1.Intel’s Risky Rebuild: How One Factory Could Shape the Future of U.S. Chips
Intel's got this massive new factory, Fab 52, planted right outside Phoenix, Arizona. We're talking a four-story building that cost them over $20 billion. It’s a huge deal for Intel because they are aiming to find their way back to the top of the chip-making industry. They've definitely been struggling, and the whole world knows it.
What’s interesting about Fab 52 is that they're trying out brand-new ways of constructing chips. The goal is to produce chips that are more durable and don't drain power as quickly. To accomplish this, they're using these incredibly complex machines made by a Dutch company called ASML. This is the first time in about a decade that Intel is focusing on manufacturing its most advanced chips right here in the U.S. For a while, the U.S. has been behind other countries in chip making.
I actually had the chance to look around the factory recently. I saw two of these machines, and I tell you, they cost around $250 million, like, sitting there! ASML's people were all over one of them in full cleanroom suits – super science fiction looking. You can see open space for many more machines, so, clearly, Intel’s hoping this goes well. Their goal is really big, and this factory has to work out to achieve it.
What's going on is Intel’s been showing Fab 52 off to other companies, trying to get them to have Intel make their chips for them. The issue is that most companies want to see Intel make *their own* chips first before letting the company make theirs. That makes sense. If Intel builds their own chips well, companies might consider having Intel produce chips for smartphones, AI, and other tech. But companies are scared of giving Intel manufacturing contracts before seeing that Intel's process is working smoothly. If Intel messes up and the chips are faulty, consumers are going to lash out. It's a high-risk, high-reward game for Intel.
This factory is make-or-break for our company. It used to be that if you thought cutting edge, you thought Intel. They released the fastest, tiniest chips in the world. But not anymore. Now there are many other chipmakers competing with us; TSMC, a Taiwan company. TSMC got ahead because Intel’s tech was not performing as it needed to. Apple even replaced Intel's chips in their laptops as they ate too much battery.
With the pressure increasing, it almost feels like Intel is changing CEOs every day. Lip-Bu Tan is the most recent CEO and took over recently in March, making him the third one in five years. Now, he is running the budget for this incredibly ambitious idea to roll out five new manufacturing methods in four years. He is also trying to turn Intel into a chip-making service for other companies. It's a long road, and they are hoping that it would be beneficial.
Tan did catch a break when the government gave Intel close to $9 billion. That’s one of the biggest investments the U.S. government has made since the 2008 crisis.
The money is going to come from the CHIPS and Science Act.
Back in 2021, Intel originally mentioned they'd invest $32 billion into the factories, Fab 52 and Fab 62, in Arizona.
According to Intel’s technology executive, Sachin Katti, the new methods and the new chip will either make or break the company.
Creative Strategies analyst Ben Bajarin says that Intel became number one by slowly developing these advances. In the past, they would try out a new way to etch silicon with tiny transistors and then improve that method before trying it on something new. But Intel is now trying to take huge steps in both manufacturing and design at the same time. Therefore, mistakes are more likely to happen in general. The method will use equipment to stack chips in general. The overall method should perform better in most situations. Intel’s chip is supposed to perform complicated AI systems with normal tasks.
Since this is all occurring, things could turn out the way it could potentially do. Even a little bit of dust or dirt could ruin the entire chip, which could cost millions of dollars. To make matters a little bit worse, it came to light that its new methods were having problems which showed that 30% was succeeding with its 1 chip.
At the event, the company's members failed to reveal how many chips they made. Experts and critics claim that the data would be the main way to tell how the company is performing.
Producing chips could reduce the expenses.
From the analyst's perspective, some point out that Intel isn't going to be making the chips effectively at the moment. The individual then pointed out that it is like a mall needing a department store.
2.Intel Launches Core Ultra 3 Chips in Crucial Step Toward Revival
Intel gave us a sneak peek at their upcoming Core Ultra series 3 processors, code-named Panther Lake. Why should people be excited? Well, this is the first chip that Intel built using their advanced 18A process. A better process usually means better processing.
These new chips come from Intel's Fab 52 plant in Arizona. Intel says that they're developing, constructing, and assembling this tech right here in the USA. They have stressed the need to keep production in America.
What's next on the agenda? Word on the street is that these Core Ultra series 3 chips should start rolling out before the end of the year. If all goes according to plan, we should see laptops with these chips in stores before the holidays. It will be big news and laptops with these chips could be everywhere.
It looks like this announcement should assist Intel in a number of ways. First, they're shipping products that utilize the 18A process. It hasn't been easy, but they're finally implementing RibbonFET transistors (with PowerVia). The main goal is to create chips that are faster but that use less power.
Second, by making these chips in Arizona, Intel wants to make it clear that they're serious about keeping manufacturing in the United States. They’re clearly trying to show people how dedicated they are to keeping the manufacturing in America.
So, if you decide to buy a laptop with one of these chips, what can you expect? Intel has three main versions planned:
* A version with 8 CPU cores and can have up to 4 Xe GPU cores. The emphasis is on battery life that can be prolonged.
* Another with 16 CPU cores and can have up to 4 Xe GPU cores. This one should be the most budget-friendly option, according to Intel.
* And the high-end model with 16 CPU cores and 12 Xe GPU cores. For users who want the most power that they can get, this is likely the choice.
Each version can support up to 96GB of RAM and can process information at speeds of 180 trillion operations per second (TOPS). TOPS measures the system's AI smarts, and are commonly used by other reviewers.
Intel claims that these Core Ultra series 3 chips can improve multi-core performance by roughly 50%, while single-core tasks should see a 10% improvement. But keep in mind that this data is when compared to older chips. Actual performance might fluctuate depending on the task and workload.
For games and other graphical work, they're aiming for a 50% improvement in screen response as well. But as with all claims, these are benchmarks done in a labatory.
Intel has to make sure not only that these chips are powerful, but also that the laptops using them don't always have to be near a power outlet. They've had challenges with that in the past. AMD has been closing in on them with chips that are powerful and energy-efficient.
Apple's MacBooks, which have their own Arm-based processors, are doing very well in terms of battery life. If a laptop lasts all day, a lot of prospective buyers will want the same.
Even Qualcomm is trying to enter the market, by building Arm-based chips used for Windows PCs. They're trying to provide both great performance and good power efficiency, putting more stress on Intel to keep up.
In addition to the Core Ultra series 3, Intel also presented the Xeon 6+ data center processor. These will make the use of the new 18A tech.
If Intel goes about this the correct way, and these 18A-based chips are what they should be, they could regain some credibility. What remains now is to wait and see if the chips live up to expectations.
3.Motorola Edge 70 Surfaces Ahead of Launch: “Impossibly Thin” Flagship Promises Style and Power
**Motorola Edge 70: Super-Thin Phone Leaks Before Launch!**
So, Motorola's got a new phone coming out soon—the Motorola Edge 70, which some people are saying will be called the Moto X70 Air over in China. The official reveal is supposed to be November 5th, but guess what? Someone jumped the gun!
A retailer in Poland accidentally posted all the details and pictures online. Oops! But hey, now we get a sneak peek at this impossibly thin phone Motorola's been hyping up. Let's check it out:
**Crazy Thin Design**
Motorola's been pushing design a lot lately, and this phone seems to be no different. They're calling it impossibly thin. The leaked specs say it's about160 x 75 x 6 mm. It is thin if that's true. Comparing it to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, it looks like it's a little taller and thicker. But I doubt you’d be able to tell the difference just by holding it. It supposedly weighs 170 grams, which is a little heavier than those other phones, but who cares if it means a bigger battery or better materials?
**Nice Screen and Colors**
The front of the Edge 70 is supposed to have a 6.67-inch OLED screen. It’s supposed to have a resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels, and a refresh rate of 120Hz. So everything should look really smooth. The colors should be pretty bright and the blacks should look dark. Playing games, watching videos, and just scrolling around should all look pretty good. They're claiming it supports HDR10+, and it looks like the edges of the screen are pretty small, so you can really get into whatever you're watching.
Motorola is still working with Pantone for colors.The color models are Pantone Bronze Green, Pantone Gadget Gray and Lily Pad. Hopefully, it'll feel really premium.
**Camera Time**
For the camera, there are three cameras on the back with two 50MP sensors. One is the main camera, and it has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), which should help with shaky hands. And the other 50MP is for taking wide shots. That should mean better pictures when it's dark.
The front camera is also 50MP. That's a big deal! It could mean really good selfies. Motorola also uses some AI to make the pictures look better, and it connects with Google Photos in Android 16. Photos should be much better now and video calls should look really sharp.
**What's Inside?**
Inside the phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip. It's not the fastest chip out there, but it's good. The phone they tested had 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Plenty of space for everything.
It’s not the most powerful phone, but it's supposed to save you some money. Should still be pretty speedy for most things.
**Battery and Charging**
The battery is supposed to be 4,800 mAh, which is bigger than the batteries in the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air. Plus, it charges super-fast at 68W with a cable and 15W wirelessly. So you can get it charged up really quickly which is something everyone needs now.
**Software**
The Motorola Edge 70 is going to run Android 16, with Motorola’s Hello UI on top. People say it's similar to normal Android, but with some extra things added. It also has two SIM card slots. It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC.
**What Does It All Mean?**
So, the surprise might be ruined because of the leak, but it shows people are hyped about Motorola. The Edge 70 (or Moto X70 Air) is a thinner phone with good stuff inside.
Motorola wants to be known for phones that look good and can do a lot. It’s against Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi. If the Edge 70 works as well as it looks on paper, Motorola could be back in the game.
With its good design, good cameras, decent Snapdragon chip, and big battery, the Motorola Edge 70 will change the game for the brand. It's stepping stone for Motorola.
4.Motorola’s Slim Edge 70 Set to Challenge Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air
**Motorola's New Super-Thin Phone Challenges Samsung and Apple: Is the Slim Phone Back?**
Okay, so maybe foldable phones are cooling off a bit. It looks like super-thin phones could be making a big comeback, and Motorola really wants to be the one leading the way. Their next high-end phone, probably called the Motorola Edge 70, is sounding like one of the most interesting phones coming out. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge and maybe even an Apple iPhone Air are supposed to be going for the same super-slim idea, so what Motorola does next could change what we think of when we say thin phone next year.
**Why Are Thin Phones a Thing Again?**
Yeah, yeah, foldable phones have been all the rage for a few years, but phone companies have also been quietly trying to make phones thinner again. There's just something cool about a phone that's crazy thin but can still do everything you want it to. The hard part is always getting enough power, a good battery, and all the other stuff into a phone that's less than 6mm thick.
Thin phones are often easy to pocket and hold. But, usually, you have to give up something to get that thin size: the battery doesn't last as long, the phone can get hot, and the cameras might not be as good. Most thin phones look good but don't work as well as they should, and it's hard to make a phone that both looks nice and is useful.
That’s why the Motorola Edge 70 is getting so much attention. If what Motorola is saying is true (and the leaked pictures seem to back it up), this could be the phone that gets thin phones right.
**Finally, a Thin Phone With Good Battery Life?**
The biggest problem with super-thin phones has always been the battery. If you don’t have much room inside the phone, the battery is usually the first thing to get smaller. But it sounds like Motorola might have figured out a way around that.
Some pictures and information popped up on Motorola’s website in Poland that suggest the Edge 70 might have a 4,800mAh battery. That would be pretty amazing for a phone that’s supposed to be under 6mm thick! That's way bigger than the battery in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge (3,900mAh) or the iPhone Air (just 3,149mAh).
If these battery numbers are real, Motorola might have a phone that’s thin and lasts a long time. These days, that's pretty rare. Having almost 2,000mAh more than other phones would mean several more hours of screen time. No more battery anxiety if you want both a powerful and easy-to-carry phone.
On top of the bigger battery, there are rumors that the Edge 70 will use 68W fast charging, like the Edge 60. That's way faster than most other high-end phones, which usually charge at 25W to 45W. That probably indicates a full charge in less than 40 minutes, which is about twice as quick as Samsung or Apple’s best phones. Wow, indeed!
**Power and Good Looks?**
We don't know all the details about the Motorola Edge 70, but some leaks suggest it might be similar to the Moto X70 Air, which is only sold in China. If that's true, we can probably expect it to use Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7 Gen 5 chip. Maybe even the Elite version, which is supposed to use less power and be better at things that use AI. It will probably come with lots of storage and memory.
That would make the Edge 70 more than just a pretty phone. It could be a really good performer, too. If you add in 12GB of memory and Motorola’s simple Hello UI (which is close to regular Android) on Android 16, this phone could be really smooth and easy to use. Something that's hard to find on Android these days.
**Motorola's Chance to Shine**
Motorola used to be a big name in phones, but they’ve been trying to get back on top for the last ten years or so. The Edge series has been a big part of that, with good specs, nice designs, and decent prices.
The Edge 70, with its super-thin design and powerful parts, feels like the high point of that comeback. It shows that Motorola still knows how to take chances and do them right.
If they can actually make a phone that's under 6mm thick, has a 4,800mAh battery, and charges super-fast, Motorola might not just compete with Samsung and Apple. They might actually beat them at their own game.
Everyone's watching Motorola as they get ready to release the phone on November 5. The foldable phone trend might not be over, but if the Edge 70 is as good as it sounds, next year could be when thin phones come back, but this time, done the right way.
5. The Best Prime Day Apple Deals: MacBooks, iPads, AirPods, and More
Prime Day's here, and I'm stoked! You almost never see Apple products get discounts, so this is like Christmas for me. I’ve been planning to snag a MacBook for work, an iPad for when I’m traveling, and some new AirPods. I'm crossing my fingers that I can finally grab them without emptying my bank account. Being the researcher I am, I checked various sites. First, I checked Amazon, then I went to Best Buy, after that I quickly went to Target and Costco. I just wanted to make sure that the deals were actually good, not some fake price increase thing before the sale.
So, here's what caught my eye this Prime Day:
**Apple MacBook Air (13-Inch, M4, 2025, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) – My Absolute Favorite**
* Amazon: $800 (usually $850)
* Best Buy: $800 (usually $850)
* Costco: $800 (Costco is great!)
If you are searching for a laptopthat's both light and powerful enough for your daily work, the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip is amazing. That M4 chip makes everything respond so fast. Whether you're just binge-watching videos, streaming your shows, or even getting into 4K video editing, this thing will manage it.
The webcam on this model is now 12 megapixels. No more potato quality when you're on those Zoom calls. And the screen is so bright. You'll love how everything looks on it. It also has the keyboard and trackpad that everyone seems to love. It also has Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and the awesome Magsafe charger that snaps on.
This one has 16GB of memory. If you ask me, that's important. It also comes with 256GB of storage. which is ideal for most people. Now, if your computer is filled with video files, then I would purchase a hard drive for extra insurance. Getting this Apple laptop for $800 instead of paying full price is the smart thing to do. No question about it.
