1.Samsung’s Massive Micro RGB LED TVs Are No Longer Massive
Samsung's really pushing Micro RGB TVs now. You know that huge 115-inch TV they showed off? Yeah, it was incredible, but let’s face it, who has space for that thing? Well, they're getting practical. They want to put that Micro RGB tech into TVs that fit normal rooms, like the 55- to 100-inch sizes. The end game is to get that cool screen tech into homes like yours and mine.
**From Giant Screens to Your Place**
That gigantic 115-inch TV was quite exciting, yeah. But truth be told, few of us have the space or the cash for that monster. Samsung knows this, that's why they are making these smaller sizes available for purchase. Now, an everyday person can picture owning one if that's what they really like.
This seems like a smart move for Samsung. That way they can have a chance to compete with the other companies. Look at LG; their Micro RGB evo TVs are a hit, and they come in sorts of sizes. And of course, there are always other companies working on ways to better display tech, like the mini-LED screens tech. However, Samsung making a TV as small as 55 inches? This sends a signal to the market.
**What's Up with Micro RGB?**
So, what exactly makes Micro RGB so different from normal LED TVs? Your usual LED TV is based on white or blue lights and filters to make the colors we see. Micro RGB does it differently. It has tiny red, green, and blue LEDs. And it has been stated that they are tiny, even smaller than a human strand of hair. So, you may feel how they really perform.
So, how does this impact your living room watching experience?
* **Colors That Are Real**: You're going to see colors that seem so much sharper. Seeing that the colors are real, it is real color that you see.
* **Seriously Bright**: Those LEDs glow bright on their own, which makes images amazing.
* **Long life span**: Micro LEDs don't suffer burn-in like OLED screens. The is great for people who watch the TV a lot.
Okay, so this sounds like it has the best parts of OLED (great color) and LED (dependable and long-lasting). That sounds pretty good, right?
**Why Now?**
Samsung wanted to share this before the yearly trade show. At CES we will hear pricing info and when you can expect to buy one. The trade show is popular for all the latest tech for TV screens. By saying something now, people get excited to share this information with each other. I am sure Samsung wants to let other TV companies that they are a real competitor in the market.
Prices will tell what happens to this release. Cutting-edge tech will cost a lot of money. As these TVs are made in larger numbers, there will be price drops. The 55-inch models are the secret to how people can buy these screens without spending too much.
**What About the Others?**
Samsung is only one the TV market. LG has their own Micro RGB evo TVs now and other companies build mini-LED TVs. There may be a lot of jargon when it comes to micro or mini. The company said their LEDs are less than 100 micrometers, or very small, a detail on the detail size.
But as said before, the main factors in getting the screen is cost and picture. Mini-LED screens are much better than LED screens, that have more brightness and contrast. Micro RGB increases the level, no doubt.
**What will happen to your home?**
Don't ignore the sizes for a normal home (55, 65, 75 inches sizes). Micro RGB could become a real possibility for most everyone. Visualize watching movies at home with great picture quality. This may be close to the movie theater experience.
Micro LEDs have a long shelf-life, is also a positive sign for the success of future ownership. OLED TVs generally have burn-in issues. The new MicroLED screens are intended to resolve this historical issue.
**The Larger Picture**
Samsung matches a much larger pattern. The latest tech will cost an arm and a leg and will be cheaper over time. Micro RGB TVs may be next in line.
Here is what these new screens can change:
* **Changes in store**: TV showrooms may need to change to have a place for Micro RGB.
* **Movies and Games**: Content makers have a method to make content that looks amazing on the TV.
* **People expect more**: Clients expect things changing. This should grow new things to come for all the companies.
**So, What Comes Next?**
The TV trade show of 2026 should share more details. If Samsung asks a good price for that 55-inch TV, Micro RGB might be the next new hot TV for homes. If the prices are not affordable, these screens might be for the elites.
No matter what happens, this is important. Micro RGB is something available for most everyone. The engineers are the heroes to create the latest tech for the use of normal homes.
2.Gemini on Web Adds Support for AI Mini App Creation Through Opal
**Google's Gemini Gets a Fun New Tool: Opal Mini App Maker**
So, Google's trying to make messing around with AI way easier. They've stuck this experimental mini app creator, called Opal, right inside Gemini on the web. The goal? Google wants anyone to throw together their own little apps, even if they've never seen a line of code. You just tell it what you want, using normal, everyday words. It's like talking to a friend!
**Okay, What's the Deal with Opal?**
Opal popped up back in July in Google Labs. Think of Google Labs as their sandbox, where they play with new AI ideas. The whole concept behind Opal is pretty straightforward: Ditch the coding! You make mini apps by just describing what you need, picking from a few options, and playing with some simple tools. It's basically a no-code app builder, but with smart AI doing the heavy lifting.
And the cool thing? You just explain what you're looking for. Let's say I want a workout buddy that tracks my steps and how much water I drink each day. Opal'll try to make that into a real, working mini app for you. It'll have all the right stuff in place, like spaces to type in your steps and see how you're doing. It just makes making apps way more approachable. Teachers, small business owners, or anyone who's even a little curious can start goofing around with AI.
Making it part of Gemini is supposed to be a smooth ride. Opal will be like a new experimental Gem. Gems are basically mini apps or little helpers that boost what Gemini can do.
**Opal and Gemini Hanging Out Together**
Now that Opal's chilling inside Gemini, it's like having a ready-made app creator right there with you. You don't have to bounce around to different sites or programs.
Finding Opal is easy peasy. Once you're in Gemini, just hit the menu, look for Gems, and you'll see a bunch of pre-made apps that people cooked up with Opal. You can tinker with these apps—tweak them to do exactly what you want. Or, if you're feeling creative, you can jump in and build something from the ground up with the Advanced Editor. The editor has a neat thing where it turns your directions into a simple list of steps, so you see exactly how the app will tick.
**Why Should You Even Care?**
Putting Opal in Gemini shows Google's keen on AI being for everyone, not just rocket scientists. Regular folks haven't had much to do with AI except chatting with it. Opal changes that, since it lets you take your ideas and turn them into proper apps, just by saying what you want.
Here's why it's worth paying attention to:
* **Super Easy:** You don't have to learn coding to build an app.
* **Make it Yours:** You can create apps for really specific needs, like planning your meals or helping with schoolwork.
* **Just Experiment:** Since Opal's part of Google Labs, you can go wild experimenting without worrying about messing something up at work.
Opal is Google's answer to everyone wanting to build things without needing code. A lot of companies are mixing automation with interfaces that are easy to get your head around. By throwing Opal into Gemini, Google is trying to keep their AI both useful and appealing.
**The Visual Editor Got a Level-Up**
One of the coolest parts of Opal is the new visual editor. It was a headache to construct an app. Opal is now automatic, breaking down what you want into easy steps. If you ask for a recipe organizer, Opal gives you steps like:
* Type in the name of the recipe.
* List the ingredients.
* Write down the cooking steps.
* Display recipes so you can find them easily.
These steps make it easier to tweak the app. It's especially helpful for folks who've never touched programming. It goes hand in hand with Google's idea of making AI understandable and easy to change.
**Important: Watch Out for Boundaries!**
Opal isn't part of the regular Gemini Apps. Whatever you do in Opal, it won't show up in your Gemini Apps history. It's a separate playground, so you can try things out without messing with your main Gemini stuff.
Google's being careful about keeping things private. Keeping Opal separate lets them test new stuff and get comments without messing with the Gemini Apps data rules.
**How Does It Stack Up?**
Everyone wants to make AI more interactive and easier to customize. Google, by shoving Opal into Gemini, states that they want to win, not just through the smartest AI, but by their AI's user-friendliness and versatility.
The timing is interesting. We desire AI to do more than just answer questions. They want assist with simple tasks, organize things, and generally make lives easier. Opal means Gemini is a place for it, even without being technically-gifted.
**What Now?**
Opal crashing Gemini is just the start. It could become more widely-available, like the Google Workspace apps or Android phones. Imagine building an app on your laptop, and use it on your smart-phone easily, even sharing with work colleagues.
3.Apple Plans Two Key Strategies to Drive iPhone Air 2 Adoption
Apple's been playing around with the iPhone lineup, trying to mix cool new ideas with what people actually need. The iPhone Air was kind of an experiment – a super-thin version next to the regular iPhone 17. It was all about looks, but it didn't have all the features. Honestly, people weren't that excited. Word is, they didn't make as many because not many people were buying them.
But now, according to some stuff floating around from The Information, Apple's working on a second try – the iPhone Air 2. They're planning to release it around spring 2027. The idea is to make it way more appealing by fixing the two main things people complained about: the camera and the price.
**Giving the Camera Some Help**
The first iPhone Air only had one camera on the back – a 48-megapixel one. It could zoom in okay, but not having a second lens felt cheap compared to other iPhones that cost about the same. Apparently, Apple's thinking of adding a wide-angle lens to the Air 2. That would make it more like the normal iPhones with two cameras.
This would fix a big problem. People love wide-angle lenses for taking pictures of big scenes, groups of friends, and cool, creative shots. Without it, the Air felt limited, especially if you liked taking photos. Adding that second camera would not only get more people interested but also show that Apple's ready to give up a little bit of that super-thin design to make the phone more useful.
**Making It Easier on Your Wallet**
The other thing Apple's looking at is bringing the price down. The first iPhone Air was around $999 in the U.S. That's the same price as the iPhone 17, even though it didn't have as many features. It only had one speaker, the battery didn't last as long, and it was missing a few other things. A lot of people just couldn't see why it was so expensive.
If Apple lowers the price of the Air 2, they could make it a more attractive option. It could be the go-to iPhone for people who care about how it looks but don't need all the fancy Pro stuff. A lower price could also help Apple separate the Air from the iPhone 17 Pro and those new foldable phones they're working on. That way, each phone would have its own reason for existing.
**What Went Wrong the First Time?**
Even though it looked cool, the iPhone Air didn't take off like the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro. Here's why:
* ***Too Many Sacrifices:*** People spending that much money expect certain features, and the Air was missing too many.
* ***Battery Blues:*** Being super thin meant the battery life wasn't great, which is a big deal for everyone.
* ***Confusing Identity:*** It wasn't as powerful as the Pro, but it wasn't as cheap as the regular iPhone. It was stuck in the middle with no clear purpose.
Because of all this, suppliers reportedly didn't make as many, because people weren't buying them as much as the other models. The Air shows that it's hard to make something look great while also making it super usable.
**The Bigger Picture**
The iPhone Air 2 is just one small part of what Apple's planning. We've already heard about the iPhone 18 Pro, which might have the Face ID hidden under the screen and a different spot for the front camera. And then there's the iPhone Fold, their first phone that folds. The changes they're making to the Air 2 suggest that Apple's paying attention to what people are saying and trying to make sure each phone has its own place.
So, the Air 2 could be Apple's design-first iPhone, for people who really want a thin, stylish phone but still want a decent camera. And by lowering the price, they could get more people interested and make it more than just a niche product.
**Coming Up...**
We're expecting Apple to put out the iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027. That gives them some time to tweak the design and how they're going to market it. Spring releases are interesting because they can grab people who aren't buying phones in the fall when everyone else is.
**What This Means for You**
If you're thinking about buying an iPhone, the Air 2 could be a better deal:
* ***Better Photos:*** That wide-angle lens will make a big difference.
* ***More Affordable:*** If they lower the price like they're talking about, it'll be a much better value.
* ***Still Stylish:*** It'll still be super thin and look great.
If Apple can fix those issues, the Air 2 could go from being a flop to a real contender in the iPhone world.
4.Google Experiments With ‘CC’ AI Agent That Connects Directly to Gmail
Google Labs has been messing around and came up with something called CC. Think of it like having your own little AI buddy that helps you get going each day.
Basically, some smart folks over at Google have been working hard on some AI stuff to try and make your day less crazy. This thing, CC, grabs Google's Gemini AI and uses it to grab all your plans, to-do lists, and other important stuff. Then, it gives everything back to you in a simple way, so you know what's up as soon as you wake up.
Why should you even care about CC?
Well, the whole idea is to make your mornings easier. It goes into your Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive to see what you've got going on. That way, you can quickly figure out your meetings, deadlines, and reminders without having to look at various apps.
So, let's say you've got a meeting coming up. CC can tell you to get ready. Or, if you need to take care of a bill, it can tell you to do so. Do you need to look at a document? It'll send you a link.
It's not just about throwing info at you, though. CC can also help you get stuff done. It can write emails, put meetings on your calendar, and even tell you what you should work on next. It’s supposed to help you actually accomplish things, not just remind you about what needs doing.
So how does it work, and how do you try it out?
One cool thing about it is that you can actually talk to CC. Just reply to the Your Day Ahead email it sends you. You can explain what's going on, fix any mistakes it makes, or even add anything new to your list. This helps CC understand what you're like and what you need, so it gets better as time goes on.
In that email, you'll see thumbs up and thumbs down buttons. If CC gets it right, give it a thumbs up; if it misses the mark, give it a thumbs down. Likewise, you can email [your-username]+cc@gmail.com to chat with CC whenever, not just through the daily email. If you CC it in an email with other people, it will only reply to you, so it doesn't interfere with everyone's conversation.
So, who can try it?
For right now, CC is available only to some Google account people in the US and Canada. If you want to use it, you'll have to join a waiting list. If you use Google AI Ultra or another Google plan, you might get to use CC earlier. Google's letting their best users check it out first, before making it publicly available via Google Labs.
CC isn’t linked to Google Workspace or Gemini Apps, so how it works won’t be shown in your Gemini Apps Activity. It also doesn’t modify your Workspace settings. To launch CC, you must turn on Workspace Smart Settings, but don’t be concerned, you can turn it off in your Google account settings.
What was Google thinking?
Google created CC as part of a plan to integrate AI into our work lives. Gemini is pretty good for talking with AI, but CC helps you manage your day. Therefore, it seems Google understands that people want AI not just to respond to questions, but also to provide help with to-do lists and generally make life more organized.
What’s good about CC?
It's on the ball: CC sends you a morning update.
Plays well with what you use: CC works fine with Gmail, Calendar, and Drive.
Helps you get stuff done: CC can write emails for you and make links.
Protects you: CC only talks to you privately in email threads.
Who else is doing this?
A lot of companies are creating AI assistants for everyday tasks. Microsoft has Copilot in its Office suite, and a bunch of other AI helpers are happening that can take care of calendars, emails, and tasks. By putting CC in Labs, Google gets to see if people even care about it before making it public.
Using email to talk back and forth makes sense as well. Since email is still relevant, it makes a lot of sense to send those daily updates through it. No one has to download an app, making it simpler.
Still, there could be problems, right?
Yes, here are some things to remember about CC:
Trust: Some people may not like trusting an AI with their Gmail, Calendar, and Drive.
Makes errors: If CC messes up something on your schedule or does something wrong, it can be annoying right away.
People have to use it: If something is popular, it doesn't indicate it is useful. CC has to save you time and relax you.
Rivals: There's already a bunch of AI helpers being released, so it needs to be easy to trust and use to make a name for itself.
What should we anticipate?
If CC attracts attention, it might get to be a core product of Google. Consider a future where CC helps with your activities across your devices and connects to other programs. In the meantime, Google's performing this experiment trial to gather data and fix it. The fact that you can turn off CC if you choose to can give you total control, and the waiting list means that Google is choosing to proceed carefully. Ultimately, the decision of whether it should be another Google tool or just a trial, is determined by whether it actually provide support and helps people with their everyday activities.
5.Meta Adds Conversation-Boosting Audio Feature to Its AI Glasses
Meta's giving its AI glasses a cool update! They're getting two new features that are kinda neat: one to help you hear better in loud places, and another that plays music from Spotify based on what you're looking at.
So, the update – version 21 – is going out to a few people in the U.S. and Canada who are part of Meta's early access thing. If that goes well, they'll roll it out to everyone else later.
The big thing is this conversation focus mode. Basically, the glasses use their speakers to make the person you're talking to sound louder. They showed this off a while ago, and the idea is to make it easier to chat when there's a lot of noise around.
You can turn it up or down by swiping on the side of the glasses or messing with the settings. This is useful if you are in a loud restaurant, train, or club. It’s key since every place has its own noise.
We'll have to see how this really works in the real world, but it sounds promising. It makes the glasses more than just something to take pictures with. It makes them a helpful tool. Apple's already doing something similar with their AirPods, which can boost voices and even work like hearing aids. This means that hearing help might just become a normal thing for wearable tech.
Besides that, there's also a fun Spotify thing. The glasses will try to play music that matches what you're seeing. Look at an album cover, and it might start playing that artist. See a Christmas tree, and holiday songs might cue up.
This is more about showing off what's possible. They want to show how AI can link what you see with what you hear. The glasses understand the situation and connect what you see with what you hear. Some people might think it's silly, but it suggests that future tech could use what you see to control other apps.
The Spotify thing works in a lot of countries. This is different from the hearing focus, which only works in the U.S. and Canada right now.
Meta isn't just throwing this out to everyone. They start with people in their Early Access Program. This way, they can get feedback and fix any issues. Eventually, everyone with Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses will get it.
This limited release lets Meta watch how things are going, fix problems, and make sure people actually like it before they get it to more people.
These updates show what Meta is up to with these glasses. Combining useful stuff with fun things. The conversation thing is really useful and helps people. The Spotify integration is also a creative way to link what you see and hear, even if it’s not that helpful.
They are also turning into an all-in-one device that’s good for talking, fun, and also good for people with issues. This is how Meta sees the glasses going.
Others are doing this. Apple's AirPods are becoming hearing aids, and others are trying context-aware wearables. Meta is making its glasses different by putting hearing help in them. This mixes everything into one solution for communication, fun, and accessibility.
The hard part will be getting it right. The hearing thing needs perfect tuning, and the music thing needs to make sense and not be annoying. So, it'll depend on if people find these things helpful, or just a gimmick.
Updates like this show what the future holds for wearable tech. The hearing thing could make glasses essential in loud places, while the Spotify thing shows they can be more fun and personal.
If Meta improves these things, its glasses could get more popular. This update is one step closer to making AI glasses fun and helpful.
6.Apple Lays Groundwork for an All-Screen iPhone Launch in 2027
Apple might be cooking up some serious camera changes. Word on the street is they're trying to hide both the selfie camera and Face ID sensors *under* the screen.
If Apple actually pulls this off, the rumors say the foldable iPhone – you know, the iPhone Fold some people expect – could be the first to show off this under-display camera and Face ID tech, maybe around 2026. Then, perhaps in 2027, they might totally redo the regular iPhone, aiming for a full-screen design with zero notches or cutouts! I read this info from Digital Chat Station. They’ve been right before, so it’s possible.
**Foldable iPhone First?**
This foldable iPhone may have screens that stretch from edge to edge. Because there won't be any space on the front for a sensor, Apple might move Touch ID to the side button, like on the iPad Air. I also saw this one rumor saying they might ditch Face ID, at least temporarily, to get that full edge-to-edge screen. So, it appears Apple wants to get rid of the notch or Dynamic Island for a completely clean screen.
Using a foldable iPhone first lets Apple try things out with the under-screen camera on a smaller scale. By starting with a phone that's not their flagship, they can see if the camera works well if people give the camera a big thumbs-up before putting it in the regular iPhones. This helps them work out any kinks early on.
**Face ID: Easy Start**
The first thing they might test is hiding the Face ID stuff under the screen. The iPhone 18 Pro models, or whatever they call them then, might be the test subjects. As you know, Face ID uses infrared light. The sensors can handle having a screen in front of them a lot better than regular cameras can. So, it's an easier place to start.
Someone mentioned that Apple might have figured out how to get infrared light to shine through the screen using some special glass. This would let them remove the Dynamic Island since that space in the current iPhones is where the Face ID sensors are, at least for now.
Though, here comes the million-dollar question. The tech has to work without messing things up...a lot.
**Selfie Camera: The Big Headache**
The *real* headache? Getting the actual selfie camera *under* the screen, which, again, might show up on the foldable iPhone first. Under-screen selfie cameras are notoriously tough to get right. Any blurring or fuzziness would be super noticeable. Some companies have tried doing this. Picture quality was terrible, like grainy and low-resolution. No one wants that on a modern phone.
