Science

 1.iPhone Air Launch Postponed Following Underwhelming Sales Figures 

Apple might be rethinking that super-skinny iPhone Air idea. The Information (via The Verge) is saying the iPhone Air 2, which we thought was coming Fall 2026, is now pushed back to at least Spring 2027. Why? Apparently, the first iPhone Air didn't exactly set the world on fire when it came out in September 2025, even though it was the thinnest iPhone ever.

This news is dropping right before Apple is about to show off the new iPhone 18 and 18E. Those are still on track, but this report makes it seem like something's changed with the Air. Apple hasn't said anything official, but it sounds like they're wondering if everyone really wants a super-thin phone, especially since the hype didn't translate into actual sales.

**What Was the Deal With That First iPhone Air Anyway?**

Let's be honest, the first iPhone Air was pretty impressive from a technical point of view. Titanium frame, 6.5-inch ProMotion display, the fast A19 Pro chip – it was meant to be a high-end alternative to the regular iPhone. Apple really pushed the whole thin is in thing, and yeah, it felt good in your hand. Early reviews said it was light and had a clean design.

But good looks only get you so far. The iPhone Air didn't quite find its place. People are saying it came down to a few things: it was expensive, not that different from the iPhone Pro, and folks were worried about the battery life and how durable it would be. It looked great, yeah, but lots of people went for more reliable iPhones that lasted longer and took better photos.

The iPhone Air 2 is supposed to fix all that. Rumor has it, it'll be even thinner, have a better battery, and maybe even a vapor chamber to keep it cool. But this delay makes you wonder if Apple will stick with the Air line or go back to more standard designs.

**Neal's Perspective: Where Tech Meets Real Life**

Mashable is all about where tech and culture meet. Neal, who's been writing for their Social Good team since 2024, really gets that. He used to be in charge at The Advocate and Out, and he's written for places like the Los Angeles Times, Curbed, and Los Angeles Magazine. He's great at taking tech stories and showing how they connect to bigger social issues, especially for communities that don't always get a voice.

Neal often writes about how tech stuff changes society. The iPhone Air's reception isn't just about processor speed or how many phones they sold. It shows how people react to designs that focus on looks over everything else, and how tech companies try to balance being innovative with being inclusive.

Neal also won the Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for LGBTQ Journalist of the Year. He brings awareness to his work. He lives in Los Angeles with his family and keeps writing stories that make you think and give a voice to those who are often overlooked in the tech world.

**What's Next for Apple's Thin Phone Hopes?**

The iPhone Air 2 delay doesn't mean Apple is giving up on thin phones forever. They've brought back products before that didn't do so well at first. Remember the iPhone SE or the HomePod? Even the Apple Watch Ultra had its doubters. If Apple can figure out what went wrong with the first Air, it could still find its audience with people who really care about design.

Spring 2027 might actually be a good time to drop the Air 2, especially if Apple releases it at the same time as the iPhone 18 and 18E. Battery tech and cooling could be way better by then, making super-thin phones more practical without losing performance.

**Stay Updated with Mashable Light Speed**

If you're into tech, space, and science news, sign up for Mashable's Light Speed newsletter. You'll get the inside scoop on trends, product releases, and cultural takes – including any updates on Apple's plans.

Whether you're hooked on the future of the iPhone Air or how tech shapes our world, Mashable has the info, explains what's going on, and gives you something to think about. Writers like Neal make sure the stories go beyond the surface and show the real impact on people.

2.New Google Play Feature Warns Users About Battery-Hungry Apps 

Google's getting tough on apps that drain your phone battery. They're even teaming up with Samsung to fix those annoying battery issues on Android devices. This could really change things!

Basically, some apps keep running stuff in the background, even when you're not actively using them. It's like they're secretly sucking the life out of your battery, and you don't even know it. Google is stepping in to put an end to this nonsense. They plan to punish apps that don't play fair so everyone can have a better mobile experience.

Starting March 1, 2026, Google will crack down on apps that break the new rules in the Play Store. If your app is a battery hog, it's going to become nearly impossible to find. You won't see it at the top of the search results. The app is pushed down, and Google will also display a warning message right on the app's page.

**Wake Locks: What's the big deal?**

Okay, so what are wake locks? Think of it this way: to save the battery, your phone turns off after a while. A wake lock basically instructs your phone to remain active for a bit. It makes sense when you're using Maps, downloading a file, or playing music, but the issue pops up when apps cling to these wake locks for too long and don't let go.

Sometimes, it may not be a good thing to keep apps active. In short, apps can remain active while the screen is off. This gives an app the ability to search for new versions or secretly do some tasks in the background. Since apps can do these things in the background, Google is thinking of a way to tell the apps to stop eating up the battery.

**How Google's New Plan Works**

Consider Google's new system like a police officer. The police officer checks the app to see if the wake lock has been active for too long. First, Google will call out an app if the app keeps the display active for over two hours a day. The good news is, this will not affect everyone. For example, if you listen using Pandora or music apps.

To find out who the big battery eaters are, Google came up with a limit. Google will flag an app if 5% of phone users have battery problems. Following this, Google is deciding to put a time limit on the app.

Guess what? In the past year, Google checked this out, and Samsung was useful. Having Samsung helped because they are aware of how people use their phones and how it can affect the battery.

**How will the misbehaving apps get punished?**

Google isn't just sending out simple warnings. Here are the steps they're taking:

*   **Hide them**: The app will not appear on the main list when you look at the Play Store. The app also will not get suggestions from Google.

*   **Warnings**: Google plans to have a warning pop up that informs the users that the app can drain the battery because it's active when it shouldn't be.

Hopefully, Google's actions will encourage the people who the apps to think about ways to save battery. This will also give you information regarding which apps consume more energy than others.

**Tools for People who Create Apps**

Google is providing some extra tools to help people who make apps. The tools help see how the apps affect wake locks and when they keep the phone awake.

The Google Play Console includes guidelines. The guidelines show how to keep an eye on wake locks. Google hopes the people who create the apps will watch what happens in the background and make sure nothing dangerous happens.

**So, why is This a Big Deal?**

Google wants Android smartphones to be better at saving battery. They made things like Doze Mode and App Standby Buckets to fix some stuff.

However, wake locks can be hard to watch, so that's why Google is paying extra attention to them. An app that has a secret wake lock will eat up the battery faster than an app that works as intended.

**Samsung's Involvement**

Including Samsung is important because it proves that big businesses are interested in helping. Samsung is valuable because they understand how people use their phones and how it drains the battery.

It is possible that other companies and creators will begin to do this too. It should be alright, because of this.

**In short**

To sum it up, your battery should remain active for longer, and you'll figure out which apps use up more fuel. If the app is flagged, you are able to then decide if it is okay to keep the app on your phone.

Google is keeping up, meaning phones should become better through time! Usually, the features are working smoothly. Google wants apps to be efficient.

3.Apple May Be Preparing a New HomePod Mini as Retailers Pull Current Model 

**HomePod Mini Might Be Getting a Makeover – Here's Why It's Worth Waiting**

Thinking about grabbing a HomePod mini for your smart home? Hold up a sec. There are good signs that Apple's about to drop a new version of their little smart speaker. The clues are building up, and they're getting harder to miss. Stores are running out of them, and some places even say it's been canned. It looks like the end of the road for the original, and a new one could be just around the corner.

**Vanishing Act at Stores**

One of the biggest hints? B&H Photo, a big name in Apple selling, especially for audio and video stuff, now lists the HomePod mini as discontinued. They don’t usually do that unless something's really about to be replaced.

And it's not just one store. You can't find certain colors of the HomePod mini at places like Target and Walmart either. Even Apple's own stores have limited stock, and you can only pick them up at certain big stores, and only in certain colors. These speakers used to be everywhere, so it's pretty obvious something's up.

**Been a While Since It Got New Stuff Inside**

The HomePod mini came out back in 2020 as a cheaper and smaller version of the main HomePod. They added some new colors in 2021, but the insides haven't been touched for over three years. That's a long time in Apple-world, especially for a device that’s a key part of their smart home setup.

Despite its age, the HomePod mini is still popular because it works so well with Siri, Apple Music, and HomeKit. But Apple's pushing ahead with things like Apple Intelligence and better Siri, so the current hardware might be struggling to keep up. It's like having a car that's great but can't use the latest tech.

**Rumors Say It'll Be Smarter and Better**

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, who's usually right about Apple stuff, said back in September that Apple's working on a new HomePod mini. Gurman says the new one will probably have:

*   A new chip to run Apple Intelligence and the newest Siri features. Think of it as a brain boost.

*   A better wireless chip for stronger, faster Wi-Fi. Because nobody likes a speaker that cuts out.

*   A new chip for better spatial awareness. This could let it know exactly where it is in a room.

*   Better sound. Always a good thing.

*   Maybe some new colors, including a red one they've been testing.

These upgrades would bring the HomePod mini up to speed with Apple's focus on smarter devices that know what you need. The new spatial awareness chip, for example, could let it track your location better and hand off tasks between Apple devices more easily. Like how AirTags and iPhones can do now. Imagine walking into a room and your music automatically switches to the HomePod mini.

**New Apple Store Setup Hints at Launch**

To make things even more interesting, Gurman also said Apple was getting ready to change things around in their stores on sometime in November. It could just be getting ready for the holiday shopping rush, but it could also be when they release the new HomePod mini. Apple sometimes adds new accessories and small hardware updates without making a big announcement.

If they do launch the new HomePod mini this month, it would give Apple a strong smart home product to sell during Black Friday and the holidays. That's a smart move since they're up against Amazon Echo and Google Nest.

**Should You Buy Now or Wait a Bit?**

If you're thinking about buying a HomePod mini, you might be better off waiting. Stock is low, and a new version is likely coming soon. If you buy now, you might miss out on better features and performance. Even if the new one costs a little more, it might be worth it in the long run.

That said, if you find a HomePod mini on sale for super cheap and don't care about having the newest features, the old one still sounds great and works well with Apple's smart home stuff. But for most people, waiting a few weeks might be the best idea.

**What It All Means**

The HomePod mini has been a hit for Apple, and it's a key part of their smart home plans. But after three years without any new hardware being added, it looks like an upgrade is coming. Stores are running out, there are rumors of new features, and it all points to a new HomePod mini being just around the corner.

Whether you're upgrading your smart home or getting your first Apple speaker, it might pay to be patient. Keep an eye on Apple's store updates and announcements. The next HomePod mini might be here faster than you think.

4.New Google Play Update Simplifies Managing and Removing Apps Across Devices 

## Google Play Store's New Trick: Delete Apps Remotely!

Hey Android peeps! Google just slipped in a neat little update to the Play Store that's gonna be a lifesaver for those of us swimming in Android gadgets. So, version 48.8 of the Google Play Store is rolling out, and guess what? You can finally dump apps off your other devices without even having to touch them! We've been bugging them about this forever, so it's about freakin' time.

### Small Change, Huge Win

Okay, so the update was kinda quietly dropped into the latest Google System Release Notes. The notes said something along the lines of, “Now you can uninstall apps from your phone using the Play Store, no need to have the other device near you.” It might take a sec to show up on your end, but trust me, it's a sweet upgrade.

Before this, the Play Store would let you push apps from your phone to, say, your tablet or Android TV. You know, that Available on more devices thing? But deleting stuff remotely? No way! You'd have to dig through menus, find the right device, and manually trash the app. Seriously annoying!

Well, they finally fixed it. Now, when you're checking out an app in the Play Store, you'll see simple Uninstall buttons for every device that has that app. This is perfect if you've got a work phone, your kid's tablet, or whatever, and you just want to keep things tidy without having to hunt everything down.

### Why Should You Be Excited?

Let's face it, most of us are swimming in tech these days. Between smartwatches, tablets, phones, and TVs, we've got Android stuff scattered everywhere. Trying to keep track of all the apps can be a total drag. This new thing from Google just makes it a lot less of a headache.

And think about keeping things tidy and secure. You know you've got apps chilling on ancient devices that you haven't touched in ages. Those apps are just sucking up storage, running in the background, and potentially causing headaches if they're not up-to-date. Being able to remotely uninstall them? Golden! It helps keep your devices running smooth and keeps things secure.

### How to Use the Cool New Feature

Alright, once you have version 48.8 of the Play Store, here's how it goes down:

1.  Fire up the Play Store on your phone.

2.  Find an app that's installed on multiple devices.

3.  Check out the app page – you'll see Uninstall buttons for your device.

4.  Spot the little list of your devices.

5.  You should see Uninstall buttons sitting next to each device on the list.

6.  Tap the one you want to uninstall the app from.

Want to know if you've already got the update? Open the Play Store, tap your profile pic, go to Settings, then About, and tap Update Play Store. It will confirm you have the last update installed or not.

### A Step Forward

This feels like one small step in Google's mission to make Android easier to live with. They've been smoothing out the experience, from Find My Device to app syncing. It kind of shows that Google is listening and wants to make life easier. Centralizing app management is a good step to making Android more organized.

### What's Next for the Play Store?

Honestly, this update is pretty basic. I wouldn't be surprised if we see more remote control options coming soon. Maybe Google will add features to schedule app removals or set parameters for applications you very rarely access with Alert notifications popping up when new apps get downloaded to different devices. These types of options give Users the power to control their digital devices usage.

But in the meantime, being able to uninstall apps remotely rules!

So, go check your Play Store version. Have a stack of old apps on devices that collect dust? Start the clean-up! It's a breeze now.

5.Leaked Nano Banana 2 Image Samples Reveal Exciting Details 

Google about to drop some seriously mind-blowing visual AI on us with something called Nano Banana 2?

The whole AI world is going wild right now. There's talk that Google's been secretly cooking up something big with their Gemini project. People are saying it's a next-level visual AI, and they're calling it Nano Banana 2. Apparently, someone messed up, and we got a sneak peek. Now, everyone's freaking out, wondering what this thing can actually do.

