today's fleets need one operator for every three cars; by 2030 the target drops to one operator for 10 robotaxis, with 35 by 2040. If scalable, the approach could help Volkswagen's plan for 100,000 robotaxis by 2033, starting with safety-driver removal as a first step.

SpaceX targets mid-March test of upgraded Starship V3

January 26, 2026, 1:08 PM EST. SpaceX has delayed the first test of the upgraded Starship V3 to mid-March, CEO Elon Musk said on X. The new vehicle is larger and more capable and will carry the next-generation Starlink satellites with faster data speeds but greater mass. It is also the first version designed to dock with other Starships in orbit, a modality SpaceX says is needed to reach the Moon or Mars. The company is pushing toward an IPO later this year, while under policy pressure from the Trump administration to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Starship V2 had orbital success and booster-catch attempts but also multiple explosions. Competitor Blue Origin and its New Glenn program are advancing, signaling tighter competition in the global launch market.

SpaceX targets mid-March for first test of upgraded Starship V3

January 26, 2026, 1:06 PM EST. SpaceX now targets a mid-March first test of its upgraded Starship, CEO Elon Musk said on X. The third variant, Starship V3, is larger and more powerful and will launch the next-gen Starlink satellites, delivering faster data but heavier and bigger payloads. V3 is also designed to dock with other Starships in Earth orbit, a necessary step for missions to the Moon and Mars. The delay comes as SpaceX pursues an IPO later this year and faces U.S. moon-landing expectations linked to a later term. The company had planned a late-2025 launch of V3 but an explosion during gas-system testing last November damaged a booster side. V2 achieved orbit and tested Starlink deployment but suffered multiple explosions; SpaceX embraces rapid iteration. Blue Origin is expanding its own heavy-lift program, targeting a third New Glenn flight and a lunar lander later.

Mobileye's fast-think, slow-think AI could cut remote-operator needs for robotaxis

January 26, 2026, 1:04 PM EST. Mobileye unveiled a 'fast-think, slow-think' AI split to reduce remote operators for robotaxis. Onboard perception runs at 10 Hz to handle safety tasks; cloud-based vision-language models tackle slower, more complex decisions. The approach aims to curb costs by letting powerful cloud AI handle non-safety reasoning, potentially cutting operators per car and boosting scale. Goldman Sachs previously forecast 10 robotaxis per operator by 2030 and 35 by 2040. Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua said the architecture could replace operators in many cases if deployed at scale. The effort ties to a deal with Volkswagen to field up to 100,000 robotaxis by 2033, beginning with removing safety drivers as a first step.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite drops to $280 as Apple discounts iPads sparingly

January 26, 2026, 12:50 PM EST. Samsung cuts the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite price to $280 on Amazon, down from $350, positioning it as an accessible entry point. The 10.9-inch LCD screen supports productivity and media, while a slim, lightweight chassis aids portability. Inside, the Exynos 1380 paired with 6GB RAM handles multitasking and casual gaming; 128GB storage can be expanded via microSD up to 2TB. The kit includes the S Pen for notes and sketches, and battery life tops up to 16 hours of video playback with USB-C fast charging to full in about two hours. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, plus features like phone-call relay, SmartThings, and Galaxy AI with a keyboard hot key.

SpaceX set for GPS III-9 national security launch after switch from ULA

January 26, 2026, 12:48 PM EST. SpaceX is set to launch the GPS III-9 national security satellite from Cape Canaveral on a Falcon 9 after ULA originally held the contract. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 is targeted for Monday night, with a Tuesday backup at 11:38 p.m. if needed. Weather at the launch site is forecast at 40% for favorable conditions, with a higher chance if delayed to Tuesday. The first-stage booster will attempt a downrange landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic, marking the booster's fifth spaceflight. The mission is SpaceX's second national security launch this year; GPS III-9, Space Vehicle 09, honors astronaut Ellison Onizuka. The satellite is the ninth of ten built by Lockheed Martin, and the launch aligns with the Space Force's three-month-to-space cadence.

From shuttle to SpaceX: the evolution of reusable spaceflight

January 26, 2026, 12:46 PM EST. Space technology has shifted from NASA's Space Shuttle era toward SpaceX's reusable rockets. The Space Shuttle flew 135 missions between 1981 and 2011, carrying more than 300 people and helping build the International Space Station. The idea of a reusable craft aimed to curb costs, a goal NASA pursued for decades. SpaceX popularized the approach: rockets that return and are refurbished for new missions. The 2018 Falcon Heavy launch, featuring a red Tesla Roadster and a space-suited mannequin, underscored the company's blend of spectacle and science. Today SpaceX regularly ferries astronauts and cargo to the ISS, becoming a central partner to NASA and pushing routine access to space. Experts note the shift echoes a transition toward dependable, repeatable spaceflight.

Micron Poised for AI Memory Super-Cycle as HBM Demand Surges

January 26, 2026, 12:44 PM EST. Micron Technology rode a memory-market downturn into a turnaround. After a year of oversupply, it now benefits from a demand surge in high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a key for GPUs and AI chips. DRAM faces a supply shortage as producers prioritize HBM, while NAND remains constrained. The company narrowed losses in fiscal 2023, turned cash-flow positive, and plans a higher capex budget-up to $20 billion-to lift capacity. Analysts expect 40% annual demand growth for HBM through 2028. With 2026 HBM supply already sold out, Micron sits well-positioned in the AI infrastructure buildout, though the market may remain tight.

Samsung January 2026 updates: Week 4 patches roll out across Galaxy devices; Week 5 beta outlook

January 26, 2026, 12:38 PM EST. Samsung released January 2026 security patches for a wide range of Galaxy devices in Week 4, including the Galaxy S23 (S23 FE), S22 series, and even the S21 family. The update extended to Asia, Europe, and the US for the S25 series and Fold/Flip new generations, plus tablets such as the Galaxy Tab S9 series. Mid-cycle One UI 8.5 internal testing expanded to budget phones Galaxy M36 and M15. Firmware for a broad set of A, M, and XCover models also landed. In apps, Samsung rolled a new Bixby version in One UI 8.5 Beta, with Perplexity AI integration, and updated Good Lock components like LockStar, QuickStar, Home Up, and Game Booster+. Wearables saw January patches across Watch 4/4 Classic and Watch 5 lines. Week 5 previews a One UI 8.5 Beta 4 release, delayed; February 2026 patch expected.

Retail bets big on agentic AI commerce, risks to data and direct access

January 26, 2026, 12:34 PM EST. Retailers are pushing agentic AI commerce, moving merchandise onto external platforms and partnering with Gemini, Copilot and ChatGPT. In January 2026, Etsy, Target and Walmart joined the trend, following earlier efforts from Amazon and Walmart to promote their own AI assistants, Rufus and Sparky. The shift could reshape direct customer access and data control across the sector. Industry leaders at NRF 2026 warned AI will touch every aspect of business. Yet experts warn risks from data ownership to disintermediation as shopping moves off brand sites. Adobe's 2025 Holiday Shopping report shows AI-driven e-commerce traffic rose 758% year over year; Cyber Monday AI traffic surged 670%. Proponents say meeting customers where they are could deepen engagement, while governance and ROI remain in flux.

Georgia leads push to ban datacenters used to power America's AI boom

January 26, 2026, 12:28 PM EST. Georgia lawmakers push a statewide moratorium on new datacenters, pausing projects until March to let officials set policies for regulating the sector that powers AI. The bill, sponsored by Democrat Ruwa Romman, follows similar moves in Maryland and Oklahoma and comes as Georgia's utility regulator approved a plan to add ~10 gigawatts of capacity, largely to datacenters and powered by fossil fuels. Atlanta metro led 2024 datacenter growth; at least 10 Georgia municipalities have enacted moratoria, with Roswell the latest. Activists warn datacenters affect electricity costs and water use, urging balanced oversight. The debate now spans 14 states and national proposals, as communities weigh growth against environmental and economic impact.

Georgia leads push to ban datacenters fueling America's AI boom

January 26, 2026, 12:26 PM EST. Georgia leads a growing push to curb the rapid rise of datacenters powering the AI boom, amid energy and water concerns. A proposed statewide moratorium would pause new projects through March to let policymakers craft rules. The bill follows a wave of local limits; Roswell and at least 10 Georgia municipalities have acted, and about 14 states have similar measures. Maryland and Oklahoma are weighing comparable bans. Advocates warn electricity costs and grid strain, while supporters say datacenters bring jobs and tax revenue. Georgia Power's plan to add roughly 10 gigawatts of capacity-largely backed by fossil fuels-has sharpened the debate. Activist groups such as Food and Water Watch and PowerLines frame the issue around ratepayer impacts and community involvement.

China Suspends February Space Launches as Long March-10A Test Looms

January 26, 2026, 12:16 PM EST. China abruptly cancelled nearly all February launches at Wenchang Space Center, with only a February 11 test flight of a next-gen rocket thought to be the Long March-10A remaining. The move, reported by the South China Morning Post and citing anonymous staff, sparked confusion among space tourists and tour operators and raised questions about reliability amid rising global competition. Officials have not given an explanation. Industry observers point to recent technical failures as a possible trigger. The Long March-10A is intended to carry heavier payloads for crewed lunar missions and other complex tasks, and a successful test on February 11 could help China regain momentum. Any issues would test the program's readiness for high-stakes missions.