But, people are saying Apple is working on a high-resolution under-screen camera with six plastic lenses. That’s kind of a big deal. What they are doing is letting more light get to the camera by making changes to the screen itself, somehow.
If these rumors pan out, this could be the future. And Apple might be way ahead of other companies in the phone camera game.
**2027 iPhone: The Dream Phone**
The main goal is the 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027. That’s two decades after the original iPhone and ten years after the iPhone X and Face ID showed up. What I’m hearing is this iPhone could have a screen that stretches all the way across the front and wraps around the sides. Sounds like something Jony Ive designed, a single sheet of glass.
The goal: get both Face ID and the selfie camera *under* the display. That would get rid of all those cutouts and borders completely.
**What started this?**
Apple is getting close to getting under-screen Face ID to work. Also, the quality of under-screen cameras has shot up a lot. So, they're now closer to getting that full-screen phone.
**Who's tried this before?**
Many companies want to hide the front camera. ZTE and Samsung are just two, but the cameras weren’t good, and those phones didn’t sell well. The hope is Apple’s camera will be a lot better.
Starting with a foldable is a smart move since it's a way to test new tech on a device outside their main lineup. Less risky.
**What Does It Mean for Us?**
If Apple gets this right, iPhones could have:
* Better-looking design overall.
* Amazing picture quality in our selfies.
* Face ID that works well and is safe to use.
* Foldable phones that look awesome.
This could be a big turning point, as big as that first iPhone that changed how all phones worked.
7.Larian Confirms Use of Generative AI for Divinity While Keeping Teams Intact
There was some buzz about Larian Studios – you know, the folks who gave us Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin – using AI for their new Divinity game. When they showed it off at The Game Awards, people were pumped! But then rumors started swirling that they were using AI in the game's development, and some fans got worried. Apparently, Swen Vincke, one of the big guys at Larian, said they were using AI for some stuff, which didn't sit well with fans who are worried about robots taking over creative jobs.
But hold on, Larian cleared things up later. They said that while they ARE using AI, it's not like it's replacing their creative team.
So, what exactly did Larian say?
Well, some news outlets made it sound like Larian was going all-in on AI, using it for things like making fancy PowerPoint presentations, coming up with concept art ideas, and writing temporary text. Vincke made it clear that the actual game would be made by humans. He said, We're writing everything ourselves.I mean, that's still cool though.
Even with that, the idea that AI was involved at all still ruffled feathers. People were afraid that everything everyone loves about Larian games – like the awesome stories, cool characters, and unique art style – would suffer. Other news sites tried contacting Larian to get the full story, and Vincke gave them a pretty detailed response, saying that they're still all about human creativity.
Larian said they're actually hiring MORE creative people, not less. They have a bunch of concept artists now and plan to bring others on board. They're also adding more writers, storytellers, actors, and translators to the team. Vincke said that all the AI things, aimed at having people spend more time creating.” So basically, the AI is just supposed to make things easier for the humans, not replace them.
He said AI and machine learning are just tools to help them out. If they use them right, they can speed up the workflow and get rid of the boring stuff, freeing up the artists and writers to do what they're good at. Vincke stressed that they aren't releasing a game made with AI and are not firing people to replace them with AI.
Vincke also took to social media, which is kind of awesome.
He straight-up said that they aren't pushing hard for AI or getting rid of concept artists. He said using AI is like using Google or art books for ideas. It's helpful for starting out, but then real, original art takes over. He said they hired creatives, for their talent, not for their ability to do what a machine suggests. But on the other hand, he admitted that they're playing around with these tech tools so workflow is easy.
How Larian Uses AI
Vincke has talked about Larian's approach to AI and machine learning before. They mainly use it in a few ways:
Taking care of the boring stuff: This includes things like fixing motion capture data, editing voice recordings, or changing animations. These tasks are repetitive and technical, so AI can help a lot.
White boxing: White boxing is where they make rough versions of gameplay systems to test ideas quickly. Machine learning makes everything a bit spicier.
Checking out new gameplay ideas: Vincke said he's interested in AI that could make RPGs more interactive, with more responses to what players do. But that's still just an idea for now.
Another thing they're trying with AI is making sure the story makes sense. With tons of choices in Larian's games, it's hard to keep everything straight. AI could find anything stupid or wrong, even though Vincke admitted it's not totally reliable yet.
Why are fans worried?
Well, people are generally worried about AI in creative fields. Gamers worry that using robots could take away the charm that makes games like Baldur's Gate 3 so great. People want human hands on the writing, music, and art, and Vincke has said that AI does nothing in these parts. Instead, Larian is hiring more people to make it clear that they're committed to stories and art made by humans.
This whole thing shows the struggle between making games efficiently and keeping them real. RPGs are huge and complicated, with tons of story, systems, and stuff to do. Automation can help them manage it all, but folks want to know that the heart of the game – the characters, dialogue, and world – isn't being made by machines.
Larian being open about this is good. By talking about how they use AI, they're allowing being watched but building trust. Vincke saying AI is their friend, and not the other way around, seems like it values people while using tech to help the team out.
The future?
It's hard to know if fans will be cool with Larian's explanation. Some might still not like AI being involved at all, while others might support Larian's practical approach. What's clear is that Divinity will still have human writers, artists, and actors, with AI only helping out in the background.
Vincke put it best and said the goal in mind is to just make the working day, better, not worse.”
8.Memory Prices Are Rising, and Buyers Are About to Feel the Squeeze
The smartphone business is facing some challenges. After a tough time, it seemed like things were improving a bit. But now, memory chips—the things that make your phone work—are getting really expensive. The experts at Counterpoint Research are worried. They're saying that these rising costs for DRAM and NAND (that's memory talk) that phone makers use may cause problems for some companies who make phones and for buyers once we go to buy one in 2026.
**Not-So-Good Times Ahead**
The people at Counterpoint are changing their minds about how well phones will be selling. They now think that phone sales might drop by about 2%. That's a pretty big change from what they thought before, when they believed the market would get better by 2025. What's making them so nervous? It's all about memory availability. The companies that produce memory are focusing on making chips for AI stuff and large data centers. Since that's where they're making the most money, there aren't enough memory chips left over for smartphones, which might slow down improvements for phones.
This puts phone companies in a tough spot. They're all competing for memory chips but the AI and data center companies are taking a huge load of them. The cost of stuff that goes into phones is going up, and phone companies will likely pass those expenses on to us, the buyers.
**Keeping Our Old Phones Longer**
The timing isn't ideal. People are already holding onto their phones for longer, like three years. These phones are still doing their job for many people, so, if the newest phones aren't that good, and since the software isn't great, there will be nothing left to buy new phones.
This lessens any excitement about buying new phones. The small increase in sales from 2024 and 2025? That was just down to many people not buying phones for a while, as opposed any new phones being amazing. These memory chip price increases might completely stop sales and make it harder for companies.
**Everything Is Getting More Expensive**
Counterpoint mentions that the cheaper phones will feel the most burden. It now costs about 20-30% to make a phone under $200 since the beginning of the year. This also affects the mid-range and top-level phones, with an increase of 10% to 15%.
Chinese phone brands like HONOR, OPPO, and Vivo might have problems since they aim to keep the cost of their entry-level and mid-tier devices low. A slight price increase can scare off customers. With entry-level phones offering similar RAM and storage to flagship phones, the increase will affect these cheaper segments of the phone business.
**Samsung: A Key Player**
To take things to another level, there's word that Samsung wants to increase some memory prices. They make a lot of DRAM and NAND, any action from Samsung will affect the whole business. If they raise prices, everything else might increase fast, which might force phone companies to reduce their profit or upcharge the customer.
**What About These AI Phones?**
Phone companies are pushing AI phones. They say that adding AI makes your phone smarter, your photos better, add personal features, and improve the software. But now, those updates are minor tweaks.
Not many people are convinced. AI phones sales are performing as well as regular phones. The super-smart AI isn't enough to make buyers want to spend more money. Without something exciting, AI is a sales technique that will not affect sales,
**Voting With Our Money**
People are changing their spending habits due to increasing prices with smartphones these days. More people are buying used or refurbished phones to save money. People buying these versions of phones are thinking about value and how long their phones will last rather than having new gadgets.
Buying an used version of a phone is a decision for people looking to save on a brand new phone. It is something that can be sold at a lower price than a brand new phone.
**So, How Does This Affect the Phone Industry?**
The chip shortage will affect the smartphone world. Everything is connected. Memory chips do matter, including the price and how the cost of the phone plays out. As the field of AI and data centers grow, electronics like smartphones may get pushed aside.
Phone companies will have to tread carefully. The phones may come out with software that is the same as other phones. However, if companies absorb the cost themselves, they can end up losing a lot of profit. If the customers pay for some of this, they may end up losing support for the company. Even if the designs of the phone looks great, the phone's software and prices will affect whether a person buys the phone.
**What's Coming Up?**
Counterpoint changing their forecasts tells us that there will be changes. They originally thought that there dip, but now the decrease might show that confidence has been down. If memory cost still is high, the smartphone market can start to have more problems with low confidence.
For us: Increased prices will shift the market. Refurbished phones and longer contracts will be the plan for people buying phones. For phone companies: Create new updates like AI or the market goes back to the cheaper versions of the phones.
9.Brian Fleming Departs Sucker Punch Productions After Long Tenure
**Brian Fleming Steps Down at Sucker Punch; New Bosses Take Over**
Big news from Sucker Punch Productions, the team that brought us *Ghost of Tsushima* and the more recent *Ghost of Yōtei*: Brian Fleming, who's been a key figure there since the very beginning, is leaving at the end of 2025. That's a wrap on almost 30 years at the top for him. But it's not the end of Sucker Punch! Starting next year, Jason Connell (the creative director) and Adrian Bentley (the tech director) are moving up to be the new heads. They'll be keeping the studio's focus on making cool games with great stories and characters.
**What Brian Fleming Leaves Behind**
Back in 1997, Fleming and a few friends started Sucker Punch. They quickly made a name for themselves, especially with the *Sly Cooper* games. Those games were a cool mix of sneaking around and platforming action. Later on, *Infamous* came along and changed the game for superhero stories, letting you make choices that changed the story and gave you some awesome powers to play with.
Fleming's biggest success was probably *Ghost of Tsushima* (released in 2020). It was a hit with both critics and players, and it showed that Sucker Punch could make really amazing, movie-like games. *Ghost of Yōtei*, which just came out in October 2025, is the latest in the *Ghost* series, with new characters and places to explore. So, Fleming is leaving at a time when the studio is doing great and looking ahead to what's next.
According to PlayStation Studios, Fleming has been helping them make sure everything goes smoothly. They said he's been working with them to get Sucker Punch ready for the change, so the studio can keep doing well thing. He didn't just take off; he planned this out to make sure the studio is in good shape.
**Meet the New Guys: Connell and Bentley**
So, who are Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley? They're not newcomers. They've both been important to Sucker Punch for a while. Connell was one of the creative minds behind the *Ghost* games, coming up with the look and feel of the game and how the story is told. He made *Ghost of Tsushima* and *Ghost of Yōtei* feel like real movies, which helped them get noticed.
Bentley, on the other hand, has been in charge of all the tech stuff. He's the guy who makes sure the games run well and look great. He's come up with new ways to make the game world feel real and respond to what you do. Together, Connell and Bentley are a good balance of creative and technical skills, which is what Sucker Punch has always been about.
A statement said that the combination of creative vision and technical prowess that the two share exemplify PlayStation's overall concept that combines artistry with state-of-the-art tech.
**Keeping Things Consistent**
Even though Fleming is leaving, some other important people are staying put. Nate Fox, another creative director, will still be working on Sucker Punch's games. This means that the studio will still have the same creative spirit, even with the new leadership.
This change also shows how PlayStation Studios likes to work with its studios. By promoting Connell and Bentley, Sony is saying that they believe in their own people and want to keep the studio's culture the same, instead of bringing in someone from the outside.
**What's Coming Up for Sucker Punch?**
Right after *Ghost of Yōtei*, Sucker Punch is planning to release a free multiplayer add-on called *Legends* in 2026. This is based on the co-op mode in *Ghost of Tsushima*, giving players new ways to play together in the *Ghost* world. It shows that the studio wants to keep supporting its fans and trying out new things.
Looking further down the road, people are wondering if Sucker Punch will keep making *Ghost* games or try something totally new. With Connell and Bentley in charge, they're in a good spot to keep making great games with both good stories and amazing tech.
**How This Fits Into the Bigger Picture**
When a big studio like Sucker Punch changes leaders, it makes you wonder what will happen next. But in this case, it seems like the change is being handled carefully, with people who already know the studio taking over. This is different from other changes in the industry, where things can get messy and take longer than expected.
It also shows what PlayStation is focusing on right now. Sony wants games that tell great stories and look stunning, and they think Connell and Bentley will keep Sucker Punch in line with that goal.
**Fleming's Time There: The Big Picture**
Brian Fleming leaving is the end of a long run, but it's not a bad thing. It's actually pretty rare for someone to stay in charge of a studio for almost 30 years, guiding games from the very beginning to worldwide success. Fleming has definitely made a mark on PlayStation, and his departure is seen as a good thing, with him passing the torch to people who can keep the studio going strong.
The message to the fans is pretty clear: Sucker Punch will still be making awesome games with great characters and stories. The leaders may be new, but the spirit of the studio is still there.
10.Adobe Firefly Adds Prompt-Based Video Editing and Expands Third-Party Model Support
Adobe's got something pretty neat cooking up for its Firefly AI video thing, probably around the end of 2025. The big news? They're throwing in a video editor that lets you tweak your videos by just typing what you want to change. Think of it like telling your video to be different, and it listens! Also, they're opening up Firefly to AI models from other companies for both photos and videos. Adobe seems serious about keeping Firefly a go-to for AI creativity. It feels there is definitely a sprint to get these tools out there, right?
**From Just Making Videos to Actually Editing Them**
Before this, Firefly was pretty much just a text-to-video machine. You'd type in what you wanted, and it would spit out a short clip. The problem? If something was off, you basically had to start over. Super annoying, especially if it was just one tiny thing you needed to fix.
But guess what? The new editor cancels all that noise! You can use text commands to change stuff like the colors, objects in the scene, and angles without starting again. Want a cloudier sky? Or a slight zoom? Just tell it. These little tweaks make it way more useful for serious projects where you need everything just right.
Adobe’s thrown in a timeline so you can play around with frames, sound, and other things with more control. It’s kind of like regular video editing software, but with an AI buddy.
**Bringing In Different AI Models**
With this thing, Firefly can play around with AI models from other companies. Adobe is using Runway's Aleph model to sort out detailed editing requests. Plus, Firefly Video, can do cool things like copying camera tricks. Just upload a frame and a video as a reference, and Firefly will copy that camera angle through your work.
But the cool stuff doesn't end there! Adobe’s adding Topaz Labs' Astra, which is really good at making videos sharper. It can step up videos by boosting the resolution to 1080p and even 4K. Also, Black Forest Labs' FLUX.2 image tool is coming to Firefly and will be in Adobe Express next month.
The idea is that Firefly becomes like a headquarters where you can get to lots of different AI tools without jumping around.
**Making Teamwork Easier**
They've also added team boards to make working together easier. These boards let people share stuff and work together on projects right in Firefly. This could help teams have an easier design work, faster feedback, and things just flowing better.
**Why Check it out**
Adobe wants to have folks excited about the new stuff, so they're giving out loads of image and video making to people who pay for Firefly Pro, Firefly Premium, and their bigger plans until mid-January. So, everyone can test out the new stuff without stressing.
**What Happened this Year**
All this happened after a busy year for Firefly. Back in February, Adobe started a subscription to give people access to making photos and videos. They then started a Firefly website and phone apps so more people could use it outside of Creative Cloud. Plus, they’ve been welcoming those outside models, which shows they want to be open-minded.
You know, some companies mainly think about their own models, but Adobe seems to be thinking: Let's use the best tools, no matter who made them.
**Staying Relevant**
Adobe's working on this at a really important time. Companies like Runway, Stability AI, OpenAI, are doing their best to put out models for making images and videos. Adobe wants to stay popular, so they want people to use Firefly by improving editing and using outside tools.
Those editing tools are pretty important. AI video has gotten some noise because you don't have enough control. You might get great-looking clips, but getting it *just right* can be tough. Firefly’s new editor fixes that, letting you make changes without starting over.
**What It Means for Creators**
If you're a pro, Firefly might become a real choice for actual work projects. The ability to raise to 4K, change camera angles, and work together on boards makes sense for what the industry needs. If you just make things for fun, the simpler, prompt-based editing makes doing advanced video stuff simpler.
Using too many different models can be confusing. If you want amazing work, you might have to learn what each model is good at. Adobe needs to keep things simple, instead of feeling like different parts.
**Okay, What's Next?**
Adobe's goals are clear: they are on the path of being a huge name in AI creation with this new model support and a new cool editor. They're also open to outside models and willing to be handy. So, instead of trying to do it all themselves, they’re making a way to reach great tools.
AI is always changing creative work so the changes to Firefly show how AI is going from new to something simple to use. Adobe's basic plan: Make sure Firefly is important for creative people, and not something cool that ends up not being used.
11.Larian CEO Claims Divinity Will Surpass Baldur’s Gate 3 in Every Way
You know Larian Studios, right? The guys who made Baldur's Gate 3? They just did something crazy at The Game Awards 2025. Remember that strange statue Geoff Keighley kept showing off? Turns out it was a hint about their next game: they're going back to the world of Divinity!
After Baldur's Gate 3 blew up, everyone was wondering what Larian would do next. The internet was full of guesses. GameSpot actually got to talk to Swen Vincke and Adam Smith, the main guys in charge, about where they're headed next.
**A Change in Direction**
You won't believe this, but Divinity wasn't the first thing they wanted to do after Baldur's Gate 3. Smith said they thought about doing more stuff with D&D for a while. We were first trying to make more D&D stuff, Smith said. But we got to a spot where we just weren't that interested anymore. We really want to make games that we really care about, so we decided to bring back Divinity.
This change meant they had to start from scratch with the whole Divinity world. Rivellon, where the older Divinity games are set, was already there, but Larian had to figure out all the details, like the rules and the history. Vincke said it was really important to have a good base for everything, especially after what they learned from Baldur's Gate 3. We need to know simple things, like the days of the week and what people eat and wear. We needed to figure out every small detail. The team is calling it the Divinity Universe.
**Gameplay: It's All About What You Pick**
Divinity and Baldur's Gate 3 are both fantasy games with magic, different races, and huge worlds, but Vincke wants people to know that this game will be different. The main thing is that the player is in charge of everything, from how they build their character to what kind of person they are, and of course, the story and the choices they make.
The short video they showed at The Game Awards had a darker tone, and Vincke said that's right. Players will get to decide if they want to bring light to the darkness, or go all the way and be evil. We want players to be shocked by how much power they have to do what they want.
Smith also said they'd rather just show the game than make a big deal about it too soon. “You probably know what kind of games we make, so you have some idea of what to expect. Just wait until we are ready to show you”
**Something for Everyone to Enjoy**
Baldur's Gate 3 got a lot of people into Larian's style of RPGs, so Divinity will probably be the first Divinity game for a lot of players. Vincke said that it'll be easy for new players to get into. Even if you've never played Divinity before, you should be able to follow the story.
He said they did something similar with Baldur's Gate 3, connecting it to the older games without making new players confused. Divinity: Original Sin and Original Sin 2 sold over 10 million copies together, so Larian is ready for the old fans, and all the new people who started playing after Baldur's Gate 3 was successful.
**Pressure and a Chance to Shine**
Since Baldur's Gate 3 was such a big hit, everyone's hoping Divinity will be just as good. Smith said they aren't trying to beat what they already did. The team feels like there's still plenty of room to do new things in the RPG space. He gave Clair Obscur, a new RPG, as a good example of Studios doing well with their own games and ideas. “They had a cool thing they were going for, and they did it spot-on.
Vincke is pretty sure that Divinity will be better than BG3. “The game will get better in every way, in my opinion, he said. He also said that one of the hardest parts of making BG3 was turning Dungeons & Dragons into a video game and making sure each class felt special. “It was hard to make sure people understood how the game worked. I am shocked that it turned out as good as it did. When you see us create something from zero, it will be better
**What You Should Do Now?**
If you want to go to Rivellon while you wait for the new game, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is now on console. It is a great to get into the series while you are waiting for the new game.