**Apple MacBook Air (15-Inch, M4, 2025, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) – Time to Treat Myself!**
* Best Buy: $1,000 (usually $1,050)
* Amazon: $1,000 (usually $1,050)
Now, if you're like me and want a bigger screen, you need the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air. It's basically the same as the smaller one. It has all the same ports, same sleek design, but it has a bigger screen, a bigger touchpad, and the speakers sound better.
Oh yeah, because it's bigger, it handles heavy duty tasks easier. If you are into video or 3D work, you'll love this. The machine won't get too hot either. Even though it has the same 12-megapixel webcam as the smaller model, the 15-inch one deals with heat better.
Okay, so this version is an extra $200. But, it might be worth it for that screen.
**Apple iPad Air (11-Inch, M3, 128 GB) – Worth Every Penny**
* Target: $450 (usually $525; you'll need a Target Circle account, but it's easy to get)
* Amazon: $450 (usually $525)
Alright, let's say you are thinking of getting an iPad but the iPad Pro is expensive. The M3 iPad Air (11-inch) is a good choice. The chip makes it quick and smooth. They moved the front-facing camera to the correct spot at the front. If you wanna upgrade, get a keyboard, mouse, and a monitor. Then, it's a legit computer setup.
128 GB of storage is fine. Unless you need the fancy screen and Face ID from the iPad Pro, this one is great. And it saves you money too, so that's nice.
**Apple iPad Air (13-Inch, M3, 128 GB) – This is Getting Serious**
* Amazon: $650 (usually $700)
* Best Buy: $650 (usually $700)
Hey, you a designer? Do you need more space for drawing? The 13-inch iPad Air (M3) is the choice. It uses that same M3 chip, making it awesome with the Apple Pencil. If you are a student or artist, this is perfect for you.
The screen is big. You also save $50 on it. Sweet deal. The screen is bright. The colors look good too. The front camera is good, plus it fits older iPad Pro cases. While it doesn't have the ProMotion screen or Face ID, it has the fingerprint reader and a sleek, light build.
The new iPad Air models are awesome, and here are some reasons to purchase it:
1. **Good performance**: Every iPad Air model now has the M3 chip inside. Which makes it fast no matter what you're trying to do. Playing games or editing videos is a breeze because of the power of the processor.
2. **Cool Display**: Looking at the iPad Air screen can be relaxing. Everything is colorful. It's cool to see the colors. The colors are colorful too.
3. **Good to take anywhere**: The iPad Air models are super slim. Any backpack will fit the tablet easily.
4. **Front Camera**: They added a better front facing camera on the side, so the device can be more practical.
5. **Accessories**: If you purchase keyboards and pencils, people can work on the iPad Air instead of buying a computer. Drawing anywhere without the need of a laptop.
6. **Good Battery**: The iPad Air does not need to be plugged in all of the time to work. Being charged fully let's you do a lot of cool things.
6.The Best iPad Deal of Prime Day: Apple’s Latest Model Gets Major Price Drop
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These Prime Day deals are kinda nuts, right? Apple's newest iPad just got a big price drop on Amazon, and it's a total bargain.
iPads? They're everywhere! People call any tablet an iPad. And why not? Apple tablets? They're easy to use, they work, and they last. So, if you're a student, an artist, or you just want something simple that does everything you need, the iPad is great for this. The newest basic iPad (the 11th gen) has a big sale because of Prime Big Deal Days.
I'm talking you can get one for only $279 (that's $70 off!). Amazon, Walmart, even Best Buy. It's the cheapest it's ever been, so everyone's grabbing them. Seriously, if you've been waiting to get an iPad (or get someone a cool gift), now's the time. Who knows how long this sale will last?
Good for Just About Everyone
It's not Apple's fastest tablet, but the regular iPad is still great for most folks. The 11-inch screen looks nice, so watching videos, going online, and social media are a breeze. The battery lasts about 10 hours. No charger needed, as it will last all day for whatever you are doing.
This iPad has Apple's A16 Bionic chip, which is the same chip in last year's iPhone 15. Do anything, like edit pics, play games, and hop between apps. For stuff like notes, videos, and games, the iPad is just as good as the more expensive Air or Pro models.
Good for Students, Families, and People
The iPad is normal because anyone can use it. Students take it to class for notes, and families share it at home. It's also good for kids, especially the 11th gen model with its low price, regular entertainment, and simple learning apps.
Parents like that it's made with recycled stuff. Apple’s family settings? Very simple, and it works with other Apple devices. Grab Apple’s Smart Keyboard and USB-C Pencil, and it can also be used as a tiny PC or a drawing tool for artists.
What Could Be Better
Apple had to cut here and there to make the price right. The 11th gen iPad doesn't have Apple Intelligence, only the nicer Air and Pro models do. Those iPads have better screens (OLED or mini-LED), faster chips, and work with the new Apple Pencil Pro.
The basic iPad works with the USB-C Apple Pencil, it doesn't have any high-quality features. These are unnecessary for most non-professional tasks, it is usually just for artists and people who do heavy tasks. The iPad plays light games and lets you switch between apps just fine. You might not want to play heavy games like Resident Evil 4 or Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Now Is the right Time to Buy
With Prime Big Deal Days here, it's the best time to get Apple stuff for cheap. Apple stuff isn't often cheap like this, other than Prime Day or Black Friday. The iPad is $279 at lots of stores (not just Amazon this time), and it looks like stores want people to shop early.
If you're wanting to go up to something speedy with more space, the newest iPad Air (M3) and iPad Pro (M4) are also on sale. But for most people, the 11th gen iPad is where it's at.
What I'm Saying Is
The iPad has been both nice-looking and works well, and this one's good too. At this price, you can't find a better tablet that looks and works this well. Apple's stuff works together great.
If you want Apple products or need something simple that will last, then do it now. Sales like this don't happen much, so grab the new iPad during Amazon's Prime Day 2025.
7.Level Up Your Holidays With Party Games Coming to Netflix on TV
Want to have more fun this holiday? Netflix now has party games for your TV!
Netflix is not just about shows and movies anymore. They want to help you have fun with friends. This holiday season, they’re putting party games right on your TV. Now you, your friends, and family can all have a great time without leaving the app. Whether you are into brain games, silly stuff, or a little friendly competition, these new games will turn your living room into the place to be! Just grab your phone and your Netflix, and you’re all set.
Netflix thinks this is an easy way to get into games; it’s just as easy as turning on a show. Go to the Games section on your TV, pick a game, and use your phone as the controller. You'll be playing in no time, and you don’t need anything extra or any downloads.
These games seem like a lot of fun. The first ones you can play are LEGO® Party!, Pictionary: Game Night, Boggle Party, Tetris Time Warp, and Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends. Every game puts a fun spin on games you probably already know, mixing the classics with something new.
LEGO® Party!—Build, Battle, and LOL
First, there's LEGO® Party! It’s full of mini-games in different places. You and your friends will battle in quick, funny moments as you try to grab gold and see who's the best. It's LEGO craziness with bright colors. Everyone will like this one. Get ready for some goofy moments and many laughs.
Boggle Party—Wordplay With a Twist
Boggle Party is good for word fans. You try to find a lot of words as you can from random letters. The longer the words, the higher your score. Play alone or with up to eight people and test your speed and smarts. It's a new take on a game we all know and is good for anyone who likes to chill or play with words.
Pictionary: Game Night—Draw, Guess, Laugh, Again
Few games bring people together like Pictionary, and Netflix’s Pictionary: Game Night puts that on your TV. Grab your phone, start drawing, and see if your friends can guess what you're drawing before time runs out. It’s quick, wild, and will have you laughing – mostly if you're not good at drawing.
Tetris Time Warp—Old-School Fun
One of the most famous puzzle games gets a Netflix spin with Tetris Time Warp. You and your friends will play different versions of Tetris, from the first 1984 game to the Game Boy version and more. It’s a fun throwback, and it makes you wonder: who can handle it as the blocks start flying?
Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends—The Bluff Game
Finally, there's Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends, Netflix’s take on social games like Among Us. One person at the party doesn’t know what’s going on—they’re the crasher. Everyone else needs to figure out who it is using clues, guesses, and weird stuff. It’s part mystery, part comedy, and pretty exciting—good for a holiday get-together.
A New Way to Play
Netflix has been trying different games for some time, but bringing party games to TVs is their biggest thing yet. They started with phone games in 2021 and have been adding stories and single-player games since then. Now, with games you can play on your TV with your phones, Netflix is becoming better at what they do—mixing streaming, social gaming, and hanging out in the living room.
And the best part: It’s free for subscribers. Anyone with Netflix can play these games as part of their plan.
“This is just the start,” says Netflix. “More is coming. Get ready to play, have fun, and hang out on Netflix.”
So, when the holidays come and you’re tired of movies, switch from the remote to your phone and make your next movie night a game night—the Netflix way.
8.Meta’s Ray-Ban Display Glasses Show How Wearables Are Finally Growing Up
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## Meta's Ray-Ban Display and Neural Band: Wearable Tech's Next Big Thing?
So, Mark Zuckerberg showed off Meta's Ray-Ban Display and Neural Band. The presentation had some issues, but Meta's trying to push the limits of wearable tech.
The Ray-Ban Display has a tiny screen in the right lens that's about 600 by 600 pixels. It shows texts, calls, directions, and alerts, so you don't have to grab your phone or watch. Meta wants tech to be less of a pain, and this seems like a start.
Glasses with screens aren't anything new. But the Ray-Ban Display feels different. It's designed to fit your life. They look like regular Ray-Bans, and you can get them with or without a prescription. They don't feel heavier than normal sunglasses, so you could wear them anywhere, unlike older smart glasses that made you stick out.
The Neural Band is a wristband that uses sensors to read signals from your arm muscles. You don't have to tap or talk to your glasses. Instead, you control them with hand movements, like a pinch or a twist. If you want to look at a message or answer a call, just move your hand a bit. The band figures out what you want to do.
The Neural Band might sound like sci-fi. Meta's been working on this muscle-reading stuff for a while. Now it can tell even small movements. It's getting us closer to controlling tech just by thinking.
The batteries seem decent. The Neural Band works for about 18 hours, and the glasses last about six – enough for a workday. You can charge them without wires, and they connect to your phone easily.
Even though the demo had some problems, it seemed like a cool step for wearable computers. It shows that this tech is new, but still awesome. A few years ago, controlling a screen with wrist movements sounded crazy. Now, it's real.
Meta wants to make computers part of your life – always there, but not annoying. The Ray-Ban Display and Neural Band are steps toward that goal. They show a future where you don't have to look at your phone to get info; it just fits into your day.
If they can fix the problems and make the display clearer and use less power, Meta might change how we use tech. Zuckerberg's demo wasn't just a test. It was a look at a future where your sunglasses can call, text, and give you directions, all while you're still talking to someone.
9.iFixit Gives Meta’s Ray-Ban Display a Repairability Nightmare Score—But Loves the Engineering
iFixit tore down Meta's new Ray-Ban Display AR glasses and thinks they're a mix of cool and frustrating. They said the glasses are technically amazing with incredibly precise engineering, but also said they're basically impossible to fix.
In their teardown video, one of the iFixit techs mentioned that early versions of these glasses probably won't be fixable. That sums up their review: They're impressed by the tech but bummed about the lack of repair options.
Good Engineering, Bad Repair Design
iFixit mentioned that this isn't too shocking. Smart glasses are still new, and it's hard to pack in AR tech while keeping them slim and stylish. But the issue is that they made the glasses small instead of easy to fix.
For simple fixes, like replacing the battery, you'd have to break the glasses' arms and frame. Meta doesn't give you tools, instructions, or parts to do this. The iFixit team said that any fixes will need special skills and tools, making it impossible for you to do it yourself.
The same goes for the speakers. They're soldered onto the insides, not easily removable. This makes them stronger and look nicer, but if a speaker breaks, you can't swap it out.
A Look at the High-Tech Lenses
Even though they're hard to fix, iFixit's teardown showed off some awesome engineering. The lenses use a system that bounces light at angles toward your eyes through mirrors. This makes the AR effect and keeps your display private.
This design is way better than older smart glasses. Because of how it works, the light is even, making a bright, clear picture. iFixit also said it helps get rid of the weird eye glow that some old AR headsets had.
Each pair of glasses has a tiny projector in the right arm. This makes a sharp image, which is then sent into the lens. iFixit was really impressed by how small this was. But they also said it would be nearly impossible to fix or replace without taking everything apart.
Innovation Costs
All this fancy glass and tiny hardware is expensive. iFixit thinks Meta is probably losing money on these glasses because the lenses and micro-display systems are costly to make. This is normal for new tech when companies are trying to build for the future.
iFixit hopes Meta will think more about repairability in the future. They suggest using replaceable batteries, arms, and lenses to make the glasses more sustainable and user-friendly.
Stylish, Useful, but Still Improving
The Meta Ray-Ban Display AR glasses cost $800 and are available online and in stores. Even with iFixit's criticisms, reviewers like that the glasses are discreet and easy to use, with a nice Ray-Ban design and great display.
iFixit's review boils down to a common issue: balancing innovation and longevity. Meta's glasses are a big step for wearable AR, but they're not easy to fix. For now, they're a look into the future where smart glasses fit into your life— but don't count on fixing them yourself.
10.Battlefield 6 Aims to Challenge Call of Duty in the Next Big FPS Showdown
This game is a huge deal for EA, and they're putting everything they've got into it. BBC Newsbeat even talked to the people making the game about what they're hoping to do. The cool thing is that it's a team effort with a bunch of different *Battlefield* studios working together. You've got Dice in Sweden, plus Motive Studios in Canada, Ripple Effect Studios in LA, and Criterion in the UK. That's a lot of cooks in the kitchen.
Rebecka Coutaz is in charge at the European studios, and she says the goal is to give *Battlefield* fans exactly what they've been asking for. *Battlefield 6* follows *Battlefield 2042*, which was set in the future. A lot of people didn't love that one.
Rebecka said that the team took the launch of *Battlefield 2042* really seriously. They might not have been able to start *Battlefield 6* if they hadn't listened to the fans. That's why they did invite-only playtests. The fans had great ideas, and it really the process.
*Battlefield 6* is bringing back a single-player mode. People missed having a story. After the last game, it seems like everyone wanted a really engaging single-player experience. Maybe something gritty and intense, like the *Battlefield: Bad Company* games, but who knows? The team has been pretty secretive about it.
Fasahat 'Fas' Salim is the head of design at Criterion, and in charge of the single-player part. He wants to make sure the missions are fun and gripping.
He seems pretty excited about how it's all coming together, even though he knows the game is huge. He really likes the people he works with, and he knows everyone brings something unique to the table, since they're from all over the world.
