1.Apple and Google form $1 billion AI alliance to revamp Siri
You should think about how much content there is, how much it costs, and how easy it is to get to when you look at FT's digital subscription options.
In today's world full of information, the question isn't whether news is available, but whether it can be accessed in a way that makes the time and money spent worthwhile. The Financial Times (FT) has been one of the most important places to get news about international business for a long time. The subscription model is meant to appeal to a wide range of readers, from those who want a light, curated daily read to those who want to read everything all the time. Let's look at both proposals and see what they mean for people who are trying to figure out how to get around in today's media world.
Change and Test: There Are No Limits
The main subscription starts with a great deal: you get four weeks for just $1. This trial period is meant to show new readers how detailed FT's reporting is. Subscribers get full digital access this month, which includes breaking news alerts, exclusive insights, and in-depth looks at the industry. When you read FT's news, it's important to think about more than just the stories themselves. You should also think about how quickly they are reported, how stories change over time, how deeply they are analysed, and how they fit into the bigger picture of world events.
After the trial period, the subscription costs $75 a month. At first, this might seem like a lot compared to other digital news sources. The prices, on the other hand, show that FT is more than just a news site; it is a high-quality source of cultural and financial information. People who work in finance, policy, or international trade often think the price is worth it for information that is accurate and timely and can change decisions that are worth millions of dollars. The subscription gives scholars, analysts, and other interested readers access to a library of opinions that go beyond the news.
FT stresses the importance of being flexible, which is why users can cancel their trial at any time. This honesty shows that you trust the product. It also knows that people are tired of subscriptions and want to know that they won't have to sign long contracts. FT lets readers explore without being afraid of getting hurt.
FT Edit: Books for People Who Are Busy
If you don't need all the information, you can get FT Edit for $4.99 a month. With this option, FT editors pick eight random articles for you to read every day. The most important thing here is curation. FT Edit doesn't send out every market update or policy change. Instead, it picks out the most interesting stories of the day and puts them into a collection that is easy to read.
The way it is set up makes it easy to read. You can read articles on the FT Edit page of FT.com. If you sign up for the FT Edit newsletter, you can also get articles sent straight to your email. This model knows that a lot of readers would rather stay up to date without having to read through a lot of sections for hours. Trust and efficiency in the editorial process mean that FT's experienced editors should be able to figure out what's most important today.
FT Edit is also a sign of a bigger trend in digital media: curated experiences are becoming more popular. In a world where algorithms and endless scrolling are the norm, it's nice to have people curate things. Someone seems to have gone through the mess and picked out stories that are funny, interesting, or hard. FT Edit is a good length and depth for people who want to learn new things but don't have a lot of time.
Looking at the two models
FT understands that its readers have different needs, as shown by the differences between FT Edit and Unlimited Access:
With Unlimited Access, professionals, researchers, and fans can read all of FT's news. It is marketed as a very detailed, high-end tool for decision-makers.
FT Edit is for people who want to easily and quickly read good news. It is well-organised, not too expensive, and should be used every day.
Both models are focused on high-quality editing, but they do it in different ways and to different extents. One is a carefully chosen tasting menu, and the other is a deep dive.
Why Subscriptions Are Important in the Big Picture
These deals also show a bigger change in journalism: it's moving away from models that rely on ads and towards ones that rely on readers paying for subscriptions. By charging for access to information, FT shows how important journalism is. This proves that people will buy it. Subscriptions show that you can trust someone in a world where there is a lot of false information and free content that isn't always reliable. They remind people that good reporting takes time and money.
FT's tiered approach also shows how the audience is split up. People read the news in a lot of different ways. Some people only want to see the best parts, while others want to see new things all the time. FT knows that not everyone is interested in the same thing, so they give you both.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Course
FT Edit and Unlimited Access are two options for working with data. If you want in-depth coverage, analysis of your industry, and a global view, the full subscription is the best option. FT Edit is a smart and cheap choice if you want a more relaxed, well-curated experience with surprises and new ideas.
Both ways make FT a better place to get news. You get more than just articles when you pay $75 a month for full access or $4.99 for carefully chosen highlights. You're also keeping alive a tradition of careful, thorough reporting that still shapes conversations all over the world.
2.Microsoft patches zero-day vulnerability in Desktop Window Manager
Microsoft's Patch Tuesday in January 2026: Problems with Zero-Days, Old Drivers, and Secure Boot
Microsoft has begun the year with one of its biggest security updates in a long time. It has released patches to fix at least 113 security holes in Windows operating systems and supported software. Eight of these got the company's worst "critical" rating, which shows how important it is for administrators to quickly update systems. Microsoft also said that attackers are already taking advantage of one of the bugs that was fixed in this release. This shows that the cat-and-mouse game between defenders and threat actors is still going on.
Zero-Day in the Desktop Window Manager
CVE-2026-20805 is the most serious problem. It is a zero-day flaw in the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), which is a key part of how windows are shown on a user's screen. Microsoft gave the bug a CVSS score of 5.5, which isn't very high, and called it "Important." However, the company admitted that it was being actively exploited in the wild.
Immersive's senior director of cyber threat research, Kev Breen, said that flaws like this are often used to break Address Space Layout Randomisation (ASLR), which is an important way to protect against buffer overflows and memory manipulation. Attackers can link the flaw to other code execution bugs by showing where code is stored in memory. This makes unreliable exploits into attacks that can be repeated. Breen stressed that Microsoft hasn't said which other parts might be part of these exploit chains, making it hard for defenders to see what's going on. Right now, the only way to effectively reduce the damage is to quickly patch it.
Chris Goettl, Ivanti's vice president of product management, said that people shouldn't downplay the flaw's severity just because of its rating. He said that CVE-2026-20805 should be given a higher priority because it has been confirmed to be exploited and has a wide-ranging effect on all supported Windows versions.
Important Office Bugs
Two of the eight serious flaws are Microsoft Office remote code execution vulnerabilities (CVE‑2026‑20952 and CVE‑2026‑20953). It's easy to set off these by just looking at a bad message in the Preview Pane, which makes them very dangerous. These kinds of flaws show how dangerous productivity software can be, since attackers can use them to get a foothold in normal workflows.
Drivers for old modems have been removed.
Microsoft also did something strange by taking out extra old modem drivers from Windows. Adam Barnett, a security researcher at Rapid7, said that agrsm64.sys and agrsm.sys were removed because they were at risk of being exploited because of CVE-2023-31096, an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability that was first made public more than two years ago.
These drivers, which were made by a third party that is no longer in business, have been in Windows for decades. Barnett said that some industrial control systems may still need them, even though most users won't notice their absence. He asked two important questions: how many more old modem drivers are still in Windows, and how many more holes will attackers find before Microsoft finally puts an end to this?
It's important to note that exploitation doesn't need an active modem connection; just having the driver on a system is enough to make it vulnerable. This news shows how dangerous it is to "live off the land[line]," where attackers use old parts that are still useful long after they are no longer useful.
Secure Boot Certificates are running out.
CVE-2026-21265, a Security Feature Bypass that affects Windows Secure Boot, is another important problem that Immersive, Ivanti, and Rapid7 have pointed out. Secure Boot checks the integrity of the system when it starts up to keep rootkits and bootkits from getting in. However, the certificates that make this process possible, which were first issued in 2011, will run out in June and October 2026.
Barnett said that once these certificates run out, devices that don't have the new 2023 ones won't get Secure Boot fixes anymore. He stressed how important it is to be careful when updating BIOS and bootloaders, because mistakes can make systems unbootable.
The fact that it is about to expire shows how long security infrastructure can last. Barnett said, "Fifteen years is a very long time in information security, but the clock is running out." The replacement certificates from Microsoft, which came out in 2023 along with patches for the BlackLotus bootkit, are a major turning point for the Secure Boot ecosystem.
Updates for Browsers and More
The patch cycle goes beyond Microsoft. Mozilla released updates for Firefox and Firefox ESR that fixed 34 security holes, two of which were thought to be zero-days (CVE-2026-0891 and CVE-2026-0892). Firefox 147 and ESR 140.7 fix these problems. Goettl also said that Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge will get updates this week. This is because a serious bug in Chrome WebView (CVE-2026-0628) was fixed earlier this month.
Advice for Administrators
As always, the SANS Internet Storm Centre gives a full list of patches, sorted by how serious and how urgent they are. Websites like askwoody.com are still useful for keeping an eye on possible compatibility problems. Administrators are told to patch quickly, but they should also keep an eye out for problems that can happen when big updates are released.
In conclusion
Microsoft's Patch Tuesday for January 2026 shows how complicated it is to manage security these days. The update cycle shows both immediate threats and long-term structural problems, such as actively exploited zero-days in core Windows components, the quiet removal of drivers that have been around for decades, and the imminent expiration of root certificates.
For defenders, the message is clear: fix problems quickly, keep a close eye on things, and get ready for bigger changes in the system in the coming months. Attackers still use both new and old flaws to their advantage, which is a reminder that in cybersecurity, history often lasts longer than we think it will.
3.Google launches Personal Intelligence beta to link Gemini with Gmail and Photos
Google's Gemini is a new kind of contextual AI that offers "Personal Intelligence."
Google has announced a big new beta feature for its Gemini app that could change how AI assistants handle personal information. Personal Intelligence is the name of the feature that lets Gemini change its answers based on a user's Google ecosystem, starting with Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube history. Gemini has been able to get information from these apps for a long time, but the new feature lets it do even more. It can now think about information from many sources at once, giving users proactive, context-aware results without them having to tell it where to look.
Thinking About Your Life Online
Personal Intelligence's best feature is that it can connect different types of data. Gemini can do more than just show you an email or a picture. It can also connect threads from different places. For example, if you ask about a trip that was mentioned in an email, Gemini might also remember videos or pictures from your YouTube history that are related to the trip, which would give you a more detailed and personalised answer.
Google calls this "Gemini understanding context without being told where to look." In real life, this means that the assistant can figure out what you need and give you suggestions or reminders that feel more like personalised insights than just search results.
By Design, Opt-In Google makes it clear that Personal Intelligence is off by default. People have to choose whether or not to connect their apps to Gemini and when they want to do so. This opt-in method shows that people are becoming more aware of how their data is used and privacy. Google knows that not everyone is okay with AI looking at their personal photos or email threads, so it lets users choose.
Even if Personal Intelligence is turned on, Gemini will only turn it on when it thinks it will be useful. This selective use is meant to find a middle ground between being helpful and being too much, so the assistant doesn't give users too much personalisation.
Two Main Strengths
Josh Woodward, VP of Gemini app, Google Labs, and AI Studio, wrote a blog post about the benefits of Personal Intelligence. He says that the feature is really good at:
Putting together information from text, pictures, and videos is what reasoning across difficult sources means.
Getting specific information means getting specific pieces of data, like a photo detail or an email snippet, to help you answer questions.
Gemini often uses these strengths together to give answers that are more tailored to the person than what regular AI chatbots can do.
Real-life examples
Woodward told personal stories to show how the feature could help. While he was waiting at the tire shop, he forgot how big his car's tires were. Gemini not only found the right size, but also suggested all-weather tires after looking at pictures of the family's road trip on Google Photos. When Gemini forgot his number plate number, he found it in a picture in his library.
Woodward said that Gemini has been giving personalised advice on travel, clothes, shows, and books as well as useful information. Gemini used Gmail and Photos to look at past trips and interests to plan his family's spring break. It didn't suggest tourist traps; instead, it suggested taking a train ride overnight and playing some board games that his family would like. These examples show how Personal Intelligence can help you with tasks and even plan your life.
Sensitive Data and Safety Nets
Google knows that customising things can be dangerous, especially when it comes to private matters. The company says that Gemini won't guess things like health ahead of time. If users ask for this kind of information, Gemini will, on the other hand, respond. This method tries to strike a balance between being useful and being careful, making sure that personalisation doesn't go too far and hurt people's feelings.
Training and Privacy
Gemini does not train directly on personal data from Gmail or Photos, which is another important point to make clear. Instead, it learns from prompts and answers in the app. Using personal data doesn't make the model better; it just helps it come up with answers. This difference is meant to make people feel better about the fact that their inboxes and photo libraries aren't being used to teach people.
Availability and Growth
Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. will be the first to get Personal Intelligence. Google plans to make the feature available in more countries and eventually to Gemini's free tier. By starting with premium subscribers and then moving on to a larger audience, Google can test adoption and make changes to its guardrails.
Examples of prompts
Google gave examples of prompts to show off the feature:"Plan my weekend in New York around things I like to do."Based on what I've been interested in, please suggest some documentaries.Based on my Gmail delivery and grocery receipts, search history, and YouTube watch history, please suggest five YouTube channels that fit the way I cook or the way I prepare meals.
These examples show how Gemini can use both personal and general knowledge to come up with suggestions that are both useful and new.
Effects that are bigger
Personal Intelligence is a big step forward for AI helpers. Gemini gets closer to the idea of a truly contextual digital companion by looking at how different personal ecosystems interact with each other. But it also makes people think about privacy, consent, and how far personalisation can go. Google's opt-in design and guardrails are meant to help with these issues, but in the end, people will only use them if they trust them.
For now, the feature shows us what AI can do when it knows not just the world but also the people who use it. Gemini's Personal Intelligence is meant to make AI feel more real and less abstract by helping you plan a trip, remember a license plate, or come up with a new hobby.
4.Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft update shared principles for safer gaming
Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all agree on the same rules to keep players safe.
Once again, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Nintendo, and Microsoft have promised to keep players safe. This is a rare sign that people who make consoles can work together. The three companies that own the most popular gaming platforms in the world have added new ways to keep players safe, especially younger ones, to their "shared principles."
This partnership, which was first made public in 2020, has turned into a long-term relationship that still affects how online gaming spaces are built and run. The companies want to work together to make sure that millions of people can play games in a safe, fun, and welcoming place.
A Way That Covers a Lot of Ground
The latest Xbox Wire update from Microsoft said that the two companies are working together in a number of ways to make things safer. This includes the most up-to-date technology, knowledge based on research, help from the community, and supervision by experts. The update confirmed the three guiding principles that were first introduced in 2020: prevention, partnership, and responsibility.
When Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft make their platforms, enforce their rules, and work with other companies, they all follow these rules. A principle is not just a list of things you want to do; it's also a plan for how to do them.
Giving players and parents more power to put a stop to it
The first principle, prevention, is all about giving players and their parents the tools they need to learn about and control how they play games.
By letting players change the controls, the companies let them change how they play. Parents can find out about and get the tools they need to plan fun and safe activities for their kids.
The companies know that safety features need to be easy to understand and use, so they make sure that these tools are available on all platforms, support channels, websites, and even in stores.
There are clear rules for players and parents about how to act and how to use the game, and there are ways to make sure that everyone follows them so that everyone has a good time.
The goal of product design is to be clear and let people choose what they want to do. This means that safety features should be easy to use and let people make their own decisions.
This rule is proactive because it gives people the information and tools they need to stay safe before something bad happens.
The second principle, partnership, talks about how important it is to work with others, like peers, regulators, and communities.
The companies work with experts, trade groups, regulators, law enforcement, non-profits, and people from all over the world and their own areas to make the internet safer.
Shared research helps people decide on policies and pushes for new ideas. Researchers from other places look into health and play.
People are encouraged to use reporting tools to tell on wrongdoers, and there are systems in place to deal with problems quickly.
Groups like ESRB and PEGI need to work together to make sure that games are rated correctly and that they are advertised in a responsible way.
The companies spend money on the newest technology and join groups like the Tech Coalition and its Lantern program. The point of these groups is to keep kids safer by being honest and sharing information.
This principle makes it clear that everyone in the industry needs to work together to keep everyone safe.
Being responsible means following the rules.
The third principle, responsibility, says that businesses need to make sure their platforms are as safe as they can be.
The community is always getting better, and players can quickly report any rule or code of conduct violations.
To make sure the rules are followed, people take down bad content and punish players for bad behaviour by limiting or banning them. People who break the law more than once get harsher punishments.
The main goal is to be open, and the rules for enforcement are based on using data in a fair way and having people in charge.
Businesses have to follow the law, and if the police tell them to do something that is legal, they have to do it. They also call the police if they see someone doing something wrong or about to get hurt.
Players can see the rules and requirements, so they know what they need to do to keep playing.
This principle shows that you are serious about being responsible by making sure that safety is not only promised but also enforced.
A Record of Safety
Xbox said, "This partnership shows how serious we are about making our games safer and more welcoming for everyone."
The statement says that safety has always been the most important thing for the company, especially when it comes to kids. It also knows that things go wrong all the time on the web. To fix these problems, people need to work together and share the same values.
What to Expect
These rules are being repeated at a time when gaming is more connected than ever. Online multiplayer games, social features, and user-generated content have changed what it means to play games. As this growth continues, it's more important than ever to keep players safe from harassment, exploitation, and bad content.
Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all agree that safety is not a competitive edge but a duty that everyone has. They are doing this by working together on prevention, partnership, and taking charge. Their work together shows that businesses that compete with each other can also work together on things that aren't business-related.
Many people use their phones, consoles, and computers to play games. These three big companies have ideas that could help the whole industry. The goal is for other groups, like publishers, developers, regulators, and communities, to also promise to keep players safe and healthy.
5.Resident Evil Village headlines PS Plus Extra and Premium for January 2026
RPG Drama, Horror, and Racing are some of the games that will be available on PlayStation Plus in January 2026.
Sony added new games to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue this month. There are racing, horror, and role-playing games among the new ones. There will be nine new titles available starting January 20. This will give subscribers a lot of reasons to go back to their libraries. The collection for January has both new hits and old favourites, like Resident Evil Village, which is scary, and Ridge Racer, which is fun to play again.
Resident Evil Village for the PS4 and PS5
Resident Evil Village, Capcom's highly praised follow-up to Resident Evil 7, is the most important new game. The creepy European village setting and Ethan Winters as the main character take survival horror to a whole new level. Players have to deal with terrible bioweapons, scary monsters, and the unforgettable Lady Dimitrescu. Because you play Village from the first person and it keeps you on edge, it is still one of the most memorable horror games of the last ten years.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for PS4 and PS5
If you like drama and comedy, you'll love Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The turn-based combat that was first seen in Yakuza: Like a Dragon is used in this game. Ichiban Kasuga goes to Hawaii to learn more about his past in this story. Fans of the series will be happy to see Kazuma Kiryu back as a mentor on the journey. Like the other games in the series, Infinite Wealth is both serious and funny. It mixes a gritty crime story with over-the-top role-playing game fun.
A PS5 and PS4 version of MudRunner
If you like off-road challenges, you'll love Expeditions: A MudRunner Game. Players have to drive through forests, deserts, and rough terrain. Players have to figure out the best ways to get through rough terrain with all-terrain vehicles and high-tech tools. Expeditions is more than just a driving game; it also teaches you how to solve problems and be strong by turning them into puzzles that need to be solved.
What Lies Ahead for A Quiet Place on PS5
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a horror game for one player that is based on the popular movie series. In it, staying quiet is the most important thing to do to stay alive. Players have to deal with their own fears, family problems, and deadly aliens that hunt by sound. Like in the movies, the mood is tense because every step and breath is dangerous. This adaptation promises both emotional depth and scary situations for fans of horror stories.
Darkest Dungeon 2 for the PlayStation 4 and 5
Darkest Dungeon 2 is a roguelike sequel that combines a very hard dungeon exploration with an apocalyptic road trip. Players control a group of flawed heroes as they go on dangerous journeys, trying to stay alive while also keeping their mental strength up. Characters face terrible things both outside and inside themselves, and hope and despair are always at odds with each other. Darkest Dungeon 2 challenges players' ability to withstand adversity while maintaining optimism through its distinctive art style and relentless mechanics.
The Exit 8 (PS5, PS4)
The Exit 8 has a deceptively simple premise for fans of liminal horror: find anomalies to get out of a Japanese underground passageway. If you miss one, things will go wrong. People who like psychological tension and weird settings love how simple and creepy the game is. It's a short but memorable experience that is worth it for those who pay attention.
Art of Rally for PS4 and PS5
Art of Rally is a stylised and nostalgic look back at the best years of rally racing. The game is easy to play and has a top-down view and bright graphics that make it feel like you're in a race. Players race on dozens of tracks all over the world, trying to win and learning how to drive different cars. Art of Rally is a great choice for people who like racing and want something different because it combines art and racing.
A Little to the Left (PS4, PS5)
A Little to the Left is a fun game about putting things in order that puzzle fans will like. Players solve dozens of puzzles that help them feel more in control, like putting eggs in order or sorting batteries. A playful cat often gets in the way of progress, which makes the experience more fun. It's a nice, light-hearted addition to the catalogue that stands out from the darker titles of the month.
Ridge Racer (PS5, PS4 – PS Plus Premium)
Finally, Ridge Racer, the well-known racing game for the PS1, brings back memories. Only PS Plus Premium members can get this re-release. It keeps the fun of the arcade games that made the series famous and adds new features that make life easier. Ridge Racer is a classic racing game that people still love today because the announcer is fun to listen to and the game moves quickly. It is now available to a new group of players.
More Games Each Month
In addition to the catalogue titles, all PS Plus members can also get Need for Speed Unbound, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper until February 2. These short-term deals add even more variety, from racing on the street to silly platforming to working together to stay alive.
Last Thoughts
The PlayStation Plus games for January show that Sony wants to give people a lot of choices. Fans can get lost in two horror games: Resident Evil Village and A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. People who like racing can choose between the classic Ridge Racer and the stylised Art of Rally. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth lets RPG fans get into the emotional mess. There are nine new items in the catalogue and three bonus titles for subscribers to enjoy.
This month's collection makes sure that PlayStation Plus is still one of the best places to find and play all kinds of games, whether you want to be scared, go fast, or think strategically.
6.Max Verstappen reveals supercharged 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC in Red Bull video
Ford and Red Bull tease the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC.