Here's what happened: Nano Banana 2 was live for a hot minute on Media.ai, which is where they usually test AI models. Then, poof! It was gone. Someone pulled the plug. But you know how the internet is; nothing really disappears. People were quick to grab screenshots and blast them all over social media. From those pics, it looks like it's got some seriously wild upgrades, and now everyone's itching to see Google unleash it for real.

**Leaked and People are Loving It**

So, what's all the fuss about? Well, the quick glimpses on Media.ai showed those in the tech know what Nano Banana 2 is capable of when it comes to images. Judging from the examples floating around, it seems like it's gotten way better at fixing up old photos, coloring them smoothly, and really getting what you tell it to do – something that earlier models struggled with. It appears the instructions and prompts are followed with precise implementation.

And then things got even crazier! More examples started to show up, supposedly coming straight from Google's Gemini AI team. These examples seemed to confirm that Nano Banana 2 is keeping up with, or maybe even beating, other visual AIs out there. What really grabbed everyone's attention was how well it could fix blurry, low-quality photos and pull off complex edits based on simple directions. It looks like the upgrades could really change the game for creators looking to enhance and restore their existing content. This may also pave the way for easier creation by allowing people to focus on ideas instead of cumbersome and tedious editing processes.

**Seeing is Believing**

A user with that handle @synthwavedd posted about Nano Banana 2 (who they also called GemPix 2) supposedly solving a physics problem. I mean, the AI actually drew the path of a falling ball perfectly. Apparently, it's using some method called img2img. People have been saying that no other AI has ever been able to do this with that level of accuracy. It looks like this model understands how the world works and has some grasp of physics and other real-world concepts. It’s able to use its knowledge to enhance image generation.

From the looks of it, it's also gotten a whole lot better at creating text. Older models would often mess up text, especially when trying to copy handwriting or different font styles. But it appears Nano Banana 2 can handle it with ease. Someone showed how it drew pretty detailed text on a whiteboard, keeping everything aligned and the font spot-on. This hints that it doesn't just see things well but also understands precise directions. This hints that the program may be extremely useful for design-related work in the future. It may also be useful for creating realistic documents and images that would normally be very difficult to generate.

**What This Means for Visual Content Creators**

Here's what's really important: These upgrades could change things for a lot of different jobs. If you're in content creation, marketing, or design, Nano Banana 2 could really speed things up. If this tech can understand specific instructions and create stunning images, then automated content creation might actually be within reach. Just imagine: banners, social media posts, infographics, all created using some kind of API! With new improvements to AI-generated content, the possibilities may be endless in the future. It could also cut down on time used for production, giving users the ability to come up with more content in greater amount with minimal effort.

If Nano Banana 2 is as good as people say it is, it could get rid of all the boring, manual stuff. Workers would then be able to focus on making specialized content on a large scale. This may be especially useful for smaller businesses that cannot currently afford to create high-quality content with limited funds.

**The Secret Weapon?**

Google hasn't said when they're going to let this out into the wild, but the fact that it keeps leaking suggests it's probably coming pretty soon. Nano Banana is just one part of Gemini's visual abilities. As Google keeps improving their AI, it'll likely combine text, videos, and pictures under the Gemini name. There is a chance that Google may be working on a better version to make sure to avoid all potential problems.

**What's Next?**

As AI continues to change, and with the arrival of Nano Banana 2, we're seeing visual AI become way more advanced. From understanding physics to creating infographics, Nano Banana 2's capabilities suggest that AI can not only create visuals but also understand them much like people do. Everyone's excited to see what Google ends up doing with it. If these leaks are true, Nano Banana 2 is going to be awesome, and it might be here sooner than we think. Overall, content creation may be completely reinvented in the near future because of upgrades to AI platforms.

6.iPhone Pocket Debuts: Stylish and Convenient Way to Carry Your iPhone 

**Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE Just Dropped an iPhone Pocket – Seriously!**

So, get this: Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE, the crazy cool Japanese fashion brand, teamed up. And what did they make? An iPhone Pocket. Yeah, you read that right. It's dropping soon. This isn't just your average phone case. It's like, a fashion statement you can wear that also, you know, holds your phone. It's a limited edition thing, made with this awesome 3D-knitted stuff. Think ISSEY MIYAKE's mind-blowing fabric tech meets Apple's super simple style. They were inspired by just a piece of cloth. Pretty neat, huh?

It'll be up for grabs on Friday, November 14th. You can snag one at some Apple Stores and on apple.com in a bunch of countries – France , China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the U.S. Just in time for the holidays, if you're looking for a gift that's a little different.

**How It's Made?**

These pockets are made in Japan. ISSEY MIYAKE put a lot of work . It's got this ribbed, stretchy thing going on. It kinda reminds you of their pleated clothes since it stretches to fit whatever iPhone you've got. But wait, there's additional. It can fit other stuff, too! Like your AirPods, cards, keys. So, it's useful.

When the fabric stretches, you can kinda see what's inside. You can peek at your iPhone screen. It still feels kinda private. ISSEY MIYAKE likes making things that aren't too clearly defined. They want you to decide how you want to use it.

Yoshiyuki Miyamae (MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO’s design big shot, it gives you “the joy of wearing iPhone in your own way.” It’s supposed to be simple which allows for people to have interpretations and possibilities.

**Wear it How You Want**

You can hold it, attach it to your bag, or wear it. Do whatever feels right. It's light and comfy. You can dress it up or dress it down. It goes with anything.

They didn't skimp on colors, either. The short strap version comes in 8 shades: lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon, and black. The one with the long strap? The sapphire, cinnamon, and black. So you can mix and match.

“The colors were all designed to match with all our iPhone models and colors,” according to Molly Anderson (Apple’s vice president). “Its recognizable shape has a new method to carry your iPhone, AirPods, and everyday staples.”

**Good Design**

Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE just click. They care about making things right and simple. Both are known for having new ideas. The iPhone Pocket is a perfect combination.

Apple assisted with insight within design and production. The iPhone Pocket still carries ISSEY MIYAKE’s art.

**Where To buy**

Since it's a limited thing, they won't be around forever. The short strap ones $149.95 and the long strap versions are $229.95.

They go on sale November 14th. You can ask an Apple person online or in store for design questions.

**You can buy it at these Apple Stores:**

*   Apple Canton Road, Hong Kong

*   Apple Ginza, Tokyo

*   Apple Jing’an, Shanghai

*   Apple Marché Saint-Germain, Paris

*   Apple Myeongdong, Seoul

*   Apple Orchard Road, Singapore

*   Apple Piazza Liberty, Milan

*   Apple Regent Street, London

*   Apple SoHo, New York City

*   Apple Xinyi A13, Taipei

**Carry Your iPhone in Style**

The iPhone Pocket is a cool way to carry your phone. It is design, useful, and expressive.

7.Sony’s PlayStation Platform Sees Strong First‑Half Growth; PS5 Lifetime Sales Pass 84 M 

Big news from Sony! They're raking in the dough, especially over in their gaming division. They've upped their sales predictions for the whole year, which is awesome.

What's doing so well, you ask? A mix of things. People are buying more games, and PlayStation Plus subscriptions are way up. But let's talk about Ghost of Yōtei-- it's a new game and sold 3.3 million copies in its first month! That's huge for them.

**Breaking Down Those Numbers**

Over the last six months (ending September 30, 2025), Sony's Game & Network Services (G&NS) brought in about $13.6 billion. That’s a 5.2% jump from last year. Their profits also went up by 31.3%, hitting $1.7 billion. Games and online services are really paying off for them.

Looking at just the July-September time frame, sales were still good at $7.19 billion (up 3.7%). The profit for that period dipped a bit (around 13.2%) to $780 million. Apparently, they had some losses with Bungie (the guys behind Destiny 2). Even with that bump in the road, things are still looking great overall.

Because everything's looking good, Sony revised their sales projection for the whole G&NS year upward to around $28.5 billion. They had predicted less, but they are now more confident.

**PlayStation Plus & Games: The Powerhouse Duo**

PlayStation Plus is a cash cow. In the last quarter, revenue from the service bumped up around 13.7% to $1.1 billion. They've got 119 million monthly active users now. That's an increase of a few million since last year.

And then there are game sales. Sales went up about 2.7% to $4 billion. People are still buying physical copies (up 2.9% to $228.7 million. But most folks are buying digital copies and add-ons: those sales are up 1.6% to $3.68 billion

In terms of units, Sony sold around 80.3 million copies of games in the last quarter, beating last year's 77.7 million. A chunk of those (6.3 million) were Sony-made games, boosted by the launch of Ghost of Yōtei. The game's doing incredibly well.

**Ghost of Yōtei: The New Kid on the Block**

This game is selling like hotcakes! Released in October, Ghost of Yōtei moved 3.3 million copies in a single month. That's proof that exclusive games still get people excited, invest into a console, and get sales going.

Sony hasn't gotten into specifics on the regional sales numbers, but it's safe to say the game's a hit worldwide. It may be the start of a big franchise for them.

**PS5 Stays Strong**

The PlayStation 5 is still going strong. They moved 6.4 million units in the first half of the year, which is a little better than last year. Nearly 4 million of those were sold in the last quarter, putting the total number of PS5s out there at 84.2 million.

Hardware sales brought in $1.4 billion, which is a 5.8% increase. The PS5 is doing well, even as it gets older.

**The Big Picture**

Because of how things are going, Sony's feeling good about the future, with a solid lineup of games and a growing PlayStation Plus user base.

The downside is always the risk involved with buying studios and investing in those live service type games that keep getting updates. Sony has got to find a balance between those games and the single-player games to keep everyone happy.

The holiday season is right around the corner, and Sony's in a good place. No matter if it's hardware (the PS5), software (games), or online services (PS Plus), PlayStation is still the king in the gaming world.

8.Sony Acknowledges Bungie Acquisition Setback, Reports Impairment Loss 

Sony's big Bungie buy – wasn't exactly a home run, huh? Remember when Sony dropped $3.6 billion on Bungie, the guys who made Destiny 2? Everyone thought it was this huge move to dominate those live-service games. Well, fast forward a little over two years, and Sony's kind of scratching their heads, wondering if it was such a great idea after all.

Basically, in their recent financial report, Sony admitted they had to write down some of Bungie's value. Which is business speak for Bungie isn't doing as well as we thought it would.

**What Went Wrong with Destiny 2?**

During a Q&A call about the money stuff, Sony's money guy, Lin Tao, was pretty blunt. He said Destiny 2 hasn't been pulling in the sales or keeping players hooked like they'd hoped. He blamed it partly on games like Destiny 2 getting too popular, but whatever the reason, they've lowered their expectations for Bungie and had to adjust some things on the books.

It seems like Destiny 2's popularity took a nosedive after that big The Final Shape update. Once the main story wrapped up, a lot of players just moved on. The whole idea was for Bungie to lead the way in live-service games for Sony, but it just hasn't worked out that way.

Sony wanted Bungie to help them create a bunch of cool multiplayer and live-service games. But a lot of those projects got canned. The only big game Bungie's been working on for Sony, called Marathon, has had its share of problems, with people accusing them of copying ideas and just generally not being very creative.

**Sony Takes Control**

So, what's Sony doing about it? They're bringing Bungie closer to home. Sony is keeping a closer eye on things and making sure Bungie's plans are in line with what they want to achieve.

This is a change from how Sony usually handles buying studios. They usually let them do their own thing. But with Destiny 2 not doing so hot and no new hit games coming out, Sony's decided to step in and offer some guidance. They're hoping that by working more closely with the PlayStation Studios team, they can get Bungie back on track.

**Good News on Other Fronts**

It's not all doom and gloom for Sony's gaming division. Lin Tao pointed out that Helldivers 2 has been a massive win, especially now that it's on Xbox. “Helldivers 2 is doing extremely well, not only attracting users on Xbox, but also seeing increased from players on PS5 and PC,” Tao said. This has led to a big jump in sales compared to last year.

This game is resonating with players across different platforms, and provides a fun and amazing approach. Its success just goes to show the value of releasing games on multiple platforms and making sure the multiplayer experience is top-notch. Sony might start doing this with more games.

Another hit for Sony is Ghost of Yōtei. The game has sold 3.3 million copies since it came out on October 2, and both critics and players love it. Tao called it “a major hit ”, which just proves that Sony still knows how to make great single-player games with awesome stories.

**What’s Next for Sony?**

This past quarter shows that Sony's gaming strategy has its ups and downs. Buying Bungie seemed great at the time, but it's turned out to be a lesson about how hard it is to guess what the market will do and how to bring studios together. But the success of games like Helldivers 2 and Ghost of Yōtei shows that Sony still has what it takes to make great games that people want to play.

Tao said that they want to build on their recent wins and make their studios this recent success to get better.

So, Sony needs to find a balance between trying new things and being smart about where they put their money. The Bungie thing might be a setback, but it's a chance to learn and remember that in the gaming world, making quality games that players love is the most important thing.

9.Nintendo Switch 2 Firmware 21.0.0 Now Available: Full Patch Notes Released 

Nintendo just dropped a pretty big update for the Switch and Switch 2 – they're calling it Version 21.0.0. It came out on November 10th, 2025, and it's got a bunch of tweaks and additions all over the place, from how things look on the screen to making it easier for everyone to use, even with some handicaps or disabilities. Oh, and they messed with the GameChat a bit, plus some behind-the-scenes stuff. They even threw in some new languages, so that's cool.

Usually, these updates are just fixing stuff you don't even see, but this one? This one's actually got some changes you'll notice right away. Looks like Nintendo's trying to keep things fresh, especially with the Switch 2 getting more popular.

**Home Screen and Downloads**

First thing you might spot: little icons show up over your game icons now. One indicates if that's a game you physically own, another one indicates if you downloaded the game from the eShop. It’s easy to differentiate and help you keep your digital games organized so you can get to your games faster.