12.Hands-On Review: Chirp Halo Wireless Muscle Stimulator
**Chirp Halo Wireless Muscle Stimulator: Your Pocket-Sized Pain Reliever**
Juggling work, family, and trying to stay healthy? It's tough. Everyone's searching for easier ways to feel better without going broke. The Chirp Halo Wireless Muscle Stimulator could be worth a look. Think of it as having a little bit of a therapist at home when you need one. Instead of mechanical stuff, the Halo uses tiny electrical pulses to bring relief to achy, tired-out muscles. It works with two types of therapy – EMS (that's electronic muscle stimulation) and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) – Chirp designed it to ease discomfort and help you get back to doing what is important faster.
**What’s in the Box? Let’s Take a Look**
The Halo kit has a nice package. It seriously feels like a mini physical therapy setup you can bring anywhere. You get two cute little wireless devices, kind of like small round disks, which they call pucks (a bit of a cute name to be certain). You also get eight reusable sticky pads, a pair of extension wires for those hard-to-reach areas, a charging remote, and a solid case to keep everything stored neatly. The case also doubles as a charging station for both the pucks and remote. That's a really nice touch.
The usual selling price for the Halo sits around \$200. You can find it on Chirp's webpage, or places like Amazon and Best Buy. It's not super overpriced, but it might be a bit of a cost decision. But, you need to think about the expense of going to a clinic multiple times for EMS or TENS. Those types of visits are normally \$75 to \$150 *every time*. So, after you use the Halo just a few times, it pretty much pays for itself.
**Super Simple to Use: Programs and Modes**
Using the Halo is really straightforward. You just stick the pucks onto the magnetic pads – they snap right together. Then, stick the pads on your body where you're experiencing the pain, do the bluetooth pairing of the remote, and you're set! From there, you get six different settings to pick from:
* **Pain Relief:** This feels kind of like a light, soothing massage. It uses both TENS and EMS to chill out those achy muscles.
* **Massage:** This uses light tapping with TENS only. Consider it like a spa day, but for those troublesome spots.
* **Squeeze:** This setting switches back and forth between EMS and TENS to mimic a squeezing effect. The idea is to encourage better movement of the blood.
* **Thump:** With this one you get slower, consistent pulses of EMS. You know when you have to deal with those really sore situations? This setting is nice deep message.
* **Stretch:** This uses constant TENS with mixed patterns. Supposedly this helps to relieve tension overall.
* **Woah Nelly:** This is the setting to go to when getting used to everything. It goes from sofest light tapping (EMS) before eventually kicking up stronger pulses.
Each setting runs for twenty minutes by default. You can always stop it sooner if you want. There are intensity settings from 1 to 10, so you can bump it down, or up, whatever fits those aches. People really like the Pain Relief mode. That steady rhythm is gentle and feels very relaxing.
**Portability: Take the Thing Everywhere**
One of the best parts about the Halo is, there are seriously *no* wires! You're not stuck plugged into the wall. Traditional pro setups come with a bunch of wires that make it tough to get around. So the Halo allows you to move around while you're using it. The pucks are fairly small, so you can secretly wear them under clothing. Perfect for traveling.
The case is bigger than your wallet, but not by much. It is also very lightweight. You can drop it into your bag. Great for work, for being out on the road, or just if you're a couch lounger like me.
**Charging and Connectivity Details**
Charging doesn't take long, even with everything in the packaging. A short 20 minutes of charging is enough to bring a half-hour of usefulness. A full charge can last upwards to six hours. The case also charges everything simulataneously, that is a huge bonus.
From a technical aspect, it's not overly complicated, either. No mountains of apps, no accounts to think of, and no confusing setups. As soon as the remote is paired to the Halo, everything becomes seamless. Chirp has an optional app includes guidelines, ordering for pads (if needed), and how to videos. It's not absolutely necessary. However, if you would like it; it is there.
**Guidance and Support**
If you're not really well-versed with EMS and TENS, don't stress! Chirp provides you with super clean instructions, whether on their webpage or in the app. They walk you through where to put the pads, what settings to use, and how to get the most you can out of this thing. Those of you who have never used this type of product will likely find this very helpful when using it safely.
The app comes with extra stuff. Like, recovery practices and even pads that are built for cramps that you may experience!
**Does the device work?**
If you're dealing with something like joint pain, or you're just dealing with sore muscle; this could prove to be extremely helpful. Consistent use, but specifically after working out, can aid in keeping the amount of inflammation down and relaxing both the joints and the muscles. It's no end all type device, but it can add some value.
Many people have said they wake up with a lesser amount of pain and move all day long better.
**Minor Complaints**
Nobody is perfect! The pads you might need could probably need to be replaced quicker than the estimates previously explained. Think 10 to 15 usages before replacements may need to occur. Replacement Pad may cost a pretty penny in the long run.
Be careful that the Halo might not have the same strength nor precision as equipment you would find at clinics. Those are strong and more customized to patients overall. Chirp might not give a similar effect to the treatments that a doctor could provide.
You might have to prepare for some unusual sensations in terms of electricity pulsing. Be used to some slight shocks that happen. After experimenting a little, it is very easy to adjust.
**What the Pros Say**
Doctors explain that when using EMS and TENS the right way, it is safe and helpful. EMS will cause those tensed spots to contract. This will add a better movement of blood. TENS will attack tensed nerves to block signals of pain trying to get through. Both are also normal for physical therapies.
If you have a pacemaker in place, you should avoid this device. Before you start adding therapy to your regimen, be sure that you are completely open with a doctor.
**Last Words**
The Chirp Halo Wireless Muscle Stimulator is great for in-home EMS and TENS. The price is good, along with all the varied options, and the overall portability of the device. The overall soreness or pain can finally be assisted.
The Halo will not compete with professional medicine, but it's beneficial and will fit in an overall manageable lifestyle. Someone that has arthritis, athletes, or other people that were hurt due to regular muscle pain could make a plan including the Chirp Halo for their assistance. By the way, HSA and FSA are normally accepted.
13.Space Force Uses Trading Card Format to Announce Satellite War Names
***
**The Space Force is Making Satellites More Interesting with…Trading Cards?**
Let's face it, most of us don't really *get* what the Space Force *does*. You see Air Force jets all the time, and Navy ships are pretty hard to miss. But the Space Force? Most of the time, they're probably sitting in front of computer screens, watching…satellites. It is not super thrilling to consider, okay?
So, the Space Force – you know, the branch that started up in 2019 to defend U.S. stuff in space – is trying to make those satellites seem a little more…real. They've got a plan that's kind of wild: think collectible trading cards! Yeah, the sort you'd expect for Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon.
**Turning Numbers and Letters into Actual Names**
Before, satellites had names only engineers could love – all those strings of letters and numbers. A satellite used for attack stuff might start with A-something, and one hanging near Earth might be L-whatever. Fine, those names worked, but they weren't exactly inspiring. They're nothing like those fighter jet names – F-15 Eagle or F-22 Raptor – that just scream power.
Their top leader, Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, understands this. Back in October 2024, he started a way for the members of the Space Force to suggest names. The goal? To give satellites a bit of personality, like how Army helicopters get neat Native American names (Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook). I mean, everyone likes a helicopter name that reminds them of an action film.
**Seven Ways of Thinking About Space Names**
The Space Force came up with seven methods, depending on what the satellite does:
* **Orbit Fighters:** Satellites up there in space fights? They get Norse mythology names – war gods and heroes.
* **Signal Blockers:** If it messes with electronic signals, it gets a snake name. The idea? Sneaky.
* **Cyber Warriors:** For cyber warfare satellites, it's mythology again, since cyberspace is mysterious.
* **Navigation Helpers:** These satellites are named after sharks, which are great at moving in the water. Think Jaws, but in space.
* **Signal Senders:** Communication satellites get star cluster names, linking talking with the stars.
* **Missile Notifiers:** Satellites notifying about incoming missiles get sentinel names – guards watching over something.
* **Space Trackers:** Satellites tracking stuff in space get ghost names, because they're keeping watch without being seen.
Hopefully, this helps Space Force members feel a better, more feeling-related, to the satellites, turning boring names into symbols that mean something.
**Trading Cards: Who Saw That Coming?**
Here's the crazy part: They didn't just put out a boring statement. They shared the names with trading cards that look like collectibles! Each card has art, keywords, and a description, making the satellites seem almost like characters from a game. This is a very crazy way of doing things.
The idea is simple: Card games rely on people, stories, and individuals getting involved. By showing satellites that way, the Space Force hopes to see its team excited. It's about getting them involved, rather than only looking at numbers. The cards almost show the satellites having personality and skills.
**Names Matter: More Than You Think**
Names matter, especially in the military. A fighter jet like the Raptor sounds scary. An Apache helicopter makes you feel like it can take a beating. Names help people feel good about the equipment they use, and it touches how the public thinks, too. It means a lot to feel satisfied by the things you use in your trade.
Satellites are important for the Space Force. They with a lot: communications, watching, directing, and keeping things safe and protection. They don't have the flashy look of jets or ships. So, the Space Force wants to give satellites names from stories, like gods, monsters, and other figures. They hope people will feel like they're not just watching robots, but handling characters in space.
**Getting to Culture and Identity**
The names connect to things people already know. Norse gods (Odin, Thor) are strong and wise. Snakes are sneaky. Sharks are good hunters. Ghosts let you know there is someone watching, even if you can't see them. These things have meaning in different cultures, giving members a method of seeing their work as outside of just the technical stuff.
A name can show that satellites are useful. Satellites for communication named after stars may tell others that we're connected to each other. Satellites that tell about missiles and are named protectors show that it's important to keep an eye out. Each name matches the satellite's job.
**How People Responded**
The card reveal got folks joking. Some are making fun of using satellites like game cards, but the Space Force is trying to be serious. They want a team feel in a zone that's still fairly new. The cards are one method of alerting members to what they do, securing and going over space territory. It's supposed to bring their attention to their main job of protecting the space territory.
Using trading cards shows the Space Force is willing to try fresh ways of messaging. It's using stuff that's well-liked by younger people – trading cards, games – to get its point across, showing that they get their personnel. Even using new age things, such as meme talk may be an avenue they try one day.
**Shaping the Space Force for the Future**
The naming plan will help shape the Space Force as it grows. Symbols, images, and names help feel good, make traditions, and make meaning. The trading card idea may seem a bit silly, but it shows they're serious about seeing Space Force members have a sense of joy with their tools and their role.
Satellites might not be as thunderous as jets or hover, but with their mythological names (and shown as cards in a space kit), they're part of securing and keeping watch in space.
14.Google Replaces Pixel Launcher Search With Less Popular Alternative
## The Pixel Search Bar: Did Google Just Mess It Up?
For ages, a genuinely cool thing about having a Pixel phone was the search bar right there on the home screen. It wasn't flashy, but it was super useful! You could quickly find stuff online, sure, but also tweak your settings, call up contacts, launch apps, and grab other info right from your phone. It was fast, didn't hog the whole screen, and just felt... Pixel-y.
But, starting with the November 2025 update, things changed. Now, when you tap that search bar, you get the regular Google app search – the same one everyone else has on their Android. At first, people thought it was a glitch, but Google confirmed it was on purpose. They're trying to jam their AI Mode deeper into everything Pixel.
### From Super Handy to Web-Obsessed
The old Pixel search was awesome because it was practical. Need to switch on Wi-Fi? Type Wi-Fi, and boom, there it is. Want to call your mom? Just type her name. Can't find that one app you downloaded? The search bar would dig it up instantly.
The new Google search? It's all about the web. It takes over your entire screen, puts web searches first, and buries the stuff on your phone. Yes, it'll still find apps and some local things, but it just doesn't feel as smooth or integrated. For Pixel fans who loved that quick search bar, it's a real bummer.
### Why Google Did It
Google says this is all part of an improved home screen search bar in the November update. They claim it's supposed to make AI Mode easier to get to from the home screen. They say you can quickly start and continue AI Mode stuff, search the web more thoroughly, and see more suggested apps at the top.
So, they're not thinking of the search bar as a handy phone tool anymore. It's now a doorway to Google's AI stuff. They want things flowing between web searches and phone use with AI Mode connecting it all.
### What We Lost
A lot of people feel like this makes things worse. The Pixel search was special. It did things other Android phones didn't. By swapping it out for the normal Google search, Google's gotten rid of one thing that made Pixels different.
The new search fills the whole screen, which some people might not mind. But it's still more annoying than the way the old search popped up quickly. The big thing is, because AI Mode is the priority, finding stuff on your phone – the thing that made the search bar so great – is now harder.
### People Are Annoyed
Pixel owners are complaining all over the internet. They're saying that while AI Mode might be cool, it shouldn't make basic stuff harder to do. Many think Google could have added AI Mode to the old search bar without getting rid of what made it so useful in the first place. It feels like they're pushing AI whether people want it or not, even if it makes the phone worse to use.
This shows what happens when companies are too eager to show off AI. People usually care more about things working well and being easy to use than having the newest tech. For Pixel fans, the search bar was a simple tool that made everyday stuff easier. Losing that feels like going backward.
### How It Compares
The new search is just like the one on any other Android phone. Maybe Google's doing this to make things easier for themselves or to make sure everything's the same everywhere. But it also makes Pixels feel less unique.
Pixels have always been sold as the best example of what Google wants Android to be, with cool features like Call Screen, Recorder, and that old search bar. By removing one of those unique things, Google might make Pixels feel less special, especially for people who know their way around phones.
### What Happens Next?
Pixel users are hoping Google will either bring back the old search or make the Google app search work as well as the old one did. That means making it easy to find settings, contacts, and apps while still having AI Mode.
We'll see if Google listens. They've changed features before, and sometimes they bring back the ones people don't like. But they also tend to focus on their big plans – like getting everyone to use AI – even if it makes users unhappy.
### The Big Picture
This change shows how important AI is becoming in technology. Google thinks AI Mode will be how people use their phones, helping them search, find suggestions, and try new stuff. The Pixel search bar is becoming a way to get to that future.
But the lesson here might be that AI should make things better, not replace them. People want smarter tools, but they also want things to be easy to use. If you take away useful features for the sake of AI, you might annoy the people you're trying to get excited.
### In Conclusion
The Pixel search bar was a simple but great feature that showed what Pixels were all about: easy, useful, and uniquely Google. Replacing it with the Google app search feels like a step back, putting AI Mode ahead of making things easy to do every day.
For now, Pixel users have to get used to the new search, but the complaints suggest Google might need to rethink things. If AI Mode is going to work, it has to work with the simple tools that make phones easy to use, not get rid of them. Otherwise, that improved search bar might not feel very improved at all, and people will miss the way things used to be.
16.The 50 Most Loved Games of 2025, According to Game Informer Readers
**Game Informer Readers Sound Off on Their Favorite Games of 2025**
Man, 2025 was something else for games, wasn't it? It seemed like every week there was some exciting game dropping. It was way more than just sequels we'd been expecting for ages (we all know the ones!), but also totally original stuff that just blew our minds. We gamers were spoiled rotten that year! Like, these games weren't just time-killers; they really pushed the envelope. The stories got super deep, the gameplay was pretty innovative, and some of them were so visually stunning it was unreal. It was just a flat-out blast to be gaming!
So, as with any group, everyone had their own opinions on what the best stuff was. Game Informer, wanted to get a sense of what people were really into. They asked their peeps to send in their personal top five games and just took it from there. They used a point system to sort out the rankings. Each pick got points, they added things up, and bam! It was a great way of checking out of what people were playing. Obviously, there was all kind of opinions out there but a couple of games were getting a way bunch of props!
And check this out: 73% of voters put Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in their top five! That's HUGE, right? Definite Game of the Year stuff. So, we're gonna name-drop the top 10 here, also a couple good ones from the top 50. Let's think about what these picks tell us about the gaming world at large. What was a hit, what didn't hit, and kinda what's going on, you feel me?
**The Heavy Hitters: Top 10 Games of 2025**
1. **Clair Obscur: Expedition 33:** This RPG killed it! The spooky vibe, the awesome battles that were pretty fresh, and a story that tugged at the heartstrings. The size of the win shows that if any game is good people will play this; lots of games do come out all the time.
2. **Kingdom Come: Deliverance II:** This one showed up early (February). Did what the first one did really well – the gritty, historical feel – and totally upped the ante this time. Anyone who wanted an RPG with a weight to it, played it for months!
3. **Hades II:** Supergiant worked their magic again! Another roguelike that's just as amazing as the first. It showed up in September, it had new mythology, and fresh weapons plus the new gods thing. In all honesty, it might be too good.
4. **Hollow Knight: Silksong:** Team Cherry launched this in September after ages of waiting. The level designs were pretty detailed, the map was huge and amazing, so it was worth waiting for. It was totally impressive. Honestly, it has parts you could explore.
5. **Ghost of Yōtei:** Sucker Punch, the same folks who made Ghost of Tsushima, made a game set in Japanese history. When it came out in October, people were saying the story was immersive and the controls are smooth.
6. **Donkey Kong Bananza:** Nintendo gave Donkey Kong a comeback in July with this colorful and wild game. They had some old-school elements mixed in with new stuff, which made it enjoyable for the family. Simple enough for everyone to play.
7. **Death Stranding 2: On The Beach:** Hideo Kojima’s game showed up in June, and just like you'd expect, it's weird, artistic, and has lots to think about. Some people liked that complex story elements and the different artistic direction. Beaches are important.
8. **Dispatch:** This indie thriller came out in October, and the story kept people glued to it. It goes to show that the smaller shops can crank out killer games, even up against the giants. Don't sleep on the underdog.
9. **Blue Prince:** This puzzle game showed up in April (Mac version came later) and had a sweet art style that caught peoples eyes. Being cool and playing well works.
10. **ARC Raiders:** Dropped in October from Embark Studios, and it's a game to play with friends in a sci-fi universe. Good battles with the homies gave it a spot in the top 10. Hanging with friends helps.
**Hidden Gems: Great Games From the Rest of the Top 50**
Beyond the top 10, the full list showed off all kinds of game styles, just showed the choice we had in 2025:
* *Split Fiction (#11):* A story game that changed a lot depending on how you played. Player paths are different.
* *Silent Hill f (#14):* Konami did the horror thing again with a scary game that put people on edge.
* *Doom: The Dark Ages (#15):* Medieval Doom. Knights with shotguns? Yes, please!
* *Pokémon Legends: Z‑A (#20):* Nintendo's shot at open-world Pokemon. The world is big.
* *Elden Ring: Nightreign (#23):* FromSoftware made new bosses and locations. Still pretty hard!
* *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (#22):* A classic hit and people are playing it again. Reminds you of stuff.
* *South of Midnight (#30):* It had folk lore mixed with action parts.
* *Dragon Quest I & II HD‑2D Remake (#37):* Square Enix put older games with fresh art. Old stuff can be cool.
* *Ninja Gaiden 4 (#40):* The classic action game got a revival.
* *Sword of the Sea (#42):* The Journey studio put out another relaxing game about surfing. It feels good.
**Peeking into the Future: What These Choices Tell Us About Gaming in 2025**
The Game Informer votes say something about what went well in 2025:
* *New Games Can Blow Up:* Clair Obscur wins because the crowd wants new IP.
* *Sequels Have to be well done, if they're doing to work well:* Hades II and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II did it right. Don't make the same old thing with a fresh coat.
* *Indie Games Still Matter:* Dispatch and Blue Prince indicate a great small game can get attention.
* *People Don't Want the Classics to End:* Old remakes can mean a lot, Oblivion and Dragon Quest are good examples.
**Some Final Words**
2025 was pretty cool. Gamers had a lot of titles to play. Clair Obscur won, but we saw strong support for RPGs, indies, and remakes as well. What we can say is that the gaming world is cool. There is a lot of avenues to unwind and have a good time playing. Games today helps us calm down from a tough day.
Hopefully 2026 brings the goods also. Considering how awesome 2025 was, there is reason to feel that it will be well done!