One of the most interesting reveals of the year has already come from Red Bull Racing's new partnership with Ford. The 24-minute YouTube video celebrating Ford's racing history featured famous cars from the 1966 Le Mans-winning GT40 to the simple 1924 Model T. But the most talked-about part happened 12 minutes in, when reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen got behind the wheel of the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC, a car that no one had ever seen before.
A Mustang with a secret
The announcer called the car "the most advanced, powerful, and track-capable Dark Horse ever." Just the way it's worded makes it sound like this isn't just a one-time idea for the video, but a new version of a production model that will be added to Ford's lineup. The Dark Horse SC is in between the current Dark Horse and the track-focused Mustang GTD. It could be the next step in Ford's performance hierarchy.
The name itself makes people wonder. "SC" could stand for Supercharged, which would suggest that it is a new version of the Shelby GT500 from the last generation. The GT500 was famous for its huge V8 engine and track-ready design, and fans have been wondering for a long time what Ford might do to replace it. "SC" could also stand for "Sport Competition," which would mean a more hardcore, track-oriented package that fills the gap between the Dark Horse and the GTD.
Successors and Lineage
Ford's Mustang line has always changed through different levels of performance. The GT350 used to be the choice of purists because it focused on precision and balance. The GT500 put raw power at the top of the list, making it a halo car for muscle car fans. Ford's Dark Horse, which came out in 2023, took the place of the GT350. It has a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine and is a modern take on track-capable performance.
The Dark Horse SC looks like it will take over the GT500's role now. If you added a supercharger, it would give you the kind of horsepower numbers that car enthusiasts love, while still keeping the Dark Horse's focus on handling and usability. The SC could be the missing piece in Ford's lineup in this way: it's a car that combines raw power with smooth track performance.
What Red Bull Does
The place where the reveal happens is just as important as the car. Ford is coming back to Formula 1 as a power unit supplier starting in 2026. This is a new chapter for Red Bull Racing. Red Bull and Ford are showing that the Mustang is still a big part of the brand's performance identity by putting the Mustang Dark Horse SC in the same video that celebrates Ford's racing history.
Having Verstappen, who has won three world championships, drive the car makes it even more believable. It connects the Mustang to the top of motorsport, which supports the idea that Ford's racing and road cars are all part of the same performance vision.
Anticipation Grows
Ford has already hinted that it will show off a new street-legal performance car at its annual racing launch, which is set for Thursday. That timing makes it very likely that the Dark Horse SC will be officially revealed at the event. Fans won't have to wait long to find out if the car is really supercharged, track-focused, or something else entirely.
People in the Mustang community love to guess, and the SC has already started arguments on forums and social media. Will it have more than 700 horsepower to compete with the GT500? Will it use advanced aerodynamics based on the GTD? Or will it add new technology, like hybrid assistance, to fit with Ford's larger plan to electrify more cars? For now, the answers are still a secret.
A Bigger Picture
The reveal also shows how car companies are more and more mixing stories from the past with new product launches. The company stresses continuity by putting the Mustang SC in a story that covers almost a century of Ford racing. The Mustang isn't just another fast car; it's part of a long line of fast cars that goes back to Le Mans and Formula 1.
People who value both tradition and innovation like this strategy. It also makes the Mustang a global performance icon that can compete with supercars while still being available to a wider range of people.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC is still a mystery, but its reveal along with Red Bull Racing's announcement of a partnership has already caused a stir. The SC shows that Ford is still committed to making the Mustang better, whether it's a supercharged monster, a competition model ready for the track, or something else entirely.
For fans, the waiting is part of the fun. The Mustang has always been more than just a car; it's a symbol of American performance culture. Ford seems ready to write the next chapter in that story with the SC. This chapter will connect the past, present, and future of racing.
7.New Ricoh GR IV Monochrome costs 46% more than the standard model
Ricoh GR IV Monochrome: A Black and White Camera That Costs a Lot
Ricoh has officially announced the price of the GR IV Monochrome camera, which was first shown off last October. The price is high: $2,199.95. That's a full $700 more than the base GR IV, which is a 46% price increase for a version that doesn't have any colour at all. There aren't many monochrome-only cameras on the market right now, but Ricoh is betting that a dedicated group of black and white fans will buy the premium.
A Small but Steady Market
It's not uncommon for black-and-white versions of cameras that are already on the market to cost more. The idea is that taking out the colour filter array and interpolation process lets the sensor pick up sharper details, more tonal gradations, and more complex black-and-white images. But many photographers think it's strange to pay more for something that looks like "less."
Most camera companies don't bother making models that only take black and white pictures. Only Leica and Ricoh Pentax have consistently tried new things with them in the modern market. The Q3 Monochrom from Leica, which came out last year, costs $7,790, which is more than $1,000 more than the regular Q3. In the same way, the M11 Monochrom costs $10,160, while the standard M11 costs $9,840. In 2023, Ricoh Pentax came out with the K-3 III Monochrome, which cost $200 more than the regular K-3 III.
The GR IV Monochrome is special because it came out so quickly after the GR IV itself—just a few months instead of years. The price difference between the GR III and GR IV is already very high, and Ricoh risks testing the patience of loyal fans who have long loved the GR series for its balance of portability, performance, and price.
The Value Argument
Critics often say that monochrome cameras cost more because they don't have a colour filter. That's too simple, but it does show how many photographers are doubtful. Why pay more for a camera that looks like it does less?
Supporters say that a dedicated monochrome sensor gives a completely different experience. Without the Bayer filter, the sensor only records luminance data, which makes the images sharper, the details cleaner, and the tonal range more dynamic. For people who only like black and white, this isn't a step back; it's a step forward.
Chris Niccolls of PetaPixel has been a long-time supporter of the appeal of black-and-white cameras. He said in his review of Leica's Q3 Monochrom, "Many photographers, myself included, love black and white photography enough to justify a dedicated camera that offers different tones of monochromatic imagery." It's also nice to be able to use classic colour filters to change the contrast of only certain parts of the image.
In his review of the GR IV Monochrome, Niccolls said, "Photography isn't always about the best tool or the easiest way to get to a final result." He thinks that the creative process and the discipline of only shooting in black and white are what make the work valuable.
Ricoh's Pitch
Ricoh says that the GR IV Monochrome builds on the core values of the GR series by adding a sensor that is only for monochrome. Ricoh says that by getting rid of the colour filter and interpolation process, the camera gives better rendering and a wider range of tones.
The camera also has a built-in red filter that lets you create unique black and white effects. It also has new Image Control options that are made just for black and white photography. These features are meant to give photographers more creative control and more expressive results than just changing colour photos to black and white after the fact.
Expectations and Audience
The GR IV Monochrome is not as expensive as Leica's cameras, but it is aimed at a different group of people. Leica is popular with high-end buyers and collectors, while Ricoh's GR series has always been popular with street photographers and fans who like small, quiet cameras.
Ricoh will probably sell every unit it makes because the GR line has a loyal following and monochrome versions tend to be very popular in certain groups. The real question is how many photographers will be happy with the purchase, given the high price. For some, the price will be worth it because of the unique way they can shoot. Some people might think that Ricoh is taking advantage of goodwill.
Availability
You can now pre-order the GR IV Monochrome for $2,199.95. It will ship in mid-February. Starting January 15, Ricoh will show off the camera at its GR Space locations in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, and Brisbane.
The GR IV Monochrome is a rare chance for photographers who love black and white pictures to use a tool made just for them. For people who don't believe it, it brings up familiar questions about value, efficiency, and whether it makes sense to pay more for less. Ricoh has made sure that the talk about black-and-white photography continues, no matter what.
8.OpenAI launches ChatGPT Translate with one-tap style and tone adjustment
OpenAI has released a new product called ChatGPT Translate that competes with Google Translate.
OpenAI has officially released ChatGPT Translate, a web-based translation tool that can translate more than 50 languages. The new service is meant to go head-to-head with Google Translate. OpenAI is trying to get into the business of translating for people. It is using its AI skills in a simple interface made for people who can speak more than one language.
A New Way to Use a Design You Already Know
At first, ChatGPT Translate looks a lot like Google Translate. Each service has two text boxes. One box is for typing or pasting the text you want to translate, and the other box shows the results. It's easy for people who have used a translation tool before to choose the source and target languages from dropdown menus.
The design looks familiar, but OpenAI has made some small changes to it. You can choose how to translate by clicking on one of the preset options, like "make this more business formal" or "translate casually." This feature understands that translation isn't just about the words; it's also about the tone, register, and setting. These presets could help students write essays and professionals write emails a lot.
A side-by-side look at Google Translate and ChatGPT Translate
The two services do the same basic thing, but they have very different features.
You can use Google Translate to change the language of text, pictures, documents, and even whole websites. The app has a camera translation feature that works in real time. This means that people can point their phones at signs or menus and get results right away. It also works well with Android and Chrome, so students and travellers should definitely get it.
ChatGPT Translate: It works with text input on desktop computers and both text and voice input on mobile browsers right now. The homepage says that image translation is coming soon, but it's not ready yet. This means that ChatGPT Translate isn't as good as Google at handling multiple modes right now.
OpenAI's focus on voice translation through mobile browsers, on the other hand, suggests that conversational translation could become a key strength in the future. Think about how cool it would be to talk into your phone and get a translation that not only gives you the exact words but also fits the mood and setting.
The Edge of AI
People have praised the regular ChatGPT chatbot for being able to translate for years because it can pick up on small differences in meaning. OpenAI is adding that feature to a specific product by starting a new service.
It looks like ChatGPT Translate uses the same big language models that ChatGPT uses. Google Translate, on the other hand, uses neural machine translation models that are designed to work quickly and on a large scale. OpenAI hasn't said which model powers the service, but it's likely that it uses advanced generative AI's ability to understand things in context. It might be better than other translation engines at dealing with hard sentences, idioms from other cultures, and changes in style.
Not an App Yet
One big problem is that things aren't always there when you need them. Google Translate works on both your computer and your phone, and they work together. Right now, you can only use ChatGPT Translate on the web. There are no apps for this in the App Store or Google Play.
People who are used to features that work without an internet connection or a camera may find this lack to be a big deal. It's possible that OpenAI is still testing the app before they make it available to everyone. The company can get feedback, make changes, and see how much demand there is by starting on the web first.
The Market
There are a lot of translation services out there, but Google Translate has been the best for a long time because it's free and works well with other Google tools. DeepL and other companies have found their own niches by focussing on accuracy and fluency. OpenAI's entry shows that translation isn't just a tool; it's also a field where AI can change things in small ways.
ChatGPT Translate is another way for OpenAI to grow its brand beyond just the chatbot. ChatGPT is a great way to talk to people in general, but translation is a clear and useful use case that millions of people need every day. OpenAI can get people to use its service who may not be interested in AI chat but do want to be able to talk to people in more than one language.
Reception and Results
People want to know how accurate ChatGPT Translate is compared to Google Translate and DeepL. People are excited about the new feature that lets you add stylistic presets, especially business users. But it might not be as popular right away because it doesn't work with images or mobile apps.
It could become a strong competitor if OpenAI adds the ability to translate images, work with documents, and work offline. These features will probably be available soon because the company is known for making changes quickly.
In short
OpenAI's ChatGPT Translate is a big deal for the company because it competes with one of Google's most popular services for people. It has a familiar interface, supports more than 50 languages, and has unique stylistic presets. This makes it a new way to translate.
It doesn't have as many apps or support for different modes as Google Translate does right now, but its AI-powered contextual reasoning could make it more accurate and better at picking up on tone. It seems like a great new tool for anyone who cares about how translations sound. It also shows that OpenAI wants to do more than just talk; they want to compete in everyday global communication as well.
9.Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to debut with 60W wired fast charging
Rumours about the Galaxy S26 series: 9 cool new features coming this February
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is going to be one of the most talked-about smartphone releases of 2026. There are only a few weeks left until the expected release of the Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26 Plus, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Leaks and rumours have already given us a pretty good idea of what to expect from each one. It looks like Samsung is getting ready to make big changes to all of its products, from design changes to performance improvements.
1. A new look for the Galaxy S26 Ultra
People are saying that one of the biggest changes for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is that it might get rid of its boxy, Note-inspired design in favour of rounder corners. This would make the Ultra look more like the other models in the series, which could make it easier to hold and look better. Some fans like the softer design, but others miss the Ultra's unique squared-off shape.
The camera islands on the S26 and S26 Plus are also expected to get small changes. Instead of floating separately, the lenses will be grouped together, which will make the phones look cleaner.
2. The Ultra's Privacy Display
The privacy display feature for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is probably the most interesting rumour. AI can help the phone figure out when someone nearby is looking at your screen and hide sensitive information on its own. This new idea would get rid of the need for privacy screen protectors, which can make screens less bright and colourful. If this is true, Samsung could set a new standard for privacy on devices that would be good for both professionals and regular people.
3. Bigger Screens for the S26 and S26 Plus
It looks like display sizes are getting bigger. The Galaxy S26 might get bigger, going from 6.2 inches to 6.3 inches. The S26 Plus might get bigger, going from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. These small changes show that Samsung is still trying to get the most out of its screen space without making big changes to the shape of the phone.
There are also rumours that the brightness will get better, with the S26 possibly reaching 3,000 nits, up from 2,600 on the S25. The Ultra, on the other hand, is expected to show off a new M14 OLED panel that promises to be more efficient and brighter.
4. The Ultra's cameras have wider apertures.
People who love photography might be excited to hear that the Ultra's main and 5x telephoto cameras will have wider apertures. This change would let more light into the sensors, which would make them work better in low light and make less noise. Wider apertures also make depth-of-field effects stronger, which makes portrait shots look more real. This could be a big advantage for Samsung in the camera wars against its competitors.
5. Split between Exynos and Snapdragon
As in the past, Samsung is likely to divide processors by region. The Exynos 2600, made on a 2nm process, will be available in some markets. The U.S., on the other hand, will get Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite. Early leaks say that the Snapdragon may be better than the Exynos at some things, but both chips should be able to handle flagship-level tasks. The rumours that the Ultra would only work with Snapdragon have been proven false, so the regional split is still going on.
6. Batteries that are bigger
The battery life of all the devices is getting better. The Galaxy S26 could go from 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh, and the Ultra could have a 5,200mAh battery. These improvements, along with faster processors and OLED panels, should lead to longer battery life, which is a great improvement for power users.
7. Charge faster
People are also saying that charging speeds will get better. The Ultra may be able to charge at 60W wired and 25W wireless speeds, up from 45W and 15W, respectively. The base S26 could be able to charge at 45W when plugged in, which would make it closer to higher-end models. These improvements would help Samsung compete better with Chinese companies that have been offering faster charging solutions for a long time.
8. A thinner Galaxy S26
The Galaxy S26 may get thinner, going from 7.2mm to 6.9mm thick, even though it has a bigger battery. The phone could be a little heavier, but making it thinner would make it look sleeker. This improvement shows how hard Samsung is working to find a balance between battery life and portability.
9. Date of Release and Price
Most leaks say that the launch will be on February 25, 2026, which is a little later than Samsung usually does. There is still no clear answer about the price, but some reports say it could go up by $50 to $100 because the cost of parts is going up. Samsung may, however, decide to keep prices stable by limiting some upgrades. This will keep the Galaxy S series competitive in a tough economy.
Final Thoughts
All of these rumoured upgrades point to Samsung getting ready to make a big change to the Galaxy S26 series. The three seem ready to make improvements in all areas, from design changes and new privacy features to brighter screens, wider camera openings, and faster charging.
People are getting excited about Samsung's event in February, even though the prices and final specs are still not known. If the leaks are true, the Galaxy S26 lineup could strike a balance between new design and cutting-edge features. This would keep Samsung at the top of the flagship smartphone market.
10.2026 iPhone Fold to feature high-strength "amorphous" liquid metal hinge
Apple's first foldable iPhone is made of titanium alloys and liquid metal hinges.
There have been rumours for a long time that Apple is making a foldable iPhone. New reports from the supply chain say that the company is getting ready to use better titanium alloys and advanced liquid metal hinges for its first device. This would mean that Apple's materials engineering has made a big leap forward. They have come up with new ideas to make foldable smartphones that are strong, light, and last a long time.
Apple and Liquid Metal Have a Long History
According to Korean leaker yeux1122, Apple's foldable iPhone will have a hinge made of liquid metal, which is an amorphous alloy that Apple has been looking into for more than 15 years. Unlike other metals, liquid metal doesn't have a crystalline structure. It has great properties, like being very strong, being able to bend without breaking, and being able to resist fatigue when put under mechanical stress over and over again.
Apple has been working with liquid metal since 2010, when it signed a licensing deal with Liquidmetal Technologies that gave Apple the right to sell the material in consumer electronics. Since then, liquid metal has been used in small parts like SIM ejector tools, but making it in large amounts for structural parts has been difficult. Apple keeps filing patents for using liquid metal in buttons, hinges, and other moving parts, even though these problems exist.
Foldable devices have to open and close all the time, so their hinges need to be able to handle thousands of uses without breaking. This job is perfect for liquid metal because it acts like a spring. Apple's foldable iPhone might be more durable than competitors that use more standard hinge designs because of this.
Titanium Alloys: Strong but Not Heavy
The hinge might be made of liquid metal, but the main part of the foldable iPhone is probably made of a new type of titanium alloy. Foldable designs make things even harder because titanium is already stronger than aluminium or stainless steel for its weight. Big devices need to be strong but not too heavy, especially around the hinge.
Apple has been using titanium for a long time, most recently in the iPhone 15 Pro series. Apple would have made four titanium iPhones with the foldable iPhone. This would have given the company a lot of practice in improving the alloy's composition and how it is made. According to reports, the new titanium material will make the foldable stronger and lighter at the same time. Even though it's bigger, this will make it easier to hold.
Why the materials used in foldables matter
People know that it's hard to make smartphones that can fold. The hinge needs to be strong but also able to bend. The body needs to be able to resist bending forces, and the screen needs to be able to fold without getting weak or wrinkled. A lot of the first foldables from other companies weren't very durable. For example, their screens broke easily and their designs were too big.
Apple wants to fix these problems directly by using titanium frames and liquid metal hinges. Liquid metal makes the hinge last longer, and titanium keeps the body light but strong. Apple could use these materials to make a foldable iPhone that feels high-end, is strong, and is useful every day.
What to Expect in Terms of Look and Features
People say that Apple's first foldable iPhone will look like a book, just like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. Some important things are:
7.8-inch screen inside for tablet-like use.
The outer screen is 5.5 inches wide when it's folded, which makes it easy to use.
Display technology that doesn't leave creases, which is a big problem with foldables.
The A20 chip and Apple's C2 modem make sure that the device works and connects to the internet as well as possible.
There are two cameras on the back that should work well whether the phone is folded or not.
Face ID and Touch ID built in, maybe in the power button.
These features show that Apple wants to strike a balance between being new and being familiar. They want to make a foldable phone that feels like an iPhone but has new features.
When and where to start
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will come out in the autumn of 2026, along with the foldable iPhone. This timing works with Apple's usual launch window in September, which will help the product get the most attention and interest from customers.
If the rumoured specs are true, the foldable could be the most interesting thing at the event. This would mean that Apple is entering a market it has been watching closely while its rivals tried out early designs.
Problems and opportunities
There are still problems, even though everyone is excited. Foldable devices are expensive to make, so Apple will have to find a way to balance cost and what customers want. Prices might go up if high-tech materials like liquid metal and titanium are used, which could make it harder for most people to use.
But Apple has a history of turning niche products into big hits with the public. The first iPhone changed how people think about smartphones, the iPad made tablets popular, and the Apple Watch became the most popular wearable. People might go from thinking foldables are cool new things to thinking they need one if Apple can make one that feels smooth, strong, and high-quality.
More Effects
Apple's use of titanium alloys and liquid metal affects more than just the things it makes. If these materials work well in the foldable iPhone, they might also work well in future MacBooks, iPads, or even wearables. The strength-to-weight ratio of titanium could make bigger devices lighter and easier to carry. The durability of liquid metal could also help laptop hinges.
Apple is also investing in materials science, which shows that the company wants to make its products stand out not just with design and software, but also with new engineering breakthroughs. This method makes Apple's reputation for making high-quality, long-lasting products even stronger.
To sum up
Apple's first foldable iPhone isn't just a new shape; it's also a sign of how far materials engineering has come. Apple is fixing the problems of weight and durability that have plagued foldable devices by using liquid metal hinges and stronger titanium alloys.
The foldable iPhone might be one of Apple's most ambitious products yet. It looks like a book, the screen doesn't crease, and it works as well as the best. Prices and availability are still unknown, but people are looking forward to its release in the autumn of 2026. If Apple is successful, the foldable iPhone could change not only how smartphones work, but also how materials are used in consumer electronics in the future.
11.Microsoft fixes invisible Start menu folder bug in Windows 11 Build 28020.1371
Windows 11 Canary Channel Update: The first build of 2026 fixes bugs and makes things better.
The first update for the Windows 11 Canary Channel came out in 2026. This update lets Insiders see version 26H1 before it comes out in the first half of the year. You can now get the new build, 28020.1371. It fixes a lot of bugs and improves the OS. There aren't many new features in this update, but it does show that Microsoft is still working on fixing bugs that testers have found and making Windows 11 better.
How to Fix the Start Menu
The best thing about this build is that it makes the Start menu better. People who worked on the project said that there was a bug that made the whole folder disappear when you clicked on something inside it. This was very annoying. This problem got in the way of workflows and made it hard to find apps that were pinned.
With build 28020.1371, Microsoft fixed the problem and made sure that folders work as they should. This fix makes people trust the Start menu again, which is one of the most obvious parts of Windows 11. They use it to get to apps quickly.
Modifications to the File Explorer
The update also fixes a bug in File Explorer that made a white flash show up when you switched from one page to another. This was very frustrating. This bug appeared after the last flight and was very annoying for people who spend a lot of time organising files.
Microsoft has made it easier to browse the web by getting rid of the flash. This makes File Explorer even better at helping you finish your tasks. Overall, these small changes to the way the operating system looks make it look better.