They also made dealing with downloads less of a drag. If you have a bunch of stuff downloading all at once, you can just hit one button to cancel them all. Way better than having to do it one by one!.

If you got a Switch bundle with a game download, there's now a Get Software icon on the home screen when you set up your profile. Click that, and it takes you straight to the eShop to grab your free stuff. Or if you want, you can just go to the eShop the old-fashioned way.

**Friends and Chatting**

They also tweaked the social stuff a bit. When you go to add a friend, the People You've Played With search now includes folks you met in GameChat rooms that your other friends own. It's a small addition, but makes it a bit easier to make online friends.

Speaking of GameChat, that got a bit of work, too. The Switch won't go to sleep in the middle of a chat anymore, which is nice. And you can turn off this weird Chat Audio Panning thing if it bugs you. Gives you more control over the sound.

Coolest of all: GameChat keeps going even if you switch from playing on your TV (docked) to playing handheld, or on a table. The session will still be going on after you play on the handheld version. It will also do this with the wireless setting. This is great if you move around while you play.

**Making it Easier to Use for Everyone**

Nintendo’s trying to make the Switch more accessible. If you turn on Text to Speech, the Switch will now read out loud what those suggested words are on the Japanese keyboard. That’s a big help if you have trouble seeing.

They also cranked up the max speed for Text-to-Speech. Now you can set it to 400% speed, up from 300%. More options are always good.

Also, in the sound settings, you can now tweak the audio on the Switch 2 Pro Controller when it's wireless. You can pick Stable for good sound all the time, or Low Latency to cut down on delays. The Low Latency is good for fast-paced games, but it might not sound as good if there's a lot of interference.

**Screen Stuff**

They cleaned up the display settings a bit. HDR Output is now System Screen's HDR Output, which makes more sense. The screen for setting your screen size got a makeover too, so it's easier to get it just right.

Here's a weird one: some people who dig into the Switch code (Dataminer OatmealDome) found that you can now see how bright things are when you mess with the HDR settings on your TV. Sounds like it got lost in translation in the official notes. If you have a fancy TV, this might be cool for getting the best picture.

**Notifications and Other Settings**

The Platinum Points alerts are now called Nintendo Switch Online Notifications. Makes sense, since it covers more than just points.

The Stop Charging at 90% setting got a minor tweak. It’s now Stop Charging Around 80-90%. Maybe it's a bit smarter about how it keeps your battery healthy.

**New Languages**

The Switch now speaks Thai and Polish! You'll only see those languages in games that support them, but it's cool to see Nintendo adding more.

**The Usual Stuff**

Like always, they snuck in some stability improvements to make things run smoother. You never really know what they do, but hopefully it means fewer crashes and glitches.

This update comes after Version 20.5.0, which came out back in September. That one was mostly behind-the-scenes stuff. But Version 21.0.0 feels like a bigger deal, with changes that actually make a difference in how you use the Switch.

So, whether you've had a Switch since day one or you just picked up a Switch 2, this update's got something for you. It makes the whole system a little better, from easier downloads to more languages and better chat. Looks like Nintendo’s listening to what people want and trying to make the Switch the best it can be.

10.Verizon Leaks November Pixel Update Details Ahead of Official Rollout 

Verizon kind of messed up and spilled the beans on the November 2025 Pixel update before Google could even say anything! Can you believe it? They accidentally put all the details on their website, like the list of changes and all those code numbers, for everyone to see. But don't worry, the DroidLife guys were quick enough to snag all the info before Verizon caught their mistake and took it down.

Now, what's the deal with this update? Basically, it sounds like Google's been busy fixing some of the annoying little glitches that make your phone act weird. If your Pixel hasn't been running as fast as it should be, this update should help get it back up to speed. And, of course, it'll include the standard monthly security patches that keep the digital nasties away, that's really key. The best part is that there's a chance of an early Pixel Feature Drop showing up. That means we might get a bunch of cool new stuff sooner than we were expecting!

So, let's get into the specifics. What's getting fixed? Well...

**Sound Issues Getting Sorted**

Apparently, some Pixels have had issues with playing sound, with music or videos slowing down or getting choppy. Super annoying, right? Nobody wants their music messed up. This update should take care of those problems.

Here's a list of phones that should receive these audio fixes:

*   Pixel Fold

*   Pixel 9a

*   Pixel 9 Pro Fold

*   Pixel 9 Pro / XL

*   Pixel 9

*   Pixel 8a

*   Pixel 8 Pro

*   Pixel 8

**Battery and Charging Improvements**

Google isn't saying too much exactly, but they're claiming they've worked to make your battery last longer, and made charging better too. What this means is that maybe we can quit charging the phone so much because this thing should last longer. Plus, I really hope they fix the inaccurate battery indicator. Nothing's worse than thinking you are sitting at 20% and then the phone just dies.

**Rainbow camera effect Begone**

If you've got one of the newer Pixels, you might have noticed some odd rainbow-like effects in your photos, mostly when using the wide-angle or zoom lenses . Sorry to say, but it is not some cool art project, it's a bug. This update tackles it directly.

Here are the devices that will be getting this camera fix:

*   Pixel 10 Pro / XL

*   Pixel 10

*   Pixel 9a

*   Pixel 9 Pro Fold

*   Pixel 9 Pro / XL

*   Pixel 9

**Background Bugs Fixed**

These following touches are on the software side of things. You might not see these, but they have a material effect:

1.  Some apps are flat-out just not opening. This makes many people quite upset, and it should be fixed now.

2.  The webcam mode has had problems with some devices. This update is meant to fix that.

The good news is that every Pixel phone gets these improvements. Nice!

**Security Updates**

Just like with all other updates, this one's got the latest security updates from Android. They're super important to have, as they'll help defend your phone from digital bad guys. Google is working hard on security, and will defend your phone. It's good to know your are defended.

**Here are those Build Numbers...**

For anyone who's interested, Verizon leaked the build numbers for the update. You can use these to make sure your phone's updated correctly.

*   BP3A.251105.015

    *   Pixel 7a

    *   Pixel 8

    *   Pixel 8 Pro

    *   Pixel 8a

    *   Pixel 9

    *   Pixel 9 Pro / XL

    *   Pixel 9 Pro Fold

    *   Pixel 9a

    *   Pixel Fold

*   BD3A.251105.010.E1

    *   Pixel 10

    *   Pixel 10 Pro / XL

    *   Pixel 10 Pro Fold

It seems like the Pixel 6 and 7 aren't on that first list, but they should be getting the update pretty soon. Verizon said that the update will start rolling out on November 10, so we shouldn't have too long to wait.

**The Early Pixel Drop Chance..**

Okay, so there's a little talk that Google could be dropping a Pixel Feature Drop early. So what's that? It is like an cool update with new, exclusive, capabilities for your pixel phones. Fingers crossed! If these rumors are right, then we might get a new camera options with cool new ways to make a personalized phone.

**In a Nutshell...**

We got an early look at the November 2025 Pixel update because Verizon jumped the gun. Get ready for some fixes to slow performance, plus camera problems and app crashes. Battery life should also improve. Now you will get more time playing mobile games. Also included are the latest security patches. Who knows, maybe we will even get a Pixel Drop. Which will make this update even more exciting.

When the update's ready for your phone, you'll get a notification. So, don't miss it. All indications point to this update being well worth getting because of all the bug fixes, plus the new features if the Pixel Drop is real.

11.Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025: Global Prep Guide for Trainers 

The Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025 Global event is coming on November 15th and 16th. If you're wanting to do well, you need to get ready *now*. We're talking about tough raids, rare Pokémon appearing everywhere, and better odds of getting cool shinies. Plus the habitats are swapping really fast, like two different ones switching every hour. There are so many choices available and you will not want to miss many! Whether you're a super experienced Pokémon player or just want to have some fun, getting ready will allow you to score big and also have a fun experience. You do wish to the most out of it, right?

**Get all your stuff: The Backpack Checklist**

Alright, let's do this. First, the basics: Poké Balls. I mean, a *ton* of them. Seriously, aim for hundreds! Great and Ultra Balls for sure, think of those as your go to when trying to catch. It's the worst feeling when you run out while playing. Next, Potions and Revives? Don't grab too many, you'll get a ton just from the raids. What you don't get from those is what you should worry about. Berries and Evolution items, just keep some, but no need to get too many, okay? Maybe like 30 of each, this will help you overall.

Have some Rare Candy just sitting there? Then use it! If you're going to use Dialga and Origin Forme Palkia Effects, then those candies are great for leveling it up. Using them ends up freeing up bag space since you're using the candies.

**Friends are Great: Get Free Goodies With Them**

Open and send gifts *every day* so you can collect as many Poké Balls as possible. Send as many gifts as the game allows and don't hold back! Post your friend code on social media, join any local groups that have the game. More friends gives you more gifts, and the more that you get, the better chance of a awesome Pokémon. You got it? Having others will help get you ready!

**Start Up: Time to get Boosts**

Get Incense, Star Pieces, and Lucky Eggs ahead of time, before the event. The game lets you use several at once, so jump on the chance and as soon as the event starts, use them all. This makes sure that they're up all day. Incense is the best when it comes to more spawns, so remember to keep it running.

**Let's Raid: So Many Boss Fights**

Wild Area 2025 Global will have Gigantamax Grimmsnarl showing up in Max Battles, and Shadow Darkrai and Shadow Cresselia are gonna be in Raids. That means you need Raid Passes and Max Particles. Get them soon! Don't be that person and wait till the second to buy coins. Get ready so you can quickly get in battles when the events start without losing any possible fights.

Use your free Raid Passes when you get them, but always have premium ones ready in case you don't want to pass up a good battle. Max Particles are important for the Gigantamax battles, so check and make sure that you have enough before the event.

**Egg Hunts: So Much Hatching**

Some Pokémon will only come out of Eggs. This gives a special chance given to those who buy the ticket. Make sure that you have egg space before the event and plan if you want to buy extra Incubators. Do you want to buy a ton of eggs? You're going to be walking a lot, so put Eggs into your default Incubator and get going whenever you can.

**Time to Clean: Bag Space is Important.**

Since you're catching a lot of Pokémon, clean some bag space. Be honest with yourself, are you going to use that Pidgey? Save only good ones if you are keeping up with a Living dex. If not, then throw those Community Day shinies and send it to Pokémon HOME or Professor Willow.

Trade the rare Pokémon with your friends, sometimes stats change after. Morning of event, make as much space in your bag as you can, if you don't you will fill it fast.

What Spinda patterns do you need to keep? Only keep one of the costume Pokémon. Remember to keep boys and girls for those, if the versions are gender based. Purify the Shadow Pokémon you don't need and transfer them, mostly the ones that cost 1,000 stardust. That dust is for saving, and to use for the perfect ones.

**Strategic Buddies: Choose Wisely**

Think about your Buddy Pokémon option. Make them a Great Buddy if you're doing raids all day. This is because of their Buddy Assist, which will help catch the boss from the raid.

Don't pick a Buddy that's popular. Adventure Effects from Origin Forme Palkia (more spawn range) and Dialga (longer item durations) are the best ones. Spawns is what people want, but do what *you* want.

Always have enough stardust and candy before using the Effects. Rare Candy will help if you don't.

**Habitat Hopping: Being there helps.**

Wild Area 2025 Global gives event to habitat zones that change every hour:

| Time           | Habitat           |

| :------------- | :---------------- |

| 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Lurking Dark Hour |

| 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Fanciful Fairy Hour |

| 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Lurking Dark Hour |

| 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.  | Fanciful Fairy Hour |

| 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.  | Lurking Dark Hour |

| 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.  | Fanciful Fairy Hour |

| 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.  | Lurking Dark Hour |

| 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.  | Fanciful Fairy Hour |

The spot where the Pokémon are spawning is important, so plan around it. If you're not wanting to catch those Pokémon, eat, relax, or make bag space.

**Time for Shinies: A list guide**

Write a list before the event. Open your Pokédex and write down the ones that are missing. New shinies for Wild Area 2025 Global include:

*   Imidimp

*   Hatenna

*   Unown W

*   Tinkatink

*   Costume Bewear (in Raids)

People will want these, so get them now, if you want to make trades.

**Catches to Look For: What's Important**

Here's what important to catch:

*   Gigantamax Grimmsnarl (Max Battles)

*   Shadow Darkrai and Shadow Cresselia (Raids)

*   The new shinies and costume Pokémon

*   Pokémon that are good for raids and PvP battles

*   Rare Pokémon for trades

If you come ready, Wild Area 2025 will be good. Clean your bag, set your items up, make a plan, and get ready!

12.PokéPark Kanto, a New Pokémon Theme Park, Set to Open This February 

**Hey Pokémon Trainers! PokéPark Kanto is Coming to Tokyo in 2026!**

Big news, Pokémon fans! The Pokémon Company just announced that PokéPark Kanto is coming! Mark your calendars for February 5th, 2026, because that's when the park is set to open in Yomiuriland Amusement Park in Tokyo. This won't be a temporary thing The park's opening has fans from all corners of the world excited.

Getting tickets right now is somewhat complicated. If you're already living in Japan, you can enter a lottery starting November 21st, 2025, for a chance to grab tickets. If you are planning to visit Japan and want to buy in the lottery but don't have a Japanese address, you can ask someone in Japan to help you with that, or hire a reliable concierge service. If you live elsewhere, the English website just says, Coming Soon. Keep an eye on it for updates, and hopefully, more information from international tickets will come out soon. 2026 will be the year for you to go to Tokyo!

**So, What’s the Big Deal?**

Here's the thing: PokéPark Kanto is the first permanent outdoor Pokémon park *ever*. A lot of temporary exhibitions and pop-up shops have come and gone, but never has there been a sustainable park. It's designed to be a real location that brings the Pokémon world to life, where you can meet Pikachu and Charmander.