Making a game like this is stressful, but he's eager about it. He is very happy with bringing back the single player campaigns that fans love. The return to the single-player story mode will likely give people interested in this franchise one more reason to buy the game.
Vlad Kokhan, who works on how the game looks, says this new game is the biggest thing they've ever built.
Even cooler, Vlad is only 21 years old and is in charge of making the single-player campaign look awesome. This has to feel amazing working on something so big, especially with so much responsibility.
He started at Criterion as an intern, then got a full-time job. Now, he's in school getting a visual effect degree. Balancing school while working on a *Battlefield* game, that's pretty wild.
Vlad has been playing *Battlefield* forever. He basically grew up around video games. All that time playing probably gave him a good sense of what looks cool and what doesn't. It's easy to get a job doing something that you love.
11.Sony Shows Off Next-Level Graphics Tech for Its Next PlayStation
Okay, so here's the scoop: Sony's been cooking up something new for their next PlayStation, which everyone thinks will be called the PS6. It sounds like it's still pretty far off, but things are happening behind the scenes, and there's some interesting news out there.
Mark Cerny, who's basically the main brain behind the PS5 and PS5 Pro's design, has been hanging out with Jack Huynh from AMD. They even released a video talking about some cool, new graphics tech they're building together for the next PlayStation. They said this stuff is still in the early stages and is basically simulations right now.
What they're trying to do is make it easier for the PlayStation GPUs to do a few important things. That includes upscaling the graphics in games to look better on modern TVs. They also want to improve how the system handles ray tracing. Ray tracing is what makes the lighting in games look super realistic. Finally, they spoke about path tracing, which is an even more intense method to create believable-looking game worlds. Cerny stated that the current methods have limitations, so Sony and AMD are teaming up to put parts of AMD's next-generation RDNA architecture into future PlayStations.
Huynh from AMD mentioned something called Radiance Cores. Think of them like Nvidia's RT Cores. They're specially designed for ray tracing and path tracing. These cores won't just be in Sony's new consoles, either. It sounds like they'll also end up in AMD's graphics cards for PCs and maybe even in whatever they're building with Xbox.
The idea here is that these Radiance Cores will speed things up big time. By handling the intensive ray tracing tasks, the other parts of the GPU can concentrate on things like shaders and textures. In short, games will look great and run smoothly.
This new GPU tech will also get a helping hand from AMD's FSR Redstone, which is their latest upscaling tech that uses AI. It'll also use Neural Radiance Caching, as well as any other new upscaling tricks they think up.
Something else they're really focused on is compression. By compressing data more efficiently, they can free up some bandwidth for the GPU. That means games can run at their max settings with super visuals and smooth motion. Sony's improving on something called Delta Color Compression (it's already in the PS5 and PS5 Pro) with a newer, better method called Universal Compression. This will compress everything that has to do with graphics. Huynh says this will let the GPU push out more detail, get higher frame rates, and be more streamlined overall. If compression gets better, the GPU could perform even better and use less power when it doesn't need it.
All of these tweaks could be a huge deal for the rumors that are swirling around a possible PlayStation handheld. All the work that Sony and AMD are doing to lighten the load on GPUs could be used in a smaller device like a handheld. And get this, Sony's already been making the PS5 more power-efficient, with a new power saver mode that limits game performance to save energy. These are exactly the sorts of things you need for a portable gaming device.
It’s a good thing that Sony is giving a sneak peek at how they're cranking up the power of the GPUs in their future stuff, whether it’s the PS6 or some kind of handheld device.
12.Microsoft Expands Copilot Capabilities with Connectors and Document Creation Tools for Windows Insiders
Hey Windows Insiders, guess what? We’ve got some fresh updates to the Microsoft Copilot app on Windows that we think you'll find useful.
First off, we're introducing Connectors. Ever get annoyed when you have to search all over the place just to find a file or a piece of information? We felt that, so this new thing links Copilot to your go-to accounts, such as OneDrive and Outlook (for your email, contacts, and calendar, of course). It even plays nice with services such as Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts.
Once everything’s linked up, Copilot can search all of them at once. Just think of the time you’ll save! You can find what you need with one search.
With Connectors, Copilot lets you search using normal, everyday language. Just type your question like you’re talking to someone. For example, you can ask:
* What's Amy's email address?
* Find my notes from Business 101 last week.
Copilot will then look through your linked accounts to find what you need. It’s like having someone who knows exactly where everything is. We think this will really cut down on your search time. Life's already complicated enough, right?
With Connectors, you can link both your Microsoft accounts and other accounts from other companies to Copilot. You choose what to link, and it's simple to set up. Head to Settings in the Copilot Windows app, scroll down to Connectors, and turn on the ones you want. You can turn them on and off whenever you want, so you’re always in control.
Plus, there’s more on documents. Now, Copilot on Windows can make documents for you and even save them in different formats with just a quick request. Need a Word doc, an Excel sheet, a PDF, or a PowerPoint? Just ask Copilot! For example, you can just say, “Turn this text into a Word document” or “Make an Excel file from this table,” and Copilot will create the file for you. This makes turning your ideas, notes, and even tables into documents faster. We think this will be a great help for people who need to create documents but don't want to spend all day on it.
Here's how it works: when Copilot gives you a response that's at least 600 characters long, you'll see a button that lets you send the text straight to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or PDF. That means you can quickly grab info you've found or created in Copilot and turn it into a document with one click. This is useful if you're a student, in business, or just someone who makes documents regularly. Imagine this: you're about to head into a meeting and you need to create a presentation. You can quickly grab all the info you need from Copilot and turn it into a presentation fast.
This Copilot app update (version 1.25095.161.0 and up) is hitting all Insider Channels through the Microsoft Store. We're rolling out these changes slowly, so hang tight if you don’t see the update just yet. It’s on the way! We’re curious to know what you think about these changes and to make sure Copilot on Windows is as good as it can be for everyone. Your thoughts really do help us shape these tools.
If you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions, we’re all ears. The easiest way to send us your thoughts is through the Copilot app itself. Just click on your profile picture and select Give feedback. We’re excited to learn about your experiences and suggestions to help us keep improving Copilot. Thanks for being part of the Windows Insider program! We’re always trying to get better, and your input is very important.
13.Microsoft’s New OneDrive App Organizes Your Photos Automatically — Here’s How to Try It
**ZDNET: What you should know**
The new OneDrive Windows app can help sort your photos.
You can try it now in Windows 10 and 11.
Soon, a Photos Agent with Copilot AI will help you find photos.
I have tons of photos on my phone and PC—over 15,000! So, I could really use some help organizing them. Now, Microsoft is offering some help with new tools for Windows 11.
First, there's a new OneDrive Windows app. Right now, Windows 10 and 11 don't let you do much with your OneDrive photos and files without going to the website. You can see and handle folders and files and change settings through the OneDrive icon, but that’s it.
The new OneDrive Windows app gives you a nicer, simpler view of your OneDrive storage. It works with all your files but focuses on photos. Microsoft says it has a simple layout, so you can switch between views like Moments, Gallery, Albums, People, and Favorites.
These views are already in OneDrive on the web. But now, you can use them directly in Windows without having to go to the OneDrive website.
**Views**
* **Moments:** Shows you photos from the same date in past years. Pick a date to see old photos or watch an AI slideshow of memories.
* **Gallery:** Shows all your photos in order. Scroll down to see older ones. You can zoom and change how the screen looks.
* **Albums:** Shows all your photo albums. You can also make new albums and add photos.
* **People:** Shows photos of certain people. Pick someone to see their pictures or add a name to search.
* **Favorites:** Shows photos you marked as favorites.
In some views, you can hover over a photo to see info, delete it, share it, or favorite it. If you open a photo, you can delete, download, share, or add it to an album, or edit it. The editor has basic tools to crop, change brightness, add filters, or write on the photo.
Each screen has a search bar. Just type a word to find related photos.
**How to get it**
Good news! The app is ready to try in Windows 10 and 11. Go to C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive in File Explorer. Find OneDrive.App.exe. If it’s not there, check C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive. Open the .exe file to see the new app and try the features.
Hopefully, Microsoft will add the app to Windows soon, so you don't have to search for it in File Explorer.
**Photos Agent and more**
There’s also a new Photos Agent that uses Copilot. The AI helps you find photos by name or other details, make albums, and share them. The Photos Agent is coming soon for Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows and the web, and for Microsoft 365 Premium users.
Lastly, some new features are coming to the OneDrive mobile app for iOS and Android. The AI mobile editing tool lets you change photos with different styles on your phone. The Photo Stacks tool puts blurry or duplicate photos in one stack. Microsoft 365 users can then clean up these photos with AI help.
14.From Smart Display to Smart Billboard: Amazon Users Push Back Against Ads
People who own Amazon Echo Shows are seeing more ads on their screens.
These smart displays have shown ads before through Shopping Lists and for Alexa skills. Also, you might hear audio ads when listening to Amazon Music on Alexa.
But now, people on Reddit and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge (who has a few Echo Shows) are saying that Amazon is showing way more ads on the home screens. It's getting so bad that folks are thinking about ditching their Echo Shows altogether.
The smart displays are also pushing ads for Alexa+, the new AI version of Alexa. These ads are taking over the screens, even though Alexa+ is still in the early stages.
One Redditor complained about the full-volume ads for Alexa+ and said they're ready to switch to Google.
Tuohy said she saw ads on one of her Echo Shows for the first time, even when it was set to display personal photos. She saw ads for things elderberry herbal supplements, Quest sports chips, and tabletop display frames.
You can't turn off these home screen ads. When Ars Technica asked Amazon about it, a spokesperson said:
Ads are just a small part of the experience and they can help people see new stuff they might like. If someone doesn't like an ad, they can swipe it away or give direct feedback by tapping the Information icon.
Amazon wouldn't say if they've increased the number of ads on Echo Shows.
Alexa is using ads because Amazon's Devices part of the company isn't making much money. So, it makes sense that they're turning to ads to bring in some cash.
Amazon started selling ad space on Echo Show screens in July, especially for devices using Alexa+. They've even said they might put ads into Alexa+ conversations.
The ads on Echo Show home screens change depending on how far away you are from the device.
If you're more than four feet away, the ads will take up the whole screen and rotate with other content like weather and news. If you're closer than four feet, the ads will appear in the first spot on the home screen.
Panos Panay, who leads Amazon's Devices & Services, admitted that some Alexa ads seem random. An Amazon spokesperson told Ars that they'll keep improving the ad experience based on what customers say.
After Amazon devices came out last month, we said that Alexa's success depends on whether people are willing to pay for Amazon devices. Now it seems people's tolerance for ads will matter too.
15.Echo Show Users Say Clock Disappeared After Alexa Plus Update
Is Alexa Plus messing up Echo Show's clock display? Some users think so.
It seems Amazon's new Alexa Plus thing is giving Echo owners some trouble. Some users on Reddit are saying that the $20-a-month thing—which should make Alexa talk more and be smarter—might be messing with how some Echo devices work, and not in a good way.
A user named Setati shared on the Amazon Echo subreddit that their Echo Show 5 suddenly quit showing the time. Instead of the usual clock face that people have on their bedside table or in the kitchen, the screen started showing news, trivia, and other stuff without anyone asking.
After looking into it, Setati thinks it might not be a glitch, but Alexa Plus, Amazon's new AI helper subscription that came out earlier this year.
What is Alexa Plus?
Amazon hopes Alexa Plus will turn its voice helper into a more advanced AI assistant. For $20 each month (free if you're an Amazon Prime member), Alexa Plus is supposed to have better conversation skills, understand what you mean better, and give responses that feel more personal. It's meant to be like ChatGPT or Google's Gemini, where you can talk to Alexa like you're talking to a real person instead of just giving orders.
But while Alexa Plus is supposed to make Alexa smarter, it looks like it's changing Echo devices in ways that people didn't see coming.
The Clock Vanished
For Setati and others, Alexa Plus's better experience has changed their screen—and they didn't like it. After signing up, the Echo Show 5 apparently quit showing the clock all the time, and instead showed news, suggestions, and personal content—more like a smart display than a simple clock.
It just quit being a clock, Setati said. Now it's showing me news, reminders, and random stuff I didn't ask for.
Setati was surprised when they canceled their Alexa Plus thing and the Echo Show went back to its normal clock display. That proved that Alexa Plus was automatically changing the Echo's home screen.
The AI Assistant Changed the Screen
Amazon hasn't said anything about this yet, but users guess that Alexa Plus makes the home screen more active to get people to use the new features. By showing more smart suggestions and content, like daily info or AI suggestions, Alexa Plus might be trying to get people to use it more instead of keeping things simple.
Sadly, this means that devices like the Echo Show 5, which lots of people use as a clock, aren't as useful anymore. If you just want a screen that shows the time, weather, and maybe your calendar, Alexa Plus's new look can be annoying.
This also adds to the fact that Amazon has been testing ads and personal content on Echo devices, which has bothered people who liked the simpler displays of older models.
AI Stuff vs. Simple
This shows a problem in the smart home world: as companies rush to add AI to devices, they might be pushing away users who want things to be simple. Not everyone wants their Echo Show to act like a smartphone or tablet—many people bought it because it didn't do as much.
The idea that an AI subscription can change a device's main screen without warning has people worried about how much these services are tied to Amazon's hardware.
For now, the fix is simple: cancel Alexa Plus, and your Echo Show will probably go back to being a clock. But, that makes you wonder: how much control will users have over their own devices as Amazon keeps adding AI features?
What's Next?
For now, Amazon hasn't said if Alexa Plus is supposed to change the Echo Show's display or if this is just a mistake. The company is still trying to get people to use Alexa Plus as a big improvement, talking about features like AI answers, longer talks, and personal help.
For some users, the best feature might be a simple home screen.
Until Amazon gives more ways to customize things—or at least a way to turn off Alexa Plus's extra stuff—Echo Show users might have to pick between a smarter Alexa and a clock they can see. And for a device that's supposed to make life easier, that's a choice that people didn't expect to make.
16.Qualcomm Launches Next-Gen Snapdragon Lineup: Fastest Mobile SoC and Windows CPU Yet
Okay, so at the 2025 Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm showed off their next-gen chip designs. We’re talking the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for smartphones, and a couple aimed at laptops: the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and just the Snapdragon X2 Elite. Qualcomm seems pretty sure these new chips will make our devices run a whole lot better.
So what makes these chips so great?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is all about making your phone's display look amazing and boosting the AI. Picture playing video games with nice graphics and a voice assistant that actually understands you. The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, that one is built for top-tier laptops. Qualcomm is saying this laptop chip will be easy on battery use, so you won't be constantly hunting for a charger. Plus, they are saying you can browse faster and edit videos without slowdowns.