Getting the input settings right
You can also fix this by going to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Keyboard and changing the setting for how long the keyboard waits before it repeats a character. In the past, the delay setting was set up in different ways for the backend and frontend. This made things harder to understand and made them work in a different way.
With the fix, users can now accurately control how fast characters repeat when they hold down a key. This change makes the interface easier to use for both typists and gamers. It also makes it work the way people expect it to.
Different Ways to Repair the System
Microsoft has fixed a lot of other things, not just the Start menu, File Explorer, and input settings.
Some people had their computers freeze when they tried to run Windows Terminal as an administrator from a non-admin account. This issue has been fixed, which makes Terminal more stable for developers and power users who use it for command-line work.
Share Dialogue Bug: The Share dialogue sometimes had a choice to share with Shell Experience Host, but that wasn't supposed to happen. The issue has been fixed, and the sharing interface is now easier to use.
These fixes show that Microsoft cares about both the obvious bugs and the less obvious problems that can make the system less reliable.
Problems that are known
This build has some weird things about it, just like most Canary Channel releases. The watermark on the desktop that shows the wrong build number is the most famous bug. The only difference is how they look, but this could confuse testers who are keeping track of versions. Microsoft is aware of the issue and will likely fix it in a future flight.
These bugs are still there, which means that the Canary Channel is still being tested. Early builds are sent out to get feedback before they are sent to a bigger group of people.
What the Update Means for Employees
The Windows Insiders build 28020.1371 is a good reminder of how useful the program is. You can test out new features and fixes before they come out, and you can help shape development by giving feedback. This update doesn't add any big new features, but it does show that Microsoft is trying to make Windows 11 better over time.
If you're using version 26H1, you should expect to see more builds in the next few months. These builds will slowly add new features and fix bugs at the same time. The Canary Channel is supposed to show changes before other channels do, so testers often find bugs that haven't been fixed for everyone else yet.
What to Look Forward to in Windows 11 Version 26H1
The 26H1 update will probably come out in the first half of the year, which is when Microsoft usually releases updates. There isn't much information yet, but it seems that the focus is on making small changes that make things more stable and faster instead of making big changes.
There are rumours that Microsoft will keep adding more ways to customise things, speed up the system, and make AI-powered features work better together. The business hasn't said what new features will be added in 26H1 yet. For now, builds like 28020.1371 show us some of the work that is still going on behind the scenes.
Last Thoughts
Build 28020.1371 is the first Windows 11 Canary Channel update of 2026. It may not change the operating system much, but it does fix a lot of important issues with the Start menu, File Explorer, input settings, and system stability. By fixing problems that Insiders have reported, Microsoft shows that it cares about improving things over time and listening to users.
More builds will be made to version 26H1 as the year goes on to make it better before it is released to the public. This update lets Microsoft employees see how Windows 11 will change in the future. There are still some known bugs, but the Canary Channel is still doing its job of testing, fixing, and getting Windows ready for the future.
12.Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 lands on Pixel with a massive wave of bug fixes
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 is a big update for Pixel devices.
Google has released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 for Pixel devices. It looks like it will be one of the biggest quarterly platform releases in a long time. Google sends out updates in the middle of a cycle that are more than just monthly security patches using QPR, which stands for Quarterly Platform Release. Most of the time, these updates fix bugs, speed things up, and make things easier to use. Beta 2 of QPR3 is the same.
According to Google, this update "fixes a lot of problems with stability, performance, and usability." The new build promises to make things run more smoothly, help with battery management, and fix some long-standing problems for Pixel owners who are part of the beta program. Let's talk about what's new, what's been fixed, and why this release is so important.
Things that work with it
A lot of Pixel hardware can run Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2, such as:
Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 7a
Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold
Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a
Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9a
Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold
This wide range of compatibility shows that Google is committed to supporting many generations of Pixel devices, including tablets and foldable phones. Google has made a step-by-step guide for people who want to try out the update.
The settings have been changed around.
One of the most obvious changes in Beta 2 is that the Settings > System menu has been changed. The changes don't change everything, but they do make it easier to find some options and get around. Over time, Google has been making the Settings app less cluttered and easier to use. This update keeps that trend going.
Fixes for Important Bugs
QPR3 Beta 2 is so great because it fixes so many bugs. These changes are meant to fix issues with the user interface, battery management, system stability, and connectivity.
The system's stability
Google has fixed bugs that caused devices to freeze or crash without warning. This fix should make all Pixels that are supported work better.
Foldable device crashes: A bug caused foldable devices to crash when they were folded while an app was open. Google fixed this by making it better at handling activity lifecycles when the state changes.
Taking care of the battery
Charging limit bug: Devices weren't following the user's charging limits and charged all the way to 100%. This has been fixed, which will help keep the batteries of users who limit charging at lower levels in better shape.
Overnight battery drain: The power use of background processes has been improved to cut down on too much drain when the phone is not in use.
Charging problems with wires and without wires: The power management system has been improved to fix issues with wireless charging that didn't always work and wired charging that was too slow.
Getting in touch
Slow Wi-Fi speeds: The bug that made Wi-Fi connections slower has been fixed, so connections are now faster and more stable.
Missed calls and delays in audio routing: When users switched audio outputs to speakerphone during calls, they had to wait longer. Google fixed the lag by improving the way audio is routed.
The interface for users
App drawer not working: If you scroll through the app drawer, it might stop working. Changes to how the UI is displayed have fixed this issue.
Problems with the notification shade: Graphical glitches and slowdowns when using the notification shade in full-screen or picture-in-picture modes have been fixed.
Screen flickering: The screen would sometimes flicker when I woke the device from Always-On Display. Updating system WebView fixed this problem.
Works with apps
Microsoft Intune crashes: Some apps, like Microsoft apps that Intune managed, were crashing when they started up because they weren't compatible. The main problem has been fixed by Google, and business users can now use the service again.
Android Auto battery drain: Android Auto was incorrectly counting a lot of screen time, which drained the battery. This has been taken care of.
Other Radio information crash: Trying to change the radio information settings used to make the program crash. The issue with this bug has been fixed.
The Share dialogue sometimes had a choice to share to Shell Experience Host, which it shouldn't have. This has been taken down.
Why These Fixes Matter
When you put these fixes together, they fix a lot of the problems that Pixel users have said they have. Better battery management is especially important because too much drain and charging that isn't always the same can make the user experience worse. Fixes for connectivity make Wi-Fi work better and calls more reliable. Fixes for the user interface get rid of annoying bugs.
For people who use foldable devices, stability improvements are very important. When the state changes, it can be harder to manage app lifecycles on foldables, but Google's fix should make these devices more stable.
Things that are known to be wrong
This beta release still has some bugs. The most important one is a desktop watermark that shows the wrong build number. It might only be a cosmetic change, but it can confuse testers who are keeping track of versions. Google is aware of the issue and will likely fix it in a future build.
Beta software is always being tested, so users should be ready for problems to happen from time to time. But the fact that Beta 2 has so many fixes shows that Google is getting closer to a stable QPR3 release quickly.
In the Future
People should be able to get Android 16 QPR3 in the first half of 2026. Google is working on making Beta 2 stable and easy to use instead of adding a lot of new features. This is a big step towards the release. There may be more features in future betas, but it looks like the main goal is to improve the main experience.
Pixel owners should remember how great Google's quarterly release cycle is with QPR3 Beta 2. People don't have to wait for yearly upgrades; they get useful updates all year long. This method makes sure that devices stay up to date and responsive, even when Android gets big updates.
In the end, Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 is a big update that fixes major issues with system stability, battery life, connectivity, and how well the user interface works. Google has released a beta that seems more like a finished product by fixing crashes, making charging work better, fixing Wi-Fi bugs, and making the user interface work better.
This release is one of the most important QPR updates so far because it fixes so many small problems. People who use Pixel phones and are in the beta program can expect a better, more stable experience. The changes are a good sign for the public release of Android 16 QPR3 later this year.
13.OpenAI launches ChatGPT Translate with one-tap style and tone adjustment
ChatGPT Translate, which competes with Google Translate, has been released by OpenAI.
ChatGPT Translate, a web-based translation tool that can handle more than 50 languages, is now officially available from OpenAI. The service is meant to go head-to-head with Google Translate. This is OpenAI's first real attempt to get into the consumer translation market. It combines the company's AI technology with a simple interface that is easy for people who speak more than one language to use.
A Look That Is Familiar
At first glance, ChatGPT Translate and Google Translate look very similar. There are two text boxes in each service: one for typing or pasting the text you want to translate and another for showing the results. Users can choose the source and target languages from dropdown menus, which makes it easy for anyone who has used a translation tool before.
The choice to design this way was made on purpose. OpenAI made it easier for new users to use ChatGPT Translate by giving it a layout that is similar to Google Translate. In this way, people who are used to Google Translate can quickly learn how to use ChatGPT Translate. The interface is very simple, which shows that the tool's main goal is to be easy to use and accessible.
The main differences between this and Google Translate are
There are some big differences between the two services, even though they look the same.
Google Translate can change the language of text, pictures, documents, and even whole websites. The app has a real-time camera translation feature that lets people point their phones at signs or menus and get results right away. It also works well with Android and Chrome, so it's a must-have for both students and travellers.
ChatGPT Translate: Right now, it works with text input on desktop computers and both text and voice input on mobile browsers. The homepage says that image translation is coming soon, but it isn't ready yet. For now, this means that ChatGPT Translate isn't as good as Google at handling multiple modes.
On the other hand, OpenAI's focus on voice translation through mobile browsers suggests that conversational translation could become a key strength in the future. Think about how great it would be to talk into your phone and get a translation that fits the tone and situation as well as a direct one.
A Special Advantage of Style Presets
One of the best things about ChatGPT Translate is that it comes with style presets. People can tell the translation to use a certain tone, like "business formal" or "casual." Translation isn't just about the words; it's also about the register and the situation.
These presets could be very useful for people who write emails, students who write essays, or travellers who want to learn about cultural differences. Unlike Google Translate, OpenAI's service lets you change the way the translation sounds. Most of the time, Google Translate gives you translations that are more literal without changing anything.
Building with ChatGPT's Features
People have praised the regular ChatGPT chatbot's translation features for years because they can understand idioms and subtle meanings. OpenAI is making that skill into a focused product by launching a separate service.
ChatGPT Translate appears to use the same big language models that power ChatGPT. On the other hand, Google Translate uses neural machine translation models that are optimised for speed and scale. OpenAI hasn't said which model powers the service, but it's likely that it uses advanced generative AI's ability to reason in context. This might help it translate longer sentences, cultural phrases, and changes in style better than other translation engines.
What you can and can't do
One big problem is that it's not always there. Google Translate works on both your computer and your phone, and they work together. You can only use ChatGPT Translate on the web right now, though. The App Store and Google Play don't have any apps for this.
This lack may be a big deal for people who are used to features that work without an internet connection or with a camera. OpenAI might still be testing the app before they fully release it. By starting on the web first, the company can get feedback, make improvements, and see how much demand there is.
The Market
There are a lot of translation services, but Google Translate has been the best for a long time because it's free and works well with other Google tools. DeepL and other companies have carved out their own niches by putting a lot of focus on accuracy and fluency. OpenAI's entry shows that translation isn't just a tool; it's also a field where AI can make small changes to products.
OpenAI can also use ChatGPT Translate to make its brand bigger than just the chatbot. ChatGPT is great for talking to people in general, but translation is a clear and useful use case that millions of people need every day. OpenAI can get people to use its service who may not be interested in AI chat but do want to be able to talk to people in more than one language.
Reception and Effects
People want to know how ChatGPT Translate compares to Google Translate and DeepL when it comes to accuracy. Adding stylistic presets is a new feature that people are excited about, especially business users. But it might not be as popular in the short term because it doesn't support images or mobile apps.
If OpenAI adds image translation, document support, and the ability to work offline, it could become a strong competitor. Because the company is known for making changes quickly, these features will probably be available soon.
To sum up
OpenAI's ChatGPT Translate is a big deal for the company because it puts its AI technology directly up against one of Google's most popular services for people. It has a familiar interface, supports over 50 languages, and has unique stylistic presets, which makes it a new way to translate.
It doesn't have as many apps or support for different modes as Google Translate does right now, but its AI-powered contextual reasoning could make it more accurate and sensitive to tone. It looks like a great new tool for anyone who cares about how translations sound. It also shows that OpenAI wants to compete in more than just talking; they want to compete in everyday global communication too.
14.Forza Horizon 6 release date allegedly leaked via in-game advertisement
People are talking about when Forza Horizon 6 will come out and how it will play.
Microsoft appears to be getting ready for one of the biggest gaming news stories of 2026: the first look at how Forza Horizon 6 will play. New leaks say that the racing game that fans have been waiting for may finally have a release date: May 19, 2026.
An inside leak from Forza Horizon 5
An Xbox Infinite user, who used to be on Twitter, started the rumour when they said they got a preorder notification for Forza Horizon 6 while they were playing Forza Horizon 5. Reports say that the message appeared in the game's garage section, which makes it look like Microsoft may have released promotional content too soon.
The leak hasn't been widely shared, but it fits with what sources say about Microsoft's plans for a May release window. If this is true, Forza Horizon 6 would come out right before summer, which is a great time for big games to come out.
Information about the Premium Edition
The leaked notice not only told players when the game would come out, but it also told them what they could expect from the Premium Edition of Forza Horizon 6. The message says that people who buy the Premium Edition will be able to play it four days before the regular release, which is on May 15th.
Other advantages are:
There are special benefits that come with VIP membership.
A welcome pack to help you get going.
A car pass that lets you see a lot of new cars.
A group of cars for racing against the clock.
Two great expansions after the game came out.
A pack of Italian Passion cars, which probably has famous Italian sports cars in it.
These extras are in line with Playground Games' tradition of giving dedicated fans great premium bundles, so people who buy the game early will have a lot to do.
Japan
The fact that Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan is probably the most exciting thing about it. The Horizon games have always done well in beautiful, varied places. For example, Forza Horizon 4 took place in the rolling hills of Britain, and Forza Horizon 5 took place in the colourful landscapes of Mexico. Car lovers dream of going to Japan because it has a great mix of busy cities, winding mountain roads, and coastal highways.
Fans can look forward to winding mountain roads that remind them of drift culture, city streets lit up with neon lights that are great for late-night races, and country roads that show off the beauty of Japan's landscapes. The setting also lets you connect with other cultures, like Japanese car companies and motorsport traditions like touge racing.
How to Get Platforms
Forza Horizon 6 will be available on PC and Xbox consoles first in 2026. But this time, it won't come out on PlayStation 5 at the same time as other games. It seems that Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are working to bring the game to PS5 after it comes out, though.
This staggered release plan shows that Microsoft is focused on its own ecosystem, but it also thinks about the bigger market. Microsoft makes sure that the Xbox and PC are the main homes for the Horizon series by putting them first. Eventually, people who play on PlayStation will be able to play the games too.
Why May Makes Sense
Microsoft's bigger plan works well with a May release date. The company has put out a lot of big games in the spring and early summer, when players want new things to do but the holidays are too busy.
Forza Horizon 6 might be a good way to show off Xbox hardware and Game Pass subscriptions. This would be interesting to both racing fans and casual gamers. A May release would give the game time to get a lot of attention before the fall rush of other big releases. This is because the franchise is known for being easy to play and fun.
Can't wait for the Gameplay Reveal
Microsoft will probably show the first gameplay footage next week. This will be the first time fans get to see how Forza Horizon 6 will work. The reveal will probably focus on the new cars, the Japanese setting, and the changes to the mechanics.
The Horizon series is known for mixing realism with arcade-style fun, so showing off gameplay is very important. Players will be paying close attention to any new features that set Horizon 6 apart from the other games in the series, as well as any improvements to graphics, physics, and customisation.
The Big Picture
Forza Horizon is one of Microsoft's most important series because it always comes out with games that get great reviews and are fun for a lot of people. People liked Horizon 5, which is set in Mexico, because it has a big map, different biomes, and fun festivals. Horizon 6 needs to build on what worked and come up with new ideas at the same time.
Going to Japan is a brave thing to do that will give you a new culture and racing scene. Horizon 6 could make the series the best open-world racing game by adding premium expansions and ongoing support.
The end
Microsoft hasn't officially said when Forza Horizon 6 will come out yet, but a leaked preorder notice says it will be on May 19, 2026. People who buy the Premium Edition will be able to play it on May 15, which is a day early. The game is set in Japan and will first be available on Xbox and PC. It promises a lot of content, beautiful racing tracks, and a real feel for the culture.
As the first look at gameplay gets closer, people are getting more and more excited. Forza Horizon 6 could be one of the best games of 2026 if the leaks are true. It would give fans a thrilling new chapter in the popular racing series.
15.Deadpool arrives in Marvel Rivals as first hero to play all three roles
Deadpool Edition of the Marvel Rivals Season 6 Patch Notes
Hey, it's Deadpool. I'm taking over the patch notes because, let's face it, no one reads these unless they're really worried that their main got nerfed. Then you complain that there are no balance updates here, and some random person on the internet tells you that you really want the Balance Post, not the Patch Notes. I see you, people on the internet! Guess what? It's almost time for Season 6. And yes, they finally added me. It took them long enough. Did Gambit and Rogue get in before me? Are you serious? Anyway, I'm ready to play now, and I'm going to make the Collector's Museum crazier than a taco truck at a biker rally.
By the way, the game will be down for about two hours on January 16th, starting at 9:00 AM UTC while the tech wizards inject me into the mainframe (or whatever they do back there). Let's break the fourth wall together with a chimichanga.
Things That Are New
The Best Hero Ever Is Me!
Deadpool is coming to Marvel Rivals! Katanas, jokes, a healing factor, and more sarcasm than you can handle. I'm here to cut, chop, and steal the show. And yes, I do talk. A lot.
New Stories and Plot Twists
A new show called Night at the Museum! Think of explosions, chaos, and 90% more Deadpool.
New Deadpool Story: A Hero in His Own Mind. Hey, that title hurts my feelings, but it's true.
Hero Proficiency: Now You Can Brag More
There are more levels, rewards, and reasons to show off your main in Season 6. All that Proficiency you've been saving up? It automatically turns into shiny new levels. If you've been working hard, you'll get rewards right away. Boom! You did it! No need to press any extra buttons.
New Systems Times Square: Epic Photo Mode Get pictures of your most heroic, funny, or embarrassing times. Included are filters. Instagram, you should be jealous.
Controller Settings: Share the Genius lets you save, share, and trade controller settings. You can now have reflexes like Deadpool's (results may vary).
New in the store
Deadpool – Captain Pool Bundle: It's me with a hat on. Get it.
Venom—Marvel Cosmic Invasion Bundle: Retro symbiote madness.
Spider-Man: Marvel Cosmic Invasion—Spidey shows up at the party.
Deadpool—Emoji Bundle: Because my face says a lot.
Invisible Woman—Chroma for the Prism Parade Costume: Now 200% more visible.
Available from 09:00 UTC on January 16, 2026.
Extended until January 23, 2026, at 2:00 AM UTC:
Peni Parker—Snow-SP//dr Bundle
Star-Lord and Starcracker Bundle
Daredevil: Not Daredevil Bundle
Battle Pass for Season 6
Brand new BP: Museum Ticket! Get 10 costumes, such as:
Prism Parade: Invisible Woman
Venom—Space Corsair
Mantis: Gladiator of the Galaxy
And more. Get them all. (Yes, I know that's a different brand.)
Event of the Season: Whac-A-Jeff
Get the FREE Jeff – 8-Bit Bash costume by capturing Jeff the Land Shark in the new event.
Longer Events
Gone Crazy for Gifts: The deadline has been moved to January 29, 2026, at 09:00 UTC.
Jeff's Winter Splash Festival has also been extended until January 29, 2026, at 09:00 UTC. Now there are 100% more Jeffs.
Competitive
Season 6 brings new Nameplate Frames, Badges, and rewards. Gold tier and up? You stole my costume, Deadpool—Workwear Woes. Yes, the one I always complain about.
Changes to the mode
Quick Match has yeeted Resource Rumble out. People who rage-quit are happy.
Tournaments
Season 6 of the Marvel Rivals Championship (MRC) is here.
Entry Requirement for Platinum 3: Still the same. No bribes will be taken.
Everyone gets rewards, not just the winners. All placements get Emblems, Nameplates, Sprays, and Units. Even if the best thing for your team to do is to dance together at spawn.
Light 2026
You can still get a starting slot in Ignite if you attend PC events during MRC Season 6. Each area has at least 25% of its slots set aside for factions from Season 6. That's maths, kid.
Points for Champions
You will earn Champion Points just by playing starting in Season 7. Stack them up to try to get a promotion or avoid being demoted. From seasons 7 to 11, you can earn up to "Champion Points 26." The best factions get to play in the Ignite Mid-Season Qualifiers. In other words, show up, work hard, and maybe make your mom proud.
Things you can add
New bling for Rogue, Deadpool (me again), Doctor Strange, Squirrel Girl, Iron Man, Captain America, Daredevil, Black Panther, Storm, and Blade.
Twitch Drops
You can get the Invisible Woman – Will of Galacta costume and other items by watching streams.
The drops will happen between January 16, 2026, at 12:00 UTC and February 13, 2026, at 09:00 UTC.
New rotation of costumes in college:
Thor—Majestic Clothing
Immortal Sovereign: Scarlet Witch
Jeff the Land Shark—Sunshine Land Shark
Weapon X: Wolverine
The Fantastic Four: First Steps with Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing
Spider-Man: The Future Foundation
Squirrel Girl—Sunshine Squirrel
Improvements and fixes
Every Platform
Scoreboard Limbo: People who were stuck on the results screen in Custom Games can now leave. You're welcome.
PC Mouse Optimisation: Added a high polling rate mouse setting. Polling rate of 8K? Your moves are now as quick as my comebacks.
Slimmer Files: The PC install size went down by 15%. More space for cat memes.
Heroes
Thor's Thorforce: It disappeared too soon because of network delays. Mostly done.