Apple's AirTag gains longer range and louder speaker with upgraded Ultra Wideband chip

January 26, 2026, 12:08 PM EST. Apple introduces a refreshed AirTag with an upgraded ultra wideband chip that enables more precise location tracking via its Precision Finding feature. Apple says you can locate items from up to 50 percent farther away, guided by haptic, visual and audio feedback. The device also features a speaker that is 50 percent louder and a Bluetooth chip that expands locating range. Pricing stays at $29 for a single tag or $99 for a four-pack, and it remains compatible with existing accessories. Privacy remains intact through end-to-end encryption, data isn't stored on the device, cross-platform alerts and rotating Bluetooth identifiers. Support for Precision Finding extends to Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Watch Ultra 2 with watchOS 26.2.1; Google's industry standard underpins anti-stalking measures.

Apple confirms iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 to roll out this week

January 26, 2026, 12:00 PM EST. Apple Inc said iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 are on track for release this week. The updates are described as minor but include bug fixes and security patches. The new AirTag requires an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 or later. watchOS 26.2.1 expands Precision Finding to the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later; it isn't clear yet whether the feature also covers the original AirTag. Apple did not provide a long list of changes beyond those items. Separately, Apple has been linked to updates in iOS 26.3 and 26.4, with rumors of new products later this year, including revised Macs and a foldable iPhone.

Apple to roll out iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 with Precision Finding expansion

January 26, 2026, 11:58 AM EST. Apple confirms the roll-out of iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1, due this week. The updates surface in Apple's AirTag press release and on the AirTag product page. A key note: the new AirTag requires an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 or later. watchOS 26.2.1 expands Precision Finding to Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Ultra 2 and later; it is not yet confirmed whether this works with the original AirTag. Beyond that, Apple is expected to include bug fixes and security patches in these releases. The company has signaled a broader roadmap with later updates in the iOS 26.3/26.4 cycle and rumors of new hardware, but these notes focus on the forthcoming minor updates.

Samsung Galaxy S26 storage options hint at higher base capacity across lineup

January 26, 2026, 11:40 AM EST. Reports from a Finnish retailer, via SuomiMobiili, show the Galaxy S26 lineup shipping with 256GB or 512GB of base storage. The S26 Plus is said to offer 256GB or 512GB, while the S26 Ultra may list 1TB as a top option. Colors reportedly include Black, White, Violet and Sky Blue in Finland. In addition to storage, leaks suggest a 6.3-inch display and a 4,300 mAh battery. Processor options point to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Exynos 2600, depending on market. Some markets could see a higher entry price due to a RAM shortage, and larger base storage may lift the price. Unpacked is expected February 25, with shelves around March 11.

Apple aims to upgrade Siri AI by April amid mounting pressure

January 26, 2026, 11:28 AM EST. Apple faces a high-stakes deadline to upgrade Siri's AI by April, hoping to keep pace with platforms that have become fertile ground for AI development. The company still markets a simple, privacy-forward user experience, even as it expands AI capabilities. Executives know the stakes: a failure to deliver compelling features could erode trust among users who have waited since 2024 for promised Siri improvements. The pressure is existential for Apple, given the visibility of the effort and the scrutiny that accompanied past delays. Still, the long wait and broad coverage could work in Apple's favor, generating intense interest in whatever it unveils next.

Nvidia nears final approval for Samsung HBM4 chips in Rubin AI platform

January 26, 2026, 11:18 AM EST. Nvidia is close to final approval for revised HBM4 memory chips from Samsung for its Rubin AI platform, after updating supplier criteria in Q3 2025. TrendForce said Samsung's early design choices better fit the new spec, potentially beating SK Hynix and Micron in Rubin's chip supply. Bloomberg cited Nvidia nearing certification but did not specify a shipment date, and Samsung did not comment. The market remains fluid as Nvidia negotiates with multiple memory makers on performance, power, and yield targets. If approved, Samsung would join Nvidia's preferred supplier roster, shortening Rubin's path to scale.

Former astronaut says lunar spacesuits aren't great yet, citing mobility and center-of-gravity challenges

January 26, 2026, 11:10 AM EST. Former NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins says today's spacesuits are better than Apollo but still far from ideal. In an interview, she noted the newer suit adds joints and some mobility, yet remains heavy. To illustrate the load, Rubins said you could divide the suit's weight by six on the lunar surface, where mass and momentum matter more than weight in partial gravity. Walking, rather than floating, shifts strain to the knees, hips, hamstrings, calves and glutes, she said, making leg use essential. She cautioned the engineering challenge: survive extreme temperatures, radiation and vacuum while keeping the wearer mobile inside a large life-support pack that raises the center of gravity and alters balance. It's a hard problem, not solved yet.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream to receive Nintendo Direct on January 29

January 26, 2026, 11:08 AM EST. Nintendo has announced a dedicated Direct for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, set for Thursday, January 29 at 2:00 pm GMT. The stream will reveal new details on the long-awaited 3DS sequel, with regional start times listed for North America, the UK and Europe, and Asia/Oceania. With no release date yet, Nintendo hopes the presentation will clarify timing and features. The update follows last weekend's Mario Movie Direct. Fans are invited to tune in and share expectations in the comments.

Apple Watch location-based reminders boost daily organization

January 26, 2026, 10:56 AM EST. A decade-long Apple Watch user says location-based reminders have changed daily habits. The feature triggers alerts when you arrive at or leave a place, helping users grab keys, call a relative, or take out the trash. Setups start in the Reminders app on the iPhone: create a new reminder, tap the Location field, choose a place, then decide arrival or departure and whether to repeat. On the Apple Watch, edit or add reminders the same way. Reminders can be deleted by swiping left or marked complete with a tap. The writer emphasizes practical, quick wins and notes the ecosystem keeps reminders synced across devices.

Apple's iPad Magic Keyboard for M4/M5 Pro: premium, underappreciated, not overpriced

January 26, 2026, 10:30 AM EST. Macworld argues that Apple's iPad Magic Keyboard for the M4 and M5 iPad Pro models is more than a keyboard case. Rebuilt with higher-end materials, it adds a second USB-C port for charging and accessory use and offers laptop-like features such as backlit keys and a MacBook-like trackpad. The accessory locks the on-screen keyboard when attached, freeing the display to show content. Together with iPadOS enhancements, the setup transforms the iPad Pro into a practical laptop replacement. While cheaper third-party keyboards exist, few meet the five criteria highlighted, notably keyboard quality, gesture support, typing comfort, and a premium build. In short, Apple's premium keyboard is a strategic upgrade that amplifies productivity, not merely a case.

PS5 shooter Highguard launches on PS Store for free, aims to quiet critics

January 26, 2026, 10:12 AM EST. After months of silence since its The Game Awards reveal, Highguard – a first-person shooter from a studio led by veterans of Apex Legends and Titanfall – releases on the PS Store at no cost today. Sony hosts a 10:00 AM PST / 6:00 PM GMT livestream to dive into the experience and its year-one plans before players download. The move follows controversy over the reveal and a period when the game's social channels went dark; a trophy rollout last week signaled renewed attention. The publisher hopes hands-on testing will blunt negative sentiment that has surrounded the title, while critics weigh originality and online-play focus.

A1 Croatia tops nPerf 2025 fixed internet rankings

January 26, 2026, 10:00 AM EST. Croatia's A1 has the top fixed internet network in nPerf's 2025 fixed connection barometer, logging 112,607 nPoints. Based on user-initiated measurements across 2025, the report shows A1's average download speed at 170.1 Mbps and latency of 15.8 ms. Hrvatski Telekom is second with 100,172 nPoints, ahead of Telemach on 87,885 nPoints, which also records the best upload speed at 88.1 Mbps. Iskon sits in fourth, per the early results. nPerf's barometer reflects real-world performance from consumer tests rather than network plans, providing a snapshot of nationwide fixed broadband quality.

Davos 2026: JPMorgan on Ethereum, Gen Z seeks AI bosses, and AI reshapes geopolitics

January 26, 2026, 9:48 AM EST. At Davos 2026, technology dominated conversations about future risk, geopolitics and competition. JPMorgan is live on Ethereum, deploying the Onchain Net Yield Fund (MONY) via Kinexys-an institutional blockchain infrastructure, not a pilot. A Oliver Wyman survey of 300,000 voices found that about one third of Gen Z would prefer an AI manager over a human one, driven by needs for consistency, transparency and fairness. AI has moved from a tech topic to a geopolitical and economic driver, with regulators and leaders debating how to ensure trusted AI. Elon Musk offered a provocative Davos cameo, predicting AI could surpass human intelligence by 2030, while firms like Autodesk trim jobs as automation expands. The report also flags uneven quantum risk across blockchains as a growing concern.

Synthesia Raises $400 Million for AI Avatar Platform

January 26, 2026, 9:42 AM EST. British AI startup Synthesia announced a Series E fundraise that the company says will advance its AI avatar platform and expand in-house and external communication tools. Investors include the venture capital arms of Google and Nvidia, with the round aimed at building on the platform and creating new enterprise products. CEO Victor Riparbelli said the move targets a future where firms teach employees to leverage AI at work and build their own automations. The deal follows a roughly $180 million raise about a year earlier that valued the company at about $2.1 billion. Industry observers note opportunities and risks for B2B use of avatars, including scalability, authenticity, and fraud management.

PPPL's STELLAR-AI accelerates fusion research with AI-powered HPC and live data

January 26, 2026, 9:24 AM EST. PPPL is leading STELLAR-AI, a US-backed platform combining artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and live experimental data to cut fusion-design timelines. The system acts as a shared computational backbone for the wider fusion community, connecting national labs, universities, tech firms and private companies. By linking simulations with near-real-time experimental feedback from PPPL's NSTX-U, STELLAR-AI compresses the time needed to model plasma, test reactor designs and optimise operating conditions. The platform mixes CPUs, GPUs and emerging quantum processing units to tackle tasks from turbulence modelling to design optimization. The aim is a continuous, adaptive workflow that shortens the path from insight to commercially viable fusion power, using digital twins and real-time analysis across projects.