Let's dig into the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 a bit more.
Qualcomm is using an advanced method to build this chip. The core of it is the Gen 3 Qualcomm Oryon CPU, which they are claiming is about 20% faster than the previous ones. The Adreno GPU, which handles all the graphics, got a big improvement. Expect to get around 23% better graphics and 25% quicker ray tracing. That ray tracing thing should make lighting and shadows in games look a lot more detailed. They also gave the Adreno more memory in the system, which should speed up how fast data moves around by about 38%.
They did a lot to make the AI better, as well. The Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which is a processor specially for AI stuff, is about 37% faster. Qualcomm is saying that it will allow your phone to learn how you use it, which makes things like voice assistants understand you better. You can even mess with videos during recording, all on your phone, no internet needed.
If you are into taking photos and videos, Qualcomm is letting you film using Advanced Professional Video (APV). If you like that kind of thing, then nice. The chip's ISP can catch a wider range of colors, so you get improved colors and detail in your photos. It's prepared with the newest version of Wi-Fi and a 5G modem for those speedy connections. Plus, there are some new power-saving features that kick in depending on how close to your network.
Now, let's talk about the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme for PCs.
Qualcomm is really pushing this chip as the one to get for Windows laptops. It's made the same way as the phone chip and uses their Gen 3 Qualcomm Oryon CPU cores. These CPU cores should be able to handle heavy-duty operations while running cool and not slowing down. Qualcomm is saying it's around 75% quicker than what some other company’s chips do while using the same amount of energy.
This chip has a completely new Adreno GPU that provides double the graphics . It can handle those really sharp screens and new graphics . And it can also manage a lot of memory, which should help apps run well.
AI is a big part of this chip, too. The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme comes with a Hexagon NPU that Qualcomm says is the fastest one you can get in laptops right now. They are saying that it will let you run all sorts of AI tasks right on your laptop. You can manage a lot of AI programs at once and process AI tasks without needing to be connected to the internet, which is both quicker and saves on power.
Here's the main idea: Better AI all over the place.
With these chips, for both phones and PCs, Qualcomm wants products to just work together better. By using similar CPUs and adjusting their Hexagon NPUs, their goal is for AI apps to run smoothly no matter what kind of device you're using. Think about starting something on your phone and jumping right back into it on your laptop, with AI helping all along the way.
It'll be good to watch out for phones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 coming soon from brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Sony. Laptops using the Snapdragon X2 Elite platforms should be out in the first half of 2026.
17.Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s Sky-High Price Could Push Android Flagships Even Higher
Qualcomm wanted to take on giants like Apple by using TSMC's advanced 3nm tech for its top-tier chips, like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. But this ambition came with a price tag.
Last year, the Snapdragon 8 Elite stood out as the first 3nm chipset in the Android world. This made it a costly part for phone makers who wanted to include it in their latest devices.
Now, these companies face a tough choice: either increase the price of their phones or cut costs in other areas. The reason? The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is rumored to cost around 27% more than the previous Snapdragon 8 Elite. To make matters worse, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 probably won't be any cheaper. This is mainly because Qualcomm is planning to use TSMC's even newer 2nm technology.
If the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 already hovers around $280, then the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 could easily surpass the $300 mark. This potential price increase makes it even more important for Qualcomm to branch out and use different suppliers.
Tech analyst Abhishek Yadav has shared guestimated costs for Qualcomm's chipsets, starting with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The original Snapdragon 8 Elite already has a price of $220, so a jump to $240-$280 for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a big deal, as it means a roughly 27% price hike.
The final cost will depend on several factors. These factors can include how well Qualcomm negotiates with its manufacturing partners, the number of chips they order, and other behind-the-scenes industry dealings. Companies that order fewer chips are likely to pay a premium, while big players like Samsung, which ship tons of phones annually, could get a better deal.
The high price of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 may be a reason why Qualcomm may be thinking about using Samsung's 2nm technology for its flagship chips. If Qualcomm manages to partner with Samsung, it would give them more leverage when negotiating with TSMC. This is crucial if they want to lower the prices for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, which is slated to use TSMC's 2nm process.
Here’s a quick look at some guestimated costs for these Snapdragon chipsets:
* 8 Gen 1: $120–130
* 8+ Gen 1: $120–130
* 8 Gen 2: $160
* 8 Gen 3: $170–200
* 8 Elite: $220+
* 8 Elite Gen 5: $240–280
Keep in mind that these numbers are just industry guesses. The actual prices that companies pay depend on their specific contracts and the size of their orders.
There’s a chance that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could become even more expensive because TSMC is rumored to be increasing its prices for its 3nm 'N3P' wafers.
Word on the street is that Qualcomm and MediaTek were already paying TSMC about 24% more for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Dimensity 9500, which indicates that wafer prices had already risen. Now, a new report suggests that TSMC is raising prices for its older 3nm 'N3E' and 3nm 'N3P' nodes. Experts believe that each wafer could cost $25,000 and $27,000, respectively.
It is rumored that 2nm wafers will stay at $30,000. Considering that this is more than any of TSMC's 3nm options, Qualcomm might have to price the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 at over $300. Unless, of course, they can convince Samsung to join their supply chain. All in all, it looks like Qualcomm's top-end chipsets are getting more expensive, which could lead to higher phone prices. The company is trying to counteract this by using different manufacturers, but customers might still end up footing the bill.
In short, Qualcomm's decision to use TSMC's 3nm tech for its high-performance chipsets was a calculated gamble that may have backfired. The higher prices for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, along with the predicted cost of the Gen 6 version due to the switch to 2nm tech, are creating problems for phone companies. They're now in a position where they will have to make a choice: increase phone prices or find places to cut back elsewhere.
Qualcomm's negotiating skills, order volumes, and the potential partnership with Samsung will all play a big part in setting the final prices. The rising expenses of TSMC's wafers only add to the pressure. While Qualcomm is trying to tackle these issues by diversifying its suppliers, customers are still concerned about possible increase in phone prices.
18.Controversial Spyware Company NSO Group Bought by American Investors
NSO Group, the Israeli company that makes spyware, has confirmed to TechCrunch that an investment group from the U.S. has bought the company.
Oded Hershowitz, a spokesperson for NSO, told TechCrunch on Friday that an American investment group has put tens of millions of dollars into the company and now owns the majority of it.
This news comes after Calcalist, an Israeli tech news website, reported on Friday that a group led by Robert Simonds, a Hollywood producer, had agreed to buy the surveillance tech maker for tens of millions of dollars.
Hershowitz wouldn't say exactly how much money was invested or who the investors are.
This investment doesn't mean that the company is moving out of Israeli control, Hershowitz said. The headquarters and main operations are staying in Israel. We're still being watched over and controlled by the Israeli authorities, including the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli rules.
(After sending these comments, Hershowitz said they were off the record, but TechCrunch is publishing them because there was no prior agreement about that.)
If you have more information about this deal, or about NSO Group and other spyware makers, you can contact Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai on Signal at +1 917 257 1382, or via Telegram, Keybase and Wire @lorenzofb, or email. You can also contact TechCrunch through SecureDrop. Use a device that is not for work.
In 2023, The Guardian reported that Simonds and a partner were thinking about trying to take over NSO through their investment firm, but that deal never happened.
Calcalist also reported that as part of the new deal with Simonds, Omri Lavie, NSO's co-founder and executive chairman, will no longer be involved with the company.
Lavie didn't comment when TechCrunch contacted him. Simonds and his Hollywood company, STX Entertainment, also didn't respond to our requests for comment.
NSO Group has been controversial from the start. Now it's going from a U.S. ban to U.S. ownership.
Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, Amnesty International, and other groups have been documenting cases for years where NSO's government clients have hacked journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in countries like Hungary, India, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
NSO has always claimed that its spyware is designed not to target U.S. phone numbers, probably to avoid hurting its chances of getting into the U.S. market. But in 2021, the company was caught targeting about a dozen U.S. government officials who were working in other countries.
Soon after that, the U.S. Commerce Department banned American companies from doing business with NSO by putting the company on the U.S. Entities List. Since then, NSO has been trying to get off the U.S. government's list, as recently as May 2025, with the help of a lobbying firm that has ties to the Trump administration.
John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the Citizen Lab who has been investigating the misuse of NSO's spyware for ten years, told TechCrunch that he is worried about the acquisition.
NSO is a company that has a history of acting against American interests and helping to hack American officials. How can someone like that be trusted to properly oversee a company like NSO Group? Scott-Railton said, referring to Simonds.
My real worry is that NSO has been trying hard to get into the United States and sell their product to American police forces in U.S. cities. This kind of tech, which is often used by dictators, shouldn't be anywhere near Americans, or our rights and freedoms.
This isn't the first time NSO's ownership has changed hands.
NSO Group was started by Niv Karmi, Shalev Hulio, and Omri Lavie. In 2014, it was bought by Francisco Partners, a U.S. private equity firm. In 2019, Lavie and Hulio regained control of the company with help from Novalpina, a European private equity firm. Then, in 2021, Berkeley Research Group, which is based in California, took over management of the fund. In 2023, Lavie became the majority owner of NSO again. Now U.S. investment group has newly acquired the company.
19.Bose SoundTouch Home Theater Systems Lose Smart Features Starting Feb. 18
It's a bummer for folks who invested in Bose's SoundTouch audio system. They're finding out that some of the features they liked most are going away soon. One person on Reddit said they spent over $1,500 on SoundTouch stuff less than ten years ago and is not happy with Bose's decision. They said it's enough to make them never buy any product from Bose again.
Some people are suggesting Bose should just open source the software development kits for SoundTouch speakers. That way, owners could keep the speakers going themselves. But Bose doesn't seem interested in doing that.
And to make things worse, Bose has said that once they shut down the SoundTouch app, those speakers won't work with the newer Bose app.
The Bose app, which used to be called Bose Music, came out three years after the latest SoundTouch product. Bose created it for their Home Speaker 500, Soundbar 500, and Soundbar 700, which all launched around the same time. Since then, Bose has released more speakers and soundbars that were designed for the Bose app. Right now, all the home theater speakers and systems on Bose's website in the US work with the app.
It would've been cool if Bose could've made the SoundTouch devices work with the newer Bose app. That could have kept the speakers useful for longer. But getting older speakers to play nice with newer software can be tricky. Sonos, Bose's competitor, found that out the hard way last year.
Sonos lost money and messed up its reputation when they released a new app that didn't work well with a lot of their devices. They built the app to support new products, but they didn't pay enough attention to how it would work with older ones. Amid all the confusion, Sonos explained that redoing an app for high-end audio is really complex. It involves redoing the app itself, the cloud stuff behind the scenes, and the internal systems, plus a ton of testing on lots of different devices.
So, it might not be possible for Bose to get the Bose app to work with the old SoundTouch speakers. Plus, keeping the systems running for the SoundTouch app might not be worth it for Bose anymore, either because it costs too much or because not enough people are using it.
Even so, it's bad news for SoundTouch users. Their smart speakers are turning into regular, not-so-smart speakers, and it's not their fault. At least these customers got some warning, unlike people who own other smart home devices that have become useless without any notice.
20..A long-lost Ratchet and Clank mobile game has been found
After all these years, a dedicated team finally got their hands on a working version of the canceled mobile game, Ratchet & Clank: Clone Home, and archived it! YouTuber The Golden Bolt, who actually got the ball rolling on this search back in 2019, made a video telling the whole story of how it all happened.
People usually thought Handheld Games, the company that did a bunch of mobile games in 2005 like Spider-Man 2: The Hero Returns and Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile, made Clone Home. The plan was to release it in 2006 for Java phones, but it got canned right before launch.
But people remembered it. There were whispers that it was a fully playable game, which made it legendary among fans. Then, The Golden Bolt heard from one of the original developers that the game was finished and might have ended up on a few phones. So, he posted a video in 2019, and that's what kicked off the serious search.
Two college students, Emily and Super Gamer Omega Clank, were the most into finding this game. Four years ago, Super Gamer Omega Clank posted on Reddit that they found someone who had the game on a Sony Ericsson W880i. The problem was it was locked up tight with encryption. Just a few weeks ago, they thought all hope was lost in getting it off the phone.
But then, they had a breakthrough! The team figured out how to crack the phone's encryption without messing anything up, pulled Clone Home off, and saved it so anyone can get it. Surprisingly, the whole game is there and works, even if it's a little rough around the edges. The Golden Bolt now thinks that a company called JavaGround, which made Sony's last Java (J2ME) games, actually made the game, not Handheld Games. It may have accidentally been put on mobile networks like Cingular or Sprint for a short time. A few people might have downloaded it before it was taken down.
Those who've played it say it's surprisingly good, even better than Going Mobile. It’s a quirky addition to the R&C world (now with 17 games!). It has a crazy story, solid controls, the ability to play as two different Lombaxes, and a weapon called the Ewezie that turns enemies into sheep.
So, why did they cancel Clone Home? The Golden Bolt thinks it might have been because of a possible legal fight between Sony and Handheld Games. Whatever the reason, it's a treasure for people who care about game preservation and a great reward for the R&C fans who put in years of work to find it.
21.Mega Evolution Pokémon Cards Available on Amazon Again, But Cheaper Options Are Out There
The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution series is all the rage in the trading card scene. With the upcoming release of its next set, called Phantasmal Flames, things are only going to get wilder as we head into the later part of 2025.
If you've been on the lookout for sealed boosters or Elite Trainer Boxes, you're in luck! Amazon has just restocked online. Though, be warned, the prices might sting a bit for some people. Here is what is currently available.
First off, let's talk about the Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box (ETB). Inside, you'll find nine Mega Evolution booster packs, a cool full-art foil promo card of either Riolu or Alakazam, 65 card sleeves to keep your cards safe, 40 energy cards, a guide to help you through the Mega Evolution set, six dice for keeping track of damage, a coin-flip die for those crucial decisions, and a box to keep everything organized.
The suggested retail price is $49.99, but they're currently selling for double that! The going rate is about $90-$100 right now. So, while Amazon does have them in stock, they're charging market price ($99.99), not the lower retail price. This is good if you've got the money and want the convenience of free delivery. You might even want to use a gift card you've been holding onto.
The Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is in a similar situation. Amazon has them in stock for $59.99, which is also about double the suggested retail price of $29.99. You get six Mega Evolution boosters inside, which breaks down to about $10 per pack.
If those prices are too high, your best bet is to check out reliable resale sites like TCGPlayer. I think it's the best place to find sealed booster sets like these. More often than not, you can find a better deal than buying directly from Amazon.
And right now, that’s exactly the case. You can snag an ETB for around $90-$92 with shipping included, and the Booster Bundle for about $54-$56. It's not a huge discount compared to Amazon, but you will save some money.