The Park itself is divided into two main parts: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. Each has a distinct vibe and different things to do.

**Pokémon Forest: Go on an Adventure**

Can you see yourself walking through a forest and bumping into life-sized Pokémon? In Pokémon Forest, you can experience that. Instead of robots or augmented reality, you're on a laid-back nature path where you can see Pokémon statues hidden in trees and bushes.

Picture Pikachu, Eevee, and Nidoran chilling among the plants. It's made to feel like you're going on a real safari. This is ideal for families and people who both like nature and Pokémon. Remember to bring your camera for photos!

**Sedge Town: Shops, Rides, and So Much More!**

Sedge Town is the park's, exciting part. It looks like the towns in the Pokémon games. You'll see a Pokémon Center and Poké Mart that sell cool items, themed snacks, and collections. It's all about catching everything!

Sedge Town also has two major attractions:

*   **Pika Pika Paradise:** All about Pikachu. There are bright colors, mild excitement, and all the electric-type fun you could potentially want.

*   **Vee Vee Voyage:** This ride is based on Eevee and its various forms. It's possible to go through different paths or scenes depending on which Eeveelutions you pick. Every way to get involved is available.

Sedge Gym is a place where they put on shows. I'm unsure of all the details, but I assume there will be people dressed as trainers, music, and Pokémon appearing. It seems like there may be a show you can take part in.

**Back to the Kanto Region**

PokéPark Kanto is not just a random name. The park is an ode to the Kanto region from the first Pokémon games, like Red, Blue, and Yellow. Everything in the park is intended to evoke that nostalgic atmosphere while remaining pleasant for new players whether you go to Pokémon Forest or look at the layout of the town.

It is an expression of nostalgia for earlier franchise fans, though new fans will also like it.

**How to Obtain Tickets**

Currently, only Japanese residents are permitted to participate in the ticket lottery that begins on November 21. The Pokémon Company seeks to prepare, manage the rush, and ensure that everything proceeds smoothly at first. The positive aspect is that they provide an English version of their webpage.

Tickets are likely to be very hard to come by. If you're trying to plan a trip for 2026, keep an eye out for formal announcements and be prepared to get tickets when they go on sale.

**But Should You go?**

PokéPark Kanto is a big thing for Pokémon fans. For years, people have wondered what it would be like to live in the Pokémon world. There are shows, video games, and toys, but there's never been an actual park.

This is a place to enjoy Pokémon with family, where young children can meet their characters, and where adults can feel their childhood nostalgia.

**In Conclusion**

PokéPark Kanto sounds like a great experience whether you've been a Pokémon trainer from the beginning or are just becoming interested in the franchise. It is a great blend of nostalgia and a new experience that has a calming character given the Pokémon Forest and an exciting and refreshing tone when visiting Sedge Town.

If you decide to take your vacation in Tokyo in 2026, consider visiting this tourist spot. Maybe it's time for a visit even if you weren't considering it.

13.ClickFix Could Be the Most Dangerous App You’ve Never Heard Of 

There's this really awful thing going around called ClickFix, and it's becoming a total drag. The security people are saying it's gotten seriously bad in the last year. It's a pain because it messes with both Macs and Windows, and it's really good at getting past most security stuff. The messed-up thing is, it tricks *you* into infecting your own computer. How crazy is that?

Okay, here’s how it goes down: These con artists try to talk you into copying and pasting a single line of code into your computer's terminal thing. On Windows, that’s the Command Prompt; if you are using a Mac then it is the Terminal app. It sounds innocent, but don't you fall for it. This little copy-paste trick lets malware sneak in and steal your passwords, turn your computer into a remote-control zombie for some hacker, or even worse. And the worst part? You might not even know you've been hit.

**Let's Break Down This ClickFix Scam**

Where does this all begin? Almost all the time, things start off with something that looks totally real. Check this out: an email that seems to be from your hotel. It could even have correct booking information, so it looks legit. Or maybe you see WhatsApp messages or links popping up in Google search results, a sneaky plan where these criminals actually pay to get their fake sites at the very top of the search results.

You click on the link, and it takes you to a website that looks like one of those CAPTCHA things (where you have to prove you're a real human). However, in place of clicking on pictures of storefronts, you are tasked with random tasks and instructed to open your terminal, paste in the code, and then press Enter. As soon as you do that, BAM! You just gave them access. That little command tells your computer to phone up hacker servers, grab malware without you knowing, and set it up fast.

**Why Does This Work So Well?**

The reason it is so successful is because of how simple it is. Many of us know that we are not supposed to click on weird links, but we might not think twice about using instructions from a hotel or something from a Google search. That line of code? Usually, it's all jumbled up so that it is not easy to understand.

That command runs where scripts should be safe. This puts the malware in place using simple computer tools. Your computer doesn't see any dangerous files.

**Macs, Too? Seriously?**

Yeah, sorry to break it to you, ClickFix scams don't care what kind of computer you've got. One time, there was a Mac scam that used malware called Shamos. It steals your passwords, sets up fake crypto wallets, turns your computer into a robot in an army, and messes with your settings, so it sticks around even after you've restarted it.

And then there was this time when some bad guys hacked into real hotel accounts on Booking.com. Then, they used that booking information to message guests. It had all the right stuff; even the dates were correct. If anyone clicked those links, they were taken to a fake CAPTCHA page that looked like something from Cloudflare. After that, they pasted in that line, and BOOM, PureRAT was downloaded.

Reports show that those tricks operate differently between Windows and Mac, constantly shifting and adapting.

**It's All About Trust and Catching You Off Guard**

ClickFix scams work by using your trust from links. If the message seems like it's from a hotel you know, it seems okay. They aren’t going after problems in the software; they’re going after you.

Hackers are always waiting for the right moment to strike. This includes travel seasons such as school breaks, summer vacation, and holidays. It is very important to know about this before you travel and book.

**How to Stay Safe**

Okay, your antivirus *might* catch it, but don't bet on it. The attacks operate with simple stuff so there is no harmful software at all. This is one thing to always have in the back of your mind: stay alert.

Here are some things to remember to save you:

*   Never copy and paste commands into a terminal if you *don't* know what it's doing. Check the website or personal message to ensure they are who they appear to be.

*   Double-check travel company messages. If you're worried, you can even call them directly or visit their websites on your own.

*   Keep an eye out for CAPTCHAs. They could be a fake.

*   Keep your computer and antivirus program current. But that is not always safe.

*   Spread the word. Many people don't know about this, and spreading this around your friends and family could help.

**Okay, What Happens Next?**

This ClickFix thing shows that this type of crime is getting more crafty. They are constantly coming up with new methods to sneak in. Hackers will always use human interactions to get your info. Going forward, you may possibly see stronger efforts to combat this problem. Keep a watchful eye so that you and your computer are secure.

If you know anyone who might be traveling, please tell them regarding this. Don't fail to speak about this serious issue. You can stay safe if you don't copy anything!

14.Researchers Discover How to Distinguish Memorization from Problem-Solving in AI 

**AI and Math: Are They Really That Smart?**

So, those amazing AI models that are everywhere these days – ever wonder how they handle math problems? It turns out there's a good chance they're not actually thinking it through. A recent study from Goodfire.ai, an AI company, makes this look like it's true: AI models, like the yet-to-be-seen GPT-5, may just be memorizing answers instead of using real reasoning skills to solve them.

What's really interesting is that the people who did the study were able to see that there's a distinction in what they do. Remembering facts and figuring out problems seem to use different routes within the AI's brain – what they call a neural network. The study found that even when doing basic math, the AI seemed to use the same brain networks as when it remembers random pieces of trivia! This is pretty important because it could explain why AI sometimes fails math questions badly, and now know better how to get the AIs to be better.

**The AI Brain: Two Separate Systems?**

When the people who build AI systems train the models, they're trying to instill two important skills into it: memorization (like memorizing facts for trivia night) and reasoning (like using knowledge to solve problems or create something new). Goodfire.ai's study shows that those skills aren't identical - in fact, they seem to be handled by separate parts of the AI's system.

The research scientists used the language model to discover which parts of the model did what. They tracked how much the model on each part on specific actions. The parts that were more important or did more of the work were assigned a larger rating value. Comparatively, the parts that did less work or not as significant were assigned a lower rating value.

The study showed most memorization behavior was in the lower half, and the top 10% was text manipulation. This allowed the research team to surgically remove memorization bits without affecting the rest of the model.

**What If You Erase the AI's Memory?**

Next, they took away the parts of the AI model linked to memorizing things. The AI's ability to remember something word for word was shot. However, it still did pretty well on logic games and figured out complicated rules. This is because it's more about seeing the patterns instead of memorizing facts.

The math scores were seriously impacted! The ability to do math was cut. Models are treating the problem as simple facts and not using mathematics to get the right answer. This is why some models need calculator tools.

The researchers said this is like a student who memorizes their times tables but can't explain multiplication to you. Now, AI Models seem to be pulling information from their databases so they can be correct, instead of discovering the answer for you.

**Inside the AI's Model: Brain Scans**

To understand their work, the team did what they referred to as a loss landscape. Consider tweaking some countless machine knobs and each setting impacted the errors it makes. A loss landscape is an error map and the different combinations of knobs.

When training, models attempt to set things up to reduce the errors that occurred. The researchers used a fancy technique to see the change and performance that occurred in the models. Big changes meant facts that were memorized, while smaller adjustments showed reasoning was taking place.

They discovered memorized facts made spikes in the terrain, while reasoning made smoother hills. It is a single knob turn when it comes to memorization and reasoning is all knobs adjusting.

**Testing the Conclusion**

To confirm everything, testing was conducted on different AI systems and was tested on vision models (image recognition). They intentionally mislabeled images to force the model to memorize incorrect information. Then they compared their approach to others.

Ditching the low-curvature parts cut down how much memorized stuff the models recalled, while completing things such as logic puzzles and benchmarks.

Pulling facts from memory, or doing math really hurt. If the model got it right, it could choke.

**Not All Memory is Equal Here**

Funnily enough, deleting some of the AI's memories didn't affect all its knowledge in the same way. It could still remember common facts, like capital cities, but it had trouble recollecting unusual stuff, It means AI models prioritize what it remembers based on the training.

However, if they got some outside help, the models still thrived! The performance of the model stayed put.

The K-FAC tech was way better than BalancedSubnet at removing memorized content. K-FAC did lower memorization, and they didn't need examples to find how it works.

**The Vision is All the Same Here**

The researchers looked at different vision models and found the same thing happening. When the models were trained on wrong info, they made pathways to memorize labels and the different patterns. By eliminating the memorization pathways, they fixed the images.

**What's Next? Limitations**

This isn't perfect work necessarily because the memories can always sneak in when the model does training. These AI models are able to hide the data they memorized rather than completely remove it.

As a result, their approach may be mistaken higher-level thinking. The math that they used may be unreliable and impact the results.

However, there are benefits to this. Imagine being able to get rid of data that included sensitive information or copyrights from AI models while still keeping their performance. Furthermore, a new way to help better understand how the AI stores the information it receives.

**In Conclusion**

Goodfire.ai's recent research has advanced how we understand AI works. By finding separate ways that reasoning and memorizing can happen, they've made a way to edit models and make them safer and smarter for everyone. As AI grows faster, we need to determine key factors that involve the technology for the best possible outcome!

15.Google Cracks Down on Hidden Battery Drainers in Android Apps 

**Google Play Store is Getting Serious About Battery-Hogging Apps**

Ever feel like you're glued to a charger? Well, Google's finally doing something about those apps that are constantly sucking the life out of your battery. Seriously, it's about time! Starting March 1, 2026, they're putting in place some new rules to make apps play nice with your phone's power.

Basically, if an app is going crazy with something called wake locks, it's going to get penalized. What are wake locks? I'll explain that right now!. The simplest way to explain it is that Google Play Store will make these apps harder to find when someone searches for it. Some might even get a Scarlet Letter, so to speak, labeled This app destroys battery! The aim of this is for Google to inspire developers to make apps that are a little more conservative with your battery life. Ultimately, they want everyone to see which apps on their phone are secretly draining their battery.

**Wake Locks: What Are These Things?**

Okay, so imagine a wake lock like an app repeatedly shouting at your phone, Hey! Don't go to sleep! I'm still doing stuff! And for certain things, wake locks are absolutely crucial. When you're listening to Spotify, trying to download a big file, or using Google Maps to find your way, you don't want your screen to keep turning off. That would be so annoying!

But the deal is, some apps abuse wake locks way too much. They keep your phone awake far longer than necessary and for no good reason . This is why your battery is always dead! These apps can be tough to identify, and often developers can't fix the issue. Google's taking the initiative and stepping in with these new methods that monitor how apps are using wake locks.

**What's Going to Change in the Play Store?**

Alright, here’s the gist of how it's all going to work:

Google will start watching how long apps keep wake locks active. If an app holds a wake lock for a cumulative of over two hours in a day *without* needing it, Google's going to flag it for using up an excessive amount of battery. What happens then? Here's what expect.

*   **Hidden From View**: People definitely will have a difficult time encountering these apps on the Play Store. They won't land on any recommendations that's shown, and may not even pop up on the best performing chart.

*   **Warning Labels**: The app's listing on the Play Store will have a flashing signs warning users that the app consumes battery life faster than a toddler eats sweets.

Google is clearly indicating that battery behavior of apps is now an essential attribute for deciding what apps are good overall. Before this, Google would inspect if an app would crash, or how fast it responds. This is a complete 180!

**For All You App Creators Out There...**

If you create apps for a living, then be sure to pay attention to how your apps affecting the resources of different phones. Should your apps be processing information or working for an extended amount of time, then you best have a good reason for using wake locks. If not, be prepared for the negative reception.