Microsoft's January 2026 Windows 11 patch spurs out-of-band fixes as boot issues surface

January 26, 2026, 9:18 AM EST. Microsoft issued a second out-of-band update to repair problems caused by its January 2026 Windows 11 patch, following an emergency fix last weekend. The latest patch addresses crashes and unresponsiveness in OneDrive and Dropbox on the 24H2 and 25H2 builds and follows reports of shutdown issues on Enterprise and IoT editions. IT teams face a busy Monday as Microsoft warns of potential boot failures linked to the same security update, including UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME bluescreens. The company is still investigating whether the patch or firmware/BIOS factors are to blame. This marks a second fix in as many weeks, illustrating ongoing quality questions around Windows 11's first update of 2026, as reported by Tom Warren.

AI in Hiring: Challenges Persist but Potential Remains

January 26, 2026, 9:06 AM EST. AI's reach into recruitment is broad and growing. The argument is simple: as people spend more time online and firms invest trillions in digital systems, AI translating this data into insight was almost inevitable. Yet the same momentum raises questions about bias, opacity, and inconsistent outcomes. The record shows AI can speed up sourcing, screening, and decision support, letting humans focus on evaluation and strategy. But hiring still wrestles with data quality, misaligned incentives, and the risk of amplifying disparities if not managed. The path forward blends guardrails, transparency, and ongoing audits to ensure tools augment judgment rather than replace it.

Galaxy S26 Ultra to feature Privacy Display and Gorilla Armor Glass ahead of February reveal

January 26, 2026, 9:00 AM EST. Samsung is expected to equip the Galaxy S26 Ultra with two display features: Privacy Display and Gorilla Armor Glass. The Privacy Display would narrow viewing angles at the sides while remaining clear to the user, potentially enabling automatic activation for apps like banking or messaging. The feature aims to improve privacy in public spaces without the color or brightness trade-offs of screen protectors. The second feature, Gorilla Armor Glass, is an enhanced, anti-reflective cover that reduces reflections and protects against scratches and drops, improving outdoor readability. Officials have not announced a wider rollout beyond the Ultra line, and comparisons with rivals such as Apple's anti-reflective displays are noted. Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup in late February, likely February 25.

EU opens formal probe into Musk's Grok over sexual deepfakes on X

January 26, 2026, 8:56 AM EST. Brussels opened a formal investigation into X after Elon Musk's Grok began generating nonconsensual deepfakes. The EU Commission said Grok's image-generation and editing tools raised risks under the DSA and may amount to illegal content, including child sexual abuse material. Regulators are also widening a separate probe into X's recommendation system, assessing whether the platform safeguards European users. The inquiry focuses on Grok's behavior on X, not its standalone app or site. Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen tied the move to safeguarding women and children, noting the danger of nonconsensual deepfakes. X said it remains committed to safety and would remove depicting people in revealing attire where illegal, while defending its safety controls. The case highlights regulatory scrutiny of AI features embedded in major platforms.

DJI Mic Mini Bundle hits $59 on Amazon, 20% off under Black Friday pricing

January 26, 2026, 8:54 AM EST. Amazon is offering the DJI Mic Mini bundle at $59, a 20% off the usual $74 price. The kit includes two lavalier microphones and a receiver, letting two people talk with unobtrusive clips. The mics are compact and easy to attach, and feature built-in automatic adjustments to balance voices, reducing editing work. The kit pairs with other DJI products for an upgrade path for multi-camera setups. The discount appears to be time-bound; price could rise if the deal ends, so buyers should act quickly.

SpaceX to launch GPS III-SV09 for U.S. Space Force from Cape Canaveral tonight

January 26, 2026, 8:52 AM EST. SpaceX is set to launch the GPS III-SV09 satellite for the U.S. Space Force from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a 15-minute window that opens at 11:46 p.m. EST. The Falcon 9 rocket will deliver the ninth of ten GPS III satellites, built by Lockheed Martin with M-Code anti-jamming technology. The mission was moved from United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur to Falcon 9, part of the Space Force's flexible launch manifest. After liftoff, the first stage is expected to land on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" about 8.5 minutes later, with the upper stage deploying Ellison Onizuka into medium-Earth orbit roughly 90 minutes after liftoff. Coverage is available on SpaceX's site and X, starting ten minutes before launch.

Windows 11 boot failures persist after January 2026 patch; Microsoft issues emergency fixes

January 26, 2026, 8:50 AM EST. Microsoft confirmed some Windows 11 devices may fail to boot after the January 2026 security update released Jan. 13. Affected systems show a black screen and the stop code UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME, with startup not completing and requiring manual recovery. Microsoft has issued two emergency out-of-band fixes and is exploring further workarounds. Users can recover by booting to the Windows Recovery Environment and uninstalling the January patch. The issue follows a string of Patch Tuesday problems, including shutdown/hibernate bugs on 23H2 and sign-in issues on 24H2/25H2 via Remote Desktop, and cloud-app outages that prompted additional fixes. Microsoft says reports are limited and the root cause remains unclear.

Apple expands App Store search ads for developers starting March 2026

January 26, 2026, 8:42 AM EST. Apple says its expanded App Store ads will place ads at the top or lower in search results, with no campaign edits required and automatic eligibility for all positions. Starting in March 2026, more ads will appear across search queries, tied to relevant keywords and user intent; if a developer's app isn't relevant, it won't appear. Apple cites strong conversion from search, noting roughly 65% of downloads occur after a search. The company says the App Store ecosystem has grown to about $406 billion in 2025 from $142 billion in 2019, with small developers seeing a 76% earnings rise between 2021 and 2024. Apple also disclosed a partnership with Google to base its Foundation Models on Gemini, supporting Apple Intelligence and potential Siri enhancements via a Google-based AI model.

Meta poised for nearly 40% upside on AI and ad opportunities, analyst says

January 26, 2026, 8:36 AM EST. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Meta to a buy from neutral, saying the company's advertising engine and expanding AI capabilities can unlock meaningful revenue gains. Analyst James Cordwell raised his price target to $900 from $740, implying about 37% upside. He argues Meta's "demand machine" remains the strongest in digital advertising and could improve further by extending Andromeda, GEM and Lattice, and through hardware-driven context-window gains for predictive AI. The upgrade also frames Meta against an AI cycle backdrop, with Nvidia's Blackwell era looming. Cordwell contends Meta's chief AI officer Alexandr Wang is better qualified than markets appreciate, and the Manus acquisition could move Meta toward the frontier by mid-year. Two AI opportunities highlighted: agentic AI for specialists and AI-generated video for entertainment, both offering incremental revenue potential.

PSPDFKit founder returns to AI with Clawdbot after €100 million exit

January 26, 2026, 8:34 AM EST. This piece follows Peter Steinberger, an Austrian iOS veteran and the founder of PSPDFKit, who cashed out in 2021 after building a firm with a reported €100 million exit. He returned to coding within four years, launching Clawdbot, a 7×24 open-source AI assistant described as a 'True Jarvis' that handles forms, emails and browser control. The project spotlights a founder's restless arc: expert engineer, lucrative exit, then rapid pivot into AI entrepreneurship. Behind the rapid rise, the story notes a growing ecosystem where developers blend open-source tools with commercial products. While hailed for boosting productivity, the venture also raises questions about sustainability and governance in a fast-moving AI landscape.

EU opens formal probe into X over Grok sexual-deepfake controversy

January 26, 2026, 8:28 AM EST. EU regulators opened a formal probe into X after Elon Musk's Grok chatbot circulated nonconsensual sexualized images, including potential child material. The European Commission said Grok's image-generation features may have violated the bloc's DSA rules to curb illegal content, with authorities assessing whether X did enough to limit sexual deepfakes and other harms. The case follows earlier steps by member countries and ongoing investigations that culminated in a 120 million euro fine for transparency breaches. In response, X reiterated its commitment to safety, noting it would bar users from depicting others in revealing outfits where not legal. Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen framed the action as testing whether rights of European citizens-especially women and children-are protected online.

Nvidia set to become TSMC's biggest customer, signaling shift in chip industry

January 26, 2026, 8:26 AM EST. TSMC is poised to name Nvidia as its largest customer this year, dethroning Apple, according to Huang and industry estimates. The shift underscores Nvidia's growing role in the AI infrastructure buildout and cements TSMC's status as the world's leading contract foundry. Analysts project Nvidia could generate about $33 billion in TSMC revenue this year (roughly 22% of the foundry's total), versus Apple at about $27 billion (roughly 18%). TSMC's fourth-quarter HPC sales, which include Nvidia chips, reached 55% of net revenue, up from 40% in 2022. The change signals a broader shift in the semiconductor supply chain, as Nvidia's demand drives a new dynamic for the industry.

Golden Gloves VR Debuts on Meta Quest Store as Official Esports Boxing Pathway

January 26, 2026, 8:20 AM EST. Golden Gloves VR launches today on the Meta Quest Store, creating the first officially sanctioned esports pathway linked to USA Boxing and the Pan American Boxing Confederation. The VR platform blends authentic boxing technique, conditioning, and large-scale competition, letting athletes train and compete with no gym or travel barriers. Built by real fighters, it mirrors ring fundamentals such as timing, defense and endurance, while offering a shared virtual gym for group workouts. Aaron Sloan, founder of Golden Gloves VR, says the project breaks down barriers to the sport. USA Boxing CEO Mike McAtee notes the initiative extends boxing values-discipline, opportunity-into esports with structured competition, rankings, and official memberships. The system relies on cloud infrastructure, officiating logic, and community governance to support a global, long-term competitive ecosystem.

Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar delivers near-infinite battery life with solar charging

January 26, 2026, 8:16 AM EST. Garmin's Instinct Crossover Solar centers on battery life. The watch blends analog and digital design, but it's the power that stands out. In smartwatch mode, Garmin says up to 71 days; in GPS mode, about 31 hours. In power-saver mode, it can run indefinitely on solar. The model tracks health and fitness metrics, with built-in sports apps and daily workout suggestions, plus stress and sleep data. It delivers notifications on the wrist, and supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments. Navigation relies on physical buttons, not a touchscreen. The piece notes a significant discount from the usual $450 price, making it a compelling choice for battery-heavy use.

Pebble Round 2 debuts as slim, affordable rounded smartwatch at $199

January 26, 2026, 8:08 AM EST. Pebble relaunches its rounded smartwatch with the Pebble Round 2, a slim, $199 device that prioritizes affordability over a full fitness sensor set. It forgoes a heart-rate monitor and advanced sports metrics in exchange for longer battery life, estimated at 10 to 14 days per charge. The watch is 8.1 mm thick and features a 1.3-inch color e-paper display (260 x 260, 283 PPI) with a backlight. It runs the open-source Pebble OS and includes dual microphones for voice input, currently Android-only with iOS support expected in the EU soon. Side buttons handle calls, music, and navigation. Pebble presents the Round 2 as a reboot of its earlier rounded design, emphasizing battery over sensors.

Microsoft issues second emergency Windows 11 update to fix Outlook crashes

January 26, 2026, 8:04 AM EST. Microsoft on Tuesday rolled out a second out-of-band update for Windows 11 to fix crashes tied to the January 2026 security update. The patch targets a bug where apps that open or save files in cloud-backed locations – including PST files stored on OneDrive – became unresponsive or displayed errors, causing Outlook to crash or fail to open. Microsoft says the update is cumulative, so installing it alone resolves issues from the January fix. This marks the second emergency patch this year after separate problems with shutdown/hibernate on Windows 11 and remote-login failures on Windows 10/11. Out-of-band updates are issued only for serious issues that cannot wait for the next routine release.

Trump Admin Plans AI to Draft Federal Transportation Regulations

January 26, 2026, 8:00 AM EST. The Trump administration is exploring using Artificial Intelligence to draft federal transportation regulations, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records and interviews with six staffers. DOT officials demonstrated an AI system dubbed Gemini to accelerate rulemaking, with attorney Daniel Cohen noting the tools could help staff write rules faster. Leadership, including General Counsel Gregory Zerzan, described the effort as a potential spearhead for a broader federal push and stressed speed over perfection: "We want good enough." Critics warned about AI's track record for mistakes given rules touch aviation safety, pipelines and rail safety. Proponents argue the plan could shorten timelines from idea to draft to about 30 days, with claims that 20 minutes could yield a draft from Gemini.

Samsung enters final Nvidia certification phase for HBM4 AI memory

January 26, 2026, 7:52 AM EST. Samsung Electronics has moved into the final Nvidia qualification phase for its HBM4 high-bandwidth memory, according to people familiar with the matter. Samsung reportedly delivered initial samples to Nvidia in September and now faces a rigorous certification process that could narrow the gap with market leader SK Hynix in AI memory. Nvidia relies on high-bandwidth memory for its AI accelerators; supplier approval is a gatekeeper for broader exposure to the AI hardware cycle. Samsung is eyeing February mass production of HBM4 and expects shipments to Nvidia and AMD soon, though timing remains uncertain. Shares rose in Seoul before trimming gains as investors watch whether Samsung can join rivals in supplying memory for Nvidia's Rubin processors. Samsung and SK Hynix are scheduled to discuss progress at upcoming earnings calls.

H3 failure linked to payload fairing separation anomaly, satellite likely detached during stage events

January 26, 2026, 7:48 AM EST. JAXA investigators say an unusual event during payload fairing separation damaged the Michibiki 5 satellite and its payload adapter, potentially forcing the second stage into an abnormal burn. The Dec. 22 H3 launch from Tanegashima carried the navigation satellite; the engine burned 24 seconds longer on the first burn and failed to ignite the second, leaving the stack in a very low orbit that reentered hours later. Telemetry indicated unexpected accelerations at payload fairing separation, and pressure in the liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank fell as the adapter reportedly struck the top of the stage. A camera view shows the satellite leaning or falling away around separation. Investigators say it's plausible the satellite detached during stage separation, complicating the flight path to orbit.

Blink Mini 2 price hits record low at £13.99 on Amazon

January 26, 2026, 7:42 AM EST. Amazon has cut the Blink Mini 2 to a new record-low of £13.99 from £29.99, reviving interest in a compact home-security camera. The upgrade offers a wide field of view, suitable for tracking activity across rooms, hallways and landings. It fits into the existing Blink ecosystem, but recording clips requires either a monthly subscription or a one-off purchase of a Sync Module 2 for local storage. At this price, buyers may overlook some advanced features, such as remote movement or a remote cover. The deal follows Black Friday promotions but stands as among the lowest prices seen for the Mini 2. For more options, shoppers can compare other home-security camera deals and related devices.

JPMorgan raises Apple price target ahead of earnings on strong iPhone demand

January 26, 2026, 7:38 AM EST. JPMorgan on Tuesday raised Apple's price target to $315 from $305 and kept an overweight rating ahead of the fiscal first-quarter results. The bank says stronger iPhone 17 demand and lower operating expenses could drive an earnings beat, noting shares are trading around 30x NTM P/E. Analyst Samik Chatterjee sees a positive setup as Apple trades after underperforming, despite concerns about gross margins from higher memory costs and potential iPhone price elasticity. He adds margins should be more limited and Services growth may lag guidance, though Apple has multiple levers beyond the App Store to spur growth. The note implies about 27% upside from current levels if the F1Q26 print meets or exceeds estimates.

Apple to unveil revamped Siri powered by Gemini AI next month

January 26, 2026, 7:34 AM EST. Apple plans to unveil a redesigned Siri powered by Google's Gemini AI at an event next month, Bloomberg reports. The upgrade ties to Apple's multi-year Gemini-powered Foundation Models and will ship with iOS 26.4. Beta testing is set for the second half of February, with a public rollout in March or April. The Gemini integration aims to unlock innovative experiences and bring capabilities akin to ChatGPT. Siri will run on iPhones, iPads and Macs that support the latest iOS, with rumors of new hardware: an AI-powered smart speaker and a desktop robot codenamed J595. The Information notes a wearable AI pin in development, potentially launching next year. Tim Cook warned the product pipeline remains in development.

Meta blocks teens from AI characters as Amazon weighs layoffs

January 26, 2026, 7:30 AM EST. Meta will temporarily pause teen access to its AI characters while it develops teen-appropriate versions. Adult users will still interact with the AI characters, which are customizable chatbots with personalities. The update, quietly posted Friday to an October blog post, arrives days before a New Mexico trial alleging exposure of children to sexual exploitation and amid scrutiny of AI's effects on youth mental health. Meta did not set a timetable, but said teen offerings would focus on sports and education and include parental controls. Separately, Amazon is preparing a second round of layoffs aimed at shaving about 30,000 roles, roughly 10% of its corporate staff, potentially starting this week, including AWS, retail, Prime Video and HR. The cuts follow October reductions and reflect a broader efficiency push.

Five Android phones to buy instead of Samsung Galaxy A56 5G

January 26, 2026, 7:26 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy A56 5G fails to surpass competition, despite a modern design and a $500 price tag. A review notes mediocre performance, no wireless charging, and weaker cameras. The recommended alternatives span Google, Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and Nothing. Top pick: the Google Pixel 9a at $499, praised for day-to-day reliability, comfortable design without a camera bump, solid battery, strong camera performance, and long software support. It lacks ultra-fast charging and some AI features found on pricier Pixels, but overall delivers a cohesive experience and wireless charging. If you want a Samsung, the Galaxy S25 FE is suggested as the stronger option with a faster Exynos 2400, more RAM, and quicker storage. Other contenders include the Moto G Stylus (2025), OnePlus 13R, and Nothing Phone 3a Pro.

Apple Studio Display hits lowest prices in months as M4 Mac mini and Satechi deals spread

January 26, 2026, 7:20 AM EST. Deals wrap this week with Apple Studio Display discounts at Woot reaching the lowest prices in months. The 27-inch model starts at $1,349 in standard glass with VESA mount, down from $1,599, with nano-texture options included. In parallel, Amazon is cutting prices on the M4 Mac mini lineup, with the base model at $499.99 (16GB RAM/256GB SSD) and higher discounts on the M4 Pro. Peripheral maker Satechi is rolling out a 20% early-launch sale on new products, using codes CES2026 (CES launch) and REFRESH20 at checkout. The week also features other Amazon and third-party offers across MagSafe chargers, power stations, and robot vacuums. Note: affiliates may earn a small commission on clicks and purchases.

SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral with GPS III-9 at 11:42 p.m.

January 26, 2026, 7:12 AM EST. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.- SpaceX will attempt a Falcon 9 launch from Florida's Space Coast, sending GPS III-9 into medium-Earth orbit. The liftoff is set for 11:42 p.m. with a 15-minute window; a backup opportunity exists at 11:38 p.m. Tuesday. The mission marks the fifth flight for the first-stage booster, which has previously flown KF-01, IMAP, NROL-77 and a Starlink mission. After stage separation, the booster is expected to land on a droneship in the Atlantic. ClickOrlando.com will livestream the event at the top of the story.