17.Perplexity Revamps iPad App With Enhanced Research Tools
Perplexity just released a new iPad app, and it seems like they're really trying to get students and working people to use it. If you're always carrying your iPad to school, work, whatever, you might want to take a look. This new version might even convince some people to pay for a membership because a lot of students and professionals now use iPads to do homework and their jobs.
### A Real iPad App
The old Perplexity iPad app? It was basically the iPhone app, but bigger. It was alright, but it never felt quite right. This new one is much better. They put in a bigger sidebar that works well on the iPad, and it looks nicer overall. It should be easier to switch between different apps, which means you can really get into your research without getting tired.
Another cool thing is that the split screen works well! You can keep Perplexity open next to your other apps, like your note-taking app, document editor, or even a video chat. For students rushing to finish assignments and professionals trying to meet deadlines, this update can save time and work.
### Better Research
The main aim of this update is to improve Perplexity for research. Unlike other search engines that keep you guessing, Perplexity shows you where its information comes from. This is great if you're a student or professional who wants to make sure their information is correct. Perplexity says that its research mode uses way more sources than a normal search, so you can check everything and see if their AI is telling the truth.
If you're writing papers, finding facts, or making reports, this is helpful. Perplexity wants to be more than just a regular search engine. They want to create a special AI assistant just for research.
### How They Get Paid
Here’s the thing: the research mode in Perplexity's free version isn’t that good. To get the full benefits and features, you have to pay. It looks like that this iPad update is a sign that Perplexity is planning to get people to pay by offering better premium features. If you’re working in school or at home and need good sources and research tools, the subscription could be worth it.
Most companies realize they can charge for great features instead of giving everything away. By charging for better research, Perplexity can try to build a profitable company and be unique.
### Beyond Computers
This iPad update suggests that Perplexity is thinking bigger than just desktop computers. They released Comet, their AI browser not long ago. They wanted to make a phone version, but it hasn't happened yet. They want Perplexity everywhere: phones, tablets, browsers—the works!
Using Perplexity on all sorts of devices is useful for schools and workplaces. People use tablets for reading and notes, phones for quick fact-checking, and computers for writing and analyzing data. If Perplexity’s app works well on every device, it could become a really important tool for everyone.
### Why the iPad Matters
iPads are easy to carry around in comparison to laptops, but possess greater functionality than phones. A lot of students, teachers, and office workers use them a lot. With features like the Apple Pencil, good multitasking, and lots of apps, the iPad can be used for everything from taking notes to doing research to working on creative projects.
Perplexity made its app work better with iPadOS. The larger sidebar and split-screen weren’t added just for show; they make a lot of sense for how people use tablets. Users can save time by opening Perplexity and other apps side-by-side.
### How it Compares
AI search and research is getting more popular, Perplexity is releasing this update. Big companies like Google and Microsoft are putting AI into their search engines, and new companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are creating AI helpers for research. Perplexity wants to be different through specifying its information sources, so it's important you are aware as a student.
The better look and performance of the iPad app improves this even further. These updates could give Perplexity an advantage in a field where trust is important.
### Downsides
Perplexity still has some challenges. It’s hard to get people to subscribe to things, since there are so many free AI tools available. Perplexity needs to show that its research tools are worth the money.
There is a certain population that is concerned about the lack of a phone app. If Perplexity wants to be everywhere, they need to release more updates and fix any problems.
### To Sum Up
Perplexity’s iPad strategy is set to position itself not just as a search engine, but a tool for anyone doing any form of educational studying. Working well with iPads, pointing out sources, and refining subscription levels might help it with students and professionals.
18.Apple Plans Two Strategies to Increase iPhone Air 2 Popularity
**Is Apple Reworking the iPhone Air? Here’s What We Might See**
Apple always tries to mix cool new stuff, great design, and where their phones fit in the market. But sometimes it doesn't quite go as planned. Take the iPhone Air. It was supposed to be this super-thin alternative to the regular iPhone 17, but it didn't really catch on. Now, it looks like Apple's trying again. According to some news from The Information, they're working on an iPhone Air 2 that might fix what was wrong with the first one. Word is, we might see it around spring 2027, and it could have a better camera and a cheaper price tag.
**So, What Was Wrong With the First iPhone Air?**
When the first iPhone Air came out, everyone noticed how skinny it was. Apple was pushing it as their thinnest phone ever. But to make it so thin, they had to cut some corners:
* **Just one camera on the back:** It had a single 48-megapixel camera that could zoom in 2x, but you couldn't do as much with it as phones with multiple lenses.
* **Only one speaker:** The sound wasn't as good as on other iPhones.
* **Not-so-great battery:** Because it was so thin, the battery wasn't very big, so it didn't last as long as the iPhone 17 or 17 Pro.
* **Expensive:** It cost $999, which was similar to iPhones that could do more. So, it was hard to justify getting the Air.
Because of all that, the iPhone Air wasn't super popular. People are saying that Apple's suppliers have made fewer of them because not as many people wanted them compared to the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro.
**What's Different With the iPhone Air 2?**
The Information says Apple’s thinking about two main things to make the iPhone Air 2 more appealing:
* **Adding a second camera:** This would fix one of the biggest complaints about the first Air. The extra camera is expected to take ultra-wide shots, so you could capture more in your photos. It would work with the existing 48-megapixel camera.
* **Lowering the price:** Apple might make the Air 2 cheaper. We don't know exactly how much yet, but it would help separate it from the iPhone 17 and get more people interested. A lower price could grab people who like the slim design but didn't want to pay a lot for the first one.
**Why Bother Making These Changes?**
The iPhone Air started as a way for Apple to show off how they could make a super-thin phone. But people made it clear: they want their phones to look good *and* do a lot.
Adding a second camera shows that Apple knows how important phone cameras are. Even cheaper phones these days have multiple lenses, so the single camera on the first Air felt outdated.
And by lowering the price, they could make the Air a more affordable option. Instead of trying to compete with the fancier Pro models, it could be for people who care about design but still want a good phone.
**What's Going On in the Phone World?**
Apple's working on some big stuff. There are rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro might have the Face ID hidden under the screen and the front camera moved somewhere else. They might also be working on an iPhone that folds. So, the Air 2 is a smaller change, but it could still be important.
The phone market is changing too. People are keeping their phones longer, and they're not as willing to spend money on something that's only a little better than what they already have. If Apple fixes what was wrong with the Air and makes it cheaper, they might be able to find a place for it.
**What Could Still Be Tricky?**
Even with the changes, the iPhone Air 2 could face some challenges:
* **Battery life:** Unless Apple can find a way to make the battery bigger without making the phone thicker, it might still not last very long.
* **Missing features:** The Air probably won't have all the fancy features of the Pro models, so people might still wonder if it's worth it.
* **Bad first impression:** Some people might not be interested because the first Air wasn't great, even if the new one is better.
Apple will have to be smart about how they sell the Air 2, focusing on its cool design, how easy it is to carry, and the better camera. They'll need to make sure the things it's missing aren't too noticeable.
**What's Next?**
If Apple does it right, the iPhone Air 2 could go from being not-so-great to something people actually want. The two cameras and lower price would help, and the super-thin design would still make it stand out.
We're expecting to see the Air 2 in spring 2027, along with updates to iOS 26 and other new tech. It might finally be the mix of style and usefulness that the first Air was missing.
**The Bottom Line**
The iPhone Air 2 is Apple's attempt to fix something that didn't quite work. By adding a better camera and lowering the price, they're hoping to attract more people. It won't be easy, but the Air 2 could be a turning point for Apple's thinnest iPhone, showing that good-looking phones can also be practical.
We'll see in spring 2027 if the Air 2 can live up to the hype and if it can finally fit in alongside the iPhone 17 and 18 Pro.
19.Samsung May Reintroduce Variable Aperture Tech to Rival iPhone 18
Samsung might be bringing back a cool camera feature to compete with Apple's upcoming iPhone. Tech companies like Apple and Samsung always compete. They often tweak things, but sometimes come up with a real innovation. Remember that adjustable opening Samsung had on the Galaxy S9? It let more light get in when it was dark, and less when it was sunny. It was neat. Well, I heard they might bring it back as soon as 2026, maybe even as late as 2027. I think this is because Apple might add that adjustable opening to the iPhone 18 Pro.
People really think this is gonna transpire, like a more than 50% chance. But hey, it's still just a rumor. So let's look back at that Galaxy S9's camera can perform, see what information is out there, and think a bit what it mean for other phone cameras after that.
**Let's Go Back: The Galaxy S9's Adjustable Lens**
Okay, so the Galaxy S9 had a lens that could switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4. Changing the aperture is like changing the size of the pupil your eye to let amount of light in.
* **f/1.5 (Low Light):** When it was dark, the camera uses f/1.5. It lets in an amount of light, so your photos don't look bad in low light.
* **f/2.4 (Bright, Sunny Days):** When it was sunny, the camera switched to f/2.4. This blocks an amount of light, so your photos aren't too bright, and look fine.
It wasn't that common on phones, which made it pretty unique, it gave you new choice. But then Samsung stopped using it after the Galaxy S20. Maybe people didn't take care.
**Next Up: The iPhone 18?**
Now, here's the news: the word out is that Apple might add this adjustable opening to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. But if Apple do this, they will likely add it to the pro phones first, just like with that tetraprism zoom lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It was okay, I guess. Other companies had already have zoom lenses though.
Apple usually waits to see how new ideas goes before they implement them. If the iPhone 18 Pro uses it, they could try to be the first even if Samsung had it the first time around.
**So, What's Samsung Planning?**
This person, Digital Chat Station, on Weibo. This person says that Samsung's thinking about the variable opening again because of the iPhone 18. They said Samsung could add it back to the Galaxy S27 Ultra, which would be out in 2027.
Others are saying the Galaxy S26 Ultra would have it, but plans might change. To compete with Apple, Samsung might wait and put it on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
**What's the Future?**
Cameras aren't the only thing going on of course. Hearing are saying that Apple's might make a foldable iPhone with a display. Samsung, who already sells folding phones (like the Galaxy Z Fold), is also think about the future too. The companies watch each other and want to come up with new idea.
**Why Should I Care About an Adjustable Opening?**
Okay, so why does an adjustable opening matter that much?
* **Good in the Dark**: Allows amount of light come in. So the dark photos will look fine
* **Good in Light**: Shuts out an amount of light in sun, so the picture will be great.
* **Good Creative:** It gives you an amount of ways to blur your background, it's the best!
The truth is that you'll get better photos, wherever you are. You won't need to change anything manually all the time.
**Is This Going to Happen?**
It looks look like there's a above 50% to about 65% that Samsung brings the adjustable opening back for these few reasons.
* Apple's might do it on the iPhone 18 Pro.
* Samsung already had it on the Galaxy S9.
* That Digital Chat Station guy says Samsung's trying it out.
Let me give you the catch, Samsung didn't continue to use the technology for some reason.
**What Does This Mean for Me?**
If Apple and Samsung both start using adjustable openings, phone cameras will take cooler photos. Everyone will get to take great pictures in different light and settings.
Samsung will probably be like, Hey, we did it first!. But who knows?
**Let's Sum It Up**
Okay, so here's the final news: The camera wars are about to get more interesting. With Apple likely adding an adjustable opening to the iPhone 18 Pro, and Samsung possibly putting it back on the Galaxy S27 Ultra, good phone cameras are coming soon.
Samsung probably don't want Apple to be the first in the next year to present new idea that they came up with a time a while ago. So, be on the lookout. Adjustable phone cameras could be coming back.
20.Google Tests AI Assistant Designed to Boost Email Productivity
**Google Tries Out Email AI Assistant – Called CC**
So, everyone's talking about AI. Lots of companies are trying to figure out how to make it useful for saving time and getting more done. Google's latest idea is CC, which is like having an AI assistant right inside your email. It's part of their Google Labs projects, so it's still pretty new. They want to see if they can slip AI into your everyday life without having to download yet another app or mess with a chatbot. They've got something cooking. It cuts to the chase.
**What Does CC Actually Do?**
CC's main thing is to give you a quick rundown of what's on your plate for the day, right in your inbox. They call it Your Day Ahead. It grabs info from your Google stuff – like Gmail, Drive, and Calendar – and puts it all together. It shows you your schedule, sums up your meetings, and points out any updates to your shared documents or emails. Imagine having someone who does the initial legwork of getting all your info sorted.
It's supposed to stop you from having to jump between a million different apps just to figure out what you need to do. If you're super busy, like a college student or someone with a demanding job, this could make it way simpler to stay on top of things.
**How Do You Talk to It? Just Send an Email!**
Most AI helpers have their own app or some kind of chat window. But CC is different. It lives in your email. You can just reply to the Your Day Ahead email or just send it a message when you want. You can ask it to:
* Add things to your to-do list.
* Learn what you like and don't like. The more you use it, the better it gets at helping you.
* Remember notes or brainstorms – so you don’t have to try to recall everything!
* Find info in your Google accounts. Like tracking down travel plans, or remembering who you met and what their job was.
This makes it feel less like a separate tool and more like something that's basically a part of your email. It fits right in with what you're already used to, and it's all happening on a platform you're already using every day. Google is probably hoping that because it's so familiar, more people will try it out and use it in their personal and business lives. It is something that most people will already use.
**Who Can Use It, and What's the Deal?**
For now, CC is only available in the US and Canada for people who pay for AI Pro or Ultra subscriptions, and you have to be 18 or older. It also only works with regular Google accounts, not the Workspace accounts a lot of businesses use.
That tells you it's still pretty early days. By starting with personal accounts, Google can get feedback without messing up businesses, and see if people even like having an AI assistant in their email. It’s like testing the waters.
**Is Anyone Else Doing Something Like This Already?**
Not really in the same way, no. There have been a few similar ideas where companies are using email-based solutions to sort things out.
* Mindy was an email assistant, but it changed to something for social media folks.
* Read AI and Fireflies take meeting notes and give you summaries. It's a killer for getting some of your time back. They’re not connected as part of email.
* Huxe is an audio application that does daily updates in podcast form, gathering data from email, calendar, and news. Former Google NotebookLM professionals developed it.
CC is unique because it works so well with Google, and it uses the processing abilities of the Gemini models. Grabbing info from Gmail, Drive, and Calendar is quick.
**Why Email, You Might Wonder?**
Email might seem a bit old-fashioned with all the new apps and chatbots around. But the fact is, everyone usually has an email. So, it makes things simple. It is accessible, and it is on most devices.
It is also a good way to keep messages. Email is searchable, and they are able to be forwarded on to others. So you can bring them up later.
**How Does Google Help Google?**
Launching CC helps Google in some ways:
* **Look at Gemini:** It puts Google's AI models right in front of people's faces every day.
* **Tests New Ideas:** CC sees if email can be a good means to send AI help, instead of only putting it inside of apps.
* **Pushes Subscriptions:** Google pushes subscriptions, in their service giving more reasons to go AI Pro and Ultra. Giving reasons to work with Google.
* **Starts with Consumers:** Testing with personal accounts lets Google sort out any problems without trying to involve more things. This will help ensure a smoother integration into business.
**What Problems Could There Be?**
CC has to take challenges:
* **Will People Want To Use It?:** Is it worthwhile to get daily briefs in your email?
* **Competition:** Others have similar attempts, so CC needs to offer something better.
* **Business Customers:** Bringing businesses on board hard if it can’t work with Workspaces.
* **Privacy:** People care about how their data is used, and how it is stored.
**To Sum it Up**
Google's CC is one step closer to AI helps. CC brings AI into email, keeping things easier for people who are busier.
Whether it will be there in person, or if it becomes an experiment, is up to others to try. If they like it, and if Google can get it into Workspace accounts. Either way, this is going to be a big change.
Sometimes innovation means you can stick with the familiar. Email is here to stay.
21.Analysts Predict Smartphone Market Contraction in 2026 Amid Price Hikes
**Smartphone Sales: Uh Oh, Trouble's Brewing for 2026**
Remember when it felt like smartphones were just going to keep selling more and more forever? Well, some new predictions are suggesting we might be headed for a slowdown. A recent report from Counterpoint Research says that worldwide smartphone sales might actually drop by about 2.1% in 2026.
That's a pretty big deal especially when loads of brands were figuring on things going up, not down. It sounds like most companies are bracing for selling less stuff than they thought they would. What's behind this? Seems like it's a bunch of stuff all hitting at once, like parts getting super expensive and people just not feeling the need to upgrade their phones all the time.
**Why are Phone Parts Suddenly So Pricey? Blame It on the AI Craze!**
One of the main reasons for the expected downturn is the rising cost of components, especially the chips and memory that make smartphones tick. The artificial intelligence industry is booming, and those AI systems need some serious processing power. Now, phone companies are now wrestling with AI server companies and huge server farms to grab the same components, like fast DRAM and NAND flash memory chips.
Because of this increased pressure, there are many shortages and companies are throwing money around to acquire important components. That increase flows down to the smartphones and they have to pass those costs on to their customers.
Counterpoint estimates that the cost of parts for cheap smartphones has popped by a whopping 20–30% since early 2025. And it is likely to get worse before is gets better. Memory prices could spike another 40% by mid-2026. If this happens, the total cost of putting together a new phone could be 8–15% higher than already. That pushes the cost off to consumers and lowers profits.
**So, What Does This Mean for How Much Phones Cost?**
Since it's costing more to make phones, prices are expected to get a little higher, too. The average selling price of a smartphone will probably go up by around 6.9% in 2026, says Counterpoint. Sure, some of it is the higher production costs. But it's also companies trying to save their profit margins.
This means not many choices for consumers, especially the super-cheap phones. The expensive phones might have a bit of wiggle room to handle these extra costs, but the budget phones will be hit hard because nobody wants to pay much for that.
**The Cheapest Phones Get Squeezed the Most**
According to Counterpoint, low-end smartphones are in for some big troubles. We are talking about phones that sell for less than $200. These are often the first phones people buy in developing countries. Unfortunately, the profits on these phones are already very slim.
If the cost of making one of these cheap phones jumps up by 20–30%, companies are going to be in a tough spot. It turns out they can jack up prices and risk losing their customer, or they can cut away from core features and lower quality. So in the short-term, smartphone adoption in poorer countries could slow down, and this could make that sales decline even worse.
**How Will Different Brands Do in These Hard Times?**
Most phone companies are going to have a hard time, but it's not all doom and gloom. It is predicting that some companies are positioned better than others:
* **Apple and Samsung:** These big players are probably in the best shape to weather the storm. They have seriously loyal customers, they sell the fancy expensive phones, and they can deal with the inflated expenses better than most of the smartphone companies. Nevertheless, Counterpoint still thinks that their sales are going to drop about 2% in the coming year.
* **Honor:** This Chinese brand might have the hardest time. It is predicted that their sales will go down by over 3%. They don't have the same kind of pricing power as Apple and Samsung have, and they focus on selling tons of mid-range phones.
* **Vivo and Oppo:** Going into the year, these brands expected to grow, but now it is expected they will see their sales decline. They are facing the same challenges as all of their competitors.
* **Xiaomi and Other Chinese Brands:** These companies are in a lot of the same boat. They don't really have room to deal with the increasing expenses like Apple and Samsung. They sell loads of phones in touchy countries with prices
**What Does It All Mean for the Future of Phones?**
The smartphone sales are showing some basic things about how phone world works:
* **Selling Expensive Stuff is Safer:** Brands that sell expensive phones, like Apple and Samsung, are protected from the effects of increasing the costs. People have been known to pay crazy money for top-end stuff.
* **Poorer Countries are Easily Effected:** Rising costs are predicted to put pressure on the populations of poorer countries. This could slow down the expansion of cell phone companies into new countries.
* **Having a Unique Design Still Matters** Phone companies are going to have to double down on innovation. Instead of trying to cram in more hardware, Companies need to focus on the design, software, and the general user experience.
* **The Chip Industry is Adapting:** AI is shaking up what's important to the chip industry. Phone companies are gonna to have to accept that they aren't the only industry competing for chips and they're going to compete with AI chips.
**People Are Holding onto Their Old Phones**
The other issue that is hurting the phone industry is that old phones still function. People are seeing old phones and keeping them for long periods. They keep them for often more than 40 months or more. Even though the new phones are fancier, people aren't clamoring to buy them. And when costs go up, people probably just save money.
Even smartphone use stays the same, it means there is a decline in sales. It's kind of a problem as phone companies always depend on people upgrading often.