Google is advising developers to audit their apps and making sure that they're not too hard on using all the power. They are listing the following reminders:

*   Only enable wake locks when absolutely required.

*   Disable any wake locks the instant the tasks are completed.

*   Look into better replacements providing better controls for background tasks.

These guidelines aim to have the apps be well-performing while having acceptable battery performance, without having to decrease any feature.

**What About My Smartwatch?**

So right now, the new wake lock rules only apply to devices. Wear OS is getting similar treatment as well. A Wear OS app can expect a warning to show up if battery performance drops lower than 4.44% per hour.

This is a big deal, especially because a Smartwatch can barely house a battery. Because of this, Google is ensuring the rules of phones apply to watches, setting different barometers for app usage in both mediums.

**So, Why Do I Care?**

You might actually care about this, and here's why these changes will improve your phone's ecosystem:

*   **Longer usage**: Phones will be working more efficiently, with apps no longer keeping system modules awake. Your phone or device might keep a charge for more extended amounts of time! This is especially the case when your devices are running on older hardware.

*   **Transparency**: Before downloading anything, you will be alerted if an app can potentially cause battery drain, based on user reviews. No more surprise!

*   **Improved Store suggestions**: Apps that save the most power can be potentially suggested to you by the store itself.

All these improvements couldn't be at a better time, especially in today's life. Devices are essentials nowadays, and it's comforting to know that you have to charge it less.

**Apps Are Catching Up**

This push from Google indicates new devices are improving power management. The app market can also be seeing an increase from new wake-lock regulations from Google.

**What Can You Do Now?**

Remember, this new change isn't going to happen until next year. But here are somethings you can start to put in place!

*   Access your app's settings to improve the background processing and permissions granted.

*   Look at apps that will constantly run in the background, and start to remove them.

*   Utilize Android management tools, and put restrictions on background apps.

*   Keep an eye for Android updates! New iterations are focused on battery efficiencies.

When these changes start to roll out, make sure to look out for the notification icon!

**In Summary**

Consumers generally have a positive reactions towards the announcement, and are seeing it as an early warning to app creators. With Google now prioritizing battery, the overall ecosystem will become more reliable and have more powerful Android devices.

Ultimately, these enforcement policies are important, enabling your device to continue receiving updates!

16.iOS 26.2 Update: Release Date Officially Announced by Apple 

**Apple iOS 26.2: The December iPhone Update – Here’s What’s Coming**

Okay, so Apple’s got a new iPhone update coming soon: iOS 26.2. What's cool is that Apple actually told us when a big feature will arrive. They said that Live Translation for AirPods is coming to Europe next month in a news post. So, it’s pretty likely iOS 26.2 will drop in December 2025. Good news if you have an iPhone 11 or any of the newer iPhone 17 models – you’re good to go.

Apple didn’t straight-up say Hey, it’s iOS 26.2!, but all signs point to it. The timing lines up, and it's packed with new stuff. Usually, the small updates like iOS 26.1.1 are just for fixing problems. The developer version is already out and regular folks got the test version on November 6th – so things seem to be rolling as planned.

**Release Date: When Can You Get It?**

Apple usually releases these kinds of updates (the x.2 ones) in like early to mid-December, usually on a Monday or Tuesday. Last year they broke the pattern a little, releasing their update on Wednesday, December 11. This year, the test versions were released a bit later, so maybe we'll see it on Monday, December 15, or Tuesday, December 16.

One thing that’s weird, you can’t try the developer version if you have certain modems (the C1 or C1X). That includes some phones like the iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and the cellular version of the iPad Pro M5. They'll probably fix this quickly so it shouldn’t hold anything up too much.

**Cool Stuff in iOS 26.2**

Apple’s still adding things to the test versions as the rollout approaches, but we already know about some definite improvements. Here's a taste:

1.  **Live Translation for AirPods (Europe Only)**

    So, this is what everyone’s talking about: Live Translation for AirPods in the EU. You can have a conversation, and your AirPods will translate in real-time. This will make talking to people who speak different languages a lot easier. This is a big deal for making things more accessible and for travel. It also kinda shows that Apple is focusing more on AI tools that work in real-time.

2.  **Reminders with Alarms**

    The Reminders app is getting a little more helpful. You can now mark something as urgent, and, your phone will set an alarm. You can also mark things as done right from the alarm notification. It simplifies how you manage tasks and deadlines.

3.  **Offline Lyrics in Apple Music**

    Apple Music will let you see song lyrics even when you don’t have an internet . This is really useful if you listen to music where you don't have . You'll see full-screen artwork for playlists, making the app look nicer and more engaging.

4.  **Sleep Score Changes**

    Apple is changing how they rate your sleep.

    *   An 81-95 score is now High (used to be Excellent).

    *   Scores 96+ are now Very High.

    *   A score of 71, which was High, is now just OK.

    This change is meant to better show true sleep quality, hopefully pushing people to reach for better sleep scores.

5.  **Clock Transparency**

    You’ll be able to change how see-through the Lock Screen clock is when you’re using the Liquid Glass wallpaper. It’s small, but a nice personal touch.

6.  **Apple News Redesign**

    The News app is getting a big makeover. There’s a new search bar and organized topics so you can actually find stuff. A Find More section will suggest things you might like. The goal is to make the app easier to use and understand.

7.  **Encrypted RCS Messaging (Maybe)**

    Encrypted RCS (what Android uses) messaging might show up in iOS 26.2. But, it might rely if your wireless-carrier is supporting it. If it happens, it’s a big step towards more secure messaging between iPhones and Android phones.

8.  **CarPlay Improvements**

    CarPlay will support widget stacks, so you can swipe through different widgets instead of looking away from the while you're driving. It’ll hopefully make using your dashboard in the car safer and faster.

9.  **Changes Just for People in Europe**

    To follow the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple will stop syncing Wi-Fi networks in Europe. This is part of adjusting to regulations while keeping region-focused features like Live Translation.

**How Fast Is It? What About Battery Life?**

Early tests appear to show iOS 26.2 has a little performance boost and better battery . It should last longer for folks. The performance improvements might not be earth-shattering, but anything is welcome, especially on older iPhones.

**Final Thoughts**

iOS 26.2 seems like a solid update with useful improvements and user-centered features. Live translation, better sleep data, and reminders will definitely improve user experience in all aspects of the iOS user experience.

We’ll know the exact release date soon. And get your iPhone ready to update.

17.New Venmo Program Offers Cash Back on Debit Card Purchases 

Venmo's got this new thing called Stash, and it's pretty cool. Basically, they're paying you to use your Venmo debit card. Seriously! They just rolled it out, and it sounds like a win. If you shop at certain places and start using Venmo more, they'll give you up to 5% cash back.

This just came out, and what they want is for you to spend more with Venmo. They really want you to use their Venmo Mastercard Debit Card. To make you want to, they give you money in your Venmo balance. Who doesn't want some free cash?

Usually, when you hear about getting cash back, it's about credit cards. But Venmo Stash does it with a debit card. That's actually a big deal. It kind of shows that these money apps are trying to appeal to younger people, especially Gen Z. And lots of Gen Z folks would rather use a debit card than a credit card.

**Why Debit Cards Are Suddenly a Big Deal**

Gen Z is changing things up. Credit cards aren't the only choice anymore. Lots of younger shoppers like debit cards more. A study this year said that only about 40% of Gen Z use credit cards regularly, while over half of older people do. Plus, another survey said that almost two-thirds of Gen Z prefer debit cards.

Because of this, companies have to think differently. They're not just pushing credit card rewards anymore. Now, they're trying debit card perks to do things like buy now, pay later options like Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later. They're trying to keep up with what Gen Z likes.

Venmo Stash fits right in with this. The more you use Venmo, the more money back you can get.

**How to Get That Cash**

Venmo Stash has different levels, depending on how much you use the app now:

*   **1% Cash Back:** Just use your Venmo Debit Mastercard from your Venmo balance when you buy something.

*   **2% Cash Back:** Turn on auto reloads. This way, Venmo will add money from your bank when your balance gets low.

*   **5% Cash Back:** Have your paycheck sent straight to your Venmo account each month.

Basically, they want you to move money through Venmo all the time, so it's your main place to spend.

With credit cards, you usually get rewards for specific things (like 3% back on groceries). But Venmo Stash focuses on which stores you shop at. You pick the stores you like to shop at, so your rewards are for the places you go to all the time.

For example, you might have a group with McDonald's, TikTok Shop, Uber, and Uber Eats. Or another could have Amazon, DoorDash, Domino's, and Walgreens. So, you can pick the ones you use the most. That makes it way better for you!

**Venmo vs. the Other Guys**

Venmo is doing this to compete with apps like Cash App, which also gives cash back on its debit card. Venmo wants to keep all its users and get new ones, too, since many people use the app just to send money but don't use the debit card for shopping.

Also, PayPal (which owns Venmo) wants Venmo to be more than just an app for splitting bills. By giving money back for spending, Venmo is trying to be something people use every day.

**What's Next for Venmo Stash**

Venmo plans to give rewards for in-store purchases using Venmo in 2026, so you could use it for in-app payments, too.

**Good for You, Good for Venmo**

It's easy to get cash back without a credit card. Just pick the stores you like, and get more money by using Venmo to pay.

Venmo gets people to use the app more, make bigger purchases, and try more of their services. Giving rewards for auto reloads and direct deposits means people will keep money in their Venmo accounts, which helps everyone.

**All In All**

Venmo Stash shows how money companies are changing to fit what Gen Z wants. They're giving rewards for using debit cards and letting you shop how you want.

If Venmo Stash gets popular, it could be like a plan for other apps. If you already spend money on Venmo or plan to, Venmo Stash seems like a good reason to keep your money all in one place.

18.Get More Cash for Your Old Smartwatch Thanks to Samsung UK’s Improved Trade-Ins 

UK Samsung fans! If you've got an old smartwatch gathering dust in a drawer, now's the time to dig it out. Samsung UK is doing this sweet Black Friday deal where you can trade it in and score up to £170 off one of their spanking new 2025 Galaxy Watches. We're talking the regular Galaxy Watch 8, the cool Watch 8 Classic, and even the super-tough, top-of-the-line Galaxy Watch Ultra.

This isn't some long, drawn-out thing either. It's happening right now on Samsung's UK website, but you only have until November 18th to get in on it.

**Seriously, £100 Minimum, Easy Peasy.**

The best part in my opinion? They're guaranteeing at least £100 off, no matter how ancient your old watch is! Seriously. Maybe you’ve been rocking the same beat-up smartwatch since 2018, and the strap might be held together with tape and hope, no sweat. Samsung's still going to give you at least a hundred quid toward a brand new Galaxy Watch.

And if you happen to have a newer model that still works great? You could get even more – up to £170! It all depends on what you're trading in and what kind of shape it's in when you swap it over for a new one. It's a surprisingly great way to get something back for tech you might have otherwise tossed out.

For those of you who’ve been loyal to Samsung for ages and have an old Galaxy Watch gathering dust, it's a chance to get some real money off a new model. And If you jumped ship to a different brand years ago, this is the perfect time to come home.

**So, What's the Deal with These 2025 Galaxy Watches?**

Let’s break down what the new models are all about, they are interesting little gadgets.

*   **Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic:** These are your everyday, do-everything smartwatches. Good for tracking your steps, getting notifications, paying for coffee, all that stuff. The Watch 8 is sleek and simple and has a great look and feel. The Classic brings back the rotating bezel, which some people love.

*   **Galaxy Watch Ultra:** This one's for the adventurers. It's tougher, has a bigger battery, and has even more fancy sensors for tracking your hikes, swims, and whatever else you get up to. If you like doing anything outdoors, this is what you want on your wrist. It's a proper competitor to some of the super-rugged smartwatches out there.

**But Wait, There's More! (In this normal, not an infomercial, way...)**

Samsung isn't just doing the trade-in thing. They're throwing in a few extra goodies to sweet the deal:

*   **Free Samsung Care+ Trial:** It's like insurance for your watch. You get a free month to see if you like it.

*   **Half-Price Wristband:** Wanna change up the look of your new watch? Pick up another wristband when you buy the watch, and it's half off. Boom, you can match your watch to your favorite outfits.

*   **Bundle Savings:** Buying a new phone, tablet, or computer too? Add a Galaxy Watch to your basket and get 10% off the watch, too!

All these deals vanish on November 18, so don't miss out!

**Why Should You Care?**

In the past, trade-in deals for smartwatches have been pretty rubbish. You barely got anything for your old kit. Samsung raising the minimum trade-in to £100 is a pretty big deal. It shows they're serious about getting people to stick with Galaxy products.

Plus, it's a good thing overall. It means older gadgets don't just end up in the bin. They either get recycled or get a new life, which is better for everyone. You're getting a cheaper upgrade, and you're being a bit greener at the same time.

**The Bottom Line**

If you're thinking about getting a new smartwatch, and you've got an old one lying around, this Samsung Black Friday deal is properly good. You're guaranteed to save at least £100, you might save even more, and you can get other little bonuses on top.

But you need to make a decision, fast. This offer disappears on November 18th. Get to the Samsung website and see how much your old smartwatch is worth!

19.Russian Lawmaker Says Nation Won’t Cut Off From Global Internet Despite Tighter Controls 

Russia just put in place this rule that hands more control over the internet to state watchdogs starting March 1, 2026. Specifically, Roskomnadzor (think of them as Russia's version of the FCC) and the Ministry of Digital Development can step in and run the show if there's a major disaster.

Now, what kind of disaster are we talking about? Imagine big outages, cyberattacks, or even when important systems fail, making websites inaccessible both in Russia and abroad. The Federal Security Service (FSB) would also get to call the shots if they needed to shut down the internet altogether during these severe situations.