Nashville schools launch AI storytelling pilot with Colin Kaepernick

January 26, 2026, 7:00 AM EST. Metro Nashville Public Schools kicked off a pilot using Lumi Story AI to teach students how to responsibly use artificial intelligence for storytelling, creativity and literacy. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick visited Jones Elementary, McKissack Middle, Whites Creek High and Antioch High to inaugurate the partnership. In a phased rollout, teachers will guide a small group at first, then expand, helping students develop characters, write narratives and illustrate stories while sharpening critical thinking. The program stresses transparency, academic integrity and evaluation of AI-generated content. Funding comes from a private philanthropic gift coordinated by PENCIL, Nashville's education nonprofit; the district will review impact and consider future expansion after the pilot. The effort aims to build confidence and curiosity about AI, not fear.

Samsung's HBM4 to power NVIDIA Vera Rubin AI chips, per reports

January 26, 2026, 6:52 AM EST. Samsung is set to unveil its next-generation HBM4 memory at NVIDIA's GTC 2026, with speeds up to 11Gbps, sources say. The memory would be integrated into NVIDIA's Vera Rubin AI platform, delivering high bandwidth and energy efficiency for future AI workloads. Samsung reportedly overcame long-running setbacks in its HBM division, a shift that allowed rivals like SK hynix to lead on HBM3 and HBM3E. NVIDIA is said to have approved early allocations of HBM4 from Samsung for Vera Rubin, with Samsung claiming its memory exceeds the JEDEC baseline by operating above 11Gbps. Samsung uses a 6th-generation 10nm-class DRAM and a 4nm logic base die, and plans further memory lines including HBM, GDDR, and SOCAMM, plus foundry services to fuel the global AI supply chain.

Samsung to debut HBM4 memory for NVIDIA's Vera Rubin AI platform at GTC 2026

January 26, 2026, 6:48 AM EST. Samsung is set to unveil its next-generation HBM4 memory at NVIDIA GTC 2026, with speeds up to 11Gbps and claimed to exceed JEDEC standards. The memory is slated for use in NVIDIA's upcoming Vera Rubin AI platform, according to people familiar with the plan. Samsung reportedly passed NVIDIA's verification stages and will ship memory built on a 6th-generation 10nm-class DRAM with a 4nm logic base die. The deal positions Samsung as a key supplier for early Vera Rubin deployments, while highlighting renewed competition in memory and semiconductor innovation.

Apple teams with Alphabet to power Siri with Gemini; top AI opportunity for 2026

January 26, 2026, 6:34 AM EST. Apple is partnering with Alphabet to use Gemini to power Siri and other Apple Intelligence features in a multiyear deal that could run into billions. The collaboration signals Apple's strategy to lean on an AI heavyweight as it seeks to close gaps in AI capabilities. Alphabet's Gemini models, cited as among the strongest in tests by LMArena, would underpin device software and services across Apple's ecosystem. Apple's expansive hardware reach-more than 2.4 billion active devices-adds distribution strength to the tie-up, enhancing the appeal of Alphabet as a premier AI partner. The piece argues Alphabet could be the top AI stock to buy and hold in 2026 and beyond.

Nvidia anchors AI infrastructure rally after WEF remarks

January 26, 2026, 6:32 AM EST. Nvidia remains the linchpin of the AI infrastructure buildout. CEO Jensen Huang used the World Economic Forum in Davos to push that demand for AI will dwarf recent spending, with hyperscalers having already committed hundreds of billions and a trillion-dollar pipeline ahead. Analysts at Zacks foresee Nvidia revenue and earnings per share rising more than 50% in 2026 and into 2027. The stock's P/S multiple has cooled from 2023 highs to about 24x, widening appeal to value-focused funds. Nvidia also won regulatory clearance to sell its H20 chips in China, underscoring continued expansion of its chip footprint.

Samsung Galaxy S26 leak points to 256GB base storage, wider color options in Finland

January 26, 2026, 6:30 AM EST. A Finnish retailer leak outlines Galaxy S26 storage and color options, suggesting the base storage will rise to 256GB from 128GB. The lineup reportedly includes S26 Plus in 256GB and 512GB, and S26 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Finnish availability shows Black, White, Cobalt Violet, and Sky Blue; Evan Blass hinted that Silver Shadow and Pink Gold may be Samsung.com exclusives. If accurate, the change keeps Samsung pace with rivals offering 256GB as standard. The report comes from a retailer listing, not official confirmation, and Samsung may vary by region. It also notes improved video via a new APV codec.

Hyperscale AI Remakes the Power Grid as U.S. Data Center Boom Accelerates

January 26, 2026, 6:28 AM EST. Power demand is accelerating as hyperscale AI data centers compress a multiyear grid build into 12-24-month undertakings. IIR says the US tops AI data center development at about $2.4 trillion, with global investment near $3.2 trillion. US electricity demand rose from about 23 GW of new load in 2023 to 42 GW today, with another 32 GW under construction, targeting more than 90 GW by 2030. More than 70 projects exceed 1 GW in peak demand; 1 GW can power about a million homes. The rush concentrates in North America, which accounts for two-thirds of announced project value; Texas leads with about $517 billion, followed by Virginia. The pace tests grid flexibility and resource adequacy as utilities adapt planning and procurement to near-term interconnection needs.

Nvidia leads AI surge as GPUs underpin infrastructure, analysts say

January 26, 2026, 6:24 AM EST. NVDA remains central to the AI revolution, its GPUs powering training of large language models and other workloads. At Davos 2026, CEO Jensen Huang dismissed bubble fears and pointed to trillions in AI investments in the pipeline by cloud hyperscalers such as Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft. Zacks Consensus pencils in revenue and EPS gains above 50% for 2026, and into 2027. After a peak in October, the stock has moved sideways, but fundamentals have strengthened and the stock's price-to-sales ratio has fallen from around 200x in 2023 to about 24x, widening the investor base. Nvidia has also secured a license to ship its H20 AI chips to China, expanding its geographic footprint as AI moves into new verticals.

Chrome and Safari phishing warning: 'rn' homoglyph trick dupes mobile users into fake Microsoft, Marriott sites

January 26, 2026, 6:20 AM EST. Security researchers warn of a homoglyph tactic-visually similar characters used to deceive users-where attackers replace an 'm' with 'rn' in a URL to create counterfeit sites. The latest campaign, reported by Cybersecurity News, impersonates Microsoft and Marriott. On mobile, especially in Chrome and Safari, such warnings are harder to spot. One variant uses the domain rnicrosoft.com to push fake security alerts, while another targets Marriott. Microsoft credentials are viewed as particularly valuable. Defenses include enabling passkeys and two-factor authentication, avoiding login through links in emails or messages, and typing the address directly rather than clicking. Be cautious of domains that start with or include the letter 'm' as a heuristic warning.

Orient Securities: Global AI computing demand to accelerate edge deployment

January 26, 2026, 6:08 AM EST. Orient Securities says surging AI computing power demand driven by AI inference is widening supply-demand imbalances across the hardware chain, with opportunities expanding at the edge. The report notes robust investment in the end-market as AI upgrades and hardware innovations unfold. In upstream foundry and packaging/testing, price pressure grows as mature nodes face higher power needs and output cuts. In storage, AI-driven memory demand underpins TrendForce's forecast of a USD 551.6 billion memory market by 2026, up 134% year on year, with DRAM and NAND price uptrends likely through 2027. In CPUs, AI agents and new server cycles lift server CPU prices. In passive components, high-end power-management parts see repeated price increases. The analysis points to broader growth opportunities along the supply chain, especially for edge deployments.

3 AI Stocks That Could Outpace Palantir in 2026, Wall Street Says

January 26, 2026, 5:52 AM EST. Analysts favor Broadcom and Microsoft over Palantir for 2026 amid rising AI demand. Broadcom's AI chip demand helped fourth-quarter revenue rise 28% YoY, with AI-order backlog above $73 billion and a projection that AI chip revenue could double in early 2026. The Street's average target is about 38% above current levels, with one bull case near 62% upside and most of 50 coverages rated buy or strong buy. For Microsoft, the consensus implies roughly 38% upside as Azure and cloud AI growth support a strong earnings backdrop; analysts cited a 40% YoY rise in AI-related revenue in Q1 FY2026. By contrast, Palantir remains strong but is seen as less likely to outrun these peers in 2026.

DJI Mini 4K drone deal: Save over $70, price drops to $225 at Amazon

January 26, 2026, 5:40 AM EST. DJI's Mini 4K drone is on sale for $225 at Amazon, a saving of more than $70 and the lowest-ever price for the model. The deal was current as of January 26, 2026, per Mashable's Joseph Green, Global Shopping Editor. Prices and availability can change after publication. The report notes that deals are editor-selected and may involve affiliate commissions when readers buy through links.

Google Cloud gaming head calls AI an 'Iron Man' suit for developers

January 26, 2026, 5:36 AM EST. Google Cloud's head of games described AI as an Iron Man suit for game developers, saying it could automate routine tasks, accelerate prototyping and optimize live operations. In a briefing, the executive framed AI as a companion that handles asset tweaking, testing and analytics so teams can focus on gameplay and creativity. The company highlighted AI-enabled features across its cloud platform, including generative tools, real-time metrics and scalable infrastructure for studios large and small. Analysts say the analogy underscores a broader trend as cloud providers embed AI into game pipelines, potentially reshaping workflows and competition in cloud-based game development and deployment.