22.Apple Vision Pro Adds Live LA Lakers NBA Games in Immersive Format
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If you're rocking an Apple Vision Pro, next year's gonna be cool. You'll get to watch some LA Lakers NBA games in a way that's totally different. Apple's calling it Apple Immersive, and it's the first time they're doing live stuff like this.
For the 2025-26 season, they're using a special camera to film these games. It's called the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Live camera. It's a new version of their Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera, and it should be out next year.
So, what's so great about it? Apple's saying that when you're watching with your Vision Pro, it'll feel like you're actually sitting courtside. Like, you'll see the game from angles you usually don't get with regular TV.
They're going to stream the games live in 3D, with a 180-degree view. The video quality should be good, with a bitrate up to 150 Mbps. To watch, you can use either the NBA app or the Spectrum SportsNet app (that one's coming soon).
If you go with the NBA app, you just need to sign up for an NBA ID. It doesn't cost anything. But if you want to use the Spectrum SportsNet app, you'll need to have Spectrum internet or a Spectrum SportsNet subscription.
Now, which games are we talking about? They'll let us know later this fall, so keep an eye out for the announcement.
It's worth remembering that Meta and Xtadium have been showing 52 NBA games each season to Quest users. It's free, and it's in 2D with a 180-degree view. They even streamed the 2025 NBA All-Star Game earlier this year. Plus, Meta lets you watch with your friends, which Apple Immersive doesn't do right now.
But here's where Apple's trying to be better: the 3D part. They think that watching in 3D will make it feel way more realistic than Meta's 2D stream. Plus, they're using a better bitrate, so the picture should look sharper.
This whole thing is happening almost ten years after NextVR started streaming NBA games every week to those Samsung Gear VR headsets. Those headsets used Oculus tech and streamed at 180 degrees. Back in 2020, Apple bought NextVR and used what they learned to make Apple Immersive Video.
So, it sounds like NextVR's original idea might finally be happening. Apple wants to give us video that's good enough to make it feel like we're really there. The Apple Immersive Video format has 180° 3D video with 4K for each eye, running at 90FPS. It also has high dynamic range (HDR) and spatial audio. Apple claims they use a higher bitrate than other platforms for this kind of video.
People who've tried Apple Immersive Video seem to like it, but you can't cast it or record it. You'll have to check it out yourself if you've got a Vision Pro. I think that this new technology has the possibility to change the live streaming world completely. Waiting for the official release!
23.Forgotten Files, Found Again: The Floppy Disk Preservation Movement
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Imagine finding someone's private thoughts on old floppies instead of gold. That's what's happening at Cambridge University Library, where people are trying to get old data off these disks.
The library has amazing historical items, like Isaac Newton's letters, Charles Darwin's notes, and old Islamic writings. They're working hard to keep everything safe.
They just received Stephen Hawking's stuff, and guess what? It included floppy disks. Hawking loved tech and used computers, updating them as his health got worse. These disks might have unseen papers, speeches, and notes – a look into his world.
These disks are a big part of the Future Nostalgia project, which aims to save data from old disks. Other libraries are helping.
Leontien Talboom, who is leading the project, says they often get old computer stuff when people retire or pass away.
While paper can get moldy and ink can fade, data on floppy disks can vanish. The data can break down, and the information disappears.
These old disks can be a pain for the library staff. Talboom says you need special tools to use a floppy disk. Even then, it might not work. You also have to know the computers that used them.
It's a bit scary to think that people in the future might not be able to see data from recent years, putting us in a digital dark age.
The Future Nostalgia project is looking for old computer parts to read these disks. Even with the right tools, they still have to figure out how the disks were set up. Talboom even cleans mold off the disks to keep the data safe.
Talboom says she's found writings from a poet and stuff from a ghost-hunting group. But Hawking's disks are her favorite.
The library got Hawking's disks through a system for keeping important things safe. Talboom says there was a lot of info on the disks.
Hawking's disks are in two types. The first are 5.25-inch disks from a DOS computer. Talboom says it was like an early version of Windows. They think these are the oldest and have found letters by Hawking on them.
Talboom also said some of Hawking's disks had games, which shows he knew how to have fun.
The second set is 3.5-inch disks for an early Mac. They mostly have his speeches. Talboom says his speeches were so big they had to be split up on several disks.
Hawking wrote his speeches and saved them so his speech machine could play them. His files might have folders of text on different topics. Some disks even have the software he used.
Talboom says there wasn't a set way of doing things back then, which makes everything harder. Now, library staff need different machines to read different disks. And finding these old machines can take a while.
Chris Knowles, who is helping with the project, bought his eight-inch drive on eBay. He's using it to get data from Neil Kinnock's disks. They found letters from people in his area on the disks.
Knowles found a working drive for a disk size that isn't common. Talboom thinks it'll be tough to find the equipment to get to the information on these floppy disks. She says these items are getting harder to find.
The library also has three-inch floppy disks, which were popular in the UK before 3.5-inch disks.
Talboom says they're harder to read because the drives are harder to find and use a different voltage system. Talboom and her team had to find a disk drive, connect new connectors, and make a power cable to get the disks to work.
24.Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Doubles Down on Zoom, Redesigns the Frame
Alright, here's that text rewritten to sound more human:
The iPhone 17 Pro has a new look – it's a change from what Apple normally does. They went with aluminum sides and back instead of titanium and glass. Plus, the camera part is bigger now, and the colors stand out more.
If you're into new phones, you might want to check this one out. Just so you know, the price went up to £1,099 (€1,299/$1,099/A$1,999). This is the first time the smaller Pro iPhone costs over £1,000. On the upside, they doubled the starting storage.
From the front, it looks like any recent Pro iPhone with the Dynamic Island thing at the top for the selfie camera. The screen still looks good, like the regular iPhone 17’s screen. The aluminum sides are now smoother and a bit round, so it feels nice when you hold it. It's kind of heavy, and feels a bit dense for a smaller phone.
There's a little spot of glass where you can stick your MagSafe or Qi2.2 chargers and stuff. On the back, there’s a metal part that holds the cameras. Metal won’t crack like glass if you drop it, but it could get scratched, especially around the edges. You'll probably want to get a case! Like other iPhones, this one uses iOS 26, and it has Apple's Liquid Glass look. It looks kind of cool, but some people might not like the clear-ish button effects because they can sort of blend in with what's behind them.
Here's what's inside:
Screen: 6.3in Super Retina XDR (120Hz OLED) (460ppi)
Processor: Apple A19 Pro
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256, 512GB, or 1TB
Operating system: iOS 26
Camera: 48MP main, 48MP UW, and 48MP 4x zoom, 18MP front-facing
Connectivity: 5G, wifi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 6, Thread, USB-C, Satellite, UWB, and GNSS
Water resistance: IP68 (6 meters for 30 mins)
Size: 150 x 71.9 x 8.75mm
Weight: 204g
Inside, the 17 Pro has Apple's A19 Pro chip and a vapor chamber thing to keep it cool. Some Android phones use this too. It helps keep the phone from getting too hot when you're using it a lot.
The phone works smoothly, and the back doesn't get as hot as older iPhones when you're playing games.
The battery lasts a good while for a phone this size. You can get about 42 hours between charges, with around six hours of screen time, using both 5G and wifi. That's about two hours better than the last one. Even if you use it a lot, the 17 Pro should still have about 25% battery left at the end of the day. Most people can charge it every other day if they use it normally. The battery should be good for over 1,000 full charges and still have at least 80% of its life left. Replacing the battery costs £109. Fixing the screen costs £349. The repair guys at iFixit gave it a seven out of 10 for how easy it is to fix.
The phone is made with over 30% stuff that's been recycled, like aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, rare-earth stuff, steel, tin, and tungsten. Apple tells you all about its environmental impact in their report. Apple lets you trade in your old stuff and even recycles other brands for you without charging. It has three 48-megapixel cameras on the back and an 18MP selfie camera on the front with some cool stuff you can do with them.
The main and ultra-wide cameras are like the ones from last year. You can get pretty good pictures even when it's not very bright. They're great for taking pictures in the city. The main camera can zoom in 2x, which is pretty nice. If there's enough light, the zoomed-in pictures look just as good as the regular ones, but they get a little grainy in the dark.
The zoom camera now zooms up to 4x at 48MP, instead of 5x at 12MP. The pictures are well-balanced and you can see a lot of stuff in them. It can zoom in 8x, like the main camera, which works well when it's bright, but you don't see as much stuff. Both zoom options are good, even when you're inside and it's a bit dim. You can record great video with all three cameras and mess around with a lot of features, like taking close-up pictures and recording video from both the front and back cameras at the same time. Apple's auto portrait mode is good and works with objects, not just people and pets.
The selfie camera finally got better. It's an 18MP sensor with Apple's Centre Stage thing from their iPads and Macs. It automatically zooms in and out when you're on video calls to keep you in the picture, and it makes the picture wider for selfies when you hold the phone like normal.
Price
The iPhone 17 Pro starts at £1,099 (€1,299/$1,099/A$1,999) with 256GB of storage.
The iPhone 16e is £599, the iPhone 17 is £799, the iPhone Air is £999, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is £1,199, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is £999, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is £1,099, and the Fairphone 6 is £499.
The final word
The 17 Pro has a different style this time.
The new aluminum feels and looks good, but it'll get scratched easier than glass. The screen and how it works are top-notch, and the battery is good. It's a really nice iPhone.
But this year, it has competition from the thinner iPhone Air and the better regular iPhone 17.
The iPhone 17 is cheaper but now has the same screen as the Pro version.
So, the cameras are the main reason to get the 17 Pro. It has great cameras, and the zoom camera is one of the best you can find.
If you want an iPhone and need a zoom camera, the 17 Pro is your best bet.
25.iPhone 17 Pro Hacks: 9 Ways to Make Your Device Smarter
Alright, here's a more casual take on that iPhone information, good for marketing stuff:
The new iPhones are so similar now! Apple finally put the good 48MP ultra-wide camera and the 120Hz screen on the regular iPhone 17. If you grab the standard one, that's great news. The 'Pro' model isn't as special anymore since the regular one does almost the same for less money.
But, if you're always on your phone, the Pro iPhones might still be worth it. Trying to decide if the extra money is worth it? Here's how to get the most from your iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max.
Work From Anywhere
Like before, the regular iPhone 17 has a slightly weaker chip from Apple. But the iPhone 17 Pro has the faster A19 Pro chip. It gets better scores on tests, and it does more.
The iPhone 17 Pro also stays cooler, so it doesn't overheat. This helps it run well for longer. On top of that, iOS 26 has a thing that helps apps run better in the background. So you can do other stuff while an app is running, instead of just watching the screen. That means you can do more even when you're not at your desk.
Great for Gaming
That A19 Pro chip also has better graphics, so the iPhone 17 Pro is awesome for games. Will it replace your console? No, but it can run tough mobile games easily. 'Game Mode' turns off background stuff while you're playing. It also makes Bluetooth things like AirPods and controllers smoother. You can even change your controller settings right on your iPhone. With iOS 26, your iPhone 17 Pro is even better for gaming because of Apple Games. It's a spot to find games that are popular, check out Apple Arcade, see what your friends are playing, and play against other people. Simple to find new games, get event info, and see how you're doing.
Quick at Processing
Besides the CPU and GPU, the A19 Pro has a fast Neural Engine. This means it can handle AI things right on the phone. Apple doesn't have its own ChatGPT yet, but you can make one with the Shortcuts app. It's not always easy, though. Plus, Apple Intelligence is also ready for developers.
Locally AI is one app I use a lot to talk to AI offline, similar to what Apple's AI will do. The app is pretty small, only about 40MB. You don't need to download anything else if you have Apple Intelligence. If you don't like Apple's AI, you can pick Google and Meta. It's a way to use AI privately or when you don't have good service.
ProRAW Photos
While the zoom lens might be the biggest camera difference. The iPhone 17 Pro has some extra photo tricks that the regular iPhone 17 doesn't. ProRAW lets you take photos that save way more image info. That gives you more to change colors, lighting, and details. Since the Photos app is super basic, you might want to change those RAW photos using Photomator (Apple) or Adobe Lightroom. You can turn on ProRAW in the Camera settings. Remember, RAW photos are big files, so use ProRAW for important shots, not everyday stuff.
ProRes Recording
The iPhone 17 Pro can also record LOG 2 and ProRes RAW videos. These are must-haves for video pros. Like ProRAW photos, these video files are bigger. But they give you way more control when you're editing. You can also look at Apple's Final Cut Camera app if the regular Camera app isn't enough. If you're just shooting quick vlogs, check out the Dual Capture video. It's only on the iPhone 17 series. It lets you record with the front and back cameras at the same time, which is great for capturing your reactions.
Projection Mapping
The iPhone 17 Pro camera is good for more than just super high-quality photos and videos. With the LiDAR Scanner, use your iPhone to make 3D maps of the area around you. It's a way to get a digital version of your space or see how furniture looks before you buy it. The Measure app is a simple LiDAR ruler, and find other apps in the App Store.
Quick File Transfers
The iPhone 17 Pro has a faster USB-C port too. AirDrop is usually fast for small files, but sending big stuff can be a pain. With the Pro iPhone's USB 3 speeds, you can send files at up to 10Gb/s with a cable.
Cool Accessories
The iPhone 17 Pro also charges fast if you have the right charger. With a 40W charger, you can go from almost empty to 50% in like 20 minutes. If you want to charge wirelessly, you're stuck with 25W MagSafe or Qi2 pads.
Besides chargers, get a portable SSD if you plan on recording videos a lot, or you'll run out of space fast. Some ProRes resolutions only work when an SSD is plugged into your iPhone.
Tons of Power
iPhone 17 Pro models have bigger batteries this year, and the Pro Max has the biggest battery ever in an iPhone. You can even use the USB-C port to charge other things. You can only charge smaller things like AirPods or an Apple Watch, but it's a good way to charge your gadgets when you're out.
26.Samsung’s Mixed Reality Play—Project Moohan—Could Rival Apple Vision Pro
Samsung is getting into extended reality (XR) and it sounds like they are trying to take on Apple. Apple's XR is doing great, but Samsung might just shake things up.
Android Headlines this week showed off Samsung's XR headset. It's called Project Moohan right now. The actual name isn't known yet, but some people are saying we might see it later this month. Android Headlines is calling it the Galaxy XR, but I'll keep calling it Project Moohan for now.
So, how does Project Moohan compare to Apple's Vision Pro? Since Samsung is trying to compete, let's find out.
**Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: How They Look and Feel**
The headsets look similar right away. They both have that futuristic style. Like the Vision Pro, Project Moohan looks like it has a wired battery pack that you keep in your pocket. This keeps the weight off your head when you're in virtual reality.