Magneto's mistake: Winter Soldier's Tainted Voltage no longer sends Magneto flying high into the air.
Punisher's Ping: Vantage Connection is now stable even when the network is bad.
Piercing Projectiles: A rare bug that made things worse has been fixed.
Doctor Strange Portals: Heroes who can fly can now use portals that are cast right on the ground.
Jeff the Land Shark Keybind: The default keybind is now blank. Before you get on Groot's back, set it up yourself.
Final thoughts
Deadpool is in Season 6, which is full of chaos, costumes, competitive rewards, and—most importantly—Deadpool. Marvel Rivals is getting better with new bundles, events, tournament changes, and fixes. You can either follow me or keep an eye on the official channels. Anyway, I'm the most interesting part. Rating for the patch note: 11 out of 10. Would break the fourth wall again.
Deadpool is out. See you in the sixth season.
16.Hytale launcher becomes the exclusive home for Orbis explorers
Hytale Launches After Ten Years: Why It's Not on Steam (Yet)
Hytale has finally come out after ten years of waiting. Hypixel Studios' sandbox RPG has been one of the most talked-about indie games of the past ten years. It has been compared to Minecraft and has inspired a passionate community even before it came out. You won't be able to find Hytale on Steam, though. Hypixel has decided to only release the game through its own launcher, though. This choice has led to questions: why not use Steam, and could Hytale eventually be available there?
Why Not Use Steam?
Patrick Derbic, the executive producer, said in a FAQ that Hypixel chose to release Hytale through its own launcher so that it could stay in closer touch with its community. Derbic says that launching on Steam right away could have led to a "flood of cold first impressions that could have changed the game's direction too much."
In other words, Hypixel wanted to avoid the chance that millions of casual Steam users would play the game without knowing what it was about, leave bad reviews, and hurt its reputation before the studio had a chance to improve the experience. Hypixel can make sure that the first wave of feedback comes from dedicated fans who have been following the game's development by using its own launcher.
Derbic made it clear that this doesn't mean Hypixel is avoiding criticism. The studio, on the other hand, said it welcomes "honest, negative criticism" and has been "very critical" of its own work. The choice was made to control the launch environment so that first impressions are based on facts and not feelings.
Could Hytale be available on Steam later?
Hytale won't be available on Steam at launch, but Derbic said that Steam is still a "great platform and marketing tool." He said that Hypixel "might never need" to put Hytale on Steam, but they might. The choice hasn't been made yet.
Derbic said, "This doesn't mean that Hytale will never be on Steam." "We don't see the need for it right now because we want to keep our launch closer to our community."
Modding is one technical factor. Hytale has big plans for modding, but Steam doesn't support all of them right now. Hypixel wants to talk to Valve about possible ways to make integration happen. Steam could be a better choice if modding compatibility gets better.
Hypixel is happy for now to grow its player base through its own ecosystem. But there is still a chance that it will come out on Steam in the future.
What About Game Consoles?
At launch, Hytale is also not available on consoles. But Hypixel did say that they are planning to make versions for consoles in the future. This makes sense because the game is popular with a lot of people and similar games like Minecraft have done well on many platforms. Hytale could reach a lot more people if it were available on consoles, especially younger players who mostly play on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
The Strength and Power of Steam
Steam is one of the biggest and most popular online stores for PC games, with millions of people logging in every day. For a lot of gamers, Steam is the same thing as PC gaming. It is a powerful platform for both big publishers and indie developers because it is easy to use and has a wide reach.
Valve, which owns Steam, gets a cut of every game sale. Hypixel doesn't have to pay those fees because it doesn't use Steam, but it might have to pay other costs to keep its own launcher running. Some businesses have tried out other options because of this financial incentive.
Steam's huge library can also be a problem. It can be hard to find new releases because there are so many of them. But it's also a place where smaller games can get a lot of attention and get a lot of players. Hytale has to give up that possible exposure in order to have more control when it launches outside of Steam.
How it Compares to Other Games
Hytale's choice isn't the first of its kind. You can't get Minecraft, the game that inspired Hytale, on Steam either. Instead, Mojang made its own launcher and ecosystem, which has worked well. Riot Games' League of Legends also has its own launcher.
For business reasons, other companies have tried to take games off of Steam. EA and Ubisoft both moved to their own platforms for a while, but they eventually came back to Steam, which shows how important it is.
At the same time, competitors like GOG (which sells games without DRM) and the Epic Games Store (which is backed by Fortnite developer Epic) have tried to take on Steam's top spot. Even though they've found their own niches, none of them are as big, important, or culturally significant as Steam.
The Big Picture
Hypixel's choice is part of a larger trend in the industry: developers are weighing the pros and cons of giving up control of their games on Steam. Hypixel can directly support the Hytale community by launching the game through its own app. This is because the game has built up a loyal fanbase over ten years of development.
At the same time, casual players might not notice Hytale because it's not on Steam. Hypixel will only bring the game to Steam if its own launcher is successful, modding support grows, and the studio thinks it needs to reach more people than just its core community.
Final Thoughts
Hytale has finally come out after ten years of work, but it's not on Steam. Hypixel Studios chose to launch through its own app on purpose so that the first experience would be more like its community and to avoid the problems that come with a lot of first impressions. Steam is still a strong platform, but Hypixel is being careful and putting control and communication ahead of immediate exposure.
The studio hasn't ruled out a Steam release in the future, and they have confirmed that console versions are coming soon. Hytale's journey starts in its own ecosystem, where fans can finally explore the world that has been in the works for ten years.
17.Researchers confirm 87-year-old quantum prediction with direct Migdal effect observation
Looking into the Migdal Effect in Gas Detectors: Theory, Experiments, and Backgrounds
The Migdal effect, a nuanced phenomenon in neutron–nucleus scattering, has gained significance in the pursuit of dark matter. When a nucleus bounces back after a collision, it can ionise bound electrons, which can then be detected. To understand this process, you need to do both theoretical modelling and careful testing. Recent research utilising gas detectors and D–D neutron beams offers an in-depth examination of the manifestation and measurement of the Migdal effect.
Theoretical Framework
The beginning is the differential cross-section for Migdal scattering in the soft limit. It merges the nuclear recoil spectrum with the likelihood of electron ionisation from atomic shells. Each species in a gas mixture contributes, using scattering cross-sections from evaluated nuclear data libraries like ENDF/B-VIII.0. We use Dirac–Hartree–Fock methods to figure out the transition probabilities for electrons.
Atoms like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen can be treated as free because the recoil energies in the experiment are much higher than the chemical bond energies. The total Migdal cross-section is calculated by integrating recoil and electron energies, taking into account detector thresholds. The ratio of Migdal to elastic scattering cross-sections gives a direct measure of how important the effect is. Calculations show that the chances are about 3.9 × 10⁻⁵ in the 5–10 keV range, which is in line with what was found in experiments.
Assembling the Detector
The detector is a gas pixel device that was carefully designed. Brazing and laser welding are used to seal parts so that they are airtight and stable. The structure has ceramic rings and Kovar alloy rings that hold up a gas microchannel plate (GMCP), which is the exit electrode. A pixel chip called Topmetal‑II is attached to a ceramic base and connected by gold wires.
This design reduces out-gassing and contamination, which is very important for sensitive measurements. The detector's shape and materials are designed to cut down on background noise and keep the detector stable during long experiments.
Data acquisition and electronics
There are three layers to the electronics system:
The gas pixel detector and readout circuits are on the front-end board.
Back-end board with FPGA controllers, storage, and ways to talk to each other.
High-voltage board that controls GMCP signals and sends out trigger pulses.
The Topmetal-II chip collects and stores data in real time, compressing and quantising it. A difference compression method cuts down on data size by only sending changes in pixels that matter. The chip updates frames every 2.59 ms, and the timing resolution between GMCP and pixel signals is 262 ns. This makes sure that the measurements of coincidence are accurate.
Calibrating and Resolving
The 5.9 keV ⁵⁵Fe source is used for calibration. At this energy, the detector has an energy resolution of 26.5%, and the resolution gets better as 1/√E. To test position resolution, a copper plate is used to block half of the X-ray beam. This gives an average spatial resolution of 200 μm. These numbers show that the detector can pick up on small track structures.
Framework for Simulation
Simulations use Star-XP, which is based on GEANT4 and has been tested with neutron collision data. The framework simulates the motion of charged particles, ionisation, and electronic logic. It has a special Migdal generator. The full detector geometry, as well as shielding and scintillator monitors, are all included. This makes it possible to realistically test particle transport, neutron activation, and backgrounds.
Measurement of Neutron Flux
The D-D neutron generator makes neutrons with an energy of 2.5 MeV. EJ309 liquid scintillators are used to keep an eye on flux and spectrum. They are calibrated with gamma sources and simulated response matrices. Pulse shape discrimination distinguishes neutrons from gamma rays. Reconstructing the neutron spectrum with iterative unfolding is very similar to simulations. This makes sure that the input for Migdal event analysis is correct.
Runs of the experiment
There were two runs in 2024, and the second one had more detector units. We watched neutron beams from different angles. Daily checks were made on the calibration of the detector gain, and the chamber's temperature and pressure were always checked. The results showed that the system worked well and that there was a consistent link between the neutron flux and the detector counts.
Identification of Tracks
Machine learning was used to tell the difference between nuclear recoil (NR) and electron recoil (ER) tracks. A YOLOv8 model that was trained on thousands of real and fake images got more than 99% of the answers right. The model finds the positions and types of tracks, which makes it possible to put together events with both NR and ER tracks that are close together, which is a sign of Migdal scattering.
Choosing an Event
To rebuild NR tracks, pixel values are fitted to straight lines, and the endpoints are improved using center-of-gravity methods. Before ER reconstruction, morphological processing gets rid of NR contributions. If the ER vertices are close to the NR endpoints, the events are kept. More cuts are made to get rid of edge distortions and accidental coincidences. This algorithm finds real Migdal candidates.
Quenching and Backgrounds
Quenching factors, obtained from TRIM simulations, explain why ions have a lower ionisation yield than electrons. We carefully look at backgrounds:
Delta electrons from recoil tracks add very little.
Bremsstrahlung processes are insignificant in the 5–10 keV range.
There are about 0.18 random coincidences of NR and ER tracks.
Neutron activation of gas atoms is not important.
Radon and krypton are examples of trace contaminants that have very low electron rates.
Muon-induced δ-rays add about 0.013 events.
Track selection cuts stop secondary NR cascades from happening.
In general, background expectations are much lower than the events that were seen.
Uncertainty and Importance
Model variations, detector resolution, and background estimates all cause systematic uncertainties. These are carefully measured so that theory and experiment can be compared in a strong way. The observed Migdal probabilities correspond with theoretical predictions, validating the approach.
Final thoughts
After ten years of theoretical work and testing, scientists are now very sure that the Migdal effect can be seen in gas detectors. Researchers have been able to get an exact measurement of this subtle phenomenon by using advanced detector technology, machine learning track recognition, detailed simulations, and thorough background analysis.
The results not only support theoretical models, but they also have direct effects on searches for dark matter, where Migdal scattering could open up new ways to find it. The Migdal effect could become a key part of next-generation particle physics experiments as detector resolution and background suppression continue to get better.
18.Digg officially launches public beta to challenge Reddit's dominance
Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian bring back the original "Front Page of the Internet" with Digg Returns.
Digg was the "front page of the internet" before Reddit became the default. In the middle of the 2000s, Digg came up with the idea of crowdsourcing content discovery. People can "upvote" links to make them show up higher on the front page of the site. It was a simple but powerful way that changed how people read news and other things that went viral online. For a while, Digg was a big part of the internet.
But a bad redesign in 2010 drove away many of its loyal users. A lot of people went to Reddit because it had a more open community. It quickly drew in Digg's users. Reddit became one of the biggest sites in the world, but Digg changed owners and tried out different ways to edit over the years.
Digg is back in 2026. Kevin Rose, who started the site, and Alexis Ohanian, who helped start Reddit, have both brought it back. They want to bring back Digg's legacy and compete with Reddit by coming up with a new way for people to make things together.
The Start of Beta
Digg.com made the beta version of Digg available to everyone on Wednesday. Anyone who wants to can join right away. Before it even went live, it had already asked 67,000 people to join.
There were 21 general communities when Digg first came out. People could talk about science, technology, video games, movies, and jokes there. These communities are the first steps towards bigger things. Anyone can now start a community about a specific interest or niche because it's open to everyone. But at the moment, there is only one manager for each community. The company wants to fix this issue as the platform grows.
A Time of New Faith
Kevin Rose told TechCrunch that the goal of the relaunch is to get users to trust them again. He is most afraid that AI bots will take over the platform or that bad people will use it for their own ends.
Rose said that communities could ask for proof of ownership or participation to make sure that things are real. For instance, a Digg group about a certain piece of hardware might ask its members to prove that they really own it. This is just one part of a bigger plan to make sure that conversations are real and based on real experiences, not fake spam or lies.
Every week, there are more features.
Justin Mezzell, the new CEO of Digg, says that as the site grows, the company wants to add new features to it every week. People's comments and the needs of the community will change Digg all the time, not just when big updates come out. This flexible approach is meant to keep the platform up to date and able to change, which was hard for Digg to do in its later years.
Mezzell said that the rule that only one person can run a community won't last long. As Digg gets bigger, it will get better tools for moderating and for people to work together to run it. The company wants to find a way to be both responsible and flexible so that things run smoothly and communities stay healthy.
An AI Podcast called Digg Daily
Digg Daily is a podcast made by AI that gives you a quick look at the most important stories on the site every day. This was one of the most interesting things that came out when it first came out. The podcast is meant to help people quickly find out what's popular without having to read a lot of feeds.
Digg says they might add human hosts later, but only if users want them. The AI-driven format shows that Digg is open to trying out new types of media as long as they don't cost too much.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Even now, the story of Digg's fall in 2010 is a warning. The new design took away things that users liked, which hurt the site's core identity. The change to Reddit happened quickly and was permanent. People who had been using the site for a long time felt left out.
Since then, Digg has had a lot of different owners, and each one has tried to bring the brand back to life with different levels of success. None of them could make it great again. Last year, Rose and Ohanian's purchase was a big deal. It showed that leaders who know the platform's history and its competitors would fix it.
Why Digg Matters Again
Digg is coming back at a time when it's hard for people to be honest, trust each other, and keep things in order in online communities. Reddit has had problems with its moderators, its rules about what content is okay, and the effects of AI. Rose and Ohanian want Digg to be different by making it a place where people can trust each other and know that they are taking part.
Digg is also different because of its history. Many people who have been online for a long time remember the site fondly and might be interested in seeing how it changes now that it is new. It's more important now that the people who started Digg and Reddit are working together to start over. This shows that they will use what they learnt from both sites.
The Next Step
We still don't know if Digg can really beat Reddit. Many people use Reddit and are very loyal to it. But Digg doesn't have to be better than Reddit to be successful. By focussing on smaller, more real communities and trying out new features like AI podcasts, Digg can get people who want something different.
The company says that Digg will stay flexible because it will let users help it grow and update the site every week. It might be able to find a permanent home in the modern internet ecosystem if it can learn from the mistakes of past redesigns and be honest with its users.
The end
Bringing back Digg is both a blast from the past and a risky new idea. Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian are in charge of the platform, which is trying to get back to the top of the online world. Digg wants to be a better option than Reddit by always putting honesty, trust, and change first.
The beta launch is the first step on this journey. The future of Digg will depend on how well it can balance new ideas with what it has learnt from the past. The internet has a new name and a new job. It's time to compete again to be the "front page of the internet."
19.Sid Meier’s Civilization VII brings 4X strategy to iPhone and iPad next month
On February 5, Civilisation VII will be available on Apple Arcade.
For a long time, the App Store has had a lot of different apps. Some are helpful, some aren't, and a lot are just for fun. Apple Arcade is a subscription service that always adds new games to its library. One of its most popular features is games. Sid Meier's Civilisation VII is the most recent addition to the franchise. It will be on Apple Arcade on February 5, 2026, which is almost exactly one year after it first came out.
A Franchise with a Past
The Civilisation series, which has been a popular strategy game since the early 1990s, was made by the well-known game designer Sid Meier. The franchise is known for being "one more turn" addictive. Players can lead a civilisation from the past to the future while keeping an eye on war, culture, technology, and diplomacy. Every new game has added new features and made things better, winning over both critics and fans.
Civilisation VII came out in early 2025 and was made by Firaxis Games. People had high hopes because of the franchise's past. Some people have praised the graphics and ease of use, while others have criticised some of the gameplay choices.
There are mixed reviews.
People often say that Civilisation VII does a bad job of moving from one era to the next. Players have said that there are times when historical figures lead civilisations in ways that don't make sense or break the immersion. "I have Ben Franklin leading the Romans, and then he leads Spain," said one reviewer on Steam. What? Who wanted this?
This mechanic was supposed to help players move forward, but instead it has made a lot of fans angry. Some people say that it takes away from the series' historical feel, which has always been a big part of it.
A lot of people have said nice things about the graphics in Civilisation VII, which is a good thing. This game has more colourful art direction, more detailed maps, and smoother animations than older games. Even though the game has some mechanical problems, these changes make it more appealing to players who care about how it looks and how easy it is to get into.
Apple Arcade Edition
Civilisation VII is now on Apple Arcade, which is the first time the game has been available through Apple's subscription service. People could already buy the game and play it on Apple devices, but now that it's in Arcade, subscribers can play it for free.
Apple Arcade is a subscription service that started in 2019 and lets you play a carefully chosen selection of games. Civilisation VII is a well-known series that strategy fans will love, and it makes Apple's lineup even better. People who use Apple products will be able to play the game on their Macs, iPhones, and iPads, which makes it easy for everyone to get to.
What do you want Apple Arcade for?
Apple made a smart choice by getting Civilisation VII. The service has mostly been about indie games and family-friendly games, but adding a big franchise will make it more interesting to more people. PC strategy games have always been popular, but now more and more complicated games are also doing well on mobile and tablet devices.
Because of its mixed reputation, some people might not have bought Civilisation VII directly. However, Apple can get them to buy it through Arcade. The "free for subscribers" model lowers the risk because players can try the game without having to buy it, and Firaxis can reach more people.
The Price Problem
Some people think that the subscription model for Civilisation VII might be the best way to price the game because it hasn't been very popular. People who aren't sure if they want to buy a game that has mixed reviews might be more likely to try it out if it's part of a service they already pay for.
This is like what's happening in the gaming world as a whole, where subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are popular ways to get games that might not sell well on their own.
Looking Ahead
People are curious about what will happen to the Civilisation series in the future now that it is on Apple Arcade. Firaxis has a history of adding new content and updates to its games, but it's not clear how Apple Arcade will handle extra content. Will subscribers automatically get expansions, or will they have to buy them separately?
Right now, the main focus is on the base game. You can play the whole Civilisation game on Apple devices. Fans of the series may hope that future updates will fix issues with how the game changes eras and stays true to history. On the other hand, people who are new to the franchise might just like the chance to try it out without having to pay anything extra.
Last Thoughts
Civilisation VII coming out on Apple Arcade is a big deal for both the series and Apple's plans to make more games. Some people have said bad things about the game's mechanics, but its graphics and ease of use are still good things. Apple puts one of the most popular video game series in Arcade so that subscribers can try it out without any risk.
The change gives Firaxis a chance to reach new people and maybe make the game more popular. In the next few months, how players act will determine whether Civilisation VII becomes a permanent part of Apple Arcade or just a passing interest.
From February 5, 2026, Apple users will be able to control their civilisations from the beginning of time to the future, all from their Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
20.Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra rumored to debut with long-awaited 60W charging
What to Expect from the Galaxy S26 Leaks: Exynos 2600, Faster Charging, and More
As people get ready for Samsung's next big Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco in early 2026, rumours about the Galaxy S26 have been spreading quickly. The Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra are the next big phones that the company will make. They haven't confirmed anything yet, but trustworthy sources are giving us a better idea of what to expect.
Ahmed Qwaider, a well-known leaker, posted new information on X (formerly Twitter) on January 14, 2026. This information confirmed earlier rumours about how fast the charging would be and how the chipsets would be distributed. His post didn't say anything new, but it did add to the rumours that Samsung is about to make big changes to all of its products.
All models charge faster.
People have been saying bad things about Samsung for years because its charging technology isn't as good as that of other brands. Chinese brands have pushed speeds well above 100 watts, but Samsung has been more careful, putting safety and battery life first. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra could only use 45 watts, and the base Galaxy S25 could only use 25 watts.
Qwaider says that the Galaxy S26 series will finally get a boost. With a wired connection, the Galaxy S26 Ultra should be able to charge at 60 watts, which is a big improvement that should speed up charging times. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ will go from 25 watts to 45 watts, which is the same as the Ultra model from last year, according to reports.
This change shows that Samsung is listening to what customers want, which is faster charging, while still keeping speeds in a range that it thinks is safe and will last a long time. For most people, the difference between 25 watts and 45 watts is big enough to cut the time it takes to charge by almost half.
A 2nm milestone for Exynos 2600
The most interesting rumour is that the Galaxy S26 and S26+ in Europe and other parts of the world might use Samsung's Exynos 2600 processor. People say that the Exynos 2600 is the first 2nm chip in the world. Later in 2026, Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek are all expected to make similar statements.
If this is true, it would be a big step forward for Samsung's semiconductor business. It will be better at handling heat, performance, and efficiency when it gets down to 2nm. The early Geekbench GPU scores for the international Galaxy S26 model support the claim.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, on the other hand, will only have Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which will make it the best-performing Samsung phone. Samsung has used this split strategy before, with Snapdragon chips for the Ultra and Exynos chips for the base and Plus models. This time, though, the focus is on showing off its own cutting-edge silicon.
Changes in different areas
Samsung has long split its flagship phones by region. For example, Snapdragon chips usually go to North America, while Exynos chips go to Europe and Asia. Some customers have been unhappy with this because they have seen that the two processors don't always work the same way in the past.