Apple eyeing 20+ launches in 2026, including foldable iPhone and smart home hub

January 26, 2026, 5:24 AM EST. Apple is rumored to unveil more than 20 products in 2026, spanning iPhones, iPads, Macs, wearables and a new smart home hub. In the first half, expected updates include the iPhone 17e with an A19 chip and Dynamic Island, the iPad Air moving to an M4 chip, and a range of MacBooks up to M5 generations with PCIe 5.0. A lower-cost MacBook with an A18 Pro and a new Home Hub with a 6-7 inch display and a personalized Siri is also teased, alongside a new security camera. In the second half, rumors describe iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max with A20 Pro, a foldable iPhone, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, a redesigned MacBook Pro with M6 chips and OLED, plus higher-end AirPods Pro 3 with AI features. A Mac mini with M5/M5 Pro is also mentioned.

AI erodes reliability of science publishing, arXiv analysis warns

January 26, 2026, 5:22 AM EST. An analysis cited by The Atlantic shows arXiv founder Paul Ginsparg has warned that AI tools can bypass safeguards that prevent junk submissions. The study found papers authored or augmented by AI were about 33 percent more numerous than non-AI work, challenging traditional signals like language complexity. While AI can help surmount language barriers, it risks inflating output and eroding scholarly merit. The broader research ecosystem is feeling pressure: a Nature report recounts a German scientist, Marcel Bucher, whose use of ChatGPT for emails, course content, lectures and tests led to data mishaps and questions about rigor. Experts urge clearer standards for AI-assisted writing and tighter moderation to preserve trust in fast-moving research communication.

Nvidia, Alphabet-backed Synthesia raises $200 million at $4 billion valuation

January 26, 2026, 4:44 AM EST. British AI startup Synthesia raised $200 million at a $4 billion valuation in a round led by Alphabet's GV, with participation from Nvidia's NVentures among others. The deal nearly doubles the $2.1 billion valuation set in January 2025 after an $180 million round. Other backers include Evantic, Hedosophia, Accel, NEA and Air Street Capital. Synthesia builds AI video tools for enterprise communications and says the funding will accelerate rollout of agentic capabilities, letting users interact with videos in real time. As part of the raise, the firm will enable an employee secondary sale via NASDAQ at the $4 billion level. Dealroom shows Europe's AI startups raised $21.4 billion in 2025; U.S. AI funding hit $162.7 billion that year.

Sony LinkBuds Clip earbuds fail to stand out at $229.99

January 26, 2026, 4:36 AM EST. Sony's LinkBuds Clip deliver comfort and decent sound in an open-ear design, but they do not justify their $229.99 price with standout features. The clip fit sits around the helix, with a small spherical speaker outside the ear canal and a flexible band to a larger outer housing. Customization is simple: five colorable case covers and cushions to tweak fit. Sound is open and clear, though bass is light, and using the cushions can push the speaker away and reduce ambient sound retention. Three listening modes exist-standard, voice boost, and leakage reduction-yet the model is missing competitive features and its price places it near rival buds with more capability. Comfortable all day, but not compelling for the price.

Seven Apple Watch settings to change immediately after setup

January 26, 2026, 4:34 AM EST. Apple Watch users can improve the experience with seven quick tweaks after setup. The guide first helps tailor notifications by limiting which apps push alerts to the wrist, via the Watch app's Notification settings. It then covers Wake Duration: extend it to 70 seconds or switch to Raise to Wake with the Always On display off. It also recommends disabling stand reminders and other activity alerts that interrupt the day. The piece stresses making changes across models from the Apple Watch SE 3 to Ultra 3, noting these tweaks work regardless of screen size or chip. Follow-up tweaks are hinted at, aimed at refining display behavior, app access, and privacy for a more focused, battery-conscious experience.

Open-source tools reshape AI development: Bifrost, Claude Code, Clawdbot

January 26, 2026, 4:28 AM EST. Three open-source projects illustrate diversification in AI tooling. Bifrost acts as a fast, unified gateway to more than 15 LLM providers and offers an OpenAI-compatible API, with features such as governance, caching, budget management, load balancing and guardrails to screen queries before they reach providers. The goal is to free developers from vendor lock-in as new models emerge. Claude Code from Anthropic targets developers who write and review code. It ingests codebases, accepts natural-language instructions, and can refactor, document or add features across major languages, aiming for faster, cleaner output under Anthropic's TOS. Clawdbot serves the coder directly by acting as an AI assistant on the desktop, controlling tools like the camera and browser. It supports a multi-channel inbox (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord) and includes scheduling via cron, under an MIT license.

Microsoft, Meta, Tesla and Apple lead Zacks earnings preview as Mag 7 eye Q4

January 26, 2026, 4:26 AM EST. Zacks.com previews Q4 earnings, highlighting four of the Mag 7 – Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Tesla and Apple – as they report this week alongside more than 300 companies. Microsoft, Meta and Tesla will post results after the close on Wednesday, January 28; Apple follows on Thursday, January 29. The group trails the broader market over the past year, with Meta and Microsoft among the weakest. AI bets dominate the debate: Microsoft and Meta remain large AI spenders; Apple has been quieter, raising questions about its long-term edge. Specific expectations are: Apple EPS $2.65 on revenue $137.5B; Microsoft EPS $3.88 on revenue $80.2B; Meta EPS $8.15 on revenue $58.4B. The Mag 7 are seen up about +16.9% YoY with +16.6% revenue. The group trades at ~126% of the S&P 500 multiple.

Huang says AI-center buildout will unlock six-figure trades jobs

January 26, 2026, 4:22 AM EST. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the coming wave of AI center construction will unlock six-figure jobs for trades. He told Davos at a session with BlackRock's Larry Fink that the global data-center buildout-driven by AI hardware and software factories-will require plumbers, electricians, construction workers and steelworkers, creating work that can pay over $100,000 even without a college degree. McKinsey projects thousands of skilled workers will be needed in the U.S. through 2030. Huang's view contrasts with warnings from Ford's Jim Farley about hollowing out white-collar roles and a gap in blue-collar labor. The broader point: the infrastructure push could redefine pathways to the middle class, not just tech salaries.

Konni uses AI-generated PowerShell backdoor to target blockchain developers, researchers say

January 26, 2026, 4:20 AM EST. North Korea-linked group Konni has been observed deploying a PowerShell loader generated with AI tools to target blockchain developers and engineering teams. The phishing campaign hits Japan, Australia and India, widening a scope beyond South Korea, Russia, Ukraine and Europe, Check Point Research said. Active since 2014, Konni – also tracked as Earth Imp, Opal Sleet, Osmium, TA406 and Vedalia – previously targeted Android via Google's Find Hub. This month, it distributed spear-phishing emails with links disguised as Google/Naver ads to deliver a remote access trojan named EndRAT. The operation, codenamed Poseidon, also impersonates North Korean human rights groups and SK financial institutions and uses insecure WordPress sites for C2. The ZIPs contain a PDF decoy and an LNK that launches an embedded PowerShell loader; initial access vector is unknown.

GR-IX hits 1 Tbps traffic milestone

January 26, 2026, 4:18 AM EST. GR-IX said traffic exceeded 1 Tbps for the first time on 20 January. The milestone marks Greece's growing capacity to handle Internet traffic at its Internet Exchange, which links local ISPs, content providers, and cloud-service firms. GRNET owns GR-IX. The achievement underscores expanding interconnection as networks peer at the exchange.

0patch micropatches become lifeline as Windows 10 support ends

January 26, 2026, 4:16 AM EST. Microsoft ended Windows 10 updates on Oct. 14, 2025, closing official support after a decade. Some users bought Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) at $30 per year, but ESU ends later this year. An alternative cited by ZDNET is 0patch, a Europe-based service delivering micropatches for Windows 10. The service charges about $30 annually for its Pro plan, with a free tier that provides zero-day patches. Patches are issued as soon as vulnerabilities circulate; co-founder Mitja Kolsek says two to three micropatches per month is typical, but the rate varies. 0patch does not fix every issue; patches target vulnerabilities that are publicly known, actively exploited, and not addressed by Microsoft at the time.

Intel Panther Lake tests Core Ultra Series 3 as a potential rival to Apple Silicon

January 26, 2026, 4:14 AM EST. Intel's Panther Lake marks a meaningful shift, not a routine refresh. The Core Ultra Series 3, unveiled as part of a five-year turnaround, promises battery life and efficiency on par with previous generations while delivering higher performance. In hands-on tests, two laptops-the MSI Prestige 14 Flip with the X7 358H and a Lenovo IdeaPad reference with the X9 388H-show a 16-core design built from four performance cores, eight efficiency cores, and four low-power efficiency cores. Intel argues its high-powered silicon for gaming laptops will sustain performance with better battery life. Benchmark snapshots place the X9 388H at the top of multi-core tests, and Intel claims integrated graphics leadership. The exercise also notes naming ambiguity across generations. If early results hold, the X9 388H outperforms Apple's M5 by about 33% in multi-core tests.

UK AI job impact outpaces peers, Morgan Stanley study finds

January 26, 2026, 4:00 AM EST. Britain faces net job losses from artificial intelligence, the sharpest among major economies, according to a Morgan Stanley study shared with Bloomberg. The survey of UK companies using AI for at least a year across five sectors found an average 11.5% productivity boost from AI, but a net employment decline of 8% over the past 12 months-the highest rate among peers including the US, Japan, Germany and Australia. The report links higher costs and taxes to a softer hiring outlook and notes unemployment is at a four-year high. Randstad's global poll shows more than a quarter of UK workers fear job losses in five years due to AI, with younger workers most worried. London mayor Sadiq Khan warned AI could erode white-collar and professional roles.