Android Headlines says Project Moohan has a good strap and extra padding in the back. This padding might make it more balanced, so it's not as heavy on your face. Some who have tried the Vision Pro said it feels heavy after a while, so Samsung might be more comfortable. I can't know for sure until I try it, but Android Headlines thinks Project Moohan could be comfier if you use it for a long time.
Also, there are rumors that Project Moohan weighs about 545 grams, while the Vision Pro is heavier, at 600 or 650 grams. When you wear something on your head, lighter feels better, so Samsung might have an advantage here.
**Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: How's the Picture?**
Samsung might be doing better when it comes to the display. Android Headlines says Project Moohan has two 4K micro-OLED screens with about 29 million pixels. The Vision Pro's screen is under 4K, with about 23 million pixels. Usually, more pixels mean a clearer picture. So, it seems like Samsung has a better picture.
The Apple headset has a refresh rate of 100Hz, meaning the screen updates 100 times a second. This makes everything look smooth. We don't know Project Moohan's refresh rate yet. It would be weird if it wasn't as good, but who knows? We'll have to wait to see all the details.
**Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Other Things to Know**
We still don't know much about Project Moohan, so it's hard to really compare them. Here's what else we know:
People are saying Project Moohan will have two motion-sensing controllers, like the ones for gaming consoles. The Vision Pro uses hand tracking but works with other controllers. Project Moohan will also do hand tracking, but Samsung wants to give people controllers if they don't always want to use their hands. That sounds like a good idea. Both devices have eye tracking, so they know where you're looking.
Battery life is important. Android Headlines says Project Moohan will probably last about 2 to 2.5 hours on a charge, depending on what you're doing. People are saying the Vision Pro lasts about 3.5 hours, so Apple might have a slightly better battery. But it's not a huge difference.
Basically, we need to wait for Samsung to share all the details before we can really compare them. The good news is Samsung waited to get into XR, so they might have something that is better than Apple's headset. If that happens, things could get interesting.
27.Apple Watch Users Can Now Receive High Blood Pressure Notifications
Big news for Canadian Apple Watch owners! Your watch can now send you notifications if it thinks you might have high blood pressure, starting today.
This new feature quietly watches for patterns that could suggest hypertension – that's long-term high blood pressure. If it spots something, it lets you know.
Why is this such a big deal? Well, high blood pressure is a sneaky problem. It causes major issues, like heart attacks and strokes, and kidney troubles. It affects a lot of us – about 1.3 billion adults globally. The catch is that many people don't even realize they have it. It often doesn't have obvious symptoms. Some people don't visit a doctor regularly, and sometimes it can be missed even when you do go for appointments.
So, how does the Apple Watch do it? It uses its heart sensor to check how your blood vessels react to each heartbeat. Your watch quietly looks at this information over 30-day periods. If it sees consistent signs that might point to hypertension, it will send you a notification. It's a simple heads-up, just by wearing your watch! Being awared early on lets you make changes to your lifestyle or get the right treatment, which lowers your chances of serious health problems down the road. It's easy to set up these notifications – just head to the Health app on your iPhone.
Dr. Heather Ross, who leads cardiology at University Health Network’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, is excited about this. She says that around 8 million Canadians – about one in four – have high blood pressure. And that number will go up as our population ages. The problem is that it often goes unnoticed, even though it can be addressed. This contributes to things like strokes, heart problems, dementia, and heart failure. Catching it early is a huge challenge. That's why these Apple Watch notifications could be a real difference-maker.
Apple has done its homework. The high blood pressure notifications are based on solid research. They used machine learning and data from studies with over 100,000 people. Then, they tested it in a study with over 2,000 people. This feature won't catch every single person with high blood pressure, but since so many people have an Apple Watch, they expect it to notify over a million people who don't yet know they have it in the first year.
If you do get a notification, Apple suggests checking your blood pressure with a proper blood pressure cuff. Then, share those readings with your doctor. The Health app now lets you log those readings and see how they classify based on standards. It makes a report that you can easily share with your doctor.
A few things to remember: this feature isn't for everyone. It's not for people under 22, for those who already know they have high blood pressure, or for pregnant individuals.
28.Apple Could Acquire Prompt AI as It Ramps Up AI Development
Okay, so there's a rumor going around that Apple might buy Prompt AI, a small company that's all about computer vision. Word on the street, according to CNBC, is that the deal could be happening soon. Apparently, some big shots had a meeting last Thursday talking about what this purchase might mean for everyone who works there.
Here's the thing: if the deal goes through, not everyone at Prompt will get to join Apple. Some folks might just not fit into Apple's overall plan. This could mean that some employees will have to switch up what they do at Prompt, maybe even take a pay cut, or start looking for a job someplace else. On top of that, the people who invested in Prompt might not get all their money back.
Prompt is telling everyone to keep this on the down-low for now until they know what their options are or have told their families about what's going on. They're trying to keep things as chill as possible during this stressful time.
So, what exactly does Prompt do? Well, their main product is called Seemour. It's a smart system that works with home security cameras, or even robots. It can tell who's who, like people and pets. It can also spot other objects in your house. If Seemour sees something out of the ordinary, it sends an alert to your phone, telling you exactly what it is. You can even ask it what it spotted. Pretty neat, huh?
When a huge company like Apple buys a smaller one, it's usually because they're after their skills and technology. It's a pretty regular thing, especially with AI companies. Sometimes, big companies only want specific parts of a business. And some people are starting to think this is because they're trying to avoid too much attention from the government.
Last year, Microsoft did something along these lines with Inflection AI. They shelled out $650 million to get access to their technology, and they hired most of the team, including a founder. Google did similar moves with Character.AI in 2024 and Windsurf earlier this year. Also, Meta invested some money into Scale AI and brought over the head honcho along with some of his crew. Amazon did the same with Adept.
If Apple ends up buying Prompt, the Seemour app will likely disappear. And they want to delete all the user info to keep everyone's information private.
Prompt has been facing some difficulties recently. They've been working hard to get their name out there and become profitable. They even had talks with some of Elon Musk's companies, like xAI and Neuralink, but nothing came of it.
We still don’t know how much Apple might pay for Prompt's team and technology. If the deal pushes through, we should get more specific details. Apple clearly wants to grow its AI expertise, and Prompt AI's way of thinking could be just what they need. We may be seeing some upgrades and improvements in Apple products.
It'll be interesting to watch how things shake out. Other companies are doing the same thing: scooping up valuable AI to stay ahead of the game. This potential purchase says AI has become a big deal and that it's a key focus for companies right now.
When a company gets bought up like this, it can be a whole mess, but it can also open up new doors. It'll be good to observe how Apple uses these new AI folks. Who knows, maybe we'll see some awesome innovation soon? This whole Apple and AI situation is exciting and could drastically change how we use our devices. These new experts bring a lot to the table, and this could move tech forward.
28.Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Lets You Play Co-Op and PvP Locally With GameShare
Remember how everyone went wild for Plants vs. Zombies? Great news – it's making a comeback! PopCap is launching Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted on the Switch. There's chatter that it might also show up on the new Switch 2 later this month.
But before you start planting those Peashooters again, check out the gameplay trailer. It gives you a sneak peek at what the Switch 2 can do. One cool thing they've added is a feature called GameShare. It lets two players team up or go head-to-head in the same room, using a local wireless connection on the Switch 2.
Just a heads-up: The trailer says that the Switch 2 has to be the one running the GameShare session. And remember, you can only keep playing through GameShare as long as whoever shared the game is still playing. Just something to keep in mind when you and a buddy fire up the game.
So, what's new and exciting in Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted?
Well, for starters, the original Plants vs. Zombies is back. And it's in HD now! The classic plant-versus-zombie action is back, now bigger, brighter, and funnier. You can jump back into those backyard battles, complete with extra levels, tweaks, and a bit of franchise history thrown in. Get ready to use your Peashooters, Sunflowers, and defend against those brain-hungry zombies. Return to the garden defense and jump into the backyard battle that started it all – it's back for another round!
You’ll see all the characters you recognize with the same jokes from before, but the graphics are updated. The game got a glow-up to take full advantage of what the Switch consoles can do. There are new additions of levels, challenges, and story bits added in to keep things interesting.
Whether you've played for years, or are new to tower defense games, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted seems like a fun way to defend your yard from another zombie attack. This new version aims to be a fresh experience while keeping what people love about the core game. So put on your gardening gloves and start planting, because the zombies are on their way! Get ready to guard your lawn with a mix of memories and new content on your Nintendo Switch. Time to start planning!
29.You Can Now Step Into Nostalgia With Windows XP Crocs for $79.95
So, guess what? Microsoft is turning 50, and they're throwing a party that's bringing back all the old feelings – they created Windows XP Crocs!
Remember that little sneak peek they showed on Instagram with the contest? Well, it was not a joke. You can really purchase the limited-edition Crocs on Microsoft’s website for $79.95.
These aren't regular Crocs. They're a total flashback to Windows XP, that thing we all grew up with. The look? It has the blue sky and clouds thing we looked at for so long, and a green part that looks like the hills. Using the product will feel like stepping back into the early 2000s every time you put them on.
But that is not all! Each pair has six Microsoft-related things. We're talking about the old MSN symbol, the Internet Explorer image, Clippy (that paperclip helper we sometimes hated), and a mouse. These little things make the Crocs fun to wear and collect, mostly if you're into tech. You can change your Crocs for a great look.
Guess what? Microsoft is adding a Windows XP backpack when you buy the Crocs. It has the same sky and grass look, so you can make an old-school outfit or have a cool bag to carry your stuff.
Microsoft displayed the Crocs to workers a while ago, during a party in August. That got people talking, and now everyone can get a pair.
Here's the catch: Microsoft says this is not a real collaboration with Crocs. It’s just a fun way to celebrate the company’s 50th birthday. People post photos and sayings about Windows XP on social media.
The time is good. Microsoft is doing stuff with new tech, but the XP Crocs remind us of how it all started. Windows XP was big when it came out in 2001. It was simple, and it stuck around for a while. It still impacts designs today.
If you used Windows XP before, these Crocs will feel like a time machine. They might make you think of slow internet or playing games for a long time. Even if you're a young fan, they're a reminder of computer history.
Whether you like Microsoft or you just enjoy cool things, the Windows XP Crocs are a fun way to celebrate the past while going to the future. This will make other people start conversations.
They're only making a few, so it's hard to know when they'll be gone. They won't be sold for long! Microsoft found a way to mix fashion, fans, and history into a memorable thing like Windows XP. They will likely sell out fast, so get yours while supplies last! Rock those nostalgic kicks!
30.Microsoft Expands Copilot: Now Creates Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Files, Plus Gmail Access
Microsoft is working on some really useful updates for its Copilot app in Windows. One of the most helpful additions will let you create documents directly from a chat. Think about it: you could just ask Copilot to write a report, create a presentation, or build a spreadsheet on a certain topic, and it will do it for you.
Another thing that's coming is the ability to connect Copilot to your email accounts. At first, it'll work with Gmail and Outlook. Once you connect your email, you will be able to ask Copilot to find information in your emails. No need to hunt through your inbox.
For now, these features are being tested by Windows Insiders. These are users who get early access to test new features before they're released to the rest of us
The document creation feature is designed to be super simple. If Copilot gives you a long and useful answer, longer than 600 characters, there is a button to easily export the text to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or a PDF file. This can save a lot of time compared to manually copying and pasting information. This is great for turning your ideas, meeting notes, or raw data into polished documents that you can share.
Connecting Copilot to your email is also straightforward. You have to authorize the connection yourself, so you have control over your data. In the settings, there is a section where you can link either your Outlook or Google account. Once connected, you could ask Copilot to find all emails from a client, pull up invoices from last quarter, or grab someone's contact info.
It is worth noting that this idea isn't totally new. ChatGPT has features like this as well. It makes sense for Microsoft to integrate similar functions into Copilot to keep up.
Beyond Copilot, Microsoft is also planning a brand new OneDrive app, expected next year. This updated OneDrive sound interesting with cool features like a photo gallery, AI- powered slideshows, and some basic photo editing tools .This means that there will be features to manage and interact with your photos and videos, like creating presentations or collages automatically, and making quick edits to improve their appearance.
So, overall, it looks like Microsoft is rolling out a bunch of updates designed to make Windows more convenient and efficient.
31.Google Makes Pixel Watch 4 Easier to Fix With Repair Guides and Simpler Teardown
Okay, here's a rewrite of the text about the Pixel Watch 4's fix-ability, after expanding and updating it:
Google has really upped their game with the Pixel Watch 4, making it way simpler to fix than older models. The folks over at iFixit got their hands on one and took it apart, showing everyone just how easy it is to do repairs.
So, what do you need to crack open a Pixel Watch 4? Not much! Just a few basic tools that most people have or can get without much trouble. You'll want a set of screwdriver bits in three small sizes (1IP, 2IP, and 5IP), a spudger (that's a flat tool for gently prying things apart), and a pair of tweezers for grabbing those tiny parts.
The first thing to do is take off the watch band. Underneath, you'll see a tiny screw. This screw sits on top of a little O-ring, which helps keep water out of the watch. The back cover is held on by a clever hinge system that seals everything up tight when you screw it down. Once you remove the screw, you can carefully lift off the back sensor glass. It's still attached by a little cable, but you don't need to disconnect it to get to the vibration motor and the battery, which is neat. These parts are held in place with four screws.
One thing that's different from previous Pixel Watches is the way the battery is protected. Instead of just being in a pouch, it's now inside a metal container. This should help keep it safe and make it last longer.
Now, if you need to replace the screen, there are a couple more screws holding the screen cable bracket in place. Take those out, and you'll see four more screws that keep the display attached.
Another cool thing about the Pixel Watch 4 is that the screen is sealed with an O-ring, just like on some old-school watches. That's a step up from using sticky glue, which can be a pain to deal with, iFixit says. All the parts that you can replace with official replacement parts.
iFixit's teardown also shows you can take out the main circuit board if you have to. It's secured with—you guessed it—more screws. The interesting thing is that Google seems to have totally re-designed the inside of the Pixel Watch each year to make fixes easier. That's a good sign that they're serious about making their products last.
At the moment, you can't buy replacement parts from iFixit, but Google has already put out repair manuals for both the 41mm and 45mm sizes of the Pixel Watch 4. iFixit also has their own guides that you can check out. They gave the Pixel Watch 4 a repair-ability score of 9 out of 10, which is really good. It suggests that repairs should be doable for anyone with a bit of experience.
If you're not comfortable doing the repair yourself, you can always take your watch to a repair shop. In the US, Mexico, and India. If you don't live in those countries, you can mail it in, which might be a good option if you don't have any local repair places.
Google also put out repair manuals for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the Pixel Buds 2a, so you can fix them yourself too. It looks like Google is serious about letting people fix their own devices, which is great news for consumers.