Because of how this new rule is phrased, people are getting a little anxious. Does this mean Russia might actually cut itself off from the worldwide web? But Sergei Boyarsky, a politician from the United Russia party and head of the State Duma’s info policy group, is trying to calm everyone down. He told TASS, a state-run news outlet, that they're not even thinking about isolating the Russian internet. According to him the goal is to make sure everything runs well and stable.

**It's all about becoming more self-reliant, so they claim.**

Boyarsky explains that this new rule is patching things up from the 2019 laws that created Russia's sovereign internet law. The idea behind that law was to make Russia’s internet more self-supporting, strong enough to keep working even if there are troubles from other countries.

Boyarsky states that the government has been fighting cyberattacks and cleaning up the internet. Still people can visit foreign sites and enjoy foreign services. This new rule isn't a change of plans.

He was responding to Alexei Chepa, another politician who wondered if Russia should disconnect from the internet during the upcoming elections if foreign countries try to meddle. Chepa's comment stirred up the conversation again about Russia's internet policies and what it all means for the average internet user.

**So, what does this thing actually *do*?**

The new order allows Roskomnadzor and the Ministry of Digital Development to instruct phone and internet companies on what to do if the going gets rough.. They could tell them to route internet traffic through Russian servers, block access to certain websites, or, in extreme cases, temporarily cut off the internet entirely.

Naturally, some folks are worried that these powers could be used to censor information or stifle free speech, especially regarding political matters. But some tech experts and digital rights advocates aren't too concerned. They argue that it just formalizes what Roskomnadzor has already been doing for some time now.

An insider at Beeline, a major Russian internet and phone company, told reporters that the rules of engagement for emergencies have already been in place for quite a while. According to them, this new order is mostly business as usual for their customers.

**It's Part of a Larger Strategy**

This new directive is part of a bigger trend: Russia is slowly tightening its grip on the internet. For a decade, the government has been rolling out stricter rules. They say it’s all about national security and protecting users from foreign meddling.

They've been building their own system for web addresses (DNS), creating tools to monitor and filter online traffic, and even developing Russian equivalents of popular foreign websites. Russia has also passed laws forcing tech companies to store user data within Russia, remove prohibited content, and cooperate with law enforcement.

The Russian government argues that all of this is essential to maintain a stable and resilient internet, even if there's interference from other countries. Digital rights groups, however, are getting uneasy.

**What's next on the horizon?**

Everyone will be keeping a close watch on this rule after March 2026. Despite assurances from people like Boyarsky that there are no plans to disconnect from the world, the government still has the power to pull the plug if they chose to.

For now, Russia insists that they are keeping things stable. The government claims they're merely improving how they deal with internet issues and aren't looking to isolate themselves. At the end of the day everything is about protection not control.

But with international tensions on the rise and governments increasingly managing the internet, it's tricky to know for sure—is it really about protection, or is it about control?

20.The Fall of the Open Internet 

**Back When the Internet Was a Weird, Wonderful Place (Before the Web)**

If you're young, it's going to sound wild, but there really *was* an Internet before the World Wide Web existed. Seriously! It was a totally different world online back then – quieter, and a bit geeky. You mostly had academics, hobbyists, and those early tech fans hanging around. They got around using these odd tools with names like finger, gopher, and telnet. Basically, these things, which ran on the Unix system, helped you dig around for files, check your email, and talk to other people. The network wasn't controlled by any one company. Instead, it felt like exploring a digital frontier.

Then, around 1992, people started throwing around the term Information Superhighway. A politician, Al Gore, pushed this idea, hoping to grow computer networks across schools, government places, and businesses. The idea was about speed and having a system to travel. But it wasn't what we think of as the web, not yet. The web came soon after, and it flipped everything upside down.

The person who came up with the World Wide Web was Tim Berners-Lee, a computer scientist who worked at CERN in Geneva. His main idea was simple, links. Berners-Lee thought, what if documents could be linked together on servers? That would lead to an online net of information that anyone could check out. And these documents could be anything written, pictures, sound, and videos. Suddenly, the Internet wasn't just for experts. It was basically a big online playground where everybody could play.

Jumping onto the early web was like, wow. People started talking about surfing the web. It was this feeling of finding cool stuff and moving through a huge place of information. Web browsers, like Mosaic and Netscape, made it easy to click around. People would just click through pages, feeling amazed. Forget about TV. The web was where the action was.

Back then, there was this feeling that the Internet could actually make the world better. It felt like it would open things up, help people be creative, and give them freedom. You could suddenly visit spots like the Library of Congress or the Louvre Museum without even leaving your house. An article from the 90's in the New York Times caught the excitement, Click the mouse, urged tech reporter John Markoff, and you could watch a movie made by NASA satellites, read what the President had said, listen to music, or check if a coffee pot was still on in a lab.

This wasn't just a cool thing; it caused a shift in culture. The Internet was somehow different than stuff you saw on TV or read in the newspaper. It was a bit all over the place, but it wasn't controlled, and everyone could have a say. When personal computers started having modems, people joined online spots, like America Online, which offered menus for a price. But the real open Internet was different. It wasn't limited by who you knew. As someone explained in 1994, It was a lot like joining a huge TV station without any showrunners, or a newspaper with no editors, or, basically, having millions of showrunners and editors.

The early web was a great time for amateurs. Joanna Walsh wrote a book called Amateurs!, which remembers this time. Regular people with no experience made the web's culture. Forums, fan sites, and personal blogs started to showed up. You didn't need to be an expert, you just needed to be excited about something.

A cartoon showed the spirit perfectly. Peter Steiner made a cartoon in 1993 for The New Yorker that shows two dogs sitting at a computer. One dog tells the other, On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog. That became a very known line. It's a symbol of being private and equal that was part of the early web. Anyone could come along. Everyone could say what they thought.

When we remember those days, it’s easy to see the good things about them. The web was smaller, slower, and didn't look as sleek, but it was more open, more surprising, and more about being human. It was a place of dreams and new ideas, where curiousness mattered more, and no one knew what would happen next.

The Internet we have now moves much faster, has more ads, and is under the control of some groups. But we still have pieces of what it wanted to be. People still want to check things out, get to know each other, and have fun. It's all still there, but just a click or two away.

21.Half-Life 3 Incoming? Valve May Announce Game Plus New VR Controllers This Week 

Buckle up, because this could be huge! Word on the street is Valve is about to drop a bomb on us this week, maybe even Wednesday. And we're talking like, a nuke, in gaming terms. Get ready for a possible next-gen Steam Frame VR headset, a totally redone Steam Controller, AND... wait for it... Half-Life 3! Yes, the game everyone's been meme-ing about for years might finally be real.

So, where's all this crazy talk coming from? A hardware leaker named Brad Lynch has been hinting about it. He's got sources saying Wednesday is the day to watch. He also thinks Valve might need a week or two to explain all this new tech before we can pre-order anything.

Nothing's official yet; Valve is being super quiet. But the rumors are getting louder, especially since we heard Valve's new VR headset, codenamed Deckard, is going into production. We're talking about maybe 600,000 units a year!

Let's break down the possible reveals:

**Steam Frame VR: Hello Future!**

This headset is supposedly rocking a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and is Valve's answer to the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. Imagine a super sharp picture with a JDI screen at 2160 x 2160 resolution running at 120Hz. It'll have inside-out tracking, eye tracking, and a new way to interact with stuff called Frames. Think floating visuals you can grab and play with.

Frames are supposed to be Valve's way of handling multiple things at once, kind of like Apple's visionOS, but made for gaming and Steam. This could change how we mess with menus, start games, and just hang out in virtual worlds.

**Steam Controller 2: Get a Grip!**

Valve's also working on a new Steam Controller with Capsense tech. It can tell how far your hands are from the controller. It's not full finger tracking like the Valve Index controllers, but it should still feel pretty immersive.

They say this controller is more comfortable and can do more stuff, a mix between regular gamepads and VR controllers. If you played Half-Life: Alyx with the Index controllers, you know how cool it is. This new controller wants you feeling that again!

**Half-Life 3: The Legend Returns?!**

The wildest part is Half-Life 3. We've been joking about it for ages, but some leaks are saying it's done! Like, you can play it from beginning to end. Now they're just making it run smooth. We might see a surprise announcement or a teaser any day now, with the game launching with the new hardware or soon after.

Heard it's really pushing the limits: crazy physics, things blowing up all over the place, and smart enemy AI, yeah, building on Half-Life: Alyx. It's probably going to be a killer VR title to show off what the Steam Frame headset and new controller can do.

If this happens, it's Valve's biggest thing since the Steam Deck and Half-Life: Alyx. Plus, everyone who's been waiting almost 20 years for Half-Life 3 will finally be happy.

**Price and When Can You Get It?**

The Steam Frame VR headset might be about $1200. That's expensive, but it's for people who really love VR and want the best stuff. It packs features like eye tracking that are top-notch.

Valve is thinking of shipping the headset starting in early 2026. The controller might come with it or you might have to buy it on its own.

**Why This Matters...**

If Valve announces all of this, it's a huge deal for PC gaming and VR. A great headset, a sweet controller, and Half-Life 3? That's a big step. This would show everyone that Valve is serious about VR.

Meta and Apple are getting into VR too. Valve coming with all this new stuff could make people go back to high-end PC VR.

**Final Thoughts**

These are just rumors, but a lot of people are talking, which makes this week really exciting for Valve fans. If the Steam Frame VR headset, Steam Controller 2, and Half-Life 3 show up together, it's not just a product release— it'll be a moment!

Gamers, developers, anyone into tech are glued to their screens. And who knows, this might be the timeline we've always wanted, even if GTA 6 is late.

22.AI Hyperscalers Under Scrutiny After Burry Questions Their Earnings 

You all know Michael Burry, right? The guy who predicted the 2008 housing market mess? Well, he's causing a stir again, and this time he's looking at some major tech companies. He suspects they might be messing with their numbers to inflate how well their AI stuff is really doing.

Burry took to X (you know, formerly Twitter) and started calling out these huge cloud and AI companies—he playfully calls them hyperscalers. His argument goes that they're not being upfront about how fast their expensive computer hardware is wearing out. They're claiming their powerful computers will last way longer than they actually do, which lets them get away with some questionable accounting.

His point is: These companies are dropping tons of cash on Nvidia chips and all the servers needed for AI. Usually, when a company buys equipment, they spread the cost over the equipment's expected lifespan. Burry thinks these companies are stretching out those lifespans to lower their yearly expenses, making their profits look larger than they are.

He tweeted that this trick is commonly used to appear richer than you are, but that does not give anyone permission to claim the old computers last forever. That's what he's accusing them of, at least.

The big question is, why does this matter?

Burry thinks all this could be hiding around $176 billion in expenses between 2026 and 2028! That's a crazy amount. He even mentioned Oracle and Meta, mentioning their profits could be up to 27% and 21%, respectively, by 2028 if this accounting is happening. He isn't afraid to speak his mind, that's true.

CNBC reached out to Oracle and Meta for their opinions, but got nothing. Nvidia also declined to comment. It's hard to prove this accurately. When deciding how long a piece of equipment will last, there is room for companies to play with the rules. So, even if it looks odd, it could be completely allowable.

In other words, Burry is examining how companies divide the cost of big purchases, like those pricey servers, over time. If a company says a server will last five years instead of three, their expense each year is reduced, and their profits appear greater.

Burry argues that hardware is becoming outdated so fast, that it doesn't make sense to say these computer assets last so long. Nvidia chips, for example, are practically being replaced on a regular basis because there's always a faster version coming up. He thinks treating them like long-term investments might fool investors about how good these companies actually are. That's why he thinks this is worth our attention.

All this makes some wonder about the dot-com boom in the late '90s. Burry has stated before what the high expectations for AI stocks might be overblown, with company values exceeding the truth of their business. He is determined to bring this problem to everyone's attention.

He recently dropped a hint that he's betting against Nvidia and Palantir Technologies in his options. His firm reportedly has put options worth $187 million against Nvidia and a massive $912 million against Palantir. It's important to remember that we do not know what those options entail.

Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, didn't support Burry's bets. He described them as totally odd and crazy. That sums up the tension between tech people, who are big believers in AI, and more doubtful investors. It shows the two sides see things in opposite ways.

Even with Burry's negative views, Nvidia and Palantir stocks bounced back, interestingly. Nvidia rose about 6% after dropping the week before, and Palantir went up 9% after stocks were being sold. Nvidia's shares later dropped again.

The market is split between excitement for AI and worries about how good company profits really are. Burry's thoughts add to the confusion, as people watch how companies report their earnings. It's unpredictable right now.

To keep us guessing, Burry hinted that there's more to come very soon on X. Yet, it is not known what that means.

For now, his accusations remind us that we have to pay attention to the numbers, even regarding new tech like AI. As companies spend a ton to create the tech structure and try to generate money from this tech, investors should look at both the exciting progress and the cold numbers in the background.

If Burry is correct, the AI boom could have some serious problems underneath. If he's wrong, well, it wouldn't be the first time people underestimated his skill at seeing future issues. That's what his success is founded on.

23.Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun Reportedly Leaving to Start His Own Company 

**Is Yann LeCun Leaving Meta? What's the Deal with Their AI Strategy?**

There's talk that Yann LeCun, who's basically a superstar in Meta's AI group, might leave in a few months to start his own company. This is a huge deal! He's been super important to Meta's AI research since way back in 2013. This guy even won the Turing Award – it’s like the Nobel Prize for computer science. So, he knows his stuff. If he takes off, it could hint at what's happening inside Meta. The buzz is that Mark Zuckerberg is trying hard to show that Meta's a leader in AI, especially with OpenAI and Google making big moves. LeCun leaving might make Zuck look less like an AI genius.

I'm hearing that LeCun is talking to people who might put money into his startup. Supposedly, he's really into world models. That’s where AI actually learns how the world works by watching and doing things, not just memorizing stuff. But for now, it's all under wraps. Neither LeCun nor Meta are saying anything official.