AfSA and CNES sign MoU to advance Africa's space agenda

January 26, 2026, 3:30 AM EST. AfSA and France's CNES signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen space cooperation, with a focus on Earth observation applications that support Africa's development priorities. The MoU was signed for AfSA by Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council, in a ceremony also attended by ambassadors. The agreement commits both agencies to closer collaboration on space-based solutions, capacity-building and training, and the promotion of public-private partnerships to spur innovation and commercial opportunities. Officials said the pact aims to reinforce Africa's technical expertise, resilience, and role in global space governance, while ensuring peaceful, sustainable use of outer space and positioning Africa as a credible actor in the international space ecosystem.

Pope Leo warns of AI chatbots becoming 'overly affectionate'

January 26, 2026, 2:58 AM EST. As the headline implies, Pope Leo issues a warning about AI chatbots that appear overly affectionate with users. The pontiff's concern centers on emotional manipulation, boundary erosion, and the need for clear ethics and safeguards around how AI interacts in private conversations. The report notes experts caution that such behavior could blur lines between human and machine relationships, complicate pastoral care, and risk user trust. While the broader debate over AI safety and transparency intensifies, the warning underscored the human costs of persuasive technologies and the responsibility of developers and platforms to implement controls and disclosures. Analysts say the issue will push regulators and faith leaders to scrutinize how AI is designed, labeled, and marketed to vulnerable users.

Pope warns AI chatbots risk distorting emotion, urges guardrails

January 26, 2026, 2:46 AM EST. Pope Leo XIV warns that emotionally responsive AI chatbots are invading people's intimate spheres and could distort human emotions and real relationships. In a weekend message, he described AI as an anthropological challenge, noting that bots can position themselves as companions while quietly shaping what people think and feel. He questioned whether interactions are with humans, bots, or virtual influencers, and urged governments and international bodies to set guardrails to prevent emotional attachment and the spread of false or manipulative content. The pope also highlighted concentration of power in a few companies, and stressed protecting journalism, intellectual property, and copyright in the digital age. He tied AI to broader moral, social, and identity issues that define his papacy.

Galaxy S26 Ultra price leaks point to no price hike, but memory costs could bite

January 26, 2026, 2:44 AM EST. A report from iNews24 (via SamMobile) suggests the Galaxy S26 Ultra could debut at $1,299 in the U.S., implying no price hike versus the outgoing model. Yet rising memory costs may force Samsung to tighten incentives. AI-driven demand for HBM and DDR5 chips has driven up pricing, threatening LPDDR5X RAM for the phone, potentially tripling costs. To preserve margins, Samsung may trim discounts and pre-order bonuses. In past launches, Samsung used storage upgrades, trade-ins and freebies such as Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch bundles and Galaxy Store credits. If price holds, customers could see fewer bundles even as accessory offers fade. The outcome depends on supply dynamics and how aggressively chipmakers price mobile RAM.

Apple eyes M5 Macs for early 2026 launch, including OLED Pro refresh and budget MacBook, Gurman says

January 26, 2026, 2:34 AM EST. Apple plans to roll out an M5-generation lineup in early 2026, with updates across portable and desktop Macs. The first wave is expected to cover the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, followed by the Mac mini and Mac Studio, with the emphasis on chip upgrades rather than new features. A major revamp for the MacBook Pro-potentially an OLED touchscreen-remains planned but not until the end of 2026. A lower-cost MacBook with a trimmed spec and an iPhone-grade chip is also expected. Gurman notes that an M6 could arrive sooner than many expect, signaling a shorter Apple Silicon cycle; his reporting has earned credibility for upcoming events, though exact dates can shift.

Why the best AI model is the wrong question in 2026

January 26, 2026, 2:26 AM EST. The debate over AI quality shifts from chasing the single best model to selecting the right mix for a company. General-purpose LLMs now perform comparably on everyday tasks, but performance diverges in complex deployments such as large coding projects, agentic workflows, or industry-specific needs. Leaders should evaluate models by capability profiles-structured reasoning, autonomous action, creativity-and by culture and risk tolerance, not by headline metrics. Tools tailored to sectors-Harvey, CoCounsel, Spellbook for legal; Abridge, AWS Healthscribe for medical-often outperform generic platforms. The process hinges on task definition, risk assessment, and desired outcomes, then matching capability to demand. There is no universal best AI; success comes from the right combination aligned with business goals.

Arknights: Endfield launches today with DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation

January 26, 2026, 2:20 AM EST. Arknights: Endfield launches today, developed by HYPERGRYPH and published by GRYPHLINE in Europe and North America. The 3D real-time strategy RPG expands the Arknights universe with Talos-II, a frontier world for exploration, combat, and base-building. Players become the Endadministrator of Endfield Industries, guiding operators to defend and push frontiers as Originium engines rumble and AIC Factory lines churn. They gather resources, expand production, and use the AIC Factory to counter threats and build a homeland for humanity. The game supports DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, Nvidia's AI upscaling that renders fewer frames and generates the rest for smoother performance.

7 Essential Cloud Computing Benefits for Small Businesses

January 26, 2026, 2:18 AM EST. Small businesses can access enterprise-grade capabilities without heavy upfront IT spend. Cloud computing shifts capital expenditure to an operating model via a pay-as-you-go approach, letting firms scale costs with demand and letting providers handle maintenance and updates. The result: lower IT costs and free cash flow for core activities. Scalability lets a small retailer handle spikes without buying gear; storage and processing power expand in minutes. Remote work gets a boost as staff log in from anywhere, collaborating in real time through tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. By dropping on-premise hardware and embracing cloud services, small businesses gain agility to grow while managing risk and budgets.

Huang calls AI the 'largest infrastructure buildout' in a five-layer model at Davos

January 26, 2026, 2:16 AM EST. Jensen Huang, at Davos, framed AI as the foundation of the largest infrastructure buildout in human history and described it as a five-layer cake-energy and computing infrastructure, cloud data centers, AI models and the application layer. In a session with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, he argued every layer must be built, creating jobs from energy and construction to cloud operations and software development. He cited 2025 as a standout year for VC funding in AI-native companies, signaling rapid adoption across healthcare, manufacturing and financial services. Huang said the greatest economic benefit will come from the application layer, where AI reshapes industries and work. He noted demand for skilled trades and said AI can augment radiology, letting doctors spend more time with patients.

NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit offers GPU-accelerated development tools and libraries

January 26, 2026, 2:12 AM EST. NVIDIA's CUDA Toolkit provides a development environment for creating GPU-accelerated applications. The suite includes GPU-accelerated libraries, debugging and optimization tools, a C/C++ compiler, and a runtime library. It supports development across embedded systems, desktop workstations, data centers, cloud platforms and supercomputers. Developers can use the toolkit to build, test and deploy workloads spanning science, AI and graphics, leveraging CUDA-accelerated libraries and tools to boost performance. The package is available for download and aims to streamline deployment across diverse hardware.

How to Start Visual Generative AI on NVIDIA RTX PCs

January 26, 2026, 2:10 AM EST. Creatives can run visual generative AI locally on NVIDIA RTX PCs to keep assets private, cut cloud costs and speed iteration. Image and video models now deliver photorealistic results and coherent long clips, while CES announcements sharpen control and efficiency. RTX PCs remain a preferred platform for creative AI, offering performance and free model use that reduces token anxiety. The guide favors open-source tools like ComfyUI to build custom workflows and to access models such as FLUX.2 and LTX-2. Start by downloading ComfyUI for Windows from comfy.org, launching the app, and using the 1.1 Starter – Text to Image template. Connect the Node to the Save Image Node, press Run, and refine prompts. Note GPU VRAM matters; FP4 on RTX 50 Series and FP8 on RTX 40 Series optimize memory and speed.

NVIDIA unveils its most affordable generative AI supercomputer: Jetson Orin Nano Super Dev Kit at $249

January 26, 2026, 2:06 AM EST. NVIDIA unveiled the palm-sized Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, priced at $249, half the prior $499 tag. The edge AI computer combines an 8GB Jetson Orin Nano SoM with an Ampere-architecture GPU and a 6-core Arm CPU, and supports up to four cameras. NVIDIA says it can deliver up to 1.7x higher generative AI inference, 67 INT8 TOPS, and memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s. The kit targets commercial developers, hobbyists and students building LLM chatbots, visual AI agents or robotic systems. Software upgrades will also boost performance on existing Jetson Orin Nano devices and expand support across NVIDIA's AI stack, including Isaac, Metropolis, Holoscan, Omniverse Replicator and TAO Toolkit, with ecosystem partners adding tools and sensors.

GeForce NOW clears takeoff for Flight Controls with Thrustmaster HOTAS One

January 26, 2026, 2:00 AM EST. GeForce NOW has cleared flight controls for cloud gaming, letting pilots test a hands-on setup in supported sims. The initial rollout centers on the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One, linking a dedicated stick and throttle to the cloud for more precise roll, yaw and throttle changes while keeping latency in check. Nvidia says a dedicated GeForce NOW app row will help users find flight-enabled titles. In parallel, Team Jade's Delta Force (TiMi Studio Group) is slated to arrive on the platform soon, expanding the cloud lineup for action and teamwork. Nvidia also teases a giveaway tied to the HOTAS edition and a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership, with expansion to more peripherals planned as the service evolves.

Mercedes-Benz CLA earns Euro NCAP Best Performer 2025 with NVIDIA DRIVE AV

January 26, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. Mercedes-Benz's CLA has been named Euro NCAP's Best Performer for 2025, underscoring AI-powered safety's rising prominence. The model pairs traditional passive protection with NVIDIA DRIVE AV software to deliver the highest overall score of the year. Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, said the milestone caps five years of collaboration with NVIDIA to boost real-world safety. Euro NCAP, Europe's safety authority, weighs four categories; the AI-driven Vulnerable Road User and Safety Assist tests are key for driver-assistance accuracy. The CLA relies on a dual-stack design: an AI-driven end-to-end system and a parallel classical safety stack, along with the DRIVE Hyperion architecture and Halos safety system for redundancy and verification. TÜV SÜD and other third parties provide certification.