32.Improve macOS Tahoe Legibility by Enabling “Reduce Transparency” in Settings
So, a lot of Mac users who've updated to macOS Tahoe 26 are talking about something weird with the new Liquid Glass interface. Honestly, it can be a bit hard to look at. The see-through effect can make the words kind of run together, which makes reading stuff a pain. It's kind of irritating when you see all the letters getting mixed up in the menus, sidebars, and even inside your messages. Since this new look is all over the OS, it can become a real headache. Hopefully, Apple puts out a fix soon.
Now, if you've already been messing with the Liquid Glass settings, maybe you're not having this text problem. But if you just installed Tahoe and your screen looks all jumbled, don't chuck your Mac out the window just yet. There's a setting that can help make things clearer. It's buried in the Accessibility settings, and it's called Reduce Transparency. Turning it on cleans things up by making the text stand out. This fixes the text overlap issue in macOS Tahoe. It's pretty simple to do.
First, head over to the Apple menu. It's in the upper-left corner of your screen, where you normally go to shut down or restart. Click it, and then find System Settings. System settings is the central hub for customizing your Mac, including the display.
Next, in System Settings, scroll down the list till you spot Accessibility and click on it. It's grouped with settings for vision, hearing, and other helpful stuff. Accessibility options are designed to help people with disabilities use their devices easier, but they can be useful for anyone. Apple designs these features to be inclusive and enhance everyone’s experiences.
In Accessibility, find Display and click there. You should see a switch for Reduce Transparency. Just flip that switch, and you should see a fix right away. If you don't see a fix, go back to the setting again and make sure you have flipped the settings on.
What Reduce Transparency does is tone down the see-through parts of the Liquid Glass interface. This makes it way easier to read since it keeps the letters from blurring into the background. Plus, some people think it makes their Mac look cleaner overall, by making it more solid instead of that glassy feel. Some people like the glassy feel, some don't. It really just depends on your taste and your eyes. The Liquid Glass effect is intended to provide an immersive experience. But not everyone appreciates this style aesthetic.
Turning on Reduce Transparency can give you some other rewards, too. For example, it might make your Mac run a little faster because it's not working so hard on those fancy visual effects. You won’t get the full Liquid Glass experience that Apple is pushing, though. It’s a trade-off. You have to decide if you want the fancy look, or if you like having readability and faster speed. Some users have reported that the performance gains are noticeable, particularly on older Macs. So, the decision depends on individual priorities.
To be honest, this text overlap thing feels like someone wasn’t paying attention to details. It might just be a bug, but it's also possible the Liquid Glass design wasn’t really ready when Tahoe came out. Like, was it even tested properly before the release? It makes you wonder. I'm willing to bet the Apple designers probably aren't happy with how messy things look, and they're doing their best to fix it quick. They usually care about how the OS looks.
This also starts a thought if Liquid Glass was even that good of an idea. Is it better than the old Sequoia interface? People seem to have mixed reactions. Some people don't care at all, others love it, and some really hate it. I've heard people say that the interface changes in Tahoe not only do nothing. They make things look worse! Liquid Glass might of looked okay on the iPhone since the screen is smaller and things can't overlap as much. But Macs are costly, so people keep them for a while, and they count on things working.
The good news is, these readability issues will likely be cleared up in one of the next macOS Tahoe updates, maybe in version 26.1, 26.2, or 26.3. The best thing you can do is keep your Mac updated when Apple releases bug fixes. Some Mac users will skip big new macOS versions like Tahoe. They usually wait until several minor updates have come out and addressed the main bugs and glitches. That’s what I’m doing on my main Mac. I did install Tahoe on an older Mac to try it out. I was hoping I’d like it as much as I like iOS 26 on my iPhone, but it just didn’t work out. I’m thinking about going back to the older OS that way my computer will be easier to use and friendly. Getting updates is like having a tune-up for your car. It keeps everything running smoothly.
So, a lot of Mac users who've updated to macOS Tahoe 26 are talking about something weird with the new Liquid Glass interface. Honestly, it can be a bit hard to look at. The see-through effect can make the words kind of run together, which makes reading stuff a pain. It's kind of irritating when you see all the letters getting mixed up in the menus, sidebars, and even inside your messages. Since this new look is all over the OS, it can become a real headache. Hopefully, Apple puts out a fix soon.
Now, if you've already been messing with the Liquid Glass settings, maybe you're not having this text problem. But if you just installed Tahoe and your screen looks all jumbled, don't chuck your Mac out the window just yet. There's a setting that can help make things clearer. It's buried in the Accessibility settings, and it's called Reduce Transparency. Turning it on cleans things up by making the text stand out. This fixes the text overlap issue in macOS Tahoe. It's pretty simple to do.
First, head over to the Apple menu. It's in the upper-left corner of your screen, where you normally go to shut down or restart. Click it, and then find System Settings. System settings is the central hub for customizing your Mac, including the display.
Next, in System Settings, scroll down the list till you spot Accessibility and click on it. It's grouped with settings for vision, hearing, and other helpful stuff. Accessibility options are designed to help people with disabilities use their devices easier, but they can be useful for anyone. Apple designs these features to be inclusive and enhance everyone’s experiences.
In Accessibility, find Display and click there. You should see a switch for Reduce Transparency. Just flip that switch, and you should see a fix right away. If you don't see a fix, go back to the setting again and make sure you have flipped the settings on.
What Reduce Transparency does is tone down the see-through parts of the Liquid Glass interface. This makes it way easier to read since it keeps the letters from blurring into the background. Plus, some people think it makes their Mac look cleaner overall, by making it more solid instead of that glassy feel. Some people like the glassy feel, some don't. It really just depends on your taste and your eyes. The Liquid Glass effect is intended to provide an immersive experience. But not everyone appreciates this style aesthetic.
Turning on Reduce Transparency can give you some other rewards, too. For example, it might make your Mac run a little faster because it's not working so hard on those fancy visual effects. You won’t get the full Liquid Glass experience that Apple is pushing, though. It’s a trade-off. You have to decide if you want the fancy look, or if you like having readability and faster speed. Some users have reported that the performance gains are noticeable, particularly on older Macs. So, the decision depends on individual priorities.
To be honest, this text overlap thing feels like someone wasn’t paying attention to details. It might just be a bug, but it's also possible the Liquid Glass design wasn’t really ready when Tahoe came out. Like, was it even tested properly before the release? It makes you wonder. I'm willing to bet the Apple designers probably aren't happy with how messy things look, and they're doing their best to fix it quick. They usually care about how the OS looks.
This also starts a thought if Liquid Glass was even that good of an idea. Is it better than the old Sequoia interface? People seem to have mixed reactions. Some people don't care at all, others love it, and some really hate it. I've heard people say that the interface changes in Tahoe not only do nothing. They make things look worse! Liquid Glass might of looked okay on the iPhone since the screen is smaller and things can't overlap as much. But Macs are costly, so people keep them for a while, and they count on things working.
The good news is, these readability issues will likely be cleared up in one of the next macOS Tahoe updates, maybe in version 26.1, 26.2, or 26.3. The best thing you can do is keep your Mac updated when Apple releases bug fixes. Some Mac users will skip big new macOS versions like Tahoe. They usually wait until several minor updates have come out and addressed the main bugs and glitches. That’s what I’m doing on my main Mac. I did install Tahoe on an older Mac to try it out. I was hoping I’d like it as much as I like iOS 26 on my iPhone, but it just didn’t work out. I’m thinking about going back to the older OS that way my computer will be easier to use and friendly. Getting updates is like having a tune-up for your car. It keeps everything running smoothly.
33.AMD Leaker Claims PlayStation 6 Set for 2027 Release—Barring Delays
Okay, so there's some buzz about when the PlayStation 6 might show up. A reliable AMD source, Kepler, mentioned on NeoGAF that Sony could be aiming for 2027. But who knows, plans can change.
If the PlayStation 6 does land in 2027, it would match the usual seven-year gap between PlayStation consoles, just like we saw with the PlayStation 4. This makes you wonder about the PlayStation 5 Pro. If the PlayStation 6 arrives in 2027, then PlayStation 5 Pro would have a short life span, only around for about three years on the market. For comparison, the PlayStation 4 Pro was on the market four years before the PlayStation 5 was released.
Everyone is wondering what kind of power the PlayStation 6 will have. Moore's Law Is Dead, which is a YouTuber known for accurate leaks, thinks it could have around 34 to 40 Teraflops of graphical computing ability. Ray tracing, that will make the in game lighting look fancy, could be six to twelve times better than on the PlayStation 5. This would be a massive improvement.
AMD and Sony have been jointly developing something called Project Amethyst. Project Amethyst seeks to advance the capabilities of any silicon in future console along with software improvements. They have been discussing Radiance Cores, Neural Arrays, and Universal Compression. These names sound great, right? Let's take a look at how these work.
Lets start with Radiance Cores. What they are all about is speeding up ray tracing and improving graphics. This specialized part should make a positive influence on ray tracing. This gives the shader cores the freedom to handle other stuff instead of ray tracing. The developers can free-up the graphics card to compute in-game things. This will give the players a better graphics.
Another one is Neural Arrays. Neural Arrays will bring AI to the graphics card. The purpose of these AI units, is so that they handle machine learning on the console. This would be a big improvement over the way things are done now. AI will make the characters move realistically, and also will the in game graphics even better.
Universal Compression is a new compression method. This is for game files and textures, without affecting the visual quality. Fast loading times and game operations will be very important, and the public will be concerned about them. Games should load quickly, and they need function well due to quick data transfer, and this is a crucial.
Mark Cerny, the main designer of PlayStation, has said that these technologies may well be included in future console. The logical estimation is that these technologies may be included in the PlayStation 6. So, if the expectation is 2027, then we will see what happens in the short term. This console generation only just got going. There has been a pattern of developers releasing games to old and new consoles. With titles like *The Witcher IV* and *The Elder Scrolls VI* in development, they are sure to push the limits of the hardware when released.
34,Windows 10 Upgrade Deadline Approaches: 5 Days and 5 Ways to Act
Alright, so what happens to those old Windows 10 PCs when support stops next week?
The end date is October 14, 2025. Microsoft probably won't change its mind or extend it. The hardware requirements to get Windows 11 aren't changing, either. If your computer doesn't pass the test, Microsoft will probably tell you to get a new one.
Just so you know, you can get Windows 10 security updates for free until October 2026.
You've got choices, like keeping those security updates coming for another year at no cost. If you're in charge of Windows 10 computers that can't run Windows 11, you need to decide soon.
Even if this doesn't apply to you, you probably know someone with an older PC that still works but can't run Windows 11. They might be ignoring those messages, which will come more often as time runs out. You could help them by sending them this article.
1. Get extended security updates
Microsoft will still release security updates for Windows 10, but they won't be free for everyone. These Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are available if you pay for them, for up to three years.
Just so you know, people aren't happy with how Microsoft is handling Windows 10 and want free updates for longer.
How much do they cost? It depends.
Regular users can get security updates for an extra year after support ends, until October 2026. This costs $30, but you can get them for free with Microsoft Rewards points (earn them by using Bing). You can also get free updates if you back up your computer with the Windows Backup tool. (Check out How to get Windows 10 extended security updates for free for the details.) That's an easy way to wait. But, the ESU deal for regular people only lasts a year. Then your computer won't be supported, so use that time to plan for what to do next in October 2026.
FYI: Windows 7 is back, and people are leaving iPhones. Or so these charts say.
If you work at a school with a lot of Windows 10 Education computers, you can pay for extended updates for up to three years, which won't cost much: $1 per computer for the first year, $2 for the second, and $4 for the third, until October 2028.
But, IT staff who manage business PCs will pay a lot to keep using Windows 10. The Extended Security Updates program is licensed per device. The first year is $61 per PC, the second year is double that, and the third year doubles again. Adding it all up, three years of ESUs will cost $61 + $122 + $244, or $427 total.
2. Buy a new PC (or rent a virtual one)
Microsoft and its partners want you to replace your old computer with a new one. You might want to check out those new PCs or a great gaming PC. But getting rid of a good computer isn't the best, especially if you're using Windows 10 because some software or hardware won't work with Windows 11.
Just so you know, I never pay full price for PCs or Macs, thanks to these money-saving tips.
You can also rent a new virtual PC with Windows 365. This lets you use a Windows 11 virtual PC in Microsoft's cloud. A Windows 365 subscription works on Windows 10 and includes extended security updates for the PC you're using to connect for up to three years. Windows 365 isn't cheap (plans start at $28 a month), but it might be cheaper than a new computer.
For businesses, replacing a PC more than six years old is usually the right way to go. Ask your accountant about the costs.
3. Upgrade your incompatible hardware to Windows 11
The compatibility checker might say you can't upgrade, but there are ways around it. You just need to know a little bit about computers. If your PC is less than 10 years old, this is the easiest and cheapest way.
FYI: The apps I can't live without on Windows, Mac, and mobile.
Here's a quick rundown:
For PCs made for Windows 10 (anything from 2016 on), just edit the registry and make sure your computer is set to use Secure Boot with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on. Even an old TPM 1.2 chip will work. If you get that right, it should be fine. This even works with computers that are 10 years old.
For older PCs made for Windows 7 or 8.1, you might need Rufus to skip install problems. This is true for PCs that use an older BIOS instead of UEFI and those without a TPM. Make sure you have the newest Rufus (4.9 or later).
These tricks won't work if your CPU doesn't support two things: POPCNT and SSE 4.2. Most PCs with Intel CPUs from 2009 or later should work. AMD CPUs from 2015 or later should also be good. There's no fix if your PC won't work.
Just so you know, how to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro without spending too much.
If you use one of these tricks, don't worry about the warning: If you install Windows 11, your PC won't be supported and won't get updates. Any problems aren't covered by the warranty.
Microsoft is just trying to scare you. It doesn't say Microsoft will stop you from getting updates; it just says your PC is no longer supported, and you can't have those updates.
If you don't want to mess with the registry and you're okay with reinstalling everything on a system that has a TPM but fails the CPU test, use Rufus to make a bootable Windows 11 drive. It ignores the compatibility checker. You'll have to restore your files from a backup or the cloud and reinstall everything, but it's like setting up a new PC.
4. Get rid of Windows
Replace Windows 10 with Linux. If you know what you're doing, it's worth a try. With Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and lots of online services, you can do most work in a web browser. You might not even care what operating system you're using.
FYI: Yes, you can run Windows apps on Linux. Here are my top ways.
You could also switch to Google's ChromeOS Flex, but it has its own requirements. I wrote about this: Installing ChromeOS Flex? Do these things first. If you want to put ChromeOS Flex on an old PC or Mac, check Google's list of approved models.
See when support ends for the PC you're thinking of upgrading. It doesn't make sense to replace Windows 10 with a version of ChromeOS Flex that will stop getting updates next year.