**Is Meta Doing Okay? Just Curious...**

All this is happening while Meta's AI brainiacs are dealing with major shifts. People inside the company are saying that Zuck is cutting some of the long-term research projects at FAIR, so they can crank out AI products faster. Remember Llama 4? Yeah, it didn't exactly wow anyone. Now, a lot of people at Meta are feeling a little lost with all the changes happening.

LeCun wasn't a big believer in big language models as the only answer in AI. He thinks they're helpful, but they don't reason or plan like humans can. At FAIR, he’s been putting together AI systems that learn from videos and real-world info to figure out how things work. LeCun thinks these world models are key if we want AI to think more like us.

Then there’s Zuckerberg, who's betting big on LLMs and the coming AI surge. He’s bringing in new people and shaking things up at Meta's AI center. Last summer, he picked Alexandr Wang from Scale AI (a data-labeling company) to head up a new team. Word is, Meta dropped a ton of cash (like, \$14.3 billion!) for a big stake in Wang's company! That shows they have big plans.

LeCun used to report to Chris Cox, but now Wang's his boss. This shows where Meta is headed for now.

**TBD Lab: Is This Meta's Secret Weapon in the AI Battle?**

Zuckerberg really wants to win. So, he started a group called TBD Lab to quickly produce LLMs for Meta. TBD Lab snagged some really talented people from OpenAI and Google. They're getting paid huge salaries, maybe \$100 million or more! Meta knows they're behind, so this is their big chance to catch up.

Last July, Meta brought in Shengjia Zhao, one of the people who helped create ChatGPT, to run the Superintelligence Lab. From what people are saying, these new folks aren't really fitting in with the people already at Meta.

LeCun might start a new company. He seems to be a busy man with good ideas. Last May, Joelle Pineau, Meta’s VP of AI research, left for a Canadian AI thing called Cohere. Not long ago, Meta cut 600 jobs in its AI research group to push products out faster.

**Wall Street's Watching Meta Closely, and They Think It's All Rushed**

Zuckerberg’s big move into AI is also to calm down investors, who are a little worried about the AI hype. Meta’s stock dropped 12.6% in late October, losing a lot of money after Zuckerberg said AI spending might double to \$100 billion soon. Wall Street's looking for any reason to sell Meta stock, so he’s rushing to launch products because of it. The investors appear to be in control of his every action.

LeCun’s possible exit isn't making investors feel good. People respect him in the AI field, and his leaving makes you wonder if Meta can handle their finances, balance their income, and still put loads of money into real innovation.

**What's LeCun Planning?**

LeCun’s new project might be all about world models. How can AI really understand how the world works and use that understanding in useful ways?

His leaving feels like the end of an era. FAIR used to be the best in AI research, and LeCun basically changed what we knew about deep learning. The whole AI community will want to know what he does next and what he comes up with so they can invest in it.

**The Final Scoop:**

Meta's AI group is going through some major changes. LeCun possibly leaving says a lot about Meta growing fast and aiming for a big market share. Only time will tell how Meta's AI situation plays out. The situation is a bit unpredictable so far.

24.SoftBank Offloads $5.8B in Nvidia Shares to Fund OpenAI Investments 

SoftBank's crazy bet on AI, making it sound less like a robot spat it out and more like a real person talking about it.

So, SoftBank is making headlines. These guys are always chasing the next big thing in tech, right? Now, they're apparently obsessed with AI. After their last report wasn't the greatest, their next one may turn heads with a few surprises.

Word on the street is they dumped all their Nvidia stock – that's a whopping $5.8 billion!

Now, they want to use that cash and throw around $30 billion at OpenAI (the people behind ChatGPT). Can you believe it?

Selling Nvidia shares definitely raised some eyebrows, I am sure it did for many. They're basically the engine behind the AI boom. So, SoftBank selling them off makes you think, Is this whole AI thing *really* getting out of hand?. Some people are wondering if we're heading for another bubble or not. Only time will tell us.

But SoftBank's financial guy, Yoshimitsu Goto, isn't bothered by the doubts. He told worried analysts this is just normal business. They needed the funds for something else. According to him, there is no bad blood with Nvidia; they are still on good terms.

**SoftBank goes all in on AI**

Masayoshi Son, SoftBank's big boss, is not playing around. His goal is for SoftBank to dominate AI. He wants to move away from normal tech investments and go all in on seriously forward-looking gambles. I am talking about building a whole freakin' AI infrastructure.

That needs a lot of money. They flagged $30 billion for OpenAI, which is just a start. SoftBank is joining forces with OpenAI and Oracle on a project called Stargate to create a massive network of data centers. Rumor has it they imagine to spend as high as $100 billion on AI just in the US. I would not mind getting a small piece of that pie; can you imagine?

The Nvidia deal is just one step. SoftBank has got to start freeing up some money if it wants to pull this plan off.

**Big moves, big questions**

Some of SoftBank's AI moves have left people scratching their heads, that includes companies returning money into the same company. People keep wondering, what is next? There is an idea in place for Nvidia to put hundreds of millions into OpenAI, who will then use it to purchase Nvidia tech. But the company costs are insane! You hear the figure, then one day we find out the number has gone up. No wonder some are worried that we are close to the summit.

Michael Burry, the guy who called the 2008 crisis, is worried about a number of issues right now. Although Burry didn't name SoftBank, he pointed out that some companies were using tricks to make AI values look inflated.

It's hard to figure out whether the value of these companies is legit. It can be scary to be so dependent on up-and-coming techs.

**A Non-profit's next goal and SoftBank's Play**

Up until only a few years ago, OpenAI was a non-profit. But now, they're looking to pull in profits and expand. The company has evolved much in these last few years as it continues to expand. After SoftBank finalized its $30 billion investment, they suddenly found themselves right in the middle of the AI craze. It takes money to play!

Even though it's costing them big time, it looks like SoftBank is already seeing returns on that OpenAI deal. The most recent numbers show that the business has made a profit of $16.2 billion via OpenAI, I guess Son might be right about this one.

Even still, a lot of people think that cutting ties with Nvidia was a risky move. I am not sure which side I agree with.

**Risk vs. Vision**

SoftBank's AI plan is similar to what we have seen from them in the past: go big or go home. Does anyone remember when they got into Baba way back when? What about that Vision Fund? Son thinks AI is similar, but there is a new window of opportunity that is ripe for exploration.

We've already seen how this big change means having to make hard calls and shift money around, with the Nvidia sale. All eyes are going to be glued to SoftBank to see what happens next. It will be interesting.

Whether it ends up good or not at all, SoftBank's choices in the AI game are going to change everything around those players for good. Is this the start of something or just a bubble about to burst? This year is going to be interesting!

25.Investor Unease Over AI Investments Ripples Through Tech Bond Market 

**Financial Times Subscription: Finding What Works for You**

So, you're thinking about getting a Financial Times (FT) subscription? Smart move. It's a really respected source for business and finance news. They've got a bunch of different digital subscription options so everyone can find what they like. Whether you just want to read occasionally, are obsessed with the markets, or work somewhere that needs top-notch info, the FT probably has something that will work.

Let’s run through what they offer right now, what it costs, what you get and who each plan fits best.

**1. Try it Out: $1 for a Month, Then $75**

If you're new to the FT, they have a cool trial. You get full access to everything online for a month for just a buck. After that, it goes to $75 a month.

With this plan, you can:

*   Read anything on FT.com and on their app.

*   Read as many articles as you want, plus newsletters and expert opinions.

*   Cancel anytime you want during the first month.

Basically, it’s so you can check out everything before you are locked in.. You get to see if the whole Premium Digital thing is really something you want before paying full price.

**2. FT Edit: Quick and Easy News for $4.99**

If you just want a light version, there’s the FT Edit. It's $4.99 a month. You get eight articles a day, picked by FT editors. They pick the important and insightful stuff. It might surprise you sometime.

This is what you get:

*   Eight articles picked out for you every day.

*   Read them on the FT Edit part of the website.

*   Get a FT Edit email newsletter.

It’s great if you don't want to be overwhelmed. Also, it's a cheap way to get really good journalism without paying for everything. Perfect for someone wanting to know the basics.

**3. Standard Digital: The Core Info for $45**

The Standard Digital plan is $45 a month (or less if you pay for the whole year). It’s for people who read the FT regularly and want solid global business and finance coverage.

Here's what's included:

*   Read everything on FT.com and the app.

*   The important news and analysis.

*   Newsletters and some of the special stuff.

This plan is for business people, students, or anyone who needs the FT every day but doesn't need all the extra features. You get your main news.

**4. Premium Digital: The Whole Shebang for $75**

If you want everything, there's Premium Digital. It’s $75 a month, or cheaper if you pay for a year upfront. You get absolutely everything the FT offers.

This includes:

*   Everything in the Standard Digital plan.

*   Exclusive columns and really in-depth articles.

*   Early access to special reports and expert comments.

*   Better tools to watch the markets and trends.

It’s for executives, analysts, and serious investors who need to know everything and want expert opinions to help them make decisions.

**5. Team Access: Ask for a Price**

If you're a business or university, the FT has group plans.

They include:

*   Subscriptions for groups, all managed in one place.

*   Access to special content and features.

*   Prices that depend on your team size/usage.

These plans are made for teams that use the FT for research, to plan their business strategy, or for teaching.

**Which One Is Right for You?**

The FT has a way to suit just about anyone. Doesn't matter if you're just getting into global finance or you are a market expert, there is a plan for you. With trials, smaller curated options or full access plans, the FT makes it easy to get trustworthy information.

26.Nebius Posts Wider Q3 Loss, Strikes New AI Partnership with Meta 

Here's the deal with Nebius (NBIS), that cloud company over in the Netherlands. They had a rough Tuesday on the stock market. Their shares tanked, dropping over 7%. Why? Their earnings report for the last three months wasn't pretty. They ended up losing more money than the analysts on Wall Street were expecting.

I know what you're thinking; didn't their sales increase by some insane amount - like 355%??? Yes, they did. But, still, they didn't bring in as much cash as everyone had hoped they would, and investors were not happy. But that is not all; they decided to switch up how they do their accounting. Believe me, whenever a company changes its accounting methods, it makes investors uneasy. They tend to get a bit jittery, and start panicking.

The earnings report was released before the market opened, with the double whammy of them announcing a big deal. Nebius locked down a $3 billion contract with Meta Platforms (you know, Facebook) to provide AI stuff for the next five years. They also said that they are still planning to go through with their $19 billion contract with Microsoft (MSFT). These kinds of deals prove that Nebius is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the AI world. Sadly, right now investors are too worried their attention is glued to their money issues, specifically the losses.

**More Losses**

So, during the last three months, Nebius lost $120 million. That's way more than the $43.6 million they lost last year during the same period. Ouch. The experts were predicting they'd lose closer to $97 million, so this came as a surprise to almost everyone. Now, if you take out their old AI data unit (Toloka), their revenue came out to $146.1 million. But most experts and investors alike were projecting closer to $155 million.

The company is hatching a plan to sell 25 million shares of its Class A stock, and that's how their going to pay for expanding. They need money to build more data centers, so they figured selling these shares was the way to go. It's not a bad idea, but the issue is that investors tend to get anxious when companies do this. It waters down the value of the shares they already own, which they don't like. And there's the possibility that Nebius could end up with a lot of debt.

**Good Deals, Still Unsatisfied**

Even though they just finished a difficult quarter, those huge contracts can't be dismissed. The Meta deal means Nebius will be supplying AI computing power to Meta for the next five years. This should go a long way in assisting Meta with expanding its AI capabilities.

This deal came after that $19 billion agreement with Microsoft had previously closed earlier in the year. Both of these huge contracts really push how huge the demand is right now for cloud infrastructure for AI. I'm talking about computer servers with Nvidia (NVDA) processors that Nebius rents out to other companies.

Nebius is designing all their data centers to really handle Big AI server capabilities. Think tons of high-speed computing power for AI, to train and create models.

**Stock Reactions?**

On Tuesday, Nebius shares closed at $102.18 which is more than 7% less than the day before. However, the shares are still 264% higher compared to earlier in the year. This is because people got excited about them and AI in general. The stock price went as high as $141.10 back in October, so the market cooled off lately and stayed at that price for roughly 50 days.

These earnings numbers were a bad vibe. While there's a great demand from customers, its earnings are not great. The other thing is, that Nebius decided to sell their shares, and that brought the stock's worth down even more. The main thing is that investors are worried about how the company actually makes money. Like the company CoreWeave (CRWV), another competitor. Their third quarter beat everyone's predictions, but then they lowered them due to some issues with their supply. Before Tuesday, CoreWeave stock was down.

**What the Experts Say**

Nebius currently has a Composite Rating of 56 out of 99, which puts them right in the middle. This rating considers both financial and technical info to give investors an idea of how reliable a stock is. On the other hand, the Accumulation/Distribution Rating says that these big shot investors out there are selling off their shares. This isn't a good sign.

Right now, the experts can't agree on Nebius. Some of them believe that building out the AI infrastructure is just a huge opportunity for Nvidia servers, because they have a lot of demand. Others are a bit more worried about relying on a really small pool of customers, taking on too much debt, and whether they can continue to grow so fast.

CoreWeave got its start back in 2017, when it was mining cryptocurrency, before making the switch to cloud services. They respond really strongly to the good news, because they technically have less shares in total. But since it's a smaller company, there come larger up and downswings. It cuts both ways.

**What's Next?**

Nebius' deals with Meta and Microsoft definitely make it a company to watch, and a force in the AI infrastructure space. The company has to take those deals and turn them into growth and profits. Selling the new shares will pay for their expansion, but it may just shake investors' confidence.