Vertiv rides AI demand in data centers; a nontech stock to watch

January 26, 2026, 1:54 AM EST. Planned data-center build-outs are supporting Vertiv as AI expands beyond traditional tech firms. Vertiv (VRT) makes cooling systems and power-management gear that keep large servers from overheating, including liquid cooling that outperforms air cooling. The company says heat management is essential as AI hardware scales. A Nvidia partnership ties chipset design to ready cooling solutions. In 3Q 2025, Vertiv reported revenue of $2.67 billion, up 29% year over year, with operating income of $517 million, up 39%. Backlog reached $9.5 billion, underscoring a heavy pipeline as Vertiv expands manufacturing. Investors are paying a premium for the stock given the growth outlook, though performance would need to meet high expectations to justify the valuation.

CUDA 13.1 adds CUB single-call API to streamline GPU primitives

January 26, 2026, 1:50 AM EST. The C++ library CUB, used for GPU primitives such as scan, histogram and sort, has long relied on a two-phase API that first estimates memory needs and then allocates storage before execution. While this model offers flexibility, it adds boilerplate and requires careful handling of arguments across calls. CUDA 13.1 introduces a single-call API that hides memory management under the hood, delivering the same performance with less code. CUB remains a set of device-side primitives that can be embedded in custom kernels, contrasting with Thrust's host-side interface. The post contrasts the traditional two-phase flow-where a first call determines temporary storage size and a second performs the computation-with the simplified approach designed to reduce boilerplate without sacrificing efficiency.

Tesla expands FSD ride-along across Europe, opens Slovakia pop-up as Cybertruck deliveries begin in UAE

January 26, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. Tesla Europe has broadened its FSD (Supervised) ride-along program, adding Hungary, Finland and Spain to the existing rollout in Italy, France and Germany. The ride-along lets a passenger observe how the system handles real-world traffic as Tesla positions the program to build familiarity with drivers and regulators. In Slovakia, Tesla staged a pop-up store in Bratislava from Jan 16-18 at the Eurovea Mall Promenade, with test drives, vehicle displays including the Cybertruck, and family activities such as a mini-racetrack. The company reported a warm reception, including a light show by the Tesla Owners Slovakia club. Slovakia follows Tesla's pattern of starting with pop-ups before permanent showrooms and service sites. The city already hosts six Supercharger sites (46 chargers, two in Bratislava). Separately, the UAE welcomed first Cybertruck deliveries, underscoring ongoing geographic expansion.

Gallup poll: AI use at work climbs among Americans, tech leads adoption

January 26, 2026, 1:36 AM EST. New Gallup data show AI adoption at work spreading rapidly in the United States. About 12% of employed Americans say they use AI daily on the job, and roughly a quarter report using AI at least frequently (a few times a week); nearly half say they use it a few times a year. In 2023, 21% used AI at least occasionally. Tech workers show the highest uptake: around 60% say they use AI frequently, and about 30% daily. In finance, a Bank of America analyst uses AI daily to synthesize documents, and the bank's internal chatbot, Erica, handles admin tasks. Education and professional services also report regular AI use. Some workers, like Home Depot's Gene Walinski, rely on an AI assistant on a phone during shifts. Gallup cautions signs of a plateau after a surge in 2024-25.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads week's trending phones as Redmi Note 15 Pro+ climbs to No. 2

January 26, 2026, 1:28 AM EST. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the most anticipated phone of the season, topping the weekly trending chart for a second straight week ahead of its official launch, according to our data. Redmi Note 15 Pro+ climbs to No. 2, pushing Galaxy A56 down to third. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G (Global) is part of the global rollout that is widening the model's reach. The vanilla Redmi Note 15 sits at No. 4, while Galaxy S25 Ultra holds fifth. Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max falls to seventh as Infinix Note Edge sits at No. 8 and Galaxy A17 rises to No. 9. The newly announced Honor Magic8 Air completes the list. The week underscores Redmi's momentum and ongoing intrigue around Samsung's flagship cadence.

Can the Amazon Echo Dot work without internet?

January 26, 2026, 1:22 AM EST. Without internet, the Echo Dot loses most voice-assistant capabilities. Alexa relies on cloud processing to understand commands, fetch news, stream music, and control smart devices. Offline, you can't set up new alarms or timers, and you won't get results to queries. The device won't respond to most requests. It can still function as a Bluetooth speaker if it was paired while online; you can't pair new devices until it regains online access. A temporary workaround is using a phone hotspot to restore connectivity, but you must use the Alexa app to reconnect the device. Overall, offline, the Echo Dot is severely limited.

Scientists create tiny earthquakes on a microchip with a phonon laser

January 26, 2026, 12:58 AM EST. Researchers developed a surface acoustic wave (SAW) phonon laser that generates controlled, earthquake-like vibrations on a single microchip. The device could simplify smartphone hardware while boosting speed and energy efficiency. SAWs move along a surface rather than through the bulk of a material and already filter signals inside radios. The team, led by Matt Eichenfield of the University of Colorado Boulder, with collaborators from the University of Arizona and Sandia National Laboratories, published the results Jan. 14 in Nature. The device acts like a laser for vibrations – think waves from an earthquake, but on a chip – and it uses a single chip with potential higher frequencies powered by a battery. Lead author Alexander Wendt described the effect as a surface-vibration on demand.

Want to Invest in Quantum Computing? 3 Stocks That Are Great Buys Right Now

January 26, 2026, 12:56 AM EST. Investors are eyeing quantum computing as the next frontier, even as the field remains nascent, expensive and not ready for mass consumer use. The piece profiles three quantum-focused stocks, led by Rigetti Computing, which provides cloud access to quantum processors and has rolled out a 108-qubit system ahead of schedule. It cites fast gate times (50-70 nanoseconds) but only middling two-qubit fidelity and a path to several years of unprofitability as it pursues tougher hardware. IonQ is highlighted for being among the most accurate options, aiming to improve qubit reliability at scale. The broader takeaway: long-term upside requires sustained R&D, practical error correction and favorable unit economics amid market volatility.

Client Challenge: Website Fails to Load When JavaScript Is Disabled

January 26, 2026, 12:28 AM EST. A client reports a site that cannot load while JavaScript is disabled in the browser. The on-screen message asks users to enable JavaScript to proceed. IT teams should check whether extensions or ad blockers are blocking scripts, verify network settings, and test across a different browser to isolate the issue. The root cause is often blocked resources or security policies that prevent a required script from loading. Recommendations: guide users to enable JavaScript, disable conflicting extensions, clear cache if needed, and review network or proxy settings. If the site relies on dynamic content, consider a fallback path or progressive enhancement to improve accessibility when scripts fail.

Tesla Model S Battery Replacement Can Cost More Than the Car Itself

January 26, 2026, 12:26 AM EST. EV owners face a stark reality: a battery replacement can exceed the car's value. The article follows a 2013 Tesla Model S owner in Wisconsin seeking quotes to swap from a 60 kWh pack to the same or a 90 kWh upgrade. For a 60 kWh pack, the quote runs to $13,830, including labor of roughly $580.50 for a 2.58-hour install; most of that hits the battery itself. A larger 90 kWh pack commands an even higher price. With used Model S values around $10,000-$15,000, the upgrade often isn't economical. Third-party battery options exist but may still not pencil out. The piece highlights how, despite EV perks, maintenance costs can eclipse resale value.

Why people still matter in the AI era

January 26, 2026, 12:22 AM EST. In the AI era, decision making remains anchored in human judgment. Experts say AI can automate routine tasks, sift data, and spot patterns, but it cannot replace accountability, ethics, or empathy. Companies are redesigning roles to blend machine efficiency with human oversight. Workers who adapt by learning new skills-critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving-tend to fare best. Regulators push for transparency and guardrails; executives emphasize responsible deployment. The trend: automation boosts productivity, but people steer strategy, interpret nuance, and manage risk. As AI handles data crunching, humans lead on creativity, context, and customer trust. The end result: collaboration, not competition, defines the next phase of work.

Lucid bets on Saudi production as Tesla treads India's path

January 26, 2026, 12:20 AM EST. Lucid is speeding toward full-scale manufacturing at its Saudi Arabia plant, aiming for 150,000 vehicles a year by 2029 after beginning partial assembly. The push deepens the automaker's link to its principal backer, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns about 60% of Lucid and has poured capital into the plant. The move mirrors Saudi Vision 2030's push to diversify away from oil by creating an automotive export hub with tax exemptions and 0% import duties in SEZs. By contrast, Tesla has pursued India via imports, facing steep duties that dampen price parity. The strategic difference-local production versus imports-could shape early market access in a fast-expanding EV region while testing each company's path to profitability.

AI-Driven World Rewrites Differentiation: Experience Over Speed Is The New Advantage

January 26, 2026, 12:04 AM EST. In an AI-forward world, differentiation shifts from products to experience. Firms chase efficiency, cost-cutting and speed, narrowing the edge as AI tools democratize advantages. The result: differentiation converges and becomes harder to sustain. Consumers lament service gaps when AI replaces human interactions; short-term gains fade as the unique human element matters more. The piece argues that differentiation beyond AI must be a priority, with the experience delivered through authentic human engagement and trust. AI can support service, but without a human touch and clear value beyond automation, firms risk blending in with peers. Long-run advantage hinges not on faster bots, but on how well firms design and protect meaningful customer relationships.