With the Exynos 2600, Samsung looks like it wants to change that. European buyers may finally feel like they are getting a processor that is as good as or better than the Snapdragon version if the chip lives up to its promise of 2nm efficiency and competitive GPU performance. There is still doubt, though, until independent tests show that the two are the same.
The Big Picture
The leaks show that Samsung is trying to find the right balance while working on the Galaxy S26 series. The company needs to keep up with competitors that offer the latest processors and super-fast charging on the other hand. It also needs to keep the battery safe, the supply chain around the world steady, and the product's quality high.
Samsung addresses a long-standing issue by raising charging speeds to 45 watts and 60 watts. But they don't go very far. Releasing the Exynos 2600 shows that it is a leader in semiconductor innovation. This could help it be more efficient and give it bragging rights in manufacturing.
Can't wait for Galaxy Unpacked
People are already excited about this year's Galaxy Unpacked event, which will probably happen later than usual. Fans are excited to see if Samsung confirms the rumoured specs and how the Galaxy S26 lineup stacks up against competitors like Apple's iPhone 18 series and new flagship phones from Chinese brands.
There will also be changes to the design, upgrades to the camera, and improvements to the software. So far, most leaks have been about chips and charging. As the event gets closer, we will probably learn more that will help us better understand Samsung's plans for 2026.
Last thoughts
The latest leaks say that the Galaxy S26 series will have big improvements in how fast it can charge and how powerful it is. The Ultra model might be able to charge at 60 watts and have Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance. The base and Plus models might have a new 2nm Exynos 2600 chip from Samsung and be able to charge at 45 watts.
If these rumours are true, Samsung could stop people from complaining about how slowly its phones charge and show that its semiconductor division can lead the way in the industry. Customers can expect faster charging, better efficiency, and possibly better performance in different areas as a result of the changes.
As always, Galaxy Unpacked will have the last word. In the meantime, leaks like Qwaider's keep the excitement going by letting us see a little bit of what could be one of Samsung's biggest flagship launches in years.
21.Google Adds Dedicated Documents Tab to Gemini Web Interface
Google adds a separate documents list to Gemini's "My Stuff" section.
After last month's redesign of the Gemini app's website, Google is still making improvements to the app. The "My Stuff" folder was a big step towards organising user-generated content, and now the company is adding a "Documents" list to that folder. This update shows that Google is still working to make Gemini more than just a generative AI tool. They want it to be a structured workspace where users can easily find and manage their creations.
From Grids to Lists That Are Organised
Gemini's "My Stuff" page used to show all of the things users made—images, videos, text, and code—in a grid of rounded squares. This design looked good, but it wasn't very useful for longer document titles or projects that needed to be identified quickly. The redesign moves away from this grid and towards a more useful list view, which makes it easier to pick and choose items.
The new "Media" section still has the images and videos that were made there, so users who are used to finding their visual content there will still be able to do so. The "Documents" section is where the real change happens. It now puts Deep Research reports and Canvas creations into a clear list. This includes structured documents like text-based projects, coding outputs, and more. By separating media from documents, Google is recognising that people use their content in different ways and changing the interface to fit those needs.
How the Documents Part Works
When users click on "My Stuff" in the side panel, they now see two separate groups: Media and Documents. By default, the Documents list shows the two most recent items. You can see the whole archive at gemini.google.com/mystuff/documents by tapping or clicking on it. This easier access makes it easier for people who use Gemini for ongoing research or project development.
Icons on the left side of each entry help you tell the difference between different kinds of documents. A report icon, for instance, means a Deep Research project, and a code icon means a Canvas generation that has to do with programming. This visual shorthand makes it easier and faster to get around, especially for people who are working on more than one project at a time.
Available on All Platforms
Right now, you can only see the new Documents list on the web. This update hasn't come out for the Android and iOS versions of Gemini yet, so mobile users will still see the old grid-style interface for now. Because Google has a history of slowly adding new features, it's likely that mobile support will come soon. For now, people who use the web like the more organised experience, and people who use mobile devices can expect similar improvements in the future.
NotebookLM Shortcut in Apps for Phones
Google is adding another useful feature to the account menu: a shortcut to NotebookLM. The Documents list isn't available on mobile yet. Gemini now has NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered note-taking and research assistant, as a tool that works with it. If you have the app installed, the shortcut on mobile opens the full-featured NotebookLM website instead of the app. This makes sure that users can use all of the features, but it might feel a little off for people who were expecting native app integration.
NotebookLM is already in the Settings & Help menu on the web, so this mobile shortcut makes the two platforms the same. It also shows that Google wants to make NotebookLM more closely connected to Gemini, making the two parts of its AI productivity suite work together.
Why This Is Important
Adding a Documents list may seem like a small change to the design, but it shows that Google has a bigger idea for Gemini. As more and more people use AI tools for research, writing, coding, and creative projects, it becomes more important to stay organised. A messy grid of rounded squares might be enough for making images for fun, but serious projects need structure and clarity. Google is saying that Gemini is more than just a place to play games; it's also a place to work by separating documents from media.
This update also fits in with larger trends in AI productivity. Competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic are looking into ways to add generative AI to workflows, focussing on not just creation but also management and retrieval. Google's decision to improve Gemini's interface shows that it is aware of these needs and is making its app a serious tool for professionals, students, and hobbyists alike.
Looking Ahead
The fact that it is only available on the web right now suggests that Google is testing it before making it available on mobile. When the Documents list comes to Android and iOS, users will be able to organise their files the same way on all of their devices. Meanwhile, the NotebookLM shortcut suggests that Google's AI tools may work together more closely, which could lead to cross-app functionality where research, notes, and generative outputs all work together smoothly.
Gemini users can now enjoy a more organised web workspace where media and documents are easier to tell apart. As Google keeps making changes, the app is changing from a simple generative platform into a full-featured hub for AI-powered productivity.
22.Windows DWM Zero-Day Exploited to Bypass Security Controls
The first zero-day attack from Microsoft in 2026 is already happening.
Microsoft and the U.S. government have raised the alarm about a new Windows security hole that is already being used by hackers. Microsoft's own threat intelligence team found the flaw, which is known as CVE-2026-20805, and made it public on the first Patch Tuesday of the year. It is the first zero-day of 2026, and both government agencies and industry experts have quickly taken notice of it.
The Weakness
CVE-2026-20805 is a bug that is not too serious, with a CVSS score of 5.5. At its core, the flaw lets an authorised attacker leak a memory address from a remote ALPC (Advanced Local Procedure Call) port. Security researchers say that leaking a memory address may not seem like a big deal compared to full code execution, but it is often a key part of a larger exploit chain.
Dustin Childs, Head of Threat Awareness at Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative, said that attackers could use the leaked address to get around memory protections and then link the bug with another vulnerability to run any code they want. In practice, this makes what could have been a complicated and unreliable exploit into something that can be used over and over again and is very dangerous.
What the government did
CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, quickly added CVE-2026-20805 to its list of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV). This means that federal agencies must use Microsoft's patch by February 3, 2026. CISA's warning made the problem seem even worse: "This type of vulnerability is a common attack vector for malicious cyber actors and poses significant risks to the federal enterprise."
The urgency comes from the fact that exploitation is already happening, but there isn't much information about it yet. Microsoft wouldn't say who is taking advantage of the flaw or how many attacks are happening. Because of this lack of openness, defenders have no choice but to put patching first.
Breaking ASLR
Security experts say that flaws like CVE-2026-20805 are especially dangerous because they weaken Address Space Layout Randomisation (ASLR), which is a key defence for operating systems. ASLR makes it hard for attackers to guess where code is in memory, which stops buffer overflow and memory manipulation attacks. Attackers can effectively disable ASLR by leaking memory addresses, which makes it much easier to exploit later.
According to Kev Breen, Senior Director of Cyber Threat Research at Immersive Labs, linking this bug to another code execution flaw could make a complicated exploit into a real attack. He said that Microsoft should have said which other parts might be involved in these exploit chains. He said that not doing so "significantly limits network defenders' ability to proactively threat-hunt for related activity." For now, Breen stressed, the only way to stop the problem is to patch quickly.
A Look at Patch Tuesday
There were 112 CVEs released on Patch Tuesday in January 2026. At the time of release, two other vulnerabilities were also known to the public.
A security flaw in CVE-2026-21265 that lets you bypass the secure boot certificate expiration feature. It has a score of 6.4. In June 2025, Microsoft had already sent out a notice about the end of the certificate. Devices that use certificates from 2011 need to update them soon or they will lose Secure Boot protections. This bug is unlikely to be used for anything bad, but it could be a pain for administrators who have to deal with old systems.
A 7.8-rated elevation of privilege flaw in third-party Agere modem drivers is CVE-2023-31096. This non-Microsoft CVE was first reported in 2023. It was known to the public but not used. Microsoft said in October 2025 that the unsafe drivers would be taken out, and the January update finally got rid of them from Windows versions that were still supported.
Other Bugs That Are Important
Dustin Childs talked about two more Office security holes besides the headline zero-day:
CVE-2026-20952 (CVSS 7.7)
CVE-2026-20953 (CVSS 7.4)
Both are use-after-free bugs that could let code run on the local machine. Childs said that these bugs are part of a worrying trend of Preview Pane exploit vectors in Office. Even though no one has used these flaws yet, the fact that they keep happening makes it more likely that attackers will eventually use them as weapons.
What this means for defenders
The release of CVE-2026-20805 shows that attackers and defenders are still playing a game of cat and mouse. Memory disclosure bugs might not get as much attention as ransomware attacks, but they are often the most important parts of complex exploit chains. They make it easier for worse attacks to happen by weakening basic protections like ASLR.
It's clear what administrators should do: patch right away. With exploitation already confirmed, putting off updates could make systems open to attack by people who are actively looking for ways to break in. Adding the bug to CISA's KEV catalogue shows how serious it is and makes sure that federal agencies will act quickly. However, private companies should not fall behind.
In conclusion
Microsoft's first zero-day of 2026 is a bad sign for the rest of the year. The fact that there are so many vulnerabilities being reported this month, along with active exploitation and government warnings, shows how quickly security problems are affecting businesses. CVE-2026-20805 only has a medium CVSS score, but attackers can use it to break ASLR, which makes it a very powerful tool. Until more information comes to light, defenders must rely on quick patching as their best defence.
23.Android 17 Leak Reveals Optional "Dual Shade" UI for Pixels
Android 17 Leak Shows Notifications and Quick Settings Are Now Separate
For a long time, Android's notification shade and Quick Settings have been in the same panel. You can see both by swiping down from the top of your screen. Below a grid of toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other system functions are alerts from your apps. That design has been a part of Android since the early days of Jelly Bean. But a new leak says that Google may be getting ready to change that long-standing rule in Android 17. Users will be able to choose between the classic combined view and a new split interface.
The Leak
Mystic Leaks on Telegram shared a video and screenshot of what looks like an internal build of Android 17. This is the most recent news. The video shows a new menu called "Notifications & Quick Settings" under Settings > Notifications. Users can choose between two options in this menu:
Separate: To open Quick Settings, swipe down from the top right. To see notifications, swipe down from the top left.
Classic: To get to the traditional unified panel, swipe down from the top of your screen.
This design is based on earlier rumours and previews, but the leaked build shows that Google is working on the idea and getting it ready for more testing.
How the Split Works
If you turn on the Separate option, you can see the notifications list by swiping down from the left side of the status bar. The list itself hasn't changed in this build, but the top of the panel now has a big clock on it, which makes the interface look bold and easy to read. The icons for the day/date and status bar are hidden in pill-shaped boxes at the corners, which gives the design a more modern look.
Instead of opening Quick Settings, swiping down from the right side of the screen opens a sheet container that is anchored to the top. This panel has a smaller clock, rows that show carrier information, shortcuts for editing QS tiles, a link to full settings, and a power button. Below that, the familiar grid of Quick Settings tiles hasn't changed much since their last redesign.
New Things
One important new feature is a volume slider that is right below the brightness slider. This lets users quickly change the volume without having to go through more menus. The three-dot button next to the slider probably opens the full set of audio controls, which let you change the volume of media, ringtones, and alarms. This small change could make things a lot easier to use, especially for people who change sound settings often.
At the same time, Android 17 is said to bring back a dedicated Mobile Data Quick Settings tile with a cellular bar icon. In earlier versions, this tile was replaced by a combined Internet toggle, but many users complained that it was harder to manage cellular data. The fact that it came back shows that Google is paying attention to what people say. The separate Wi-Fi toggle, which uses the same icon, stays next to it.
How to Act on a Big Screen
It's interesting that the leak says that the Separate option will be required on big screens like tablets and foldables. The Combined (classic) view will only be available on the outer screen of foldable devices. This makes sense: more structured layouts work better on bigger screens, and putting notifications and system toggles in separate places could make things less cluttered and easier to read. It also fits with Google's bigger goal of making Android work better on big-screen devices, which started with Android 12L and has continued with later versions.
Why It Matters
The split design is a big change for how people use Android. The unified panel has been a key part of the operating system for more than ten years. Changing it could confuse people who have been using it for a long time, but it also makes workflows more flexible and efficient. Power users might like being able to get to Quick Settings without having to scroll through a long list of notifications. Casual users can stick with the classic combined view.
Google is willing to make small but important changes, like adding a volume slider and bringing back the Mobile Data tile. These changes may not seem like much, but they fix real problems that people have every day.
A Wider View
Leaks like this happen a lot of the time months before official announcements. Also, features that are shown in internal builds don't always make it to the final release. The fact that rumours about the split interface keep coming up shows that Google is serious about the change. It shows a bigger design philosophy: making things modular, clear, and able to fit on different screen sizes.
Android has always been proud of how customisable it is, and giving users the choice between Separate and Combined views is in line with that. It also follows trends on other platforms. On iOS, for example, Apple keeps notifications separate from the Control Centre, which can be accessed with different gestures. Google's method seems to take that idea and add to it while keeping Android's flexibility.
The end
The leaked Android 17 build gives us the best look yet at a possible redesign of one of the OS's most famous features. Google may be trying to make interactions easier by separating notifications and Quick Settings into separate panels. This is especially true on large screens. However, they still keep the classic combined view for those who like it. The update promises both cosmetic and functional improvements, such as a volume slider and the return of the Mobile Data tile.
We don't know yet if everyone will like these changes. Some people may not want to change how they work, but others will appreciate the extra clarity. Choice is the most important thing about Android, as it always is. If the leak is correct, Android 17 could be the start of a new way for people to use their devices, with notifications and system controls finally getting their own space.
24.Google Pixel 10a Rumored for Surprise February 17 Launch
A leak about the Pixel 10a suggests that it will come in new colours and be available in the middle of February.
Google's cheap Pixel "a" series is a great way for fans to get the Pixel experience without spending a lot of money. They can use it to refresh their phones in the middle of their life cycle. Some people were surprised that the Pixel 9a came out in March of last year because they thought it would come out later. Google might be moving even faster with the Pixel 10a. It has already appeared on the websites of international stores, along with options for storage, colour, and even a specific release date.
Signs of Coming Early
The first person to give hints was Roland Quandt, a well-known leaker. He said on Bluesky that the Pixel 10a would have two storage sizes: 128GB and 256GB. He also talked about four colours: Berry, Fog, Lavender, and Obsidian. According to Quandt, the device should be available in mid-February, which is earlier than last year's schedule.
After he posted, at least one online store put up the Pixel 10a with the same information. The store gave a very specific date: February 17, 2026. That's interesting. They also had cases in all four colours, which is what Google usually does when it sells official accessories that match the finish of the device.
How Retailer Leaks Happen
These kinds of leaks happen all the time if you don't know how Google releases new products. A lot of the time, information about the supply chain, lists of distributors, and model numbers come out weeks before an official announcement. Sometimes, stores put up product pages too soon, either by accident or because they think new stock will be in soon. The prices are often wrong at this point, but the model numbers and colour choices are usually good indicators of what's to come.
This has happened with a lot of different generations of Pixels. Fans and reporters keep an eye on these early listings to put the pieces together before Google makes anything official. In fact, similar leaks let fans see what to expect from the Pixel 10 series itself. The Pixel 10a's presence in this ecosystem is the first real sign that work is being done to get ready for the launch.
What the Pixel 10a Will Be Like
We don't know for sure, but the Pixel 10a might not be much better than the Pixel 9a. The "a" series from Google usually focusses on giving you the basics: good performance, clean software, and reliable cameras, all for a lower price than the flagship Pixel. The design language is usually the same as that of the main Pixel series, but the materials or finishes may be a little different.
The colours that got out—Obsidian, Berry, Fog, and Lavender—make it look like Google wants to make something fun and lifestyle-oriented. Obsidian is the classic black colour, but Berry and Lavender add bright, youthful colours. Fog is probably a soft, neutral colour. Google's plan is to make its devices not only useful but also friendly and expressive. These options show that.
The 128GB and 256GB storage options are what you'd expect from a mid-range device. Google hasn't said what the Pixel 10a's RAM or processor will be like yet, but it's safe to say that it will have a smaller version of the Tensor G4 chip that is in the Pixel 10. This will help keep costs down while still making sure that the phone can use Google's AI features.
Why Timing Matters
If February 17 is the right date, the Pixel 10a will come out before the Pixel 10, which will give it an edge over other phones. Samsung usually releases its Galaxy S series in January or February. Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE updates, on the other hand, usually come out in the spring. Google could get people interested in the time between those big launches by putting out the Pixel 10a in the middle of February. This would be great for people who want a good phone but don't want to pay top dollar for it.
Google can also keep its momentum going in the smartphone market by releasing new phones earlier. The Pixel 10 series came out last autumn, and the 10a would keep that excitement going into the new year. Google's hardware business has been steadily growing, so it's important for them to keep the Pixel brand in the news.
The Big Picture
This leak shows how Google's "a" series is changing. People first thought of the "a" models as cheap options, but now they are important parts of the Pixel ecosystem. They often sell more than the flagship versions because they are a good balance of price and performance. For many people, the "a" series is the best way to see how Google sees Android.
People are also curious about how Google makes its mid-range devices different from each other since the Pixel 10a is rumoured to not have any major upgrades. Google might have to rely more on software features, AI improvements, and ecosystem integration to explain the release if the hardware upgrades aren't very big. That plan has worked before, but the middle market is very competitive, with competitors offering low prices and high-end features.
To sum up
Retailers have started listing the Pixel 10a, which comes in different colours, storage options, and a launch date of February 17, 2018. This means that Google is getting ready to show off its next mid-range phone sooner than expected. The new colour scheme and earlier release date of the device may not be a big improvement over the Pixel 9a, but it could be a good choice for people who want a stylish, reliable Android phone at a good price.
As is always the case with leaks, the details could change before the official announcement. But if history is any guide, the news that is coming out now is probably true. For people who like Pixels, mid-February will be a fun time. It's when Google's line of cheap smartphones makes another small step forward.
25.Siri Evolves to Answer World Knowledge Queries Conversationally
Gemini, a new project from Apple and Google, will make Siri more personal.
This week, Apple and Google confirmed a major partnership: Google's Gemini AI platform will help make the next version of Siri. The announcement and The Information's reporting together give us a better idea of how Apple plans to make its digital assistant more conversational, aware of its surroundings, and helpful. This spring, iOS 26.4 will come out with the new Siri. More features will come out in iOS 27 later.
What the New Siri Can Do
The report says that the new Siri will be able to:
Answering factual and world knowledge questions in a conversational way, instead of the short answers that previous versions gave.
Siri could be more fun for families and kids if it could tell stories.
Giving emotional support, which shows how AI assistants are becoming more important for providing companionship and understanding.
Helping with everyday tasks like making travel plans or keeping track of reservations.
Making notes, like putting together a recipe or putting together information from a conversation.
These new features greatly expand what Siri can do. Siri is changing from a reactive assistant that can only follow simple commands to a proactive, multi-faceted friend.
A Look Ahead to WWDC 2026
Apple plans to show off more Siri features at WWDC in June 2026. These include:
Siri can keep track of past conversations so that she can keep things consistent and in context in future conversations.
Calendar, Mail, and Messages are some of the apps that can give you proactive suggestions based on their data.
Apple has already shown off some of these features. For example, Siri can use information from Mail and Messages to answer questions about a user's mother's flight and lunch reservation. Apple's bigger idea of "Apple Intelligence" is that AI should be able to work with people in a way that makes sense. This kind of on-screen awareness and deeper per-app control fits with that idea.
Gemini's Job
Gemini will provide the AI model that Siri uses, but Apple is making sure that Siri stays true to itself. Sources say that the newest prototypes don't have any Google or Gemini logos on them. Instead, Apple will tweak Gemini's model to make sure that Siri responds in ways that are in line with Apple's design philosophy, which puts privacy, user trust, and a unique Apple-style conversational tone first.
Apple told CNBC that Google's technology is "the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models." However, Apple still has control over how Siri works. This balance lets Apple use Google's cutting-edge AI while keeping its own ecosystem safe.
When to Launch
The new Siri is set to come out with iOS 26.4 in March or April 2026. But not all of the features will be available right away. Some of the more advanced features, like remembering past conversations better and making suggestions before you ask, might not be available until iOS 27 later this year. This phased rollout is similar to how Apple handles other big updates, which helps keep things stable and lets people get used to them slowly.
Reactions from the industry
The partnership has caused a lot of talk. Some people think that Apple is making a smart move because it has been behind its competitors in AI development in the past. Apple can use Google's Gemini to get a powerful generative AI model without having to build everything themselves. But some people are worried about how much power is in one place. Elon Musk, the CEO of xAI, said that Google's role in Android and Chrome, as well as powering Siri, is "an unreasonable concentration of power."
Even though these worries exist, Apple's insistence on fine-tuning Gemini and taking off the Google branding shows that it doesn't want to give up too much control. For users, the most likely result is a Siri that works better and feels more like Apple.