As AI continues to change the tech landscape, Nebius and CoreWeave are building the underlying pieces for the next age of computing. Investors should be on the lookout for signs of growth, along with how well the company manages its spending.

Nebius is worth keeping tabs on, but approach with a bit of caution. They can't just depend on those huge deals. The business has to show it's smart about how it spends its money, and how it plans to navigate the AI world in order to thrive.

27.AI-Created Viruses Spark Ethical Concerns About Synthetic Life 

**Stanford Scientists Use AI to Cook Up Virus That Kills Bacteria, And People are Talking**

So, get this: some folks at Stanford cooked up a new virus using AI, and this thing can kill bacteria. Yeah, I know, it sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi flick. These researchers published a paper about it in September, and the science community is having all sorts of reactions – some are excited, others are a bit freaked out, and some are just scratching their heads.

Basically, they used AI to create the blueprints for bacteriophages. Those are viruses that specifically target and destroy bacteria. They trained an AI model named Evo on like, a gazillion DNA sequences, and then let it design phage genomes. Out of the hundreds of designs, 16 actually worked. They infected and killed E. coli in the lab. Pretty wild, huh?

**Synthetic Biology Just Took a Huge Leap**

Okay, so the experiment itself wasn't like, super dangerous. But it means big things for synthetic biology. Before, AI was mostly used to guess protein structures or design single genes. Now, Evo is designing entire viral genomes! The team focused on a phage called phi-X174. It's well-studied and has a relatively short genome. This made it an easier target for the AI design.

The scientists didn't just sit back and watch the AI do its thing. They gave Evo some guidelines, telling it what to look for in new DNA sequences. They then had to make the DNA, put the genomes together, and test them on E. coli. When the phages worked, the dishes with E. coli cleared up because the bacteria were dead. Creepy but cool!

And get this: some of the AI-designed phages worked even faster than the original ones! This could mean they could be used to fight antibiotic-resistant infections in the future. That would be a game-changer.

**Darwin 2.0: Is This a New Kind of Life?**

This experiment raises some serious questions. One professor at Princeton said that machines are now changing how we think about what it means to be alive. They're coming up with new life forms! He called it Darwin 2.0.

Most scientists wouldn't say viruses are actually alive. They can't reproduce without a host. But the fact that we can now design them from scratch with AI makes you wonder about the nature of life itself, and what role machines will play in shaping it.

One genome expert, J. Craig Venter, wasn't too surprised. He said AI is good at speeding up tasks that humans can already do. But others were more mind-blown by the implications.

A bioethicist named Gregory Kaebnick said this is a very momentous thing. He said it's changing our relationship with nature in a big way. It has possibilities that could be cool, but also kinda scary.

**How Evo Works, and the Human Element**

Evo was created by a Stanford chemical engineer, Brian Hie, and the Arc Institute. It was trained on a ton of DNA sequences to design biological pathways and genomes, not just single genes.

Hie made it clear that the AI didn't just create life out of nowhere. He said they haven't done anything to make artificial life. It would be super hard. He's more interested in designing functional parts of organisms, like things that could make medicine or do other useful stuff.

A synthetic biologist named Drew Endy compared the AI model to a musical instrument. He said scientists are using AI as a tool, like a fancy piano.

**What Could Go Wrong? And What's Being Done About It**

Of course, being able to design DNA that doesn't exist in nature comes with risks. Endy warned that people could potentially use these tools to design toxins or dangerous bugs in the future. AI vulnerabilities are often found after the fact but people are proactively putting in rules that reduce threat potentials.

Stanford is thinking about safety and ethics. One idea is to keep pathogens that infect multicellular organisms out of Evo’s training data.

One person involved said they're removing them from the training data so the AI doesn't learn those things.

Right now, experts don't think the tech is advanced enough to be a huge biosecurity threat. One expert said he wasn't worried, but also didn't expect this to happen so fast. He warned that the current trajectory is concerning if future tools make it possible to create viruses that evade our immune systems.

**Big Ethical Questions**

This experiment has also gotten people talking about the big philosophical questions. Is AI really inventing life, or is it just remixing what we already know about biology? Is it like a poet writing in a certain style, or is it something brand new?

James Fraser, a structural biologist, wondered if the AI's output was really that new. He said we could do this stuff before AI. The question is whether AI is making it faster, more efficient, and more innovative.

Julian Savulescu, a professor of medical ethics, warned that this tech is pushing us into new biological territory. It could lead to organisms that threaten existing life.

**What Does This All Mean?**

The Stanford team's project is a big step forward on the intersection of AI and biology. It shows how AI can speed up scientific discovery. It also highlights the ethical, philosophical, and security challenges that come with designing life at the molecular level.

As AI keeps getting better, we'll have to rethink what it means to create, control, and live alongside synthetic organisms. Whether this is a new beginning or just a faster way of doing what we've always done, the age of artificial life is now here.

28.Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine Lend Voices to AI Company 

Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine are now working with ElevenLabs, this AI voice company. It’s kind of a big deal because it shows how AI is mixing with Hollywood. These guys, I mean, they’re huge stars, and they’re letting ElevenLabs make AI versions of their voices. Wild, right?

ElevenLabs is based in New York, and they're starting this thing called the Iconic Voices Marketplace. Basically, brands can pay to use these celebrity AI voices in their stuff. ElevenLabs is trying to do things the right way by getting permission from the celebs, which is super important because, you know, AI voices could easily be used to do bad stuff. I'm talking about voices being stolen or altered without permission. The company is valued at about $6.6 billion.

So, McConaughey, he's been with ElevenLabs for a while now, plus he's an investor! He's letting them use his AI voice to translate his newsletter, Lyrics of Livin', into Spanish. That way, more people can understand his stories from his point of view.

McConaughey said that he is crazy by ElevenLabs' work. He adds that this deal helps him connect with more people.

It’s becoming more of a normal thing for celebrities to use AI to keep their voices alive in different languages and ways. It means they can still sound like themselves even when reaching people all over the world.

And then there’s Michael Caine. That voice, right? He’s letting ElevenLabs use it, too. He thinks it’s cool because it's for more than just him.

Caine says that he used his voice to tell stories. Now, he wants to share his voice with others. He adds this is not about replacing people. It is about preserving them.

Funny enough, Caine also said he’s coming out of retirement for Last Witch Hunter 2. So he’s not just doing AI stuff.

But listen to this: ElevenLabs got the rights to use the voices of dead actors like John Wayne and Judy Garland. They also got some historical figures. It is incredible.

ElevenLabs thinks these steps will make a digital collection. Anyone can use these voices, but it must be approved.

It follows a trend because Meta revealed that they joined with Judi Dench, John Cena, and Kristen Bell, including voices in AI. Leonardo DiCaprio invested in AI, and it is growing in Hollywood.

These steps are growing. It is not only endorsement but working together. AI is voice-like.

ElevenLabs wants to make consent and voice, rather than stealing.

ElevenLabs shows it goes with estate and trust. The company is growing fast.

The deal is a cultural thing between McConaughey, Caine, and ElevenLabs. As AI changes, how stories are heard. The balancing act between being new and good is going to be hard.

Whether it shows a newsletter, or a documentary, AI voices are being made. If it goes well, we can voice the future and preserve the voices.

29.AMD CEO Predicts $1 Trillion AI Market by 2030 Amid Unprecedented Growth 

**AI is Where It's At for AMD**

Lisa Su, who's in charge over at AMD, basically shouted from the rooftops that AI is their big focus. They kept hammering that point home, saying the market for AI data centers might blow up. They guessed \$500 billion to begin with, but now they're thinking it could hit a trillion bucks by 2030! Su mentioned AMD is really good at making those super-powered computers that AI needs. Since she took over back in 2014, the growth in AI has been kind of nuts. AMD is planning to sink even more money into AI. Their thinking is: If they can crank out better computers, they can help AI get even better, too. If major companies start buying AMD's gear, it could speed up AI's progress. To give you some real-world examples, AI could help doctors figure out diseases faster, help farmers use less water and still get awesome harvests. We're even getting cooler-looking video games. AMD wants to make all this stuff happen. They aren't just designing chips; they're aiming to be at the core of innovations that could transform pretty much everything. Think self-driving cars getting smarter, personalized medicine that actually works. They're looking to play a role in breakthroughs that will impact our daily lives.

**Investors Seem Pretty Pumped**

AMD's stock price perked up a bit after the meeting. People seem thrilled with AMD's plan to get bigger in data centers, their focus on making powerful tech, and their aim to grab more of the video game market. After a rough patch, their stocks seem to be bouncing back in a big way. It's like everyone is betting on their rebound. After all, who doesn't love a good comeback story? It goes to show you; even after going through a period of hardship, the company is still going at it.

**Data Centers and the Nvidia Face-Off**

AMD expects to rake in billions from data centers by 2027. They showed off their MI450 graphics card as their secret weapon. Su wants a big piece of the AI data center pie, and for good reason. Nvidia is the king of the hill right now in the AI data center world. AMD is getting ready to challenge them. They've let slip that some big AI companies are trying out their Instinct graphics cards. Plus, AMD pulls in about 40% of its cash from data center CPUs. The big bosses at AMD are saying they're going to churn out new products faster. What was every two years is now looking to be every year. AMD is playing catch-up by releasing new tech quicker. They want to bring the price down and cut down on power use, hoping people will switch over to them. They're giving it everything they've got. The chips aren't just getting quicker; they're becoming more efficient, using less power to do more calculations. AMD is laser-focused on making sure their tech offers a sweet price-to-performance ratio.

**Custom Chips are Bringing the Bacon**

Besides AI, AMD is making good money designing chips for specific clients. They just landed \$4.5 billion in new deals to make chips for things like airplanes, defense systems, communications, and data centers. They're guessing this money will start rolling in around 2026 and keep that part of their business strong. Custom stuff is a good move. With custom chips, AMD can make chips that are exactly what a company needs. Instead of settling for something generic, you get a product that's built for the user. In today's market, major companies want products that are free from any mistake. By making a custom version for the big investors, it brings in more money to make the general versions of those products top-tier. It's a way of making products that are specifically targeted towards a customer which makes that transaction more appealing.

**The Money Prediction**

AMD's CEO thinks the company will pull in \$35 billion in 2025 and keep growing. She's betting on continued high demand for AI stuff, those custom chip orders, and a strong showing in the data center space. Su pointed out that people are using AMD products every single day. AMD is trying to make tech that makes cloud services and devices work better. When you look at how far the company has come, it's hard not to be impressed. It wasn't so long ago that people had all but written them off. Now, they're not only back in the game but are setting their sights on becoming a major player. It speaks volumes about their turnaround and their ability to adjust in an ever-changing market.

**In Conclusion**

AMD's investor meeting was mainly about how they're making a strong push into the AI market. It looks like they're planning to make a big splash in the tech world. They're speeding up their plans and letting the world know. It's going to be fascinating because they're trying to steal market share from the big names. The company isn't shying away from the challenge. It's going to be an uphill battle, but one they seem ready to face head-on. They're investing in R&D, working to make key partnerships, and sending the message that they're not just going to keep in the background. They mean business.

30.Mark Zuckerberg Jokes His Research Team ‘Just Wants More GPUs’ 

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are saying that tricked-out computer processors – GPUs – are the hot new thing for science, especially with all the AI stuff going on.

Basically, they're saying microscopes and petri dishes are kinda old news. According to them, the future of finding cures and understanding diseases is all about having serious computer power. They started the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) back in 2015, and now they think that having enough computing muscle is way more important than just having a physical lab or a bunch of people working for you.

Chan and Zuckerberg were chatting about their plans for CZI on The a16Z Podcast on November 6th. They're making AI a much bigger deal because they see how much it could change biology. Chan mentioned they aren't trying to get more buildings, but instead are investing in more computer processing power. She was talking about Biohub, which is a bunch of science labs that CZI has been supporting since 2016.

Zuckerberg agreed with her, saying that scientists these days mostly want access to GPUs. And Chan chimed in, saying that these computers are the new lab, only way more expensive than renting some lab space.

This is all heading towards using AI in biology big time.

Earlier this month, CZI said they were going to really focus on Biohub. They also announced they were teaming up with EvolutionaryScale, which is an AI company that wants to speed up discoveries in medicine. They want to put AI to work to get a better handle on treating diseases.

Biohub is planning on seriously leveling up its computers. They want to go from 1,000 GPUs to 10,000 by 2028! Chan said they're betting that scientists will be more interested in having access to this kind of super-powered computing than in just getting a bigger paycheck.

This is a big change for CZI. They used to focus on education, public policy, and trying to keep people from getting sick. But over the last few years, they've been moving towards prioritizing science. Zuckerberg even said they're going all in on biology that uses AI.

They're even putting together a team that specializes in AI.

Zuckerberg also said that CZI is building an AI team to help out with their science stuff. They'll still put money into Biohub's buildings and locations, but they're also thinking about setting up a system that connects researchers who are working in different places.

If you looked at CZI's website around November 10th, you could have seen they had about five job openings related to AI. That shows they are trying to build up their own tech skills to make all this happen.

Chan, who used to be a pediatrician, also said that things are changing. You no longer have to work in an institution to do research. The researchers, they don’t want employees working for them, they don’t want space, they just want GPUs.

This is part of a bigger change in medicine. AI is being used more and more to look at huge amounts of information, predict how proteins work, and create new treatments. CZI wants to give researchers access to really powerful computers so they can attract the best people and make progress faster in areas.

Since CZI was created, they've tried to be a modern type of charity that mixes science with new technology. Now, they're changing what it even means to support research in the age of AI.

Instead of just building more labs or hiring a bunch of people, CZI is putting money into things that let scientists do more with less effort. As long as they have the computer strength to run complicated programs.

According to Zuckerberg and Chan, computer power is the new resource now. And with plans to get 10,000 GPUs, CZI is betting that the future of science won't just be in labs, but also in the code that runs on these machines.