**The Takeaway**
Counterpoint Research says global smartphone sales are predicted to decline by 2.1% in 2026. This sales decrease is mostly brought on by increasing costs of components. Additionally, high prices stop consumers from upgrading as often.
It is like consumers will need to pay more and consumers will have fewer choices. So, phone companies needs to be willing to make new product stand out. It's going to be hard to increase sales, and it might be hard moving foreword.
The smartphone sales world isn't the main focus for components. Rather, companies are competing in an ever-growing technological landscape, as AI continues to shake up the world of semiconductors
22.Bethesda Provides New Details on The Elder Scrolls VI Development
Everyone's been waiting for The Elder Scrolls VI to drop, right? I mean, they gave us that super short teaser back in 2018, and since then, Bethesda's been quiet as a mouse. People are seriously obsessing over this game, constantly going back to Skyrim and hoping they get a peek at what's next for Tamriel. Does anyone even really know when this thing is supposed to come out?
But recently, Game Informer did a story on Fallout, and guess what? Some people at Bethesda actually talked a little bit about how The Elder Scrolls VI is coming along. They weren't giving away a ton of info, but they did hint at what they're thinking about, the problems making games these days, and how pumped up they are about the whole deal. It gives us a little something to chew on.
Angela Browder, the Studio Director, explained how much the tech has changed since they last did an Elder Scrolls game. She said comparing Skyrim to what they can pull off now is just wild. Apparently things like how they render stuff, the actual computer stuff, and the tools they use to make games are way better than they used to be.
She said going back to the Elder Scrolls world feels amazing because they can do so much more now. Browder's hoping when people finally play The Elder Scrolls VI, they will see how much things have improved. She mentioned how different the first Oblivion is now, and that the new game will be another big advance.
Todd Howard, the head honcho over at Bethesda, was being all realistic about it. He said most of the studio is working on The Elder Scrolls VI right now, but they usually have other things in the works, too. Howard said they like to plan for a long time so they feel ready before they really dig in.
Howard knows that people want things to happen faster. He even said, We all want it to happen a little bit faster – or a lot faster – but it's a process that we want to get right. Sounds like Bethesda cares that the game is good.
Think about it: Skyrim became super popular not because they rushed it, but because it was interesting, let you do a lot, and lasted and lasted. Howard's words seem to hint that they're being very careful.
Emil Pagliarulo, the Studio Design Director spoke too, about trying to figure out what fans want with the difficulties of making a game. Pagliarulo knows people are eager for news, but he said the studio does not pressure themselves.
Pagliarulo compared making a game to cooking, asking Do they want the turkey that took a long time to bake to be great?” He's basically saying that big games like The Elder Scrolls VI take time. Bethesda needs to polish up up the game. He brought up Rockstar putting off Grand Theft Auto VI to make sure this game is great. He seemed sure that they want to do this project right
The Elder Scrolls games are pretty famous. Morrowind impressed people with it's strange land. Oblivion's story was better. Also, it was simpler. Skyrim? It was huge. Lots of people were playing it for ten years so far.
So, The Elder Scrolls VI has a lot to live up to. Gamers want new things, but they want that feeling in the past. They want to create their own character, and choose their story. It sounds like the team is figuring things out as they go. It sounds like they want the game to grab everyone's attention.
That could be why they have been quiet. Announcing things too soon may say too much, and updates use time to make the game . This way they can tell everyone when they are sure of things.
The top leaders have been saying the project is improving. Things are happening behind the scenes. We don't know exactly what that means, though.
With that said, Browder, Howard, and Pagliarulo have suggested all is going to plan with The Elder Scrolls VI. They're excited, the company is working on the project, and they are being very detailed.
Maybe fans are tired of waiting, but Bethesda wants folks to realize things will be alright. Like Skyrim, they are ready to show modern capabilities. It could take a bit, but Bethesda thinks things will be good.
23.Mozilla’s New CEO Pushes to Transform Firefox Into an AI Browser
Firefox is making a big play with AI and has a new head honcho to see it happen! They just tapped Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as their new CEO, and he's all about turning Firefox into an “AI browser.”
Basically, Mozilla thinks that if they don't jump into the AI pool, they're going to sink. But they also want to do it while staying true to what they believe: keeping your online stuff private, keeping their code open for anyone to see, and letting *you* be in charge. That makes sense, 'cause Mozilla's always been that company fighting for a better, more ethical internet.
**Who's This Enzor-DeMeo Guy?**
Here's the thing: Enzor-DeMeo isn't some random person they brought in to shake things up. He's been at Mozilla for a year, working his way up. Before becoming CEO, he was in charge of the Firefox division for about eight months, and then a general manager. So, he should know Firefox inside and out, what people dig about it, and where it stumbles. It's good to know he’s not some clueless executive.
In his blog post, Enzor-DeMeo touched on something a lot of us are feeling – being fed up with how tech companies treat our personal info. Mozilla backed him up, saying people are feeling tracked, don't know the truth, and aren't sure how AI systems affect what they see and how they decide. It feels like we're being constantly watched and messed with, and nobody really knows what's going on!
**AI That You Can Actually Count On**
Enzor-DeMeo's main goal? To make Mozilla the most trustworthy software company out there. He says that trust has to extend to all this new AI stuff popping up everywhere.
He said AI controls should be simple, using AI should be your choice, and you should know why it works the way it does and what you get out of it. He even said turning AI on and off should be easy. Transparency and control seem to be his big things, which is great for anyone worried about AI taking over.
To show he means it, Mozilla plans to have an “off switch” for all AI things in Firefox. Don't want to use them? Turn 'em off! They think AI should make things better, not take away your freedom and control.
**More Than Just the App**
Firefox is still their bread and butter, but it sounds like Enzor-DeMeo has bigger dreams. He hinted that the company will change into software additions that you can trust. It's not totally clear what that means yet, but it sounds like they want to do more than just the app itself.
They already gave us a taste of this with AI Window, a built-in assistant for Firefox. And guess what? You can turn it off! It shows they're serious about letting you choose. This assistant seems like Mozilla's first little step into AI, but keeping it easy to handle.
**Firefox's Tough Road to Get Back on Top**
Let's be real. All this AI talk is happening at a tough time for Firefox. Back in the day, Firefox was awesome! It really challenged Microsoft's Internet Explorer and made way for other apps like Google Chrome. But these days, Firefox doesn't have many users than the big players. In November 2025, Firefox was at around 4.25% of the App Market, while Chrome had a whopping 75%!
Mozilla keeps going thanks to donations. Also, they have a agreement with Google, where Google pays Mozilla to keep Google Search as the default in Firefox. But Enzor-DeMeo knows they can rely on earnings forever. They need to find new ways to get money, and that's where these AI products come in and play.
**Everyone's Trying to Do AI in Browsers**
Here's the catch: Mozilla isn't alone in thinking about AI in apps. Google's putting AI into Chrome, and Opera went ahead and make an AI-powered app, and even OpenAI(the ones behind ChatGPT) wants to join in. So, it's a crowded block, and everyone wants to be seen.
Some tech people are saying AI apps might be easy to hack. So, what Enzor-DeMeo said is a big deal because Mozilla's focus on safety and privacy could be what makes them different from everyone else.
**Staying True to What Mozilla Believes**
Enzor-DeMeo keeps saying that Mozilla's AI work will follow the Mozilla Manifesto. This list has the company's values, which all have to do with being open, keeping your info private, and letting you be in charge. He put, In the next three years must stay consistent with the Mozilla Manifesto. It means change in the way the company makes money.
The company sees aligning AI with its long-held values. Therefore trust and user control will always be the best business.
**What's Coming Up?**
It looks like their plan to turn Firefox into an AI browser has a few main ideas:
* **User value:** Make sure the AI is helpful and easy to use.
* **Privacy:** Keep their word when it comes to keeping your info safe.
* **Money:** Figure out how to make money from these new AI products.
* **Beating the competition:** Stay on track of the other players (and hopefully do better than them).
Enzor-DeMeo is taking a chance. If Mozilla can balance AI and being a company you can trust, they might be the ones leading the App scene in the future. If not, Firefox might just keep disappearing little by little.
**To finish**
Anthony Enzor-DeMeo is making a big bet on AI for Firefox and protect the company’s future. His view with an AI app lines up with the company's values.
Firefox needs more users, so with doing this they can attract people. They are still making changes and what you see if a hint of innovation with make Firefox more AI stuff.
24.GhostPoster Malware Detected in 17 Firefox Add-ons With Over 50,000 Downloads
Alright, heads up, because this GhostPoster thing is seriously bad news, and if you're not careful, it could mess up your online life big time.
So, picture this: some shady folks came up with this GhostPoster scam. Their sneaky play? They wormed their way into Firefox add-ons. Can you believe they infected like, seventeen of them? Yeah, they straight up crammed bad stuff right into the picture files. I mean, who even thinks to look there? That's just dirty.
This security team, Koi Security – shout out to them, by the way – they're the ones who figured it out. And get this: those infected add-ons were downloaded about 50,000 times before Firefox and Mozilla even caught on and yanked them from the store. That's a ton of people who now need to scan their computers for bad software. Seriously, go run a scan right now! Don't wait for any amount of time. That extra few seconds could be vital.
It just goes to show that these online crooks are always looking for ways to break into your stuff and make your life harder. It makes you wonder where you're safe these days, you know? It's kind of scary that even if something's sitting in the browser or app store, you still have to do your homework. Now they're going after add-on stores, which is a problem because these places are letting bad code sneak in where it's really hard to find. I'm talking about secret backdoors and spying on everything you do online. Crazy, huh?
**Fake Add-Ons Trying to Look Real**
These criminals were trying to hide the bad code by making it look normal: VPNs that said they'd protect your privacy, ad blockers, screen capture tools, even a fake Google Translate. They were using anything they could grab. They were greedy, and couldn't wait to get their hands on your data.
The Dark Mode add-on that makes websites darker for nighttime browsing? That one went up a while back, around October 2024. I personally wasn't a fan. Anyway, here's a list of the add-ons that a bunch of people downloaded:
* Free VPN
* Screenshot
* Weather (weather-best-forecast)
* Mouse Gesture (crxMouse)
* Cache – Fast site loader
* Free MP3 Downloader
* Google Translate (google-translate-right-clicks)
* Traductor de Google
* Global VPN – Free Forever
* Dark Reader Dark Mode
* Translator – Google Bing Baidu DeepL
* Weather (i-like-weather)
* Google Translate (google-translate-pro-extension)
* 谷歌翻译 (Chinese Google Translate)
* libretv-watch-free-videos
* Ad Stop – Best Ad Blocker
* Google Translate (right-click-google-translate)
They might look totally real, but the researchers over at Koi Security thought something wasn't right, so they started digging. Thank goodness they did! Their system really takes care of you.
**How Did They Do It?**
Here's how it went down. When you install one of these infected add-ons, it quietly runs some bad software using the logo file. That sneaky software tells your system to start the bad program. It could take a little while—even a few restarts of your computer—but eventually, the system will do it. After that, the code calls to some random websites. They grab the bad program, but it doesn't affect you right away.
I was wondering why they didn't do it every time. They only made it happen about one out of every ten times. That way, you're less likely to notice anything's up right after you download it. These were some really sick people doing the wrong things.
So, someone far away now has access to your system, and it all looks like a mistake. Makes you think twice about trusting anything.
**How the Bad Guys Are Making Money**
Basically, GhostPoster was trying to steal money from anyone who downloaded it.
* **Stealing Commissions:** You know when you click a link and buy something online, the website gets a small cut? They were messing with that. They change the links, so the money goes to them instead of the website you were trying to buy from.
* **Secret Tracking:** This is creepy. They're adding Google Analytics tracking codes to every page you visit. They're watching what you do, keeping a record of everything. You might start wishing you hadn't posted so much online.
* **Turning off Security:** To make everything else work, the add-on turns off your system's firewall and security checks. This leaves your whole system open to them.
* **Annoying Ads:** Instead of normal ads, the hackers use the backdoor to show you terrible ads from scammers. You know, the kind that says you won something for free, or there's a hot single in your area.
* **Automatic CAPTCHA Solving:** They even set it up to solve those I'm not a robot boxes on websites. This means it's harder to tell if someone is faking your identity because the website thinks you're just a person. Be careful when you are online because you may never know.
Because of all of this, GhostPoster seems like it's working right, and people are getting use out of it. So bad people are getting away with the wrong work.
**How They Cover It Up**
GhostPoster hides a lot of information, so you won't see the bad stuff on your system. Since everything looks like one person wrote it, it's safe to say one team is running the show. There may even be people the world doesn't know or even knows exist.
**A Lesson about Extras**
The GhostPoster story shows exactly how important add-on security is. These people upload software to the store, and you can't know if they're stealing your data. The whole thing could be setup to have your information leaked to the black market.
One Chrome extension grabbed GPS coordinates and other user data without permission—and GhostPoster helped this one out.
**Are Free VPNs for Real?**
Koi Security pointed out that you should be careful if someone's giving you something at no cost, especially VPNs. It’s probably part of a trick, and it's connected to criminals. I couldn't agree more. There is no way to stay safe unless you are paying a monthly fee.
**Here's What to Keep in Mind:**
GhostPoster makes it obvious that it's key to:
* **Be Careful:** Before you download anything, do your research. Check the reviews, and Google it. If you can't find anything, or the reviews sound fake, just skip it.
* **Code Digging:** You can save yourself big time if you search on Google! Just reading the code could show you something's wrong. Most of the time people will be looking to help you.
* **Stay Aware:** Keep an eye on your browser for anything strange. You have to pay attention. No one is going to give you a heads up.
I can't stress how bad this whole thing is. GhostPoster is some clear proof of how bad things can become when the wrong things happen. No matter how hard you try, you can still get hit with these bad software programs. Your best bet, is to make frequent back ups to your system.
**Final Thoughts:**
GhostPoster is some seriously bad stuff. It showers you with ads whenever it can and stalls attacks. It puts you in harm's way and takes you to terrible sites with pop-up ads in your face. I've seen this happen to many people and not one of them came out okay.
You have to be ready. It can't be emphasized enough! Your computer doesn't always do its job! Just have the expectation that you could be hurt at any time.
25.Sony’s XM5 Headphones Drop to Lowest Price, Free Wireless Earbuds Included
The holidays are here, and you know what that means: deals on all kinds of cool tech stuff. And this year? Some of them are actually pretty sweet. We're talking everything from top-notch headphones to gaming packages and even keyboards that won't annoy your coworkers. Whether you need something new or gifts for peeps, let's see what's good.
**Sony Headphones + Free Earbuds?!**
Alright, first up: Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones. These are still amazing even though Sony came out with newer ones. Here's the thing, the XM5s? They block out noise super well, the sound is REALLY clear, and when you're on calls, people can actually hear you clearly because they have like a bunch of microphones.
Amazon's got these for like, the lowest price ever, which is $248. But here's the kicker: they're throwing in a free pair of Sony WF-C700N earbuds. Those little guys are good if you're at the gym or a stocking stuffer. Seriously, it's like saving over $270.
They made the XM5 for comfort so they have comfy ear pads. They also have like, audio sharing? Pretty cool! One thing: these don't fold up like the older ones, so not great for travel.
As for the free earbuds, the WF-C700N, they fit snug in your ear and block out the world. They're also sweat-proof, so no worries if you're working out. They sound pretty balanced and the bass is good. Even if you don't need them, give them away or keep them as backup.
**PlayStation 5 Bundle: Game + Controller?!**
Now for gamers: Best Buy has a pack with a DualSense Wireless Controller and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 for only $69.99. That's insane, because the game alone is usually that price which means you're getting the controller at no charge.
This is great if you have a gift idea. Spider-Man 2 is one of the big games this year, people like the story. These controllers makes the game way more awesome with all it's shaking and all!
There are other discounts for PlayStation stuff too. Like, 20 bucks off the PlayStation Portal, which is that handheld thingie. If you have a PS5, these are good deals.
**Keychron V1 Max: Keyboard to Start**
Okay, so mechanical keyboards are popular. You can change things like the key sound. If you're not sure what to get, you need the Keychron V1 Max.
Amazon has it for around $96. The keys are the Silent K Pro Red, so not too loud. You can also take the keys off and try new ones if you're not sure what key you like. And you can change up how the keyboard works too.
Keychron is pretty reliable, a good one if you are new to this keyboard stuff
**Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe**
Do you like travel or wanna be able to use your wireless headphones with things that only have a headphone jack? Check out the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe.
It's down to $59.99 on Amazon. You put this thing into the plug in airplanes, and then connect to your bluetooth headphones. So you can take your bluetooth headphones that you use now.
The deluxe version comes with an airline adapter and a bag for traveling. Good for people who fly a lot.
**Why These Deals Are Legit**
These deals are good choices for a few reasons:
* Packages: The Sony headphone/earbud and the PlayStation controller/game combos give you way more for your money.
* Lowest Prices: The headphones and keyboard are as cheap as they've ever been.
* They Make Sense: That headphone adapter solves a real problem.
These are stuff that people can use every day.
**Wrapping Up**
So, there are a lot of discounts going on right now. With how much everything costs now, its important to see what's worth it. Sony's headphones are good, gaming package its a steal! And a few other things that will help you get a good gift.
Whether it's for yourself or others, you can find something here.
26.Co-Director of The Last of Us Warns Generative AI Is Self-Consuming, Notes AI Term Is Misleading
Bruce Straley, who helped create games like The Last of Us and worked at Naughty Dog for years, isn't a fan of generative AI. He thinks it's like a snake eating its own tail. In a recent chat with Polygon, he talked about his new game studio, Wildflower Interactive, and their first game, Coven of the Chicken Foot. Straley made it clear he's not planning to use generative AI to make his games, and he thinks a lot of people don't really get what it means for game development.
**From Blockbuster Games to Indie Development**
Straley left Naughty Dog back in 2017 after working on huge hits like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and The Last of Us. It was a big change for him, leaving one of the biggest and most popular game studios. Since then, he started his own company, Wildflower Interactive, which is a much smaller team that wants to try out new and different things.
Their first game, Coven of the Chicken Foot, was shown off at The Game Awards 2025. Straley was quick to point out that they made the whole thing without any AI. They stuck to old-school methods and came up with creative solutions themselves.
**AI: More Like a Parrot Than a Creator**
Straley used the snake eating its own tail thing to explain how he feels about what gen-AI can do. It can't really grow or come up with new thoughts, he said. It just takes in stuff and tries to copy it. That's about all it can do right now.
He thinks the big problem isn't just that the tech isn't there yet, but that it's not really capable of making something truly fresh. It can mix stuff up, but it doesn't have that human touch, that spark of creativity and emotion that makes art great, in his opinion.
**AI Means Different Things to Different People**
Straley also brought up that the term AI has been used in gaming for ages to describe computer-controlled characters (NPCs) and how they act. AI programmers are the people who design those systems. The problem is that now, the term is all mixed up with machine learning and those big language model things.
It's hard to even talk about this creature in the game, because to me, NPCs *are* AI, he explained. But now you can't say that, because if someone has thoughts on AI, they're going to assume we're using machine learning and those language models. Which we're not. We just did it the hard way, with lots of thinking and creative problem-solving. And I think that makes it way cooler.
**Embrace the Flaws**
Straley believes that imperfections are what make art human and interesting. He compared making art to making pottery. The little cracks and mistakes are what make a piece special. I like art that has chips and flaws. It has imperfections because it didn't come out of the kiln right. That's the cool stuff about art.
He thinks that AI-generated stuff is too perfect. It might look good, but it's missing those little quirks and mistakes that give art personality.
**No AI Art for Him**
Straley said that AI might be useful for some things, but he's just not interested in using it himself. I have zero interest in watching a TV show made by a robot. I have zero interest in looking at art that is generated by a computer. I don't think typing in prompts is art.
He's not alone. A lot of artists feel like AI takes away the human part of creating things.
**The Debate Rages On: Larian's Use of AI**
Straley's comments are coming at a time when everyone's arguing about how AI should be used in game development. Recently, Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, said that they do some things using AI. People freaked out, worried that artists would lose their jobs. Vincke later said that Larian's just uses AI to look at references and speed things up, not to replace artists.