A Wider Context
Apple first showed off the idea of a more personalised Siri at WWDC 2024, but things have been moving slowly since then. The addition of Gemini marks a turning point for Apple, as it allows the company to keep its promises of being aware of context, having emotional intelligence, and offering proactive help. It also shows a trend in the industry as a whole: AI assistants are becoming more than just voice interfaces; they are becoming complex, multi-modal companions that can handle tasks, give advice, and even provide emotional support.
This change is part of Apple's bigger "Apple Intelligence" project, which wants to put AI into all of its apps and devices. Siri is the most obvious example of that strategy, and how well it works will be very important for Apple's reputation in the AI field.
What It Means for Users
For people who use their iPhones every day, the changes could be life-changing. Think about asking Siri to not only set a reminder, but also make a shopping list, suggest recipes based on what you have in your pantry, or plan your trip by looking at your emails and calendars. Siri could follow up on tasks without needing to be reminded because she can remember what people said in the past. Some people think emotional support features are a bad idea, but they could make Siri seem more human and friendly.
Apple's focus on privacy and control, on the other hand, means that users can expect protections against abuse. Some AI platforms show their branding right away, but Siri will always be Apple's assistant, even if Gemini is working behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts
Apple and Google's partnership is a new step in the development of digital assistants. Apple is making Siri smarter, more personal, and more proactive than ever by adding Gemini to it. Some features will take time to come out, but the upcoming release of iOS 26.4 promises to bring a Siri that can answer questions, tell stories, help people, and manage tasks in ways that have never been seen before. It's a chance for Apple to get back in the AI race. For users, it's the promise of a digital friend that finally seems smart.
26.Google Crowned Winner as Gemini Becomes Siri's Primary Brain
The Apple-Google Gemini Partnership is good for Google, not so good for Apple, and bad for OpenAI.
One of the biggest changes in the world of generative AI so far is that Apple will add Google's Gemini AI to Siri. Even though many financial and contractual details are still unknown, the strategic effects are already clear. The deal shows that Google is back in the AI game, that Apple isn't sure about making its own large language models (LLMs), and that OpenAI, which Apple had previously worked with, has lost ground.
Why This Is Good News for Google
The partnership is a strong vote of confidence for Google. Not too long ago, it seemed like the company was having a hard time keeping up with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude. Early versions of its Bard chatbot and Gemini models made a lot of mistakes that were embarrassing, like giving wrong information or strange results. Some people openly wondered if Google had lost its edge in AI.
Today, many people think that Google's Gemini 3 models are some of the best on the market. Google Cloud's infrastructure and its own tensor processing units (TPUs), which are better for running AI workloads than Nvidia's GPUs in terms of cost and speed, are helping them gain traction with both consumers and businesses. Apple's claim that Gemini is "the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models" is the best proof.
Bank of America analysts said that the deal makes Gemini an even better LLM for mobile devices and makes investors more confident in Google's long-term monetisation plan. The partnership probably brings in more money than just prestige. Bloomberg said before that Apple was paying Google about $1 billion a year to use its technology. The deal is also important because it gives Google access to Apple's huge distribution channel, which has an estimated 1.5 billion iPhone users around the world. If Gemini powers Siri, Google could eventually make money from product discovery, purchases, or even pre-installing Gemini's chatbot app on iPhones.
Why This News Isn't So Great for Apple
The effects are more complicated for Apple. On the plus side, the company gets a much better Siri and better AI features without lowering its strict privacy standards. Dan Ives, an equity analyst, called the deal "a stepping stone to speed up Apple's AI strategy into 2026 and beyond." Apple users will get a smarter assistant for a low price, and Apple will still be in charge of how Gemini is fine-tuned to fit with its brand.
But Apple's need for outside partners shows how hard it is for the company to build its own LLM. Apple has always been proud of how vertically integrated it is, making everything from chips to operating systems in-house. But there have been a lot of delays in generative AI. Last year, a number of Apple Intelligence features were put off, and the new Siri has been put off many times. These problems have hurt Apple's reputation as a tech leader and even led to a class-action lawsuit from customers who were upset that the iPhone 16 didn't have the advertised AI features at launch.
Many people thought that Apple's new Siri would be based on Apple's own models because Apple CEO Tim Cook said it would be out in 2026. Gemini will instead provide the base. Daniel Newman of Futurum Group and other analysts say that 2026 is a "make-or-break year" for Apple. The company has changed its leadership and hired a new head of AI who used to work on Gemini at Google. If Apple's delays are because of its strict privacy rules, the wait may be worth it in the end. Apple would like an AI model that is small enough to run completely on the device, so that user data doesn't have to be sent to the cloud. Apple may not be ready to go it alone yet because of technical problems like how much power it uses and how much heat it makes.
People who support Apple say that the company doesn't often take the lead. It wasn't the first company to make an MP3 player, smartphone, or smartwatch, but it eventually took over those markets through design and marketing. Apple has also worked with other companies in the past to get important technologies, like using Google's search engine in Safari, and this hasn't hurt its growth. This could also be true for AI: Apple might not need to make its own LLM if partnerships work out the way they want them to.
Why This Is Bad News for OpenAI
The partnership is a clear setback for OpenAI. The deal isn't exclusive, so Apple can still use OpenAI's models for some features. However, the choice to put Google first makes it seem like Gemini is better than ChatGPT. OpenAI loses the built-in distribution advantage of Apple's customer base, which makes it harder for the company to reach more people. OpenAI has more than 800 million weekly users, but reports say that the number of people using it is growing more slowly. If Apple users start using Gemini through Siri, people may stop seeing ChatGPT as the main AI.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has seen Apple as a major competitor for a long time. The company is working with Jony Ive, a former Apple designer, to make a new AI device that will compete with smartphones as the main way for AI assistants to interact with people. Apple used ChatGPT, but OpenAI knew what other devices would be able to do that its own device would have to compete with. Gemini's addition to the mix may make it harder for OpenAI to see Apple's AI roadmap, which could make it harder for OpenAI to compete.
OpenAI's best chance is to build a strong ecosystem around its new device that keeps users in a "walled garden" like Apple's. New discoveries in AI research could also give it back its edge and maybe even make Apple rely more on OpenAI again. But for now, the story has changed: Google has gotten its AI back, Apple is playing it safe, and OpenAI may lose some of its power.
The End
The Apple and Google Gemini partnership changes the way AI works. For Google, it's a win in terms of validation, money, and distribution. It's a practical but uncertain move for Apple that buys time and shows how much they depend on partners. OpenAI is hurt by this news, which could hurt its growth and competitive position. As generative AI becomes more important in consumer technology, the relationships between these three companies will shape the next phase of innovation and decide who will control the future of digital assistants.
27.Resort Hotel Managed by Kapp’n’s Family Opens on the Pier
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update Comes Out Early and Adds a Lot of Free Stuff
Animal Crossing: New Horizons came out in March 2020 and quickly became one of Nintendo's best-selling games, selling tens of millions of copies and becoming a cultural phenomenon during the pandemic. After a few years of seasonal events and one big paid expansion, though, it seemed like support for the game started to fade. People thought Nintendo had moved on. That's why it was so surprising when they said there would be a new version of the Switch 2 with better performance and a huge free content update. On January 15, 2026, they were both supposed to come out. Nintendo surprised everyone by releasing the 3.0 update early, which made players all over the world happy. It's ready now.
An Unplanned Rollout
In the early morning, news of the update spread quickly on the internet, and players saw that their consoles were automatically downloading the patch. Both Game Informer and Eurogamer said that the rollout wasn't just in the US; it looks like the update is available all over the world. There is no trick to getting to it; just turn on your Switch and the update should start. If it doesn't start on its own, you can start it by clicking the plus button on the game's home screen icon, going to "Software Update," and then choosing "Via the Internet."
Nintendo usually sticks to their release dates, so this kind of surprise release is not something they do often. The company got people talking and excited about the game again by putting out the update a day early. A lot of people thought the game was over.
What 3.0 Includes
The 3.0 update is a big one that adds new places and features that make life on the island even better. Some of the best things are:
Hotel on Kapp'n's Pier: A brand-new building that offers unique interactions and services, giving players more reasons to visit the pier beyond boat tours.
Slumber Islands is a new feature that lets players explore carefully chosen islands in a more relaxed and creative way, similar to the Dream Suite from New Leaf.
Crossover Furniture Lines: Players can use themed furniture sets from other Nintendo games to change the look of their homes and towns.
These new features breathe new life into the game, giving both old and new players new things to find. New furniture and places are very important for a game that is all about being creative and making things your own. They make the sandbox more fun.
Still Waiting for Switch 2 Upgrade
Even though the free update is now available, the Switch 2 upgrade is still scheduled for January 15. The optional upgrade costs $4.99 in the U.S. and will let you use Switch 2 features like mouse controls and GameChat, as well as improve performance and allow for more online play. The upgrade is a cheap way for people who already own the game to make it work better on Nintendo's new hardware.
But fans might say that the early release of the 3.0 content update is a bigger deal. Animal Crossing communities stay strong because of new gameplay features and ways to make the game your own, not just faster performance.
Why This Matters
It's important that Nintendo decided to go back to New Horizons after not talking about it for years. The game is one of the best-selling games in Switch history, with over 40 million copies sold. But many fans felt left out when updates stopped coming out as quickly. Nintendo still cares about the game because it gave it a big free expansion six years later, even though it is moving to new hardware.
Nintendo knows what its fans want, and this proves it. People who play Animal Crossing are known for how dedicated they are; they spend hundreds of hours making their islands perfect. You can get them excited again and bring back players who have stopped playing by giving them new tools and places to play. It also sets a standard: maybe other older Switch games will get similar updates when the Switch 2 comes out.
What people in the community think
Most of the first reactions online have been positive. Players are posting pictures of the new hotel and Slumber Islands, guessing what hidden features might be there, and talking about how great the crossover furniture is. People are talking again about how to design islands and plan multiplayer events since the update. This kind of excitement is very important for a game that is all about community and creativity.
Some fans are already guessing that Nintendo will keep making small changes to New Horizons throughout 2026, especially if the Switch 2 upgrade is a success. Some people are wondering if this is a sign that there will be a full sequel in the future. The 3.0 update has brought back interest in a franchise that does well when people stay interested for a long time, no matter what.
Last Thoughts
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update came out of nowhere, and it's a great surprise for fans who thought the game was over. It gives you new reasons to go back to the island by adding new places, features, and furniture. The Switch 2 upgrade will add technical improvements tomorrow, but the free content update is what really makes New Horizons so popular on the Switch. Nintendo has shown that this digital island paradise is still very charming after six years.
28.Civilization VII Launching on iPhone, iPad, and Mac via Subscription
Headlines for Civilisation VII Arcade Edition New games coming to Apple Arcade in February
Apple Arcade is still adding more high-quality, ad-free games to its library, and February 2026 is shaping up to be one of its best months yet. Sid Meier's Civilisation VII Arcade Edition will be available on February 5. This will bring one of the most famous PC strategy games to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Three other games—Retrocade, Felicity's Door, and I Love Hue Too+—will be added to the lineup along with Civilisation. These games will give players a wide range of gameplay styles, including strategy, nostalgia, rhythm, and puzzles.
Arcade Edition of Civilisation VII
Civilisation VII Arcade Edition is a big deal for Apple Arcade. Sid Meier, a famous game designer, made the Civilisation series, which has been a mainstay of PC gaming for a long time. Players have to build empires that last. For the first time, people who subscribe to Apple Arcade can play this AAA game on the go.
In this new chapter, empires change with the start of each new era in human history. Players' choices about diplomacy, war, and cultural growth all affect the unique history of their civilisations. The game lets players make legacies that last through the ages, whether they follow a path based on historical accuracy or make up new ones. The Arcade Edition has been improved for Apple devices, so it works smoothly and has easy-to-use controls on both touchscreens and Macs.
The arrival of Civilisation also shows how Apple Arcade is becoming more popular with PC gamers. New games like PowerWash Simulator and Cult of the Lamb Arcade Edition have already shown that the service is open to popular PC games, and Civilisation VII is just another example of this.
A Neon Nostalgia Trip to Retrocade
Retrocade, a love letter to the golden age of video arcades, will be available on February 5. Resolution Games made Retrocade, which is especially interesting because it works with the Apple Vision Pro, Apple's mixed-reality headset. In a virtual arcade lit up by neon lights, players can play classic games like Asteroids, Bubble Bobble, Centipede, and Galaga again. No need for quarters.
People who don't have Vision Pro can also use it. You can also play Retrocade on your iPhone or iPad, so you can enjoy these classic games anywhere. Retrocade is great for fans of old-school games because it lets you play classic games in one immersive package that is easy to get to.
A Rhythm Adventure with Felicity's Door
Felicity's Door is a new rhythm-based adventure game that takes players to a magical world of music and dreams. The story is about twins Tom and Felicity and their cute bear Mi-chan as they travel through strange and wonderful places. Every place, from the depths of space to seaside cliffs and huge cyberpunk cities, has its own rhythm and melody.
The gameplay mixes traditional rhythm mechanics with exploration to make a one-of-a-kind mix of music and storytelling. Felicity's Door looks like it will be both beautiful and emotionally powerful, making it a game that fans of both rhythm games and story-driven adventures will love.
I Love Hue Too+: A Favourite Puzzle Game for Trippy People
I Love Hue Too+, a popular puzzle game from the App Store that has been improved for Apple Arcade, is the last game to be released in February. The game asks players to put coloured tiles into perfectly ordered spectrums, turning chromatic chaos into harmony. I Love Hue Too+ is a relaxing game that is different from the more intense strategy and rhythm games that are coming to the service. The graphics are calming and the gameplay is meditative.
The "+" sign means that this version is only available on Apple Arcade, so there are no ads or in-app purchases. For people who love puzzles, this is a chance to play the game in its most basic form.
Events that are still going on and crossovers
Apple Arcade doesn't just add new games; it also keeps old ones fresh by adding new content and crossovers. For instance, on January 22, Crayola Create and Play+ will have a special event with Paddington for a short time. Players can join the bear on a snowy day for fun activities like making snowmen, baking cakes, and colouring in a warm place. These kinds of events keep people interested and add variety to the platform throughout the year.
Prices and availability
Apple Arcade is still one of the cheapest ways to get a lot of high-quality games. In the U.S., the service costs $6.99 a month, and new subscribers can try it for free for a month. People who buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV get three months of Apple Arcade for free. Apple One plans come with the service as well. There are three plans: Individual ($19.95/month), Family ($25.95/month), and Premier ($37.95/month). Each plan comes with a free month of service.
You can play Arcade Originals on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. You can play App Store Greats on your iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro. A Family Sharing group of up to six people can use one subscription to access the library of over 200 games. Availability depends on the device and region, but Apple is always working to make more devices compatible.
In conclusion
The release of Civilisation VII Arcade Edition on February 5 is a big deal for Apple Arcade because it brings one of the most popular PC games to mobile and Mac players. With the nostalgic charm of Retrocade, the musical magic of Felicity's Door, and the calming puzzles of I Love Hue Too+, the lineup shows off the variety and quality that Apple Arcade wants to offer. The service keeps getting better, with new events like Paddington's snowy day in Crayola Create and Play+. There's something for every kind of gamer. February will be a month of building empires, rhythm, nostalgia, and colour for subscribers.
29.Hackers Exploit Desktop Window Manager Bug to Map Windows Memory
Microsoft's Patch Tuesday in January 2026 fixed 114 bugs, one of which is still in use and was found on the first day.
Microsoft's first Patch Tuesday of 2026 fixed 114 security holes in its software. The update fixes bugs that let people get and share more information. One of these bugs is already being used in the real world. This release shows how difficult it is to keep Windows and other platforms safe. There are 106 flaws that are important and eight that are very important.
The Update's Size
Fortra says that this is the third biggest Patch Tuesday in January, after January 2022 and January 2025. The list of weaknesses shows where attackers usually go:
58 bugs that make you tougher
22 problems that let data get out
21 bugs that let code run from far away
Five problems with spoofing
Privilege escalation is still the most common kind of attack. This means that attackers want to have full access to the system, not just limited access. There are fewer flaws that let attackers run code from a distance, but these are often the most dangerous ones.
CVE-2026-20805 is a zero-day that people are using right now.
The most important fix is for CVE-2026-20805, which is a bug in Desktop Window Manager (DWM) that lets information leak. With a CVSS score of 5.5, the flaw lets an attacker with permission leak a section address from a remote ALPC port. This makes the memory in user mode unsafe. Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Centre (MTIC) and Security Response Centre (MSRC) found the problem.
Experts say that these weaknesses can make Address Space Layout Randomisation (ASLR) less effective, even though there isn't much information about how to use them. ASLR is an important way to protect against attacks that change memory. Kevin Breen from Immersive Labs said that hackers can connect the flaw to bugs that let code run by showing where memory is stored. This turns attacks that don't work into ones that can be done over and over.
Adam Barnett from Rapid7 said that DWM is a very good target because it makes it very easy to see all the display rendering on Windows systems. Microsoft used DWM to fix CVE-2024-30051 in May 2024. This bug made it easier for hackers to get into systems and spread QakBot malware. Satnam Narang from Tenable says that DWM is a "frequent flyer" in Patch Tuesday updates, having been fixed 20 times since 2022.
CVE-2026-20805 is now on the list of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) maintained by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This gives federal agencies until February 3, 2026, to fix it.
CVE-2026-21265 says that the Secure Boot Certificate has run out.
CVE-2026-21265 is another big problem. You can get through it with a score of 6.4. The reason is that Secure Boot certificates from 2011 are no longer good. Secure Boot checks that boot loaders and firmware modules are safe so that malware can't run when the computer starts up. Microsoft told customers in November 2025 that three certificates would expire in 2026 and that they should upgrade to newer versions from 2023.
These certificates are affected:
People don't use Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 anymore. It has been replaced by KEK 2K CA 2023.
You can't buy Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 anymore. You need Windows UEFI CA 2023.
UEFI CA 2023 and Option ROM UEFI CA 2023 are the two new versions of Microsoft UEFI CA 2011.
Your devices might not be able to start up safely if you don't update. This would be a problem for both home and work computers. Microsoft says you should make updates ahead of time to avoid downtime.
Removing unsafe Agere modem drivers
Microsoft also removed old Agere Soft Modem drivers from Windows. "agrsm64.sys" and "agrsm.sys" were the names of these drivers. These third-party drivers (CVE-2023-31096, CVSS 7.8) had a problem that could have made SYSTEM permissions more powerful. This comes after the "ltmdm64.sys" Because of CVE-2025-24990, the Agere driver was taken down in October 2025.
Microsoft wants to get rid of old parts that are still dangerous, even if they aren't used very often anymore.
CVE-2026-20876: A Big Problem with VBS Enclave
CVE-2026-20876 is a serious flaw in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave that lets users do more. It gets a 6.7. Attackers could use flaws to get Virtual Trust Level 2 (VTL2) privileges. This would let them get around advanced security measures and stay in the system for a long time.
Mike Walters of Action1 said, "It breaks the security barrier that was supposed to keep Windows safe, letting attackers get into one of the most trusted execution layers.""Exploitation needs a lot of power, but it can do a lot of damage, so it's very important to fix it right away."
How to fix the Edge browser so it works again
Since December 2025, Microsoft has fixed two security holes in the Edge browser. This is in addition to the 114 that were already there:
A flaw in Edge's Android app that lets people pretend to be someone else (CVSS 3.1).
CVE-2026-0628: The WebView tag in Chromium doesn't follow the rules very well (CVSS 8.8).
These fixes show how important it is to keep not only Windows safe, but also popular programs like Edge.
More updates from different vendors
Not only does Microsoft make patches. Other companies also released updates in January to fix security holes in their systems. This shows how well-connected today's IT systems are. If one platform has a problem, it can hurt businesses and supply chains all over the world.
Microsoft's Patch Tuesday in January 2026 is a good example of how big and hard modern cybersecurity is. The update fixes 114 bugs, such as a zero-day vulnerability in Desktop Window Manager that is being actively used, problems with Secure Boot certificates, and serious VBS enclave vulnerabilities. It needs to be looked at by administrators right away. Microsoft wants to make its ecosystem safer by getting rid of old drivers and fixing bugs in Edge. Companies should patch their software often, patch it right away, and keep an eye out for new threats.
30.McAfee Scam Detector Flagging Fraudulent Texts in Real Time
Five futuristic gadgets you can really buy right now at CES 2026
Every January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas gives a stunning look at what's coming next in technology. There are prototypes of things like humanoid robots and vacuums that can climb stairs on the show floor. Some of these things may never be made. But even with all the hype, some products are already available for order, letting people get a taste of the future right now. This year, I got to try out a few of them in person, and they are not just ideas; they are real devices that you can take home.
Xreal 1S AR Glasses
For years, augmented reality glasses have been a mainstay at CES, but not many have been able to find a good balance between price and performance. The new Xreal 1S AR glasses, which cost $449, are just right. They have a bigger 52-degree field of view, 700 nits of brightness, and 1,200 pixels of vertical resolution than older models. The virtual display is sharper and more immersive thanks to these upgrades.
The glasses were surprisingly light and comfortable during a short demo with an Android phone. The adjustable nose pieces help you get the right fit, and the high-quality display makes them great for watching films or working on the go. A $99 dock lets gamers connect their Nintendo Switch 2 to the glasses, turning them into a private big-screen experience. They are probably the best AR glasses on the market right now because they cost less than $500.
DuRoBo Krono E-Reader
E-readers often have trouble standing out from the crowd, but the DuRoBo Krono has a clever twist: a real dial. This smartphone-sized device costs $280 and has a dial for scrolling, changing the brightness, and even recording voice notes. Long-pressing the dial turns on an AI assistant that transcribes and summarises those notes, combining analogue control with digital intelligence.
The 6.1-inch Carta 1200 HD screen has clear text and lets you change the colour temperature to make reading more comfortable. The Krono runs Android 15 and can use apps and e-books from the Google Play Store, which makes it more flexible than regular e-readers. The dial is a nice touch for people who miss physical controls in a world of touchscreens. It makes the Krono stand out.