FYI: The Windows-like Linux distros if you're ready to ditch Microsoft.
Switching to Linux could be good to keep using an old PC. It might not work for people who use Windows software, but think about it.
5. Forget about the date
You could do nothing and keep using your unsupported operating system. I wouldn't, because you could be at risk for hackers. A lot of people will do this, and some will regret it.
Some think being careful and using antivirus software will be okay. I wouldn't count on that.
Just so you know, why you don't need to pay for antivirus software anymore.
If you're going to ignore the deadline, install the 0patch agent to fix problems. The free 0patch plan fixes known issues, but if you want all Windows 10 patches, you'll need the 0patch Pro plan, which costs around $2.50 a month.
I wouldn't do this for a PC you use for work, but if you have a computer at home you use for fun, you might risk it.
What does end of support mean?
Microsoft has supported each operating system for 10 years. Windows 10 came out in 2015, so 2025 is the 10-year mark, like we figured.
FYI: I replaced my Microsoft account password with a passkey, and you should.
The end date is on the Microsoft Support page with products ending support in 2025. Every version of Windows will be retired.
35.Inside Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: The Waveguide Tech That Powers Them
The folks at iFixit, who love taking things apart, recently got their hands on Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses. They wanted to see what makes these smart glasses tick.
During their teardown, they spotted the cool geometric waveguide tech. This is what makes the floating display work so nicely. If you're into watching someone wedge a metal tool into plastic, they also have a video of the whole process.
As for fixing these glasses, it’s doable, but not super easy. You can pop the arms open if you apply some heat. Inside, you'll see the battery (960 mWh) and some circuit boards. But finding replacement parts, aside from maybe the battery, will be tough. The front of the glasses has the antennas and a special lens on the right. It works with a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) projector to shine the image into your eye.
LCoS tech has been around for a while, even in Google Glass. But the glass in these Ray-Bans is a big step up. It uses a geometric reflective waveguide from Schott, instead of the usual diffractive kind. Lumus came up with this tech for augmented reality (AR). It’s supposed to be better at using light and prevents light from leaking in or out.
Even though the tech is cool, fixing these glasses isn't a walk in the park. The iFixit team gave these glasses a repairability score of 3 out of 10. Moreover, wearing them might make you look a little goofy, and some people might not be too happy about you recording them. So, you have to deal with those downsides, as well.
36.From Directions to Decisions: Gemini AI Steers Google Maps Forward
Okay, so Google is trying something pretty cool: They're putting their Gemini AI into Google Maps to try and make driving a bit easier. The guys over at Android Authority found this in a test version of the app, it was version 25.41.03.815390258, if you are thinking about looking for it. Instead of the regular old voice prompt when you tap the microphone for directions, you'll see a Gemini icon.
So, what's the big deal with this test version? It basically lets you have a conversation with Google Maps. It's like having a co-pilot with you. You can ask Gemini to avoid toll roads, tell you if it's going to rain, or even just make jokes about being stuck in traffic. And the cool thing is, you can do all of this without taking your hands off the wheel. It's more than just a little update, as it changes the way you talk to maps while you’re on the road.
Normally, you have to be very specific with Google Maps. But Gemini is supposed to be smarter and more helpful, almost knowing what you need before you even need to ask.
This whole thing shows you what Google has planned for Gemini. They're slowly swapping out Google Assistant for Gemini, and hoping it can take care of just about everything on your phone.
If you're someone who drives a lot, this update may be good news for you! Since it means you won’t have to glance at your phone as much, which can easily cause a crash. Need a different way to go? Just tell Gemini. Want to know if it's raining where you're headed? Just ask! You still get all the things you like about Google Maps, but now with an AI that understands you. This should hopefully make driving safer, easier, and maybe even a little more fun.
Because Google is still playing around with it, you won’t have access to it yet. Be on the lookout for future updates. In the near future Google Maps will feel like a friend that knows all the routes, can answer any question, and does not judge your taste in music.
Talking while driving becomes a lot simpler with Gemini in Google Maps. Now instead of saying the exact address you want to go to, you can talk like you would with a person.
For example, Gemini gets what you are saying, like it's really listening. It starts remembering where you like to go, the routes you normally take, and little things you prefer. It might even start suggesting places or giving you tips before you even ask. So, if you always pick up your kids from school, Gemini could warn you about traffic on the way.
Also, Gemini can connect to your other things. You can tell it to turn on the lights at home, or make lists. You could say, Gemini, turn on the lights when I get close to home, or Remind me to buy milk after I leave work.
Aside from all the cool stuff, Gemini in Google Maps also makes driving safer. It lets you use your voice to keep your eyes on the road. Gemini can read notifications, make calls, and change the music without you having to look at your phone. Anything that helps you focus will make things safer.
When you're driving, Google Maps and Gemini can show important things on your car's dashboard screen. Gemini could show directions, tell you about good places to stop, or even point things out in the live camera view. This could make it easier to get around and see new stuff while keeping your attention on driving.
Google wants to keep making Gemini in Google Maps better, with more things you can do and more ways to connect it to other apps. Sometime in the future, there maybe real-time translations for people driving in other countries, specific suggestions based on past routes, and plans that change based on how you're feeling.
Basically, Gemini in Google Maps makes it into a smart helper. Talking feels normal, it figures out what you want, and it works with your other devices. All of this should make driving safer and a better experience. Essentially Google wants Gemini in Google Maps to improve your driving using AI.
37.Apple Offers $2 Million for Exploits That Threaten iPhones and Macs
Apple is now offering a $2 million reward for finding the most dangerous software bugs.
They've had a bug bounty program for about ten years now, which started with a $200,000 payout in 2016 and then went up to $1 million in 2019. Now, they're raising the stakes again. At a security conference in Paris, Apple's Ivan Krstić said they'll pay up to $2 million for a series of software problems that someone could use for spying.
This shows how important it is to find and fix security holes in Apple's secure phones—and how much Apple is willing to pay to keep these discoveries from falling into the wrong hands. Besides the main reward, the bug bounty program also has bonus payments for bugs that can get around Apple's Lockdown Mode and for those found while Apple is testing new software. So, the highest possible reward for a really bad set of exploits is now $5 million. These changes start next month.
Krstić told WIRED, We're ready to pay millions of dollars because we want to make sure that the researchers who have the skills to find the hardest problems get a great reward.
Apple says there are over 2.35 billion Apple devices being used around the world. The bug bounty program used to be only for certain researchers, but it opened to everyone in 2020. Since then, Apple says they've paid over $35 million to more than 800 security researchers. Big payouts are rare, but Krstić says they've paid out $500,000 several times in recent years.
Apple is also adding new categories to the bug bounty, including some one-click browser exploits and wireless exploits. There's also a new thing called Target Flags that's like a hacking competition where researchers can show how their exploits work in real-world tests of Apple's software.
Apple is doing a lot to prevent dangerous bugs and stop them from being used. After working on it for over five years, they announced a new security feature last month in the new iPhone 17 lineup that's designed to stop the most common types of iOS bugs. This feature, called Memory Integrity Enforcement, is a big step towards protecting the most at-risk people around the world, like activists, journalists, and politicians. It also adds protection for everyone who uses the new devices. Apple also said they would give a thousand iPhone 17s to rights groups that help people who are at risk of being targeted by digital attacks.
Krstić says, It might seem like a lot of effort to protect only a small number of users who are targeted by mercenary spyware, but journalists, tech companies, and civil organizations have shown that these technologies are constantly being misused. We feel a big responsibility to defend those users, so this work will end up protecting everyone.
38.A Legend on Wheels: Supercars Don’t Come Like This Anymore
The 01 Zagato is a fresh take on what a supercar can be, ditching the massive wings and crazy aerodynamic stuff that you often see. Zagato themselves said they wanted downforce that you can always count on. They achieved this by making the air flow smoothly inside the car and by using a bottom that was specially made for this purpose.
Even without those huge wings, the 01 Zagato still uses diffusers in the front and rear, plus a little wing at the back improves how air flows. It's less about big wings and more about cleverly moving air around with lots of small openings. All of these things work together to keep the car stable, specifically when you're going fast, which makes driving feel both safe and exciting. The main goal is to manage the airflow really well instead of just relying on raw power, which gives you a more authentic driving experience.
Beneath the smooth exterior, the 01 Zagato has a super-strong carbon-fiber frame. This includes the main structure, safety parts for crashes, and frames in the front and back to give extra support. The suspension is a double-wishbone type with pushrods, along with springs and dampers from Bilstein, that let you respond quickly to the road. This setup gives you fantastic control, whether you're on a racetrack or just driving around. Each part of the car is designed to refine how you sense the car and the road under you. All these aspects will keep you safe, and it will be an experience to be remembered.
Capricorn intends to begin building the 01 Zagato in early 2026. If you live in the United States, there's some sad news: even if you have the money, you can't get one. Only 19 of these cars are being made, and none are coming to the U.S. It costs €2.95 million, which is roughly $3.4 million right now. That small number, and the fact that it's not available in the US, makes it incredibly exclusive. If you don't reside in the US, you'll have to act fast and know the right people to get your hands on one. The demand has already been very high as numerous car collectors are interested in buying the vehicle.
The 01 Zagato focuses on getting downforce from smart airflow, instead of big wings. It's built with carbon fiber to be both light and strong, and it has top-tier suspension for great performance. It's an amazing and expensive car, but getting one will be tough, specifically in America. The car's design is more about being refined and classy compared to some of its competitors. With only 19 being made, anyone who owns one will have something incredibly rare. It's an incredible car that will definitely attract attention and might change how we view supercar design and performance. The point that it's not sold in America makes it even more special.
Zagato is trying out some new ways to give you a special driving feel. The company isn't releasing information in regards to speed or acceleration. This makes people curious about what the car can truly do. The questions about its real capabilities add to the appeal of the 01 Zagato, making everyone eager to hear about its potential on the road and on the track. This secrecy around the car increases its appeal.
39.Gaming Demographics Evolve: Average Player Is 41, Women Make Up Almost 50%
Here's the gist of it: That old idea that gaming is just for young guys? Totally wrong. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) did a big survey that proves it. Turns out, the average gamer is 41 years old, and it's almost a 50/50 split between men and women.
The ESA's Power of Play report asked over 24,000 people from 21 countries all about their gaming habits. They looked at everything from who's playing to why they play.
One thing that jumped out is that the average age of gamers is 41. And when it comes to gender, it's pretty balanced, with 51% guys and 48% ladies.
So, why do people play? Well, the number one reason, for 66% of those surveyed, is simply to have fun. Next up is stress relief, with 58% saying they game to relax. I guess that means they are playing chill games and something less intense. Rounding out the top three, 45% said gaming helps keep their minds sharp.
The survey also asked about the good stuff that comes from gaming.A whopping 81% think games are mentally stimulating, and 80% use them to de-stress.People also said games give them a way to deal with daily challenges (72%), help them make new friends (71%), ease anxiety (70%), and make them feel less alone (64%).
Here's a cool fact: About 67% of gamers between 16 and 35 have actually met a close friend or even a partner through gaming.And almost half of parents in the United States think gaming makes their relationship with their kids better. That's a big change from the old stereotype that games drive families apart.The survey showed some great benefits. About 75% of people agreed that gaming can make you more creative, better at problem-solving, and improve your teamwork skill. Over half even thought games helped their athletic abilities in real life. Plus, many said games had a positive impact on their education or job.
Mobile gaming is the most common way to play across all age groups. More than half of all respondents (55%) said their favorite way to game was by using their phones or tablet,. People over 50 really like mobile games. While consoles and PCs are still favorites for many, they are played by 21% of the people who replied.
40.Apple Unveils Major Upgrade to Security Bounty, Rewarding Cutting-Edge Exploit Research
Since 2020, we've paid out over $35 million to over 800 security researchers through our Security Bounty program. Some people have even scored up to $500,000 for a single report. Thanks a bunch for keeping things secure!
We're tweaking our Security Bounty program to make it even better. Expect bigger payouts, more ways to snag rewards, and quicker payments when you use Target Flags.
Now, we're offering up to $2 million if you can spot really nasty spyware tricks. Bypassing Lockdown Mode or finding bugs in beta software could net you an extra $5 million. Other rewards are going up too, because we want more people to get involved. Getting past Gatekeeper could earn you $100,000, and even unauthorized iCloud access could get you $1 million.
Our bounty categories are broader these days. If you can break out of the WebKit sandbox with just one click, you'll get up to $300,000, and wireless tricks could earn you $1 million.
Target Flags are new. They help researchers show how an exploit can hit targets, potentially leading to bigger rewards, like remote code execution. Reports with Target Flags get paid faster, sometimes before we even patch the issue.
These changes go live in November 2025. Check out the Security Research website for all the details on categories, rewards, and Target Flags.
Our devices are safer thanks to this program. Things like Lockdown Mode, Safari security, and Memory Integrity Enforcement help make the iPhone the safest phone around.
Right now, most spyware attacks target iOS, and governments are usually behind them. They're super expensive and target very few people. Lockdown Mode and Memory Integrity Enforcement make these attacks harder, but the bad guys won't give up.
So, we're changing things up to focus on keeping products secure.
More money for exploit chains
We want security researchers to get creative. Here’s how we're boosting rewards for those five attack types: The top payouts will be for exploits that run on our newest releases, and we really hope to see Target Flags used.
Making macOS Gatekeeper Stronger
macOS lets you install apps from anywhere, so Gatekeeper is important for stopping bad software. We're offering $100,000 to anyone who can bypass Gatekeeper without the user needing to do anything.
More Security Bounty Categories
One-click attacks through web browsers can sneak spyware onto devices. Researchers who can make code run in WebContent and get out of the sandbox can earn up to $300,000. Running more code can get you $1 million.
We're adding to our Wireless Proximity category and upping the top reward to $1 million.
About Target Flags
Target Flags help researchers show their work, so they get paid based on what an exploit can do. Reports with flags get paid as soon as we give the OK. These flags work on all platforms and lots of methods.
Reward and Bonus rules
The biggest rewards are for finding issues on the newest software and gear. Our newest products are the most secure, which makes this research really important.
We're still giving bonuses for problems in beta versions, so we can fix them early. Also, exploit chains can take down Lockdown Mode. And, reports on small issues will now get researchers $1,000.
What’s Coming in 2026
For our iPhone 17, we're giving one thousand iPhone 17 units to groups that give phones to people who are at risk.
The Security Research Device Program now includes iPhone 17 devices. Researchers can apply by October 31, 2025. We'll be watching to see what they find using the Security Research Device.
Basically
We're changing the Bounty to focus on the biggest dangers.
Until the updated rewards are up, we’ll use both the old and new rules to judge reports and pay out whichever is better. We want exploit chains and good research, but we’ll reward any reports that help keep users safe.
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