This shows how touchy the subject is. Even a little bit of AI can cause a big reaction, because people are worried about what's real, who's doing the work, and what art really means.
**A Future Divided?**
This argument about AI in gaming is just part of a bigger debate in all creative fields. Some people think AI can make things easier and let humans focus on the important stuff. Others, like Straley, worry that it will ruin what makes art human.
As game studios experiment with AI, they need to be open with players. People want to know how games are made and if actual humans are still the ones coming up with the ideas.
**In conclusion**
Bruce Straley's dislike of generative AI shows that there's a big disagreement in the gaming world. He thinks art needs to be human, with all its mistakes and imperfections, and that it should come from hard work and creativity. According to him, AI is just a copycat and can't make something truly original.
His thoughts, along with Larian's careful use of AI, demonstrate how controversial the subject has become. As Coven of the Chicken Foot gets made without any AI, Straley reminds everyone that in the fast-moving world of tech, real human creativity is still really important.
27.OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Images, Rivaling Nano Banana
**OpenAI's New ChatGPT Images: It's a Whole New Picture**
So, OpenAI just dropped its latest image-making tool, GPT Image 1.5. It's live in ChatGPT Images now, and you can get to it through their API (basically, how other apps can use it). This seems like a direct shot at Google, which has been making waves in the AI world with its Gemini 3 and the super popular Nano Banana image editor.
This new version promises to make images pop out faster, let you tweak them with more accuracy, and generally be more dependable. It puts ChatGPT Images right in the mix as a real contender in the crazy-fast-moving world of AI creativity.
**Firing Back at Google's Lead**
It feels like OpenAI is on a mission to keep up with Google, right? Not too long ago, they launched GPT‑5.2, their newest language model. And now, BAM, GPT Image 1.5. They’re really pushing the idea that their AI can handle all sorts of things – not just text, but images too.
There were whispers that OpenAI was in panic mode after Gemini 3 showed up on the scene. But all these recent releases show they’ve got a plan: keep pace with Google and give people awesome options for text, code, and, yeah, pictures.
**Faster, Better, Stronger Image Making**
OpenAI says that GPT Image 1.5 whips up images up to four times quicker than the old versions. They say it's made to allow precise edits while keeping all those important details intact. People got annoyed with earlier versions when things got inconsistent; this should fix that.
They're saying, What you see in your head? You should get it. That focus on being reliable and actually listening to what users want is a big deal. Remember those 100x ChatGPT image trend memes? Those showed how the images could go totally off-track after a few tries, OpenAI wants to fix that now.
**The Cool New Images Tab**
They've also added a dedicated Images tab right inside the ChatGPT app and on browsers. It's not just for making images, it's meant to get your creative juices flowing, offering ideas to get you inspired.
OpenAI seems to want people to really play around with image generation, make it effortless when exploring creative space, so they've built it right into ChatGPT. They’re hoping people will start messing around and sharing what they create.
**Tweaks, Not a Total Overhaul**
GPT Image 1.5 is a nice jump in performance, it's more about making things better than completely starting over. OpenAI is pushing how much they have improved in these areas:
* **Reliability:** The images are same each time you generate.
* **Following your lead:** The model now better understands your requests.
* **Keeping the details:** When you edit, small details of the image are not lost.
These changes are targeting issues that have been plaguing AI image generators for a while. It's hard to manage creativity with the precise details in images.
**ChatGPT Images vs. Google’s Tool**
That rivalry between OpenAI and Google? You can see it in the image-making world. Google's tool (Nano Banana) is fast and simple to use. It's baked into Google Photos, Search, and Messages, so it took off with regular users.
GPT Image 1.5 immediately grabbed the top spot on some list, pushing Google's editor to second place. That being said, side-by-side tests show some different results.
In one test, they had both models turn a night-time car photo into a daytime shot. They both did okay, but Google’s version looked more realistic. So, while GPT Image 1.5 might ace some benchmarks, what users think might depend on what they’re trying to do.
**How to Get It**
This update is rolling out to all ChatGPT users. Just go to the Images tab, inside of chatgpt.com. Free users get a lite version, and paid users get more features and faster image making.
Developers can also get access to it, with pricing on OpenAI’s site. This means other apps could soon have it.
**The Bigger Picture: Everyone Wants to Make AI Images**
The launch of GPT Image 1.5 shows that the competition to make AI images is growing. Google is using its reach to push its tool everywhere, and OpenAI is hoping ChatGPT's popularity will get people to adopt theirs.
For us, the users, the fight is great. Image generation quality, speed, and accessibility will improve. Developers have new chances to make cool apps with these cutting-edge models.
We still have work to do, both companies need to deal with any misuse, copyright issues, and fake issues. As images made from AI get more real, transparency and ethical use will get more intense.
**In Conclusion**
OpenAI’s GPT Image 1.5 is an improvement to ChatGPT Images. It’s faster and more reliable. While Google’s tool is awesome, OpenAI has proved they can keep up. With the new Images tab and API access, OpenAI are doing big things by making easier to make images and inspiring. As the AI battle moves on, expect to see more tools, and way more competition.
28.Samsung Creates Custom Component to Maintain Galaxy Z TriFold’s Slim Profile
Foldable phones, right? The big problem has always been: How do you make a screen that's, like, HUGE without ending up with something that feels like you're carrying around a brick? Samsung's got this new thing, the Galaxy Z TriFold, and it's trying to fix that by being super skinny. They clearly put a lot of work into making it thin as possible. When it's folded up, it's only about half an inch thick (12.9mm), and when you open it up, it's crazy thin – only 3.9mm! That's one of the thinnest foldables ever.
**How Did They Make It So Thin?**
To get it this skinny, Samsung had to rethink how some of the parts worked, especially the wireless charging. Regular wireless charging stuff is just too thick to fit in a phone that gets down to under 4mm when it's open. If they'd used the usual parts, they would have had to make the battery smaller or make the phone thicker, which would have ruined the whole point of the TriFold.
So, Samsung went to Witz, they've been working together for a while, Witz used to be a part of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and asked them to make a special, super-thin wireless charging thing. This special part was super important to keep the TriFold skinny and still have wireless charging. It’s a big deal.
**Wireless Charging: Almost There**
The Galaxy Z TriFold can do 15W wireless charging, which is alright, it's as fast as the Galaxy Z Fold 7. But, it isn't as quick as the 25W wireless charging that people are expecting on the new Galaxy S26 Ultra soon. So, the marketing stuff says the TriFold is “Qi2 Ready,” but there's a catch, it's not quite the same as Apple’s MagSafe or Google’s Pixel . The TriFold doesn’t have magnets built in. If you want to use those magnetic chargers or things like wallets that stick to your phone, you’ll need to get a special case. They made this decision to keep the phone thin, but it might bug some people who were expecting Qi2 to work right out of the box.
**Battery Life and Charging**
Even though it's so thin, Samsung still got a big battery in there – 5,600mAh. It's split into three parts to fit the way the phone folds. And it charges in different ways:
* It does 45W wired charging, so you can get it charged up quick.
* It does 15W wireless charging with that Qi stuff.
* It can even do 4.5W reverse wireless charging which means that you can put your ear buds on it to charge them
With all of this, the TriFold should be good for everyday use.
**What Does This Mean for You?**
The cool thing about making the phone so thin is that it doesn't feel so big and heavy. It's easier to put in your pocket or bag. So for people that wanted foldable phones, but it always felt too thick and too big, this is it. The bad thing is that you need a special case to use Qi2 accessories.
Samsung is hoping people will be okay with that to get a foldable phone that is very thin. It’s a give and take.
**Where Can You Get One?**
Right now, you can only get the Galaxy Z TriFold in South Korea and China. They expect to sell it in the U.S. in the first few months of 2026. Samsung is probably seeing how well it does in Asia before selling it everywhere else.
Foldable phones are still kind of rare, but Samsung keeps improving it. The TriFold is a new step, trying to make foldable phones more exciting.
**Who Else Is Doing This?**
Samsung isn't the only one making foldable phones. Companies in China like Huawei and Oppo are also making thin foldables. There are also talks that Apple wants to make foldable phones. Samsung wants to be the best by making their phone as thin as possible.
The way Samsung made that special wireless charging thing shows that they know how to work with other companies to fix big design problems. This could help them do even better as foldable phones get thinner, lighter, and easier to use.
**Why Does Any of This Matter?**
Foldable phones have always been about trying to make two things work together: People want big screens, but they also want their phone to be easy to carry around. The Galaxy Z TriFold shows that you can have both.
Samsung has proven that foldable phones can be thin without making the battery bad or ruining the charging. By using special parts, they are showing that foldable phones can be used every single day.
**In Conclusion**
The Galaxy Z TriFold is really important as a foldable phone, you know? It makes foldable phones way better than people think it could be.
Qi2 is something to look forward to despite the use of cases. People that like these new innovations would like this phone.
With all the changes that they did on this phone, it feels like a great milestone by Samsung.
29.Apple Requires iPhone Users to Upgrade From iOS 18 to iOS 26.2
Listen up, iPhone users! That question you've been kicking around for ages? Yeah, the Can I just stick with iOS 18 and skip the new iOS 26? thing? Well, Apple just gave us a pretty clear answer with this iOS 18.7.3 update.
Basically, iOS 18.7.3 is only for the older iPhones – we're talking iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. If you have anything newer, you are being forced to go to iOS 26. Bummer, right? But there's a reason. It's not to make you mad.
What’s Up With This Update Anyway?
Now, you might be thinking, Why is Apple even bothering with iOS 18.7.3? Why not just forget those old phones? Well, here's the deal: those older iPhones, even though they're from 2018, are still used by a ton of people. And Apple can’t just leave them hanging, full of security holes. So, iOS 18.7.3 is a patch to fix some major problems they saw with those specific older models.
But for the rest of us with newer phones that *can* run iOS 26, trying to stay on iOS 18 isn't going to work. Apple's only releasing security fixes for iOS 26 from this point. So it seems like they are no longer supporting the old iOS 18.
Why You Really Can't Put This Off
I get it. Some of you are digging in your heels about this iOS 26 thing. Maybe you hate the storage space it takes up, or maybe you're not feeling the new look of the user interface. Online, it seems like everyone's complaining about something, and that makes it tempting.
Here's the thing, though: Apple is sending out flashing red lights, saying older software is getting hit with serious attacks. This isn't just some theoretical danger. We're talking about spyware that lets bad guys sneak into your phone, snoop around, and steal your stuff. And once Apple releases these fixes for the problems, the bad guys use that info to hack the phones without the update!
Dangerous December is a Real Thing
Security people are even calling this time Dangerous December because there are so many attacks happening. Not only Apple but also Google has said this! Apparently, they worked together to stop the latest spyware attacks, and that tells you how big of a deal this is.
Seriously, these aren't just random worries. This spyware is real, it's out there, and it's being used. If you skip the update, you're basically leaving the door open for people to spy on you, grab your data, and maybe even do worse.
Listen to the Experts
People who know about security are saying the same things. Waiting to update makes you an easy target because you show the hackers where the holes are, and the longer you wait, the more they can abuse it.
Even the Government Says So
This is how serious it is. America's cybersecurity people have told everyone working for the federal government they *have* to update their iPhones and Android phones by the start of 2026.
The Reason Behind iOS 26
But beyond the fact that you basically *have* to, since Apple's cutting off support for iOS 18 on newer phones, iOS 26 is straight-up better for safety. It's got newer protections and tries to prevent whole classes of hacks, not just patching things one by one as they pop up.
Bottom line, whatever you think of the look or layout of iOS 26, it's safer than sticking with the old stuff. You have to think about security first.
What You Need to Learn From This
Okay, so what's the big picture here?
* **Updates Aren't Optional:** When the bad guys are actively using security holes to attack people, waiting is dumb. Update right away.
* **Old Phones Need Special Help:** Apple did the right thing by trying to have iOS 18.7.3 for the older ones.
* **Cooperation is Key:** Apple and Google worked together for the spyware issues.
For the rest of us, it's pretty simple: see this update thing as a must-do. Waiting could put your phone, your information, and your privacy at risk. Period.
The Bottom Line
So, yeah, iOS 18 is done for newer iPhones. Apple's made it clear you need to be on iOS 26 to stay safe. Given how much is out there to hack and steal your info, it is time to stop hesitating.
No matter how you feel about iOS 26 itself, the fact is, updating is the best way to protect yourself. So, put security first, and just get it done. You don't have a choice!
30.Everything You Need to Know About the Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition
**Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition: Seriously, It Glows! And Fans Helped Make It!**
Let's face it, a lot of phones look almost identical these days. Nothing wanted to shake things up a bit. So, they got their fans involved in the design process for a special version of their mid-range phone. The result is the Phone (3a) Community Edition, and get this – there are only 1,000 of them being made!
This wasn't just some simple pick your favorite color thing. For about half a year, fans, actual designers, and the folks at Nothing put their heads together through the Community Edition Project to create this phone. It's more than just a piece of tech; it feels like a collaborative work of art.
**How The Community Made It Happen**
The whole thing happened in stages: figuring out the overall style, creating wallpapers, designing the box, and thinking up the marketing. Community members were directly involved in each stage, working right alongside the Nothing team. It really shows that the company is being open and inclusive. They didn't just put out a slightly different phone; they turned the whole process into a design free-for-all that anyone could join in on.
By letting fans get involved, Nothing kind of blurred the lines between customer and creator. This project shows that a company can use its community for more than just getting opinions. They can actually build something amazing together. The product feels like it came from everyone's imagination, not just a board room brainstorming session. It's built by the users, for the users.
**A Cool Mix of Old-School and New Tech Designs**
The coolest detail about the Phone (3a) Community Edition is the see-through, teal-colored casing, developed by a hardware designer named Emre Kayganaci. He was inspired by those handheld games from the late 90s to early 2000s. It gives off that fun look from Y2K, with a couple updated adjustments.
Nothing is already known for its see-through designs. instead of just showing everything inside the phone, the teal case displays the components in a way that's more artistic than literal. It's both retro and modern, bringing back some memories without feeling dated. The design is close to taking something apart to see how it works.
**Same Great Specs Inside, So It's Not All Just Looks**
Even with its special look, the Community Edition comes with the same power as the regular Phone (3a). It has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Nothing was able to make the design and user experience the best it can be without messing with what makes the phone good in the first place.
The Community Edition is different because of its personality. The community was even involved in software changes, like a lock screen that resembles those old digital clocks. They put these designs together into the contest design. It makes a vibe of nostalgic origin.
**It Actually Glows in the Dark!**
Okay, this is probably the coolest part. The back of the phone glows in the dark! They added a green material that makes the back glow softly in the dark. The best part is that it doesn't need extra battery power to do this!
This concept came from two community members. They wanted to make Nothing's Glyph Interface more special by involving something that comes to them naturally. The overall is fun.
**Wallpapers and Extras**
To go with the hardware, there are wallpapers that have some relations There are graphic designs that match. The hardware and wallpaper have a good matching look!
The packaging has also been a part of that the community got involved in. There is dice on the packaging, making it on brand with the phone.
**Super Rare, So Good Luck Getting One!**
With only 1,000 Phone (3a) Community Editions being made, it's more like a collector's item. People might start reselling it for more cash. This shows the projects are about testing the waters. Nothing wants to make something that respects design.
For fans the best part is owning and telling others that the community makes the phone happen.
**What It All Means**
The Community Edition is making companies know tech is . People see updates as normal. By targeting its fans, the phone provides them a chance to see what makes the brand look good.
The old but new look works. The glows are in style. The light makes it a non-typical sale.
**The Sum Up**
The Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition is more than just exciting showing that the fan bases can result in success. The phone seems unique and hard to forget.
For Nothing, they can try different things with it. For fans, they can show their thoughts! It shows the blend between tech and culture.
31.Gomi Introduces ‘Forever’ Phone Cases to Challenge £25bn Throwaway Accessories Market
**Gomi's Forever Phone Case: Making a Statement with Your Phone**
Okay, so phone cases. We all have them. They're cheap, come in every color you can think of, and when they get scratched or boring, we just grab another one. They're basically disposable fashion, not something built to last. But all that convenience comes at a cost to the planet. Every year, we trash about 50 million kilos of these things globally, and almost none of them get recycled. It's a crazy cycle where we buy cheap plastic, use it for a little bit, and then toss it out.
But there's a design company in Brighton called Gomi who is like, Enough. They've come out with a phone case called the Forever Phone Case. It's not just another product; it's their way of saying no to all the waste. These cases are made by hand using recycled stuff, and they're made to last forever. It's a big change from how things usually are in the phone case world.
**Why Phone Cases Are Part of the Problem**
Tom Meades, one of the people behind Gomi, says the phone case biz is worth around £25 billion worldwide. But the thing is, most cases aren't built to last. They get scratched, they break, or we just get tired of them and want something new. So, we buy a new one.
Most of these cases are made in other countries using new plastic. Then they're shipped all over the place, and after a few months, they end up in the trash. And a lot of recycling programs don't even take the kind of plastic used in phone cases. So, it all just piles up.
**Gomi's Idea: Keep It Forever, Don't Replace It**
The Forever Case from Gomi is different. They don't mess around. Each one is made by hand in their workshop in Brighton. They use 100% recycled LDPE plastic films – things like plastic bags and food wrappers. This is the kind of plastic that usually ends up in landfills because local recycling places can't deal with it.
But it's not just the material that's cool. Gomi has set up a whole system where they take the cases back. If your case gets scratched or damaged, you can send it back, and they'll fix it for free. And if you get a new phone, you send the old case back, and they'll melt it down and make a new one that fits your new phone.
Meades says, If it breaks, we fix it. If you get a new phone, send it back, and we'll turn it into a case for the new one. Same stuff, same look. No waste.
So, they're not just recycling at the end of the case's life. It's part of the whole process. The idea is that the case never becomes waste.
**Each One is Unique**
Besides being good for the environment, the Forever Case looks great. Because they're made by hand from recycled plastic, each one is a little different. The way the colors mix makes cool patterns, so every case is unique.
This is way different from the cases that are mass-produced. Gomi likes that there are imperfections and variations. It's part of the charm, like pottery that comes out of the oven with a few flaws.
**More Than Just Phone Cases**
Gomi has been doing this kind of thing for a while. They've made speakers that run on old e-bike batteries and power banks made from recycled stuff. People know them for making products that are good for the planet, unique, and useful.
Now they're doing it with phone cases, which is a big deal because there are so many of them. These little accessories might seem unimportant, but because we use so many of them, they add up to a lot of plastic waste.
**Here's the Deal**
The Forever Case is coming out for a few iPhone models, including the iPhone 16 and 17. They're planning to make more versions later. They're not making a ton of them at once. A small team of designers and makers makes them, and a lot of them went to the University of Brighton.
By making them in small batches, they make sure that each case is really handmade, not just churned out in a factory.
**Changing How We Buy Things**
What makes the Forever Case special is that it doesn't follow the rules of how we usually buy stuff. They're not trying to get you to buy a new case every season. Instead, they want you to stick with one case, send it back when you need to, and trust that they'll take care of it.
In a world where most phone cases are cheap plastic that we throw away quickly, this is a big deal. It makes us think about how we use everyday objects and choose things that last longer.
**Making Everyday Design Better**
Gomi sees the Forever Case as more than just a new product. They're challenging the whole industry to stop making so much waste. They want to show that even the smallest things can be designed to last, be made locally, and be good for the planet.
By changing how we think about phone cases, Gomi is showing that being sustainable doesn't mean giving up on style. It can mean having something unique and feeling good about how it was made. It means we should feel more connected to the products we use.
**The Bottom Line**
The Forever Phone Case is both a statement and a promise. It's a statement against the wasteful way the phone case industry does things. And it's a promise of a new way of doing things, where we reuse materials forever and fix things instead of throwing them away.
With its glowing colors, handmade design, and commitment to keeping things in a loop, the Forever Case shows what Gomi thinks design should be: a way to make a difference. It asks us to think about the little things we take for granted and imagine a world where everything is built to last.
In the end, Gomi has turned the phone case from something we just toss away into a symbol of doing things the right way, being creative, and making a change.