The Ohsnap Mcon Game Controller
Portable gaming has taken off, but not everyone wants to buy a separate console. The Ohsnap Mcon Gaming Controller is a $144.99 accessory that sticks to iPhones and Android devices with magnets. It opens up to show joysticks and buttons once it's connected, turning your phone into a handheld console.
The design is well thought out: the grips can be extended for better ergonomics, there is a built-in kickstand for tabletop play, and the buttons make a satisfying click. I tried out the controller with a few mobile games, and it worked great. The Mcon is set to ship this month. It has console-like gameplay but costs less than a Switch 2, making it a great choice for mobile gamers.
Realities G2 Smart Glasses
Meta's smart glasses focus on cameras and sound, but Even Realities' G2 smart glasses do things differently. They cost $599 and have a floating display that only the person wearing them can see. The G2 is better than the G1 because it is lighter, stronger, and has more features.
The Dashboard is the most impressive part; it appears when you lift your head. It can be a teleprompter, a translator, a navigator, or an AI interface. When you use the new Conversate mode, it shows information about the person or place you're talking about. A case makes charging easier, and an optional R1 smart ring lets you control things with gestures and keep track of your health. The G2 glasses let professionals or people who travel a lot work without being seen, unlike cameras.
Smart Display Anker Nano 45W Charger
The Anker Nano 45W Charger costs $39.99 and is great for travellers and power users. It is small but powerful, and it has a built-in screen that shows the charging speed, battery level, and temperature in real time. For easy transport, the hinged prongs fold away, and they can be set up in two ways for added convenience.
Anker says that the charger can tell right away if a phone is a Samsung or Apple phone and can deliver up to 45W. This is enough to charge an iPhone 17 from 0% to 50% in just 20 minutes. A "care mode" slows down the charging speed as the battery fills up, which keeps the battery cooler and healthier for longer. Shipping starts on January 20, but early buyers can get it for $30 with a 25% discount. This charger is useful and gives you peace of mind if you travel a lot.
Why These Are Important
CES often shows off ideas for the future that never come to be. These five products stand out because they are available right away and are useful. The Xreal 1S and Even Realities G2 glasses move AR forward in different ways: one is more focused on fun, while the other is more focused on getting things done. The DuRoBo Krono is a new kind of e-reader that has touch controls and AI built in. The Ohsnap Mcon controller makes portable gaming more accessible to everyone. The Anker Nano charger makes a boring but necessary accessory smarter.
They all show bigger trends, like how AI is becoming more common in everyday devices, the push for portability and personalisation, and the need for technology that feels both new and useful. Even though many CES prototypes may never be sold, these gadgets show that the future is already here and you can order it right now.
31.Apple Creator Studio Bundles Professional Apps for $129 Yearly
Apple launches Creator Studio, a subscription that gives you access to creative apps and AI features.
Apple has officially released Apple Creator Studio, a new subscription service that includes its best creative apps and adds new AI-powered features that aren't available anywhere else. The news is a big change for Apple's software strategy, which is moving toward subscription models that give you access to professional tools, high-quality content, and smart features.
In the U.S., Creator Studio costs $12.99 a month or $129 a year. It gives you access to six of Apple's best creative apps and new AI features across all of the company's products. Students can get the bundle for even less: just $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year. This shows how hard Apple is working to give younger creators access to tools that are as good as those used by professionals.
What Apple Creator Studio Comes With
Subscribers can use six core apps that have been part of Apple's creative suite for a long time:
Final Cut Pro (for Mac and iPad): Apple's best video editing software, and now it has AI-powered workflows that make it even better.
Many musicians and podcasters use Logic Pro, a professional audio production suite for Mac and iPad.
Pixelmator Pro is a powerful image editing app for Mac and iPad that now has unique AI tools like the new Warp feature.
Motion (Mac): This is a motion graphics program that works with Final Cut Pro. It works well for effects and animation.
Compressor (Mac): A program that lets you encode and send video projects in a number of different formats.
MainStage (Mac): An app for musicians that turns a Mac into a powerful stage rig for live performances.
People who pay for Creator Studio will also be able to use premium content and AI features in Apple's productivity apps, like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Freeform. This means that the bundle is for more than just musicians and filmmakers; it's also for students, designers, and professionals who use Apple's productivity tools.
Special AI Features
Apple is selling Creator Studio as more than just a bundle; it's a way to move on to the next generation of creative workflows. The included apps will get special AI features that people who only buy them once won't have.
For example:
Pixelmator Pro's new Warp tool lets people twist, bend, and reshape image layers with great accuracy, thanks to AI.
In Numbers, Pages, and Keynote, subscribers will be able to use a Content Hub that has a lot of high-quality templates, themes, and design assets.
In Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, AI will help you edit, organize, and even come up with new ideas. This will make things easier for both pros and amateurs.
Apple has said that people will still be able to buy Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage once. They will also still be able to get free versions of iWork apps. On the other hand, only Creator Studio subscribers will have access to all of the AI features and premium content. This is a clear sign that Apple wants creative professionals to sign up for a subscription if they want the best tools.
Tests and Availability
Apple Creator Studio will be available in the App Store on Wednesday, January 28. Customers who buy a new Mac or iPad with an A16, A17 Pro, or M-series chip will get a free three-month trial. New subscribers will get a free month of service.
Apple Music and Apple TV+ both have trial structures that are similar to this one. It lets people who buy new hardware try out the whole system before they pay for a subscription.
Why This Matters
Apple's choice fits with what is happening in the business world as a whole. Adobe has been selling subscription bundles with Creative Cloud for a long time, and Microsoft has been doing the same with Office 365. Apple's Creator Studio is a direct response that uses the integration of Apple's hardware and software to make it easier to get started at a lower cost.
The bundle includes all the important tools professionals need for a single monthly fee. The big sale makes it easier than ever for students to get professional-grade creative software. Creator Studio is a way for Apple to make money in addition to selling hardware.
The Bigger Ecosystem
It's interesting to think about when Creator Studio will come out. Apple is also investing in Apple Intelligence, its AI project that will change how people use their phones and computers. Apple is showing that creativity and intelligence can work together by adding unique AI features to Creator Studio.
This also fits with Apple's recent deal with Google, which will use Gemini AI models to power Apple's next-generation Siri and Apple Intelligence features. Siri is all about making things personal and getting things done, but Creator Studio uses AI in the creative world. They show that Apple thinks AI is a part of everything it does.
What's Next
There are still things that need to be answered. Apple has said that every app will have a Creator Studio version and a version that you can buy once, but it's not clear how this will work. Will people who buy something once get updates at the same rate as people who sign up? Will people who don't pay for AI features ever get them? These details will change how both professionals and amateurs respond to the bundle.
It's obvious that Apple is spending a lot of money on subscriptions. Creator Studio gives Apple a strong edge over Adobe and Microsoft in the creative software market by combining creative apps, productivity tools, and AI features. Apple is also making the next generation of creators by giving students discounts.
32.Arc Raiders Patch 1.11.0 Targets Dominant Meta With Significant Weapon Nerfs
The Abyss Cosmetic Set is new in Update 1.11.0 for ARC Raiders. It also changes the balance and sells 12 million copies.
All platforms can now get the ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0. It has a mix of new content, important balance changes, and a celebration of a big event for the game's community. Players must restart their clients to get the update and start using the new features right away.
The Abyss Cosmetic Set has arrived!
The Abyss cosmetic set is one of the most exciting new things in this patch. Players have always used cosmetics to show off their own style while exploring the game's beautiful worlds. The Abyss set keeps this tradition alive. The set's dark, otherworldly look is meant to make it stand out in both raids and PvP battles. You need this set to change how your Raider looks. People in the area are already excited about it.
Cosmetic sets don't change how the game works, but they do make players feel more connected to it and keep them playing. The Abyss set, which has a theme, makes ARC Raiders' visual storytelling even more fun to look at.
To mark the sale of 12 million copies
The developers also said they had reached a big goal: they had sold 12 million copies of ARC Raiders all over the world. The team had planned to give a gift to celebrate reaching 10 million players, but the number of players grew a lot during the holidays. Anyone who has played the game since it came out and before January 13 at 11:59pm CET, 2:59pm PST, or 5:59pm EST can get the Gilded Pickaxe Raider Tool.
This special gift is a thank-you and a sign of how fast the game is growing. Not many games reach these numbers this quickly, but the fact that so many people play ARC Raiders and enjoy it shows how popular it is.
Changes to the balance of Kettle and Trigger 'Nade
It's great to get new makeup and have fun, but the most important part of any patch is usually the balance changes. The Kettle and the Trigger 'Nade are two things that have been talked about a lot that Update 1.11.0 fixes.
Changes to the kettle
The rate of fire dropped from 600 to 450.
The developers say that players could only get the old fire rate by using macros, which made the game unfair for other software. The team wants to make the game more fair by lowering the fire rate so that skill, not outside tools, decides who wins.
This change shows that ARC Raiders cares more about fairness in general. Changes like this help keep the competition fair for everyone.
Nerf Trigger "Nade
The Trigger 'Nade has been the best grenade in PvP, beating out most other choices. A number of things have been changed to fix this:
The damage falloff is now working again. Now, the damage is more concentrated near the center of the explosion, and there is less damage farther away.
The time between the explosion and the blast changed from 0.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds. This gives your enemies more time to respond and makes it harder to set off bombs in the air.
The people who made the game say they don't want to make the Trigger 'Nade useless; they just want to make it weaker. You can still use it as a sticky bomb, but you can't use it as a "trigger-in-air" grenade as much as you could before. This makes players want to use different kinds of grenades, which makes PvP more interesting.
Changes to the environment and fixes for bugs
The new version, 1.11.0, also fixes some smaller bugs that are still important:
The key card hack is no longer an issue. Players used to be able to keep the keys to their rooms after using them, which made it harder to move on in the game. This exploit has been patched.
The lights in Stella Montis Night Raid have been changed. Some places have turned off the lights, so you need to be more careful and use flashlights. This change makes the game more real and makes players think about how to use the things around them instead of just hitting them.
These changes may not get as much attention as new cosmetics or balance changes, but they do make the game better and more fair overall.
Why This Update Matters
Version 1.11.0 of ARC Raiders shows that it is still changing. The developers show that they care about both creativity and fair play by adding new content, fixing bugs, and changing the game's balance. The Abyss cosmetic set makes the game look better, and the changes to the Kettle and Trigger 'Nade make PvP more fun and fair.
It also sold 12 million copies, which is a lot. It shows how strong and popular the game's community is. The Gilded Pickaxe Raider Tool is a physical reminder of that success, and it rewards players for being loyal and taking part.
What's Next
As ARC Raiders grows, players can expect more updates that add new content, change the balance, and give the community rewards. The developers have shown that they care about what players think by fixing bugs and adding new fun cosmetics. The future looks good for ARC Raiders because they are getting to their goals faster than they thought they would.
Right now, there are a lot of things to do and see in Update 1.11.0. There is something in this patch for everyone. You can try out the Abyss set, the rebalanced Trigger 'Nade, or just celebrate the game's success with the Gilded Pickaxe. Restart your client, get the update, and join the millions of other Raiders who are already playing the next part of this fun game.
33.Samsung Confirms Late February Date for Galaxy Unpacked 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: Unclear Launch Date, Sale Window, and Prices
The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is going to be one of the most closely watched smartphone events of 2026. With all the leaks, rumors, and comments from executives going around, people are eager to find out when they can buy the new devices and how much they will cost. Update 1.12 confirms some of the most important information so far, such as the date of the official launch event and the time frame for sales.
Galaxy Unpacked: February 25, 2026
Dealabs says that Samsung's annual Galaxy Unpacked event will be on February 25th at 7 PM Central European Time, which is 10 AM PT and 1 PM ET. This is the first time we know exactly when the Galaxy S26 series will be revealed, which gives fans a clear date to look forward to.
Samsung usually holds Unpacked events in late February, just before the spring smartphone season, so this timing makes sense. For customers, this means that pre-orders should start right after the event and devices should ship within a few weeks.
Date of Sale: March 11, 2026
The reported on-sale date of March 11, 2026, in Europe is probably more interesting. Samsung usually waits 14 to 16 days between announcing a new product and making it available. Samsung usually releases its Galaxy S flagships on a Friday, but March 11 is a Wednesday, which is strange.
Dealabs only talked about Europe, but Samsung's flagship releases are usually global, so the March 11 date will probably apply to the U.S. and other big markets as well. If this is true, people all over the world should be able to buy the Galaxy S26 series on the same day.
Prices Still Not Set
The price is still the biggest question mark. Samsung executives have said in public that prices could go up because the AI boom has caused memory prices to skyrocket. As more and more RAM and flash storage are sent to data centers that run generative AI, smartphone makers have to deal with higher component costs.
TM Roh, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, told Reuters at CES 2026 that "no company is immune" to the problems caused by the global memory shortage. He even said that raising prices was "inevitable." This honest admission has led to rumors that the Galaxy S26 series will cost more than the Galaxy S25 series.
Possible Price Increase
ET News says that Samsung is thinking about raising the price of each model by 44,000 won ($31) to 88,000 won ($62). If this were to happen in the U.S. market, it could push the Galaxy S26 lineup to about:
Base model of the Galaxy S26 costs $859.
Galaxy S26 Plus: $1,059
$1,359 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra
These numbers show small increases, but they could have a big effect on how people see the company, especially since Apple and Google are also pushing high-end devices in a competitive market.
Effect on Samsung's aggressive deals
Samsung's aggressive sales deals may be the biggest victim of rising costs. In the past, Samsung has given people good trade-in values, double-storage upgrades, and big discounts during the holidays and when they pre-ordered. For instance, on Black Friday 2025, the company cut the price of the Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB to $859.99, which is $400 off without needing a trade-in.
These kinds of deals have been a key part of Samsung's marketing strategy. By giving customers more value, the company can compete with Apple. But since memory prices are going up, Samsung may have to cut back. ET News has already said that Samsung is thinking about getting rid of its famous double-storage deal, which let people upgrade from 256GB to 512GB for free. If this is true, it would be a big change in how Samsung does things.
Discounts in the Future Are at Risk
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, in particular, may not get as many big discounts as the Galaxy S25 Ultra did. Samsung has only dropped the price of the Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB to $1,119.99, which is much higher than last year's deals that were less than $900. This is six weeks before the S26 launch. Given the way things are right now, a Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB for less than $900 may not be possible.
Samsung could switch to other types of promotions, like giving away free tablets, watches, or laptops in a bundle. But these devices are also affected by rising memory costs, which makes it harder for Samsung to be flexible. You could also give away more software, which has lower marginal costs. Samsung has recently included subscriptions to Disney Plus, Adobe Lightroom, SiriusXM, Peacock Premium, and most recently, Perplexity Pro.
Possible Changes to Strategy
To stay competitive, Samsung might think about raising the prices of its mid-range Galaxy A-series phones and using the extra money to help the Galaxy S line. Maeil Business reports that this is being thought about. Samsung would be able to keep its flagship prices stable while still covering the higher costs of making them by doing this.
Samsung could also focus on the value of the ecosystem by promoting how well Galaxy phones work with tablets, watches, and laptops. Samsung can charge more for its products by focusing on features that work across devices, which also keeps customers in its ecosystem.
What It Means for People
The Galaxy S26 series may be harder to sell to people who are looking for a good deal than previous generations. The devices themselves are expected to have cutting-edge performance, better cameras, and AI-driven features, but the days of big discounts may be coming to an end. People should expect to pay more up front and get fewer storage upgrades, but software bundles might help ease the pain.
The March 11 release date makes it clear when buyers can expect to get their hands on it, but the price is still a big question. The Galaxy S26 series will still be competitive if Samsung only raises the price a little bit. But if the price increases are too steep, Samsung could lose customers who are sensitive to price and expect good deals.
34.Minecraft Snapshot 26w01a Introduces Pale Garden Enhancements
Minecraft Snapshot Update: New clocks, game rules, and more
The newest Snapshot for Minecraft is out, and it has a lot of new features and changes that will make the game better for both players and creators. Mojang keeps improving the game by making it easier for casual players to play and giving data pack developers more tools to work with. The new world clocks are a new way to keep track of time. The pause menu has been improved, blocks and items have been changed, and a lot of bugs have been fixed.
How to Get to the Pause Menu
The addition of a World Options screen to the pause menu is one of the most obvious changes for regular players. Before, you had to go into commands or set the rules at the start of the game to change them. Now, operators can go directly to a special Game Rules screen while they are playing.
This new World Options screen now has the difficulty button on it.
The Game Rules interface now has a search bar that makes it easier to find certain rules.
The Game Rules option will be grayed out for non-operators, which keeps control of the server.
This change makes it much easier to change gameplay settings, whether you're changing how mobs act, turning on or off keepInventory, or trying out new rules while you're playing.
World Clocks: New Technology
The new world clocks are the main feature for creators. They are an improvement on last year's timeline system. World clocks are internal counters that move forward every game tick and can be set up in data packs. You can pause, resume, or change them with the /time command.
This system lets you control time more precisely in different dimensions or custom situations. For instance, a data pack could set up a clock that runs faster than the day/night cycle in the overworld or one that stops during certain events.
World clocks' key features are listed in data packs under the world_clock registry.
You can ask it questions, pause it, start it again, or move it forward with commands.
Support time markers, which are named points in time that take the place of old hardcoded markers like "day" or "night."
This flexibility lets creators make their own cycles, events, or mechanics that work with different clocks, which opens up new ways to tell stories and play games.
Time Markers and Timelines
Now, timelines have a required clock field that connects them to a certain world clock. They can also set time markers, which give names to certain ticks. These markers can show up again, be suggested in commands, or stay hidden if they change how the game works inside.
Markers that are built in are:
minecraft:wake_up_from_sleep tells players when they wake up after sleeping.
minecraft:roll_village_siege sets the time for judging zombie siege events.
For the clock in the overworld, you can still see familiar markers like day, noon, night, and midnight. But now, creators can make completely new markers for custom mechanics or dimensions.
Updates to Commands
The /time command has been completely redone to work with world clocks. Players can now choose which clock to change, or they can use the dimension's clock by default. The return values from commands like /time set or /time add now show the total number of ticks that have passed, which is more accurate.
Some important parts of syntax are:
time [of ] set — sets the number of ticks that have passed.
time [of ] set — moves to the next time a marker happens.
time [of ] add — adds or takes away ticks.
Pause/resume time [of ] controls the clock's progress.
time [of ] query gets the number of ticks or repetitions.
The /swing command has also been made easier to use. Now, both arguments are optional and default to @s and mainhand.
Changes to Block and Resource Pack
The Tripwire texture has been changed so that it shows up as an alpha cutout instead of being clear. This makes things more consistent. To make it clearer which block tags are for plants and crops, some have been added or renamed. These tags tell you which blocks can hold plants, crops, or special features like bubble columns.
Some examples are:supports plants for flowers and young trees.helps crops like wheat, carrots, potatoes, and new crops.enables_bubble_column_drag_down and #enables_bubble_column_push_up for soul sand and magma blocks.
These improvements give mapmakers and modders more power over how the world is made and how plants act.
Fixes for bugs
As usual, the Snapshot fixes a number of bugs:
Z-fighting on the debug crosshair.
Copper chests that are using the Christmas texture by mistake.
Villagers that came from eggs automatically went to the origin biome.
Piglins are no longer running away from groups of hoglins that are bigger than them.
Wandering merchants selling pumpkins instead of seaweed.
These fixes make the game play more smoothly and make sure that all of the mechanics work the same way.
What This Snapshot Means
This update shows how Mojang is working on two things at once: making the game easier to use for players and giving developers more creative tools. Adding world clocks and time markers is a big step forward in customization, making it possible to create more complicated data packs and mods. The World Options menu also makes it easier for casual players to make changes to their games every day.
These changes make Minecraft even more unique as a sandbox game and a creative platform. Snapshot 1.11.0 has something new for everyone, whether you're a player changing the difficulty during a raid or a creator making custom time cycles.
35.Massive Nintendo 'Supercharge Sale' Discounts 45 Switch Titles
Looking at the best Nintendo Switch games, from visual novels to indie classics
The Nintendo Switch is a great place to find a wide range of games, from quirky indie games to polished remakes of classic games. Today, browsing the eShop is like going into a library of interactive art, where each shelf has something different to offer. There are a lot of great games in the Switch library, and a few of them really stand out. Let's look at some of the best parts more closely.
AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative
AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is one of the few visual novels that can keep the story interesting while also letting you play. At its heart, it's a murder mystery, but what makes it so much fun are the Psync puzzles, which are dreamlike sequences where players solve problems to find hidden truths. The writing is sharp, the characters are strange but lovable, and the mood is always interesting. NirvanA Initiative is a great game that I highly recommend, even if you didn't play the first one. This shows that visual novels can do well on the Switch because they are both deep and easy to get into.
Ape Out
Ape Out is on the other end of the spectrum. It's a crazy indie gem that mixes simple art with loud jazz percussion. Players control a gorilla that breaks free from captivity and smashes through enemies in levels that are randomly made. The gameplay is both chaotic and rhythmic, and the music changes based on what you do. It's hard, cool, and you can play it over and over again because of its arcade mode. Ape Out might not be for everyone, but if you like things that are different, you'll never forget it.
ARMS
Nintendo's ARMS is one of the more experimental first-party games on the Switch and deserves to be recognized for it. A fighting game with extendable arms and motion controls, it has a surprisingly deep combat system. Light and charged punches, dashes, leaps, grabs, and stage-specific mechanics all work together to make a balletic style of play. Even though ARMS didn't have the same cultural impact as franchises like Smash Bros., it's still a fun, competitive game that you should play again. Ranked matches and online play make sure that serious players can still find fun challenges.
Axiom Verge 2 and Axiom Verge
Axiom Verge is a spiritual successor to Metroidvania games. It has the same spirit as classic exploration-based games but makes its own mark. The Switch port is great and lets you play in both handheld and docked mode. Axiom Verge 2, the sequel, adds new mechanics and a new atmosphere to the original. Fans of the first movie may need some time to get used to the sequel, but in the end, it is a good continuation. These games show that indie developers can compete with the best in the genre.