32.UAE Remittance App Users Report Missing Funds: Dh4,600 Sent, Now Gone
You're working in the UAE and like tons of us, need to send money back home? Remittance apps are all the rage these days, right? They seem so simple and quick, plus they always brag about having way better rates than the banks or those old exchange places. It's super tempting to just use your phone to send money to your family for bills or whatever else they need. But here's the thing: sometimes, these apps can cause problems, and you might not know what to do when things go sideways.
Let me tell you what happened to Abhishek. He's living in Dubai, and his story is a good example of how these apps can get complicated.
Around November, Abhishek needed to send about Dh4,600 back home. So, he thought he would give one of these apps a shot to keep things smooth. The money left his account immediately. The app even gave him the thumbs up the transaction was done. Awesome, right? Nope. Weeks went by, and the money never showed up on the other end. And to top it all off, he couldn't even get a hold of someone at their support. No info, no updates, and definitely no money back.
### Seriously, Where Did the Money Go? And Why the Silent Treatment?
Abhishek wasn't just a little annoyed; he was beyond angry that he couldn't get anyone to clear anything up. He said, I sent the money. The app took it, just like that. But my family still never got it weeks later.
He sent a bunch of emails to support, but he just got these automated replies that weren't helpful at all, or even worse, nothing back. He didn't know if the money would ever arrive. There were no sorrys, and no talk about getting his money back. Abhishek learned the tricky way that when you trust these services, you're open to struggles, since they may not have strong rules. Now he does not want anyone else to have this experience.
### I've Got All the Proof, But What's the Point?
Abhishek has all the paperwork you could imagine: receipts, transaction numbers, dates, bank statements everything that shows the money really did leave his bank. But even with all that, he still has no clue where it ended up or if he'll ever see it pop up again.
The thing is, what happened to Abhishek isn't that rare. Tons of people in the UAE use these remittance apps, and normally, things go just fine. But the minute something goes wrong, everyone notices they don't even know who is behind the apps, whether they're the real deal, or what to do if the money goes missing. It can be a tricky situation!
### Rates Seem Too Good? That's a Red Flag
The usual banks and exchange companies often warn people about remittance apps bragging about exchange rates that sound crazy. Honest business can't make rates that low. So if an app is making offers much lower than everyone else, be extra careful because it is probably a trap.
Also, use common sense. Always look for some evidence. The real services will give you receipts, confirmations, and reference numbers to see what’s happening. If you don’t get these or you get a weird lag in when you should be getting the updates.
Pay extra close attention if anyone is trying to ask you for some extra money on top of what you already have, fees or taxes. It's simple trick of how they make people spend more money.
### Don't Let Them Rush You!
Sometimes, people in the UAE will try to scam you. They try to make you decide now right now. They might say, if you don't hurry, you're going to lose your account. Or, they'd worry you if you don't move fast, you can't get this great deal, or they may threaten you by telling you that you must do something now or you pay more. The safety people warn that scammers will make you not think and check, or even ask friends.
Banks, exchange places, and people who work in money will never ask you for passwords, PINs, or one-time codes on phones, emails, or SMS. This is a sign of trickery.
### Did A Government Tell You?
The UAE's Central Bank (CBUAE) always says that people should worry about scam emails and people saying that the CBUAE. The government thinks you should always check any message you get that appears to come from it by just reaching out or looking at the methods that are there to reach them.
Some shady folks are using the Bank’s name, logo, and pictures of their employees. The regulators tell everyone to look around on the CBUAE site or message them yourself to see that things are for real or not.
### What is Good With Real Apps?
To work here, they agree to be safe. For example, banks will shut down if they see screen sharing, viruses, and remote access programs. Actions like this kick the scammer out of your device.
Money regulators want to not send codes by SMS or email any longer. The real places want things like fingerprints, and other types of proving you are who you are.
If an app uses easy SMS or you can use your phone on the app while another person is looking from some other place, it is probably not the right situation for holding the money.
### My Money Disappeared – What Now?!?
If your transaction has been gone too long or it just vanished, do this:
* First thing is call the bank. It matters if you call soon. Talking quick means you can stop the process.
* Give them as many clues as they want about the money gone. Ask them to revert. If money is going far away to another state, try to use the SWIFT way to return.
* Collect. Always store receipts, ref numbers, dates, and any messages chatting with people from the app.
* Tell the cops. A money crime is important to tell them for records, even if you do eCrime version.
* If one month goes by and the bank hasn't helped, record with legal documentation. Sanadak is there in the UAE who is at [www.sanadak.gov.ae](http://www.sanadak.gov.ae).
* If the money place got a license, they need to look for fraud. They will cancel or grab cash if transportation did not commence.
* Don't lose time.
### One Last Thing
Money apps are trendy. Convenience is wanted. Speed is wanted. Safety checking remains critical.
You might be going up, if you're only spending at certified spots. Be constantly questioning where the permissions come from; look routinely at your accounts; and tell somebody anything odd.
Abhishek’s accident showcases it is easier to lose cash, if not attentive. It take a vast time to recover.
### Advice
Recall Abhishek’s vanished Dh4,600. Think twice before adopting those digital things. Reduced rates are awesome, unless money floats out.
Do some study, before sending something. Establishments charge due to safety.
Financials and banks want trouble now. Save your paperwork. If someone requests login, rethink if anyone is seeing from any location. Store something, paying even a bit more.
33.Samsung Galaxy Users Can Access a Hidden Camera Function
Samsung phones are famous for their awesome cameras, right? The Galaxy S25 Ultra, with its four lenses, makes you feel like you can capture any scene. And the Galaxy Z Flip 7? I've seen tons of vloggers recommend it – it folds up into such a travel friendly size. You almost expect that kind of quality from Samsung's top-end phones these days, right? What I didn't realize after getting my Galaxy S25 Ultra is that the software *behind* those cameras is just as important!
Samsung has this almost secret camera option called Expert RAW. It's hidden on some of their better phones, and at first, you think it's only for the people who want all of those RAW image files. But believe me, it's way more than that. It gives you a bunch of creative tools that can really change how you take photos. If you already like playing with manual mode, Expert RAW takes it to a whole new level. There are some things that you just can't do on the regular camera app. You'll end up trying out things that you never thought possible.
**Starry Nights**
One of my favorite ways to use Expert RAW is to take great night sky shots. Before I knew about this secret option, I would just use Samsung's normal night mode. It was alright, but I always thought the photos were a bit…not the best. The sky always seemed dark, and the stars were hard to see. I was underwhelmed.
But after using Expert RAW on my Galaxy S25 Edge, and later on my Galaxy Z Flip 7, that changed big time. The photos started to look great. It basically lets you take photos with longer timings. The longer timings make the stars brighter and clearer. As long as you can keep the phone still, you can take photos that last a few minutes. The results are really awesome: you get skies that are full of stars, with really sharp images. Honestly, the pictures are almost as good as what you'd get with a dedicated camera, it makes you wonder why dedicated cameras still exist.
Plus, Expert RAW will save your photos as both a normal JPEG and a RAW file. So, you can instantly share the JPEG with your friends, but you also have the RAW file to edit properly and make it look its best. Some of the night shots I took with my Z Flip 7 are my favorites from the entire year.
**Motion Blur**
Another cool thing about Expert RAW is the ND filter mode. ND filters are normally pieces of glass that you put on the front of a camera lens to block some light. Less light = moving objects look blurry. Ever see a photo of a waterfall that looks like mist, or car headlights that look like streaks along a road? That's the effect.
Expert RAW lets you do these things without buying any extra gear. So convenient! You just turn down the camera's shutter speed and keep the phone still on your subject. I did this with my Galaxy Z Flip 7 at the fair. I took a picture of a carousel, and the motion looked dreamy. It caused the lights to look blurry, but in a good way. It made the shot way cooler than a standard photo.
You can even use this in daylight. Normally, using slow shutter speeds when it's bright outside would make your photos way too bright. But Expert RAW's ND filter mode darkens things down so that only the moving parts are blurry, and everything else stays sharp.
**Depth of Field**
You know how smartphone portrait modes blur the background? Sometimes it just doesn't look right, does it? It's not the same as the photos taken with real camera lenses. Expert RAW does variable aperture. This is Samsung's way of trying to copy a real camera's depth of field.
You can get photos that look way more real. I took a picture of a Grogu toy. I put a prism in front of it, and placed a plant out of focus in the back. The variable aperture nails it, keeping Grogu super sharp while keeping both the prism and the plant easily seen. Unlike the normal portrait mode, which blurs everything, this is way more believable.
It's not always prefect, but if it does its job well, it really makes a difference.
**More Tools**
Beyond the special modes, Expert RAW has more stuff for people who care about photography, including:
* Zebra patterns that you may have seen on your camera screen? They'll tell you which spots in your photo are too bright so that you can change your exposure and not ruin your shot.
* There's the false color overlay option as well, it shows the way your image is being exposed.
* Full manual settings – shutter speed, ISO, white balance, everything.
* You can even save your settings to get them quickly when you need them to.
You see all of this in a pro camera.
**Why Expert RAW Matters**
Expert RAW is great because it makes all of those pro photography things able to be used by more people. Most people just use the automatic camera options on their phones, but others who are really into photography like to have control. Expert RAW has both. The easy to use settings mean you don't have to be really good at photography to take awesome looking photos.
Taking photos of stars, making motion blur, and using variable aperture? I think those are great examples. You actually have experimentation with your camera. And for Samsung, it shows off what their phone cameras can do.
**A Little-Known Tip for the Photography Lover**
Even though it's powerful, Expert RAW feels hidden. I bet a lot of Galaxy owners don't even know that it exists, hiding in the camera options. If you look through the settings on your Samsung, it can seriously raise your picture taking.
If you have a Galaxy phone, whether it's the S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, or the Z Flip 7, I really think you should try Expert RAW. It's one of Samsung's best features, and the results of your photos will be as good as if you used a dedicated camera.
This option actually changed the way I take photos and has led to me taking different, more interesting pics. From super-clear star photos to those wild motion blur shots, Expert RAW has revealed a side of smartphone photography that I didn't even know existed. And that just goes to show that the best features aren't always about the camera itself. Usually, it's about the other software you had the entire time.
34.Germany Spends €35 Million on 17,000 Secure Phones That Go Unused
**Germany's €35 Million Smartphone Flop: A Procurement Mess**
Government purchasing can be tricky. You've got to balance getting what you need, following the rules, and making sure you're spending taxpayers' money wisely. If something goes wrong, it can get expensive quickly. A recent report from Germany's Federal Audit Office pointed out a pretty big mistake: The Ministry of Finance dropped €35 million on 17,321 secure smartphones for customs workers.
The idea was to bring the customs office into the modern age with better communication. They wanted encrypted chats and stuff, all following the rules from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). But instead, these phones were basically unusable. The batteries died super fast, they didn't do much, and they didn't even work with the systems they already had. It's a classic example of how big plans can fall apart if you don't plan and act right.
**The Plan to Buy**
From late 2021 to the end of 2022, the Ministry of Finance bought a ton of phones. Each one cost over €2,000 after you added in all the accessories and licenses. These weren't supposed to be just any phones. They needed to handle VS-NfD classified communication. (That means classified info – for official use only.)
The goal was simple: Customs people would use these phones to share sensitive info safely, following all the BSI rules. It sounded like a good way to boost Germany's digital security in a key area.
**Didn't Work With Anything**
The plan messed up almost right away. The phones themselves could handle the encryption stuff, but the IT systems at ITZBund (the Federal Info Tech Center) weren't cleared for VS-NfD communication *yet*. They weren't going to be cleared until mid-2025.
So, even though the phones were technically capable, customs workers couldn't use them for classified stuff. The phones were basically useless, and people had to go back to using their regular, less secure phones.
**Barely Did Anything**
Besides not working with the IT systems, the phones just didn't do much. Simple things like calendars, contact lists, sending pictures, and checking work email either didn't work or were super limited.
And the battery life? Awful. They sucked up power so fast that the phones barely lasted through the day. A lot of customs workers just didn't bother using them. They stuck with their old phones, even if they weren't as secure.
**The Money Pit**
The Federal Audit Office said the whole thing cost €35 million and called it a misinvestment. At over €2,000 a pop, it was a lot of wasted cash. The report didn't say what kind of phones they were, but that price is way more than regular phones. It makes you wonder how they chose the phones and who they bought them from.
By 2024, they'd replaced most of the useless phones, which just added to the waste. The Ministry of Finance didn't get what they wanted – secure communication for customs – and taxpayers got stuck with the bill for a project that didn't do anything
**The Ministry's Side**
The Ministry of Finance said, hey, at the time, these phones were the only ones that met the BSI's requirements. They also said they didn't realize the batteries were so bad until people started using the phones.
That explains things a little, but it doesn't really make it look any better. People are saying they should have tested everything and made sure it all worked together *before* spending that much money.
**What We Can Learn**
This whole thing teaches some important lessons about government buying:
* **Make Sure It Works Together:** Don't buy fancy stuff if it doesn't work with the systems you already have. Waiting for the ITZBund's clearance made the phones totally useless.
* **Test It Out:** They should have tested the phones to find out about the problems with the features and the battery. They shouldn't have bought thousands of them without checking.
* **Watch the Costs:** Over €2,000 per phone is a lot. They need to be open about who they're buying from and why things cost so much, so people can trust them.
* **Think About the People Using It:** Tech has to be useful for the workers. If a phone can't do basic stuff like calendars or email, nobody will use it, no matter how secure it is.
**The Big Picture**
This isn't the only time something like this has happened in Germany. The Bundeswehr (the German army) has had problems with slow communication systems, where sending a message can take forever. It shows they're having trouble making tech work in real life.
Taxpayers aren't just worried about the money. They're losing faith in the government. When big projects fail like this, it makes people think the government is wasteful and doesn't know what it's doing.
**What's Next?**
The Federal Audit Office told the Ministry of Finance to not let this happen again. They said anything they buy for customs has to actually work, be worth the money, and be based on real needs.
Germany needs to make sure its digital projects are planned carefully, tested well, and bought fairly. Governments all over the world are worried about cyberattacks, so it's super important to make sure tech works with the systems and the people who use it.
**In Conclusion**
The €35 million spent on smartphones by Germany's Ministry of Finance shows how good ideas can go wrong if you don't plan things right. The phones met the rules, but they were useless because of IT problems, bad features, and awful battery life.
It's a reminder that buying tech is about more than just the gadgets. You have to think about the systems, the people, and how it all fits together. And for taxpayers, it's a clear example of how things can go wrong when priorities are messed up, turning big plans into expensive failures.
35.Apple Watch 11 vs SE 3: Tracking 5,550 Steps Compared
## Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Apple Watch SE 3: Which One Wins?
Apple's pretty good at making smartwatches that just work. When you're trying to pick one, you’re usually looking at two choices: the fancy Apple Watch Series 11 and the cheaper Apple Watch SE 3. They’re not exactly the same, but they both get the job done. The Series 11 is like the deluxe version, loaded with health extras. The SE 3 gives you the basics without costing a ton.
I wanted to really see the differences, so I wore each one and tested them.
### Head-to-Head: Watch vs. Watch, On My Own Two Wrists
I slapped the Series 11 on one wrist and the SE 3 on the other. I went for a walk, a real walk! It took me to about 5,500 steps. To be sure, I used one of those clicker things to count the steps myself. Then, I used Strava to track how far I went and how much I climbed. I wanted to double-check what the watches said.
Guess what? Some stuff I didn't see coming happened.
### Price Tag Talk: Where the Money Goes
The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at about $399. It's a luxury purchase. You're paying for a screen that's easier on the eyes, a longer-lasting battery, and extra health sensors, like warnings for blood pressure, ECGs for your heart, and blood oxygen readings. This would be the choice if tracking your health closely is really important to you.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is cheaper. It asks around $249. That's a real chunk of change less. It doesn’t have all the fancy sensors, but it nails the important basics. You still get your apps, buzzing messages, and workout stats. If you don't need the ECG or blood oxygen tracking, the SE 3 feels just as good as the expensive one, plus you save a lot.
### Fitness Fun: Time to Move Around
Both watches connect to Apple’s Workout app. It covers pretty much every type of workout: walking, running, biking, swimming. They both use GPS to track where you go, and show you a summary of your workout after you end it.
The Series 11 might be a little better at reading heart rate. Its sensor is a little more up-to-date, so readings could be a bit closer to the ones that you might see at a doctor’s office. For workouts in general, the SE 3 is still capable. The watches work together with your other Apple devices. All the info goes to the Health app and even works with apps like Strava.
### Step-by-Step: What Happened on the Walk
Here’s what went down on the test walk:
* **My manual count:** 5,500 steps
* **Apple Watch Series 11:** 5,467 steps
* **Apple Watch SE 3:** 5,500 steps
* **Strava:** 5,502 steps
The SE 3 got the step count exactly right. That’s really good. The Series 11 was only off by 33 steps. What this means is that Apple's step-tracking is really, really precise.
For distance, Strava said I went 3.15 miles. The Series 11 read 2.97 miles, and the SE 3 read 2.95 miles. They were both a little off from Strava.
Elevation (how much I went uphill and downhill) was a little more all over the place. Strava said I climbed 426 feet. The Series 11 said 513 feet, while the SE 3 read high, at 540 feet. Wrist-based elevation tracking isn't that reliable, especially if you're walking on hills.
### Pace, Heart Rate, and Calories: Time for the Data!
Strava said my pace came out to 16 minutes and 32 seconds per mile. The Series 11 clocked 17:32, and the SE 3 was 18:06. The watches thought I was slower than Strava did, but the Series 11 was closer to what Strava said.
Heart rate readings were also close:
* **Series 11 (average):** 135 bpm
* **SE 3 (average):** 137 bpm
* **Max Heart Rate (both):** 168 bpm
The watches also gave close readings for calories burned: 425 for the Series 11 and 429 for the SE 3. All those little mix-ups happen when you use sensors on your wrist.
### Battery Life: How Long Will They Last?
Here's a surprise: Both watches only dropped 2% of their battery during that 52-minute walk, even when GPS was running. What you would learn is that for shorter workouts, the SE 3 doesn't suck up much more power than the Series 11. If you're doing really, really long workouts, the bigger battery in the Series 11 is worth having. But for just getting through the day, both should last one whole day.
### So, Which Watch Is Best?
The Apple Watch SE 3 hit the nail on the head for step count. The Series 11 read distance and pace just a little better. They were both good at heart rate and calories burned, and battery life was basically the same.
So, which one should you actually buy? It depends on what you are looking for.
* **Series 11 is the one if:** If you just need all the health tools, a brighter screen, and the longest possible battery.
* **SE 3 is your choice if:** If you want a decent smartwatch that won't break your budget, and will still track all the details of your daily movements. It also works well with your other Apple devices.
The SE 3 proves that you don’t have to pay a lot to get a fitness tracker that will take care of your everyday needs. If you need all the health bells and whistles, then the Series 11 has you covered. Either way, Apple is selling great smartwatches for different budgets and lifestyles.
36.Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11: Faces and Apps That Support 1Hz Display
**New Apple Watches: Always-On Display Just Got WAY Better (Ultra 3 & Series 11)**
Okay, so Apple's back at it, tweaking their smartwatches and actually adding cool stuff. I am talking about the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11. The coolest part? They really are changing how the always-on display works. We're talking about smoother visuals and way better battery life with the new LTPO3 screens.
The big deal here is that the screen now updates every single second, instead of just once a minute like before with the Always-On mode. It sounds basic. Big deal: It REALLY changes how you use the watch. Now, on certain watch faces, you see a legit ticking second hand! Digital seconds DO change every second and timers count down smoothly, without draining your battery like crazy. With watchOS 26, you can use lots more watch faces with This is useful. I am mentioning 26, so you are sure to find one that fits your mood.
**LTPO3: Smarter Screens, Longer Battery**
So, LTPO tech is not new to the Apple Watch. It's what makes the screen animations look nice while not destroying your battery. But LTPO3 is the next level. The refresh rate can slow all the way down to 1Hz. That means it only updates once every second.
And THAT allows that Always-On display to actually SHOW you something useful, like a ticking second hand or a timer that’s counting down perfectly. You can watch your activity rings fill up, all without even having to raise your wrist.
The main thing is that BOTH the Ultra 3 and the Series 11 have this tech. That means screens can be brighter and battery can last longer. When you combine that with the larger variety of watch faces, that becomes really helpful.
**watchOS 26: The 1Hz Party is Open to (Almost) Everyone!**
Remember when the Series 10 came along? Not many faces had 1Hz (aka, once-per-second) updates: Flux, Reflections, and Activity Digital. Well, watchOS 26 is pushing that feature out to loads more faces. I think you will find what you like!
Here's the list of faces that get to go 1Hz:
* Activity Analog
* Activity Digital
* California
* Color
* Contour
* Exactograph
* Flux
* GMT
* Hermès Faubourg Party
* Hermès Radial
* Infograph
* Meridian
* Metropolitan
* Modular Ultra
* Nike Analog
* Numerals Mono
* Prime Harmony
* Reflections
* Simple
* Solar Analog
* Stripes
* Typograph
* Utility
* Unity Rhythm
* Wayfinder
* Waypoint
That is a great many options! You can have the basic Simple or Typograph, or faces jam-packed with information like the Infograph or Modular Ultra. The Hermès Faubourg Party and Watch Ultra's Wayfinder faces will show off the brand's special designs and the rugged vibe of the Ultra.
**Real-Time Clocks? Yes, Really! (Stopwatches & Timers)**
It is not just about the faces either. watchOS 26 is changing some core apps! Stopwatches and timers display time in real-time in Always-On mode. If you workout, cook, time whatever, this becomes essential.
Before, you needed to wake up your watch to see what second it was. If I am being honest, glancing at it now to see what is happening provides a more realistic watch feel with some super additions.
**Special Faces for Special Watches – Exclusivity Matters!**
FYI, some faces are only for certain models. The Hermès faces are only on Hermès watches, obviously. The Wayfinder and Modular Ultra? Those are Ultra-only faces. It's Apple's thing of making sure each model feels, well, special.
The Series 10 gave us some 1Hz animations, and the Ultra 3 and Series 11 make things even better with brighter screens. If you're upgrading from an older Apple Watch, you are going to see a difference.
**Why a 1Hz Refresh Rate is A Big Thing**
One update a second might not seem like much. But, it upgrades your experience on the Always-On display. I mean, watches tell time, and seeing the seconds actually tick by makes it much more realistic.
If you work out, you might be tracking heart rate, lap times, or other stats at a glance. Those who are at the workplace timing things? Getting second-accurate timing is now easy. Just that much more real.
**Battery Life: Always Important**
Always-On displays can use a lot of power. The LTPO3 tech helps to make sure the 1Hz refresh is not just destroying your battery. So it changes often enough to keep the current time on the display while also saving power.
Battery management becomes even more important for the Ultra 3 (which is built for long outdoor days!) and the Series 11 (made for all day use).
**The Takeaway:** LTPO3 screens, together with watchOS 26, are very positive for Apple Watch. The Ultra 3 and Series 11 feel more practical, with all of the included watch faces, real-time apps, and improved battery. I suggest trying them!
37.Galaxy Watch Ultra Review: How Samsung Can Improve Its Flagship Watch
Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra... people were kind of let down, right? When they first mentioned it, everyone thought it would be this super tough, feature-packed thing that could go head-to-head with the Apple Watch Ultra, but still have its own cool style. But when it finally came out, it was just...meh. It was big and clunky, didn't always work right, and felt more like Samsung was testing the waters instead of really going for it. They even tried again in 2025, adding more storage and some new tricks (that they later put on the original one), but it still didn't get people excited.
So, with the Galaxy Watch 9 Ultra probably coming in 2026, Samsung's got a chance to start over. Here's what they need to fix to make it a real winner:
**1. Make It Smaller, but Still Strong**
Seriously, at 47mm and almost 100 grams (with some straps), the Galaxy Watch Ultra is just too darn big for most people. Yeah, being tough is cool, but it's gotten to the point where it's just not practical. A watch you're supposed to wear every day shouldn't feel like a weight on your wrist.
Samsung's already shown they can make things smaller and better with their tablets and phones. They should do the same thing with the Ultra and make it more comfortable on the wrist. If they offered a smaller size, like 44-45mm, that would make a lot more people happy, especially those who think the current one is way too big. Apple only sells one size for its Ultra, but Samsung doesn't have to do that. Having different sizes could be a smart way to stand out.
**2. Get the Heart Rate Right First**
Samsung's been trying to add all sorts of health stuff, like Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, and Energy Score. Which is nice. But the most basic thing – the heart rate – is all over the place.
When you're doing something steady, like walking, it's okay. But when you're doing something more active, like interval training, cycling, or lifting weights, the readings jump around and don't make sense. People who have reviewed the watch and regular users have been saying this for a while.
Before adding any more fancy features, Samsung needs to make sure the heart rate tracking is rock solid. Other companies, like Garmin and Apple, have proven that you can make wrist-based sensors that work well. Apple, in particular, is known for being accurate. If it's an Ultra watch, you shouldn't have to wonder if your heart rate readings are even close to right.
**3. Bring Back a Physical Way to Move Around**
Samsung took away the rotating bezel on the Ultra, probably because they wanted to make it more water-resistant. But that also got rid of one of the most useful ways to get around on the watch. Touchscreens and buttons are fine, but they're hard to use when your hands are wet, sweaty, or if you're wearing gloves.
Apple deals with this by having a digital crown, which gives you a physical way to control things even when things get messy. The Galaxy Watch Ultra doesn't have anything like that. For a tough watch that's made for being outdoors and doing hard workouts, a physical way to move around isn't just a nice thing to have – it's a must-have. Whether Samsung brings back the bezel, adds a crown like Apple, or comes up with something totally new, the Ultra 2 needs to have a physical way to navigate.
**4. Make the Battery Last Longer**
The battery life is another thing that doesn't live up to the Ultra name. If you're using GPS, health tracking, and getting notifications, the watch only lasts about two days. That's okay for a regular smartwatch, but not for something that's supposed to be top-of-the-line.
Other watches show what's possible. The Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 lasts almost three days, and the OnePlus Watch 3 can go for four. Samsung doesn't have to promise a week of battery life, but if they could get it to last three to five days with normal use, that would really make the Ultra stand out. People who are paying extra for a tough watch expect it to last, not give out early.
**5. Give the Ultra Its Own Look**
The way the Ultra looks is one of the things people disagree about the most. The square-circle shape with the round screen felt weird and like Samsung was just trying something out, instead of being confident in their design. But the idea could work if they made it better.
Samsung should make the watch thinner, with smaller edges around the screen and smoother lines between the body, glass, and where the strap connects. This would make it less bulky while still being tough. If they do it right, the square-circle design could become its signature look, instead of something people don't like.
A high-end Ultra watch should look like it knows what it is and what it's supposed to do. The current one feels unsure of itself. The next version needs to be bolder and have its own style that's different from Apple.
**Building on What's Already Good**
Even with its problems, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has some good things going for it. The screen is great, the GPS works really well, and Wear OS with One UI keeps getting better. Samsung Health is still one of the best fitness platforms out there, giving you lots of info about your workouts.
These things give Samsung a good starting point. What they need to do now is be brave enough to take the Ultra in a direction that feels intentional and doesn't compromise on anything. By fixing the size, accuracy, navigation, battery life, and design, Samsung could turn the Ultra from a cautious experiment into a true flagship watch.
**Conclusion**
The Galaxy Watch Ultra was supposed to be Samsung's answer to tough, high-end smartwatches. Instead, it came out as a big, unsure copy of Apple's Ultra. The update in 2025 didn't change much.
Looking ahead to 2026, Samsung has a chance to make the Ultra line something special. A smaller size option, reliable heart rate tracking, a physical way to move around on the watch, longer battery life, and a better design could give the Galaxy Watch 9 Ultra the identity it really needs.
Samsung's shown many times that they can make great devices. Now they need to remember to be bold. Only then will the Galaxy Watch Ultra be worthy of its name.
38.Pixel Watch 3 LTE Sees Record-Breaking Discount
**Pixel Watch 3 LTE: Seriously, This Smartwatch Deal is Kinda Ridiculous Right Now**
So, everyone's buzzing about the brand new Pixel Watch 4 from Google; they say it's a top wearable for 2025. Okay, cool, It's got some shiny upgrades and improvements. But let's be real, while the newest toy gets all the attention, the Pixel Watch 3—especially the LTE version—is turning into the bargain of the year. The prices have really dropped. You can snag almost all the important stuff you want in a smartwatch, but for way less dough.
**Let's Talk About This Price Drop. Seriously.**
Right now, you can find the Pixel Watch 3 LTE (the 45mm one) floating around for around $224. Think about it: It originally cost $399. That's like, $175 off. Amazing! Some are even tracking price changes. It's the cheapest this gadget has ever been on places like Amazon.
Now, here's the tiny catch: To get that full discount, you might have to go with the Polished Silver case and the Porcelain band. But hey, that actually looks pretty good! Plus, you can always swap out the band later if you want something different. A lot of folks think the silver case is one of the better-looking choices anyway, so it works out.
**Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 4: What's the Real Difference?**
Yeah, the Pixel Watch 4 has some changes like maybe a longer battery and cooler sensors, and some fresh apps. Sure, but the Pixel Watch 3 is still a very awesome device! It's fast. Tracks your health stuff dependably, and it connects up nicely with everything Google does.
Honestly, for a lot of people, the changes between the two watches aren't really all that huge. Unless you absolutely have to have the newest things, the Pixel Watch 3 basically does the same job, but costs a lot less. That makes it a smart pick if you're watching your spending or if you're brand new to smartwatches and don't want to blow a fortune right away.
**LTE: Your Watch Can Be Free. Be It's Own Master**
Here's what's really cool about this discounted version: It has LTE. Basically, that means your watch can work even if your phone isn't around. You can make telephone calls, send texts, and use data without your phone chilling nearby. So if you like running, riding your bike, or just don't feel like lugging your phone around when you work out, LTE is a total win.
Since it uses Google's Wear OS and Fitbit, the watch can keep tabs on your workouts, stream your jams, and get you where you need to go, all without needing your phone. $224 for this kind of thing is pretty rare.
**How It Looks and Feels**
The Pixel Watch 3 keeps up Google's style of simple and smooth. The silver case and porcelain band? Classic combo that can work whether you are hanging out or at the office. The round design feels nice on your wrist, and the 45mm size is big enough to see without being too clunky.
Switching out the bands isn't tricky. You can totally switch things up based on what you're doing. Like those sporty silicone bands? Or those fancy leather bands? You can use whatever you want.
**Keeping Tabs on your Health**
Google and Fitbit do team up. So the Pixel Watch 3 is pretty good for knowing what's up with your health. It will do all sorts of tracking.
* Constant heart tracking.
* Keeps tabs while you sleep.
* Measures your stress.
* Tracks every kind of working out.
Okay, so Pixelwatch 4 has some minor improvements. But the Pixel Watch 3 can do the basics and it does them really well. If you're into fitness or your health, you can totally use it and be okay!
**What About the Battery?**
Ah, yeah the battery! People are always talking about watch batteries. With the Pixel Watch 3, you can get through a full day if you use it like a regular person. That means checking messages, tracking your health, and using that LTE . Sure, the Pixel Watch 4 might last a bit more.
The speed is pretty good. The apps will load pretty quick. It benefits from Google updates and new features. So it should stay pretty modern
**Here's the Thing...**
When it first arrived at $399, the Pixel Watch 3 was a good device that was worth its price. Now? At $224. It is one hell of a deal. Not a lot of devices have LTE. have a nice design. And connect to Google. Not at this price.
If you do not have to have the newest, fanciest devices, then the Watch 3 is a steal. Worth it. If you want a fitness tracker that shows you your messages and that does not cost a fortune. This is your best bet.
**The Bottom Line: A Smart Choice.**
The Pixel Watch 4 is probably Google's shiniest device of the year. But, the Pixel Watch 3 is turning into a hit. You get most of the features for a lower price.
From Fitbit to LTE. It truly is a device that is good looking and can do everything you want. If you are looking for the BEST deals out there, start here, with this device. If you are upgrading or just gettting your very first one, you won't be upset.
39.Meta Quest 3 VR Headset Price Falls to $359.99 With Free Christmas Shipping
## Meta Quest 3 vs. Quest 3S: Seeing is Believing
Virtual reality is now part of our everyday life, and you can thank Meta for a lot of that. Their Quest headsets are leaders in the field. Right now, most people agree that the Meta Quest 3 is the best VR headset you can buy without needing a separate computer. Sure, it's about $200 more than the Quest 3S, which is their starter model. But trust me, that extra money buys you some serious improvements that make the experience way better than what the cheaper one can do.
Both headsets have some things in common, which is a good thing. They both use the same fast Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor. They also have the same controllers (Touch Plus) that track your movements without needing external sensors. Both offer mixed reality, so you can see the real world around you while still in VR. And both can display games at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
So, what makes the Quest 3 worth the extra cash? It all comes down to better visuals, higher resolution, a wider view, and more storage space. If you're serious about VR games or just want to really get lost in other worlds, these things make a huge difference.
### What You See: Lenses Matter
The biggest improvement in the Quest 3 is the type of lenses it uses: pancake lenses. The Quest 3S uses older fresnel lenses. Pancake lenses are thinner and lighter, and they make the image look much sharper. They also cut down on glare and weird distortions. Basically, you get a much cleaner and crisper picture, and there's a larger area in the center of the lenses where everything looks clear.
This new design also makes the headset more comfortable to wear for longer periods. Fresnel lenses can sometimes cause annoying god rays (streaks of light) and make it hard to get everything in focus. Pancake lenses mostly fix those issues, so the Quest 3 feels like a big jump forward in terms of how good the picture looks.
### More Pixels, Wider View
Resolution is another area where the Quest 3 wins. It shows you 2064x2208 pixels for each eye. That's about 30% more than the Quest 3S, which has 1832x1920 pixels. You'll notice the difference right away in games and apps. Textures look sharper, and text is easier to read. It just looks cleaner.
How wide your view is is also key. The Quest 3 gives you a 104° view horizontally and 96° vertically. The Quest 3S only gives you 96°/90°. That extra width and height make the virtual world feel bigger and less like you're looking through goggles. In fast-paced games like Beat Saber, or in simulations where you want to really feel like you're there, that wider view makes the experience better, and it can even improve your performance in the game.
### Space to Store Your Games
Storage space might not seem like a big deal, but it really affects how easy the headset is to use. The Quest 3 starts
40.Google Remains Top Internet Service, While AI Gains Momentum
**Cloudflare’s 2025 Internet Report: AI is Everywhere Now**
The internet in 2025? It's not the same place it used to be, that's for sure. Sure, mainstays like Google, Facebook, and Instagram persist with their digital dominance, still raking in all the traffic, and continuing their expansion in the digital scape. All of them have implemented their own versions of AI that are supposed to make the site easier to use. The biggest twist is how rocket-fast AI took over everything. I read this report from Cloudflare, and you won't believe it: ChatGPT is already hanging with the top 40 most-visited sites on the internet. Can you even believe that? What's more impressive is that it joined those ranks within the last two years. That's pretty wild and really says a lot about how AI has quietly worked its way into our everyday online stuff. Who isn't tinkering with it these days, right?
**AI: From Rookie to MVP**
According to João Tomé, Cloudflare's data guru, 2025 is the year AI finally hit its stride. ChatGPT came out of nowhere and now boasts something like 700 million active users. That's outrageous, and is a huge jump from the measly millions that were active in 2023. It's elbowing its way in with the biggest players, and it’s only been around for a hot minute. Back in 2023, if someone had told me something like this could happen overnight, I would have been calling them crazy. Now it's sitting with every other company. It almost feels like a distant dream rather than reality.
I get the hype around ChatGPT and all the fancy AI tools. People are messing around with the internet in ways we never have before. You don't have to be a tech nerd or programmer to start using AI anymore. Now everybody can chat with their friends, get their work done, and goof off. AI has turned into one of the most reached tools worldwide, from writing emails and fixing coding problems to dabbling in new hobbies. My own grandma uses it now, which is hilarious to watch.
**Traffic is going up!**
The Cloudflare team shared that global internet traffic went up a whole 19% this year. It really emphasizes that we are using the digital space today more than we ever have before, whether that's working at home in casual clothing, texting your buddies, or losing yourself watching videos. You might be wondering how Cloudflare keeps an eye on everything. Basically, every time you go to a website, you're using the Domain Name System (DNS), which turns all those user-friendly website names into the IP addresses that computers can read. It's everywhere, so it paints a solid of what sites people are checking out. It doesn't lie.
**The Usual Suspects Are Still Dominating**
Okay, so who's still calling the shots on the internet?
* Apple
* Microsoft
* Amazon Web Services
* YouTube
* TikTok
* Amazon
Google’s been holding the number one spot since 2022 because it's what everyone uses to search for everything. Facebook’s still kicking, and Apple and Microsoft are sliding into second and third.
Don't get me started with TikTok. It's dropping in the rankings; it used to be around number 4, but now it's lingering at 8. You can blame all the legal battles and government drama in the U.S. for that. That proves that laws can shake up even the biggest websites, so they better watch it.
**Social Media: Meta Is Still King**
Guess what? Meta is still running the social media circus. Studies show that roughly 70% of adults in the U.S. are on Facebook. That's insane! Here's the social ladder:
* TikTok
* Snapchat
* X
* Kwai
* Discord
Instagram’s doing just fine under Meta's umbrella to the point where it might overthrow Facebook in a few years. With a new generation of children learning social media through TikTok while they're growing up, TikTok might finally dethrone the social media giant. There are lots of up and coming platforms like Snapchat, LinkedIn, and Discord, which specialize in certain spaces, and they are holding strong still. Everyone is trying to network with other professionals on LinkedIn, while Discord builds communities for any niche you can think of. While the big guys are still strong, fresh innovators are popping up platforms for smaller groups and niches from all over the internet.
**AI is Starting to Fill Up**
Alright, buckle up. This is where things get real. AI is starting to fill up, and it's hard to keep track of them all. It seems like everyone has an AI nowadays. Of course, you have ChatGPT, what is there to say that hasn't already been said, but there are starting platforms out there trying to hog a piece of the action:
* ChatGPT (OpenAI)
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Perplexity
* Gemini (Google)
* Character.AI
* GitHub Copilot
* Windsurf AI
* QuillBot
* Grok (xAI)
* DeepSeek
The list got crazy long this year. Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini look like they're gaining popularity from ChatGPT which makes things more exciting. You have even more specific stuff like GitHub Copilot, which is aimed at helping programmers code. The newer sites continuously experiment with new tactics when allowing users to use AI. I wouldn't be shocked if a few of these became huge in the upcoming years.
**E-Commerce Focuses on Asia**
When it comes to online stores, Asia is playing to win. The West is still competitive, but nothing is like that of the East:
* Amazon
* Shopee
* Temu
* Shopify
* Taobao
* eBay
* Alibaba
* Shein
* Mercado Libre
* AliExpress
We all know Amazon, but Shopee and Temu zoomed in out of nowhere and locked up second and third place, surpassing popular platforms like Walmart and Etsy. It emphasizes that the internet is becoming increasingly global and highlights that mobile is all that matters at this point - so you can shop straight from your phone anytime. Some of the old-school sites are sticking around like eBay and Alibaba, and Shein has already locked down the fast fashion scene for younger shoppers. I'm interested to see how these companies stay relevant, with how rapidly the global market is changing.
**Okay, but so what?**
Cloudflare’s 2025 data basically says:
* **AI is everywhere**. ChatGPT is only one piece of the puzzle.
* **The big tech folks are still the biggest folks.** It doesn't look like that can change anytime soon.
* **Lawsuits and controversy can mess up your image:** TikTok's legal problems are hurting its numbers. Stay out of trouble.
* **E-commerce is global**: These E-commerce sites wouldn't be here today if they stayed in one location.
Bottom line, these figures show that the internet has been pretty steady these past two decades, but it's still in motion. Even though Google and Facebook will most likely continue to be used by everyone, do not forget about how AI and E-commerce are changing things. Everything is on the verge of change.
**How About We Just End Here**
So, if you take away one thing from 2025, remember that the old hangs in there with the new. Major players like Google and Facebook aren't going anywhere, but the explosion of AI is changing the way people use the internet. I can tell you with certainty that this shift is only going to speed up.
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