Balatro
Balatro is a roguelike card game that was added to the eShop not too long ago. Even people who don't usually like roguelikes will enjoy it. The way it plays is easy to get into and addictive right away. It combines deck-building and poker mechanics. The game gets more complex as you go along, with more layers of strategy and risk-reward choices. Balatro's idea is so well done that it feels both new and old at the same time, which is a rare thing in modern games.
Outside of Galaxyland
Beyond Galaxyland by Sam Enright is a space adventure game that combines RPG elements with puzzles and semi-open exploration. The story is touching, with well-rounded characters and emotional payoffs. It takes ideas from many different genres, but it doesn't feel like a copy of them. Instead, it creates a journey that is uniquely its own, showing that indie developers can make big, story-driven games for the Switch.
Beat 'Em Up Bundle from Capcom
The Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle is a collection of seven side-scrolling fighters from the late 1980s and early 1990s that retro fans will love. These games are great examples of the fun of playing together in arcades, and Capcom has made them even better by adding strong local and online multiplayer support. Not everyone will like the genre, but if you like classic beat 'em ups, you need to get this bundle. It reminds me of how timeless simple, cooperative play can be.
Paint it RED, Chicken Police!
Chicken Police—Paint it RED! is one of the most surprising visual novel games on the Switch. The Wild Gentlemen made it, and it mixes noir storytelling with anthropomorphic characters in a way that is both silly and interesting. The story is long and full of funny conversations and interesting mysteries. Even though there are some small problems with the interface, it's a polished and fun experience that makes players want to see what the studio does next.
The Contra Anniversary Collection
The Contra Anniversary Collection from Konami puts together a lot of the best games in the series. Even though some games are missing, the 8-bit and 16-bit classics that are included are perfectly emulated. Contra is still one of the best examples of the run-and-gun genre, and this collection is great for both old fans and new players. Anyone who wants to know more about the series' legacy needs to see it.
Dark Souls: Remake
Dark Souls has a reputation that few other games can match. The Switch version of Dark Souls: Remastered brings the game's tough but rewarding gameplay to handheld devices. The core design stays the same, but performance improvements make the experience smoother. It's still hard, but that's what makes it fun. For fans, being able to play Dark Souls on the go is a dream come true. And yes, the Solaire of Astora amiibo adds a nice touch—praise the sun!
Disney's Illusion Island
Disney Illusion Island is a great mix of platforming and Metroidvania exploration for families. The game is easy for younger players to get into because there is no combat, and local co-op for up to four players makes it fun for groups. With well-known Disney characters and fun mechanics like hugging to get health back, it's a fun and wholesome game that makes the Switch more appealing to a wider audience.
Tropical Freeze in Donkey Kong Country
Many people think that Retro Studios' Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of the best platformers of its time. The Switch port improves the graphics and makes the game easier to get to. It was first released on Wii U. David Wise is back to write the music for the game, which has both emotional highs and hard gameplay. This is a must-play for fans of platformers and a great example of how well Nintendo designs games.
Downwell
Downwell is a simple roguelike platformer that works great on the Switch. Its vertical design makes it easy to play on the go, and its twitchy controls make it fun to play over and over again. It's almost a steal for the low price. Downwell may look simple, but its design is sharp and hard to put down.
G-Darius HD
G-Darius HD is a remaster of a classic arcade game that fans of shoot 'em ups will love. It has a lot of action and artistic flair, with huge set pieces and alien worlds to explore. It feels great to see yourself getting stronger and turning the tide against your enemies. At first, it's scary, but once you get the hang of it, it's a great experience in the genre.
Phantom Detective: Ghost Trick
Finally, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is back from the Nintendo DS era, and it's better than ever on the Switch. It's still one of Capcom's best narrative adventures because of its clever puzzles, interesting story, and stylish art. People who like Ace Attorney or Danganronpa will feel right at home. Ghost Trick shows that good stories will always be in style.
In the end
There are a lot of games for the Nintendo Switch, but these ones show how different they are. The console has something for everyone, from story-driven visual novels like AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative and Chicken Police to fast-paced indie games like Ape Out and Downwell to remastered classics like Dark Souls and Contra. The Switch keeps giving us experiences that are both memorable and meaningful, whether we want emotional stories, crazy action, or retro fun that makes us feel nostalgic.
36.GTA Online Community Creators Targeted by Rockstar for Charlie Kirk Missions
Rockstar Games has a hard time keeping the GTA Online Mission Creator in check.
Rockstar Games needs to figure out how to let people be creative in Grand Theft Auto Online, a very popular open-world crime simulator, while also keeping the community safe. The most recent scandal shows how hard it can be to find that balance. Some players started using the new mission creator tool that was added in December to make missions based on the murder of political commentator Charlie Kirk in real life. People have been wondering how far user-generated content can go before it gets too much because Rockstar and its players have been playing a game of cat and mouse.
A Tragedy in Real Life in the Background
Last September, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while giving a speech at a college in Utah. There was a lot of disagreement and debate about the event, and public figures who made jokes or comments about the tragedy were criticized. Because of what they said, some people even lost their jobs. Rockstar's choice to make a mission creator tool in this case gave players more freedom to make their own single-player missions. Sadly, it also let people play out Kirk's death in GTA Online.
Rockstar's Response to Missions That Go Viral
GTA 6Info tweeted a video of a mission called "We Are Charlie Kirk" on January 12. In the video, a player had to kill a man outside of a school-like setting. The mission was over when the target died. The post spread quickly, and some people said that Rockstar added "Charlie Kirk" to GTA Online's profanity filter to keep missions like this from spreading.
Kotaku, which wrote about the situation, said that when you search for "Charlie Kirk" on Rockstar's official custom jobs site, you get an error message, just like when you search for slurs or rude words. You can still find missions that mention "Charlie" or "Kirk" on their own, but missions that mention "Kirk" specifically seem to have been taken down sometime between December 10, when the mission creator started, and mid-January. Some people say that players have tried to get around the rules by using different names, like "Charlie Pink," or by putting his first and last names together.
The Problem of Moderation
Rockstar's apparent attempts to stop Kirk-related missions show how hard it is to keep an eye on what players make in live-service games. The mission creator tool is meant to get players to be creative by letting them make their own scenarios and share them with others. It will definitely be misused, though, especially when real-life tragedies are used as ideas for in-game content.
This is similar to what has happened in other games. In NBA 2K26, for instance, players used tools to make characters based on violent events. Developers had to reactively moderate by taking down offensive creations while players kept trying to find ways to get around filters. The cycle often continues: the more a subject is banned, the more some people want to see how far they can go.
Why It Matters
The argument shows that there is a bigger issue with online gaming: how to be responsible while still being able to speak your mind. GTA Online is fun because it's crazy and players can do whatever they want, but Rockstar also has to protect its brand and community standards. Letting missions that are like real-life murders could hurt your reputation and get you in trouble with the law and morals.
These problems are worse because social media spreads things so fast. A single video on Twitter or TikTok can go viral around the world in just a few hours. This can help people find content that they might not have seen otherwise. It's harder to moderate when a banned topic gets a lot of attention because more people want to do it again or find it.
What Will Happen to Content Created by Players in GTA Online
Since the mission creator is still pretty new, this controversy could change how Rockstar handles it in the future. You could do the following:
More strict filters: Blocking more names, phrases, and variations that are related to sensitive topics, as well as swearing and certain keywords.
Moderation by hand: either hiring people or using automated systems to check popular missions before they get too popular.
Community reporting: Players tell Rockstar about missions that aren't right, which helps the company figure out what kinds of content are causing problems.
Clear rules: Making rules public that say what kinds of missions are not allowed, which makes things less confusing for creators.
None of these answers are correct. Filters can be gotten around, manual moderation takes a lot of time and money, and community reporting doesn't always keep up with how quickly content spreads. But they are still steps in the right direction for less harm and more freedom to be creative.
What Other Games Can Teach Us
GTA Online is not the only game like it. Roblox, Fortnite, and NBA 2K have all had problems with user-made content that is rude or not appropriate. Each platform has tried different ways to keep the peace, but the tension is still there: giving players more power means losing some control.
Rockstar has a lot at stake. GTA Online is not only one of the best live-service games ever, but it is also a part of our culture. Depending on how the company deals with this issue, people may have different ideas about its future projects, such as the much-anticipated GTA VI.
In short
Rockstar Games is in a tough but familiar situation: they have to keep an eye on a group of players who love to break the rules. The mission creator tool was supposed to get people to be more creative, but it has also let people recreate a real-life tragedy, which is why Rockstar had to step in. The business might not be able to keep winning the cat-and-mouse game. As live-service games get better, it will be clear that it will be harder to keep an eye on user-generated content.
Right now, both players and non-players of GTA Online are keeping a close eye on Rockstar's response and whether the mission creator can keep its word without causing any trouble.
37.Microsoft Tests Copilot Integration Directly Within File Explorer
Windows Copilot is getting more features, and File Explorer AI will be available soon.
Microsoft doesn't seem to be giving up on making Copilot a bigger part of Windows. The most recent preview build of Windows 11 shows that File Explorer has a button that isn't there. This means that there will be a new set of AI-powered tools that will help you manage your files more easily and intelligently. This finding suggests that Copilot could soon be a big part of how people search for, organize, and work with their files, even though the details aren't official yet.
A Windows tester named @phantomofearth found the button and wrote about it on X (formerly Twitter). The button isn't there in the current version, but it seems to be related to Copilot's AI features that make things. You can ask Copilot to find certain types of files, pictures, or documents, or even take you right to a file that is hidden in a big folder if you turn it on.
Many people have said that File Explorer's current search feature is slow and doesn't work well, so this would be a big improvement. To get around these problems, power users often use third-party tools like Everything or Listary. Putting Copilot right into File Explorer would finally fix one of the most annoying things about Windows.
Copilot is already in File Explorer.
File Explorer has had Copilot before. Now, users can right-click on a file and "Ask Copilot" about it. The Copilot app will open and the question will keep going if you choose this option. Reports say that the new button would keep the interaction inside File Explorer, which would make the experience more seamless and connected.
Microsoft wants Copilot to feel less like a separate app and more like a part of Windows. This small but important change is part of that plan. Microsoft wants to use AI to help people get more done with their daily tasks.
There has always been a problem with searching.
File Explorer's search function hasn't worked well for a long time. People get mad at it a lot because it uses indexing, especially when results don't show up or take a long time to load. If people have to deal with thousands of files, the inefficiency can really slow down their work.
Generative AI might be helpful. AI can figure out the context, but regular search only works with exact keywords and indexing. You could tell Copilot to "Find the presentation with charts about Q4 revenue" or "Find the picture of the team at last year's holiday party." After that, the assistant could use metadata, content, and context to give them the results. This could change how people use their digital files if done right.
Copilot All Over
The Copilot plan from Microsoft is much bigger than just working with File Explorer. The company has been quickly adding Copilot to Windows and the Microsoft 365 suite over the past two years, thanks to its exclusive license to sell OpenAI's GPT technology.
Developers need GitHub Copilot because it helps them write code by giving them suggestions and completions in real time.
People can write documents, make presentations, and look at spreadsheets by typing in natural language with Office Copilot.
If you say "Hey, Copilot," you can use Windows devices without using your hands. This brings back some of Cortana's old features.
These links turn every Windows 11 PC into an AI Copilot Hub, where generative intelligence makes tools that help you get things done faster.
AI Agents: The Next Big Thing
Microsoft wants more than just Copilot. It looks like the company is about to release a new framework called Agent Launchers. This would make it easier for AI agents from different developers and models to work together in Windows.
This vision is like how Windows used to be a place where thousands of people could make software. Microsoft wants Windows to be a place where AI agents can live and work together to help people get more done. These agents might be able to:
Check out calendars and make suggestions for how to better organize your time.
Put all of the information from your different apps into dashboards that are all in one place.
Set up automatic systems for tasks you do all the time, like entering data or writing reports.
By looking at patterns across services, you can give proactive insights.
By adding agents directly to the operating system, Microsoft wants to make it easier to gather and work with data. As generative AI gets better, it will naturally move from chat interfaces to workflows that are built in and run by agents.
Things Going Wrong
Some people don't like how often Copilot is used. People are angry that they can't turn off a lot of integrations because it makes them feel like they don't have any control or choice. People still care about privacy and openness because they want to know that their information is being handled properly.
Also, how well AI works in File Explorer will have an effect on how well it works. People who aren't sure if Copilot gives quick, accurate, and context-aware results might be won over by it. But if the performance is slow or the results don't seem reliable, people might still use tools from other companies.
In short
Microsoft is serious about adding AI to Windows because File Explorer has a hidden Copilot button. Microsoft thinks that AI can change how people use computers every day by fixing search problems that have been around for a long time and making Copilot an assistant that comes with the computer.
The rise of AI agents points to an even bigger goal for the future: Windows as a platform not only for software, but also for smart assistants that know what you need and make your work easier. Microsoft needs to find the right balance between new ideas and usability, openness, and choice for people to accept this future.
It's clear that Copilot is more than just an add-on now. It is becoming the most important thing to do when using Windows on a Microsoft computer.
38.Orbital Assembly Announces Booking Rates for Lunar Surface Suites
The Dream of a Lunar Hotel and GRU Space
It may sound like science fiction to build a hotel on the Moon, but for GRU Space, it's a big part of their plan for the future of humanity. Skyler Chan, a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, started the company. They have publicly announced plans to build a series of increasingly complex lunar habitats, ending with a hotel based on San Francisco's Palace of the Fine Arts. Chan's strong belief in the idea may seem crazy, but it fits with a larger belief that lunar tourism could be the first truly sustainable business on the Moon.
A Brave Call
On Monday, GRU Space asked people who might want to buy a ticket to one of its early lunar surface missions to put down a deposit of between $250,000 and $1 million. The company says that these missions could start as soon as six years from now. The idea of booking a vacation on the moon sounds crazy to a lot of people, especially since the company is so small—Chan and one other person were the only full-time employees as of late 2025. But the announcement has gotten a lot of attention because it plays into our long-standing interest in space travel.
Chan's Idea
Chan's own life story helps explain why GRU Space is so ambitious. He wanted to be an astronaut when he was a kid, just like a lot of other kids. But in high school and college, he realized that he could make a bigger difference by letting other people experience space. “I realized that I was born in a time when we can actually go to other planets, and that is probably the most important thing one person could do with their time,” he said. This belief made him go to Berkeley to study electrical engineering and computer science. He graduated a year early in May 2025.
He worked on vehicle software during internships at Tesla and helped build a 3D printer that could launch into space as part of a NASA-funded project. These chances let him work with cutting-edge technology and made him even more sure that living on other planets is the next big thing.
The Third Pillar of Space Growth
Chan said that most of the activity on the moon today is driven by two things: government programs and businesses that billionaires pay for. He asked an important question: who are the end users of these services? He said that space tourism should be the third pillar. GRU Space wants to build a foundation for more infrastructure, like roads, warehouses, and eventually bases on Mars, by extending a proven market to the Moon. "We could take a market that works and bring it to the Moon to build the first hotel there," Chan said. Then we can build our buildings on the Moon and then do the same on Mars.
Using Resources in the Galaxy
Galactic Resource Utilization is the name of the company, GRU. It reflects the company's long-term goal of using resources from the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and other places. Even though the idea may seem far-fetched, GRU Space has already gotten seed money from Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator. Chan will be able to improve his product and get more investors by taking part in Y Combinator's three-month program in early 2026. A white paper that goes into more technical detail about the company's vision has also been released.
A Plan for a Hotel on the Moon
The first step in GRU Space's plan is small. Its first mission, which is set for 2029, will use a commercial lunar lander to carry a 10-kilogram payload. The goal is to show off inflatable structure technology and turn lunar regolith into Moon bricks with geopolymers. A second mission will test a bigger inflatable structure inside a lunar pit. This will improve the ability to develop resources on the moon.
The company wants to open its first hotel by 2032. It will be an inflatable building that can hold up to four guests. Later versions would use Moon bricks to build more permanent structures, like a big hotel based on the Palace of the Fine Arts. This progression shows a strategy of gradual growth, starting with small projects and working up to bigger ones.
Why Make a Hotel?
Some people might wonder why a hotel is even needed, since tourists will probably travel on SpaceX's Starship, which has a lot of room inside and tested life support systems. Chan's answer is easy: Starship is the way to get there, not the place to go. "SpaceX is making the FedEx to take us there, right? "But there has to be a good place to stay," he said. For Chan, the biggest problem isn't just getting people to the Moon; it's also building structures that people can live in for a long time. He says it's like the early days of colonization: "We can't keep everyone living on that first ship that sailed to North America." We have to put up the buildings, roads, and offices that we live in now.
The Big Picture
The idea behind GRU Space may seem crazy, but it fits with a growing number of people who think that tourism could be the first real business in space. It may take decades for mining lunar resources or building industrial infrastructure to make money, but tourism is appealing right away. Because the Moon is so close to Earth and is so well-known, it's a natural place to go. If companies like GRU Space can build safe, livable buildings, lunar tourism could become a reality in the next generation.
Final Thoughts
The desire to explore has always pushed people forward, and GRU Space's goals are in line with that spirit. Chan's idea that living on other worlds is the key to becoming interplanetary may turn out to be correct. For now, the idea of a hotel on the moon is still just that: an idea. But with seed money, a clear plan, and a willingness to dream big, GRU Space has made itself an interesting player in the new space tourism industry.
In the next ten years, we'll find out if this idea can become a reality. If it does, the Palace of the Fine Arts may one day have a twin on the moon, where people can stay in the first hotel outside of Earth.
39.Amazon to Revamp Alexa with Enhanced Long-Term Memory
Alexa+ from Amazon: Making Your AI Assistant More Personal
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Amazon executives talked about their plans for Alexa's future. They said that Alexa would be more than just a voice interface for smart speakers. The company's new Alexa+ service, which came out in 2025, is a big step toward making Alexa more personal and remembering things. The goal is to make Alexa feel less like a tool and more like a trusted friend.
It's clear what Amazon wants: Alexa to remember things about you, know what you need, and act like a close friend or family member who cares. It's a risky plan to bring back the excitement that Alexa caused when it first came out in 2014 and compete in a world where generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini are now in charge.
From a New Thing to a Need
Alexa was a new thing when it came out. It was a voice assistant that was easy to use and could play music, answer questions, and control smart home devices. Its popularity helped voice technology make a comeback. But the release of ChatGPT in 2022 changed the conversation. Amazon had to play catch-up as generative AI became the new frontier.
Amazon finally delivered on its promise from 2023 to make Alexa more conversational with Alexa+. The hard part now is proving that this isn't just the same assistant from 12 years ago with a different name. Panos Panay, Amazon's head of devices and services, told CNN, "There are tens of millions of people who want to use Alexa to turn on their coffee makers in the morning. That's cool, but it doesn't change the world." But what does matter is the context between these devices.
Context as the Thing That Makes a Difference
Instead of making the best AI model, Amazon wants to use AI in ways that make the most of the company's ecosystem of devices and services. Last week, the new Alexa.com website went live. It lets people talk to Alexa online and keep those conversations going on Echo devices and the Alexa app. This is similar to the browser-based interfaces made by OpenAI and Perplexity, but Amazon says its main goal is to be useful in the real world.
Panay gave examples to show how these two things are different. When he told Alexa he needed a new dog harness, the assistant had some ready for him on his Echo Show when he got back from his walk. In another case, Alexa remembered the top five restaurants his family had thought about before, left out the ones they had already been to, suggested similar ones, and even offered to make a reservation. These examples show how memory and context can make Alexa better than a regular chatbot.
Going up against ChatGPT and Gemini
Google and OpenAI are going in the same direction. Gemini and ChatGPT can both remember context and do things like book restaurants or find tickets. Panay, on the other hand, says that Alexa is more personal because it works with Amazon's devices and services. "She knows a lot." He said, "The more she knows about me, the better."
The first data shows that the method is working. Amazon says that people are talking to Alexa+ twice as much as they did with the old version. Alexa needs to be useful for more than just shopping and giving recommendations if it wants to be truly useful. Studies show that most Echo devices are still mostly used to listen to music even after ten years. Adding Alexa to browsers, smart glasses, and wearables could change how people act.
Outside of the House
Daniel Rausch, the vice president of Amazon's Alexa and Echo divisions, said that making Alexa useful outside of the home is a big goal for 2026. Amazon is going to add new features to Echo Frames, its smart glasses with Alexa built in, but it hasn't said what they will be yet.
The company also bought Bee, a startup that makes a wristband that can record conversations and create summaries, reminders, and to-do lists. Tests showed that Bee bracelets could make personalized suggestions by using recordings and data from apps like Apple's Reminders and location services. Rausch said that Amazon wants to add these features to Alexa, which suggests that the assistant will be able to help you all day long.
This isn't completely new ground. Amazon's first Halo wristband, which came out in 2020, looked at the emotional tones in people's voices, but it was taken off the market because of privacy issues. Bee's technology brings back some of those ideas and raises the same questions about how much information people are willing to share.
Trust and Privacy
Privacy is still a very important issue. Senator Amy Klobuchar has already spoken out against Amazon's Halo for its intrusive features, and Alexa+ could face the same kind of criticism. Panay said he understood the worries, but he stressed that Amazon lets customers choose. Users can change how long Alexa keeps voice recordings and transcripts. He said that utility often changes how people see things: "When you give customers something they love and need that makes their life better, the story changes quickly."
The Risks for Amazon
Alexa+ is more than just an upgrade for Amazon; it's something they need to do for their business. The company mostly missed the mobile revolution, giving Apple and Google an edge. Amazon can't afford to fall behind again now that AI is being hailed as the next big computing platform. Amazon wants to be at the center of people's digital lives by putting Alexa into browsers, wearables, and smart devices.
It's a big goal to have an assistant that remembers what you like, knows what you need, and can act in different situations. How well Amazon balances usefulness with privacy will determine if people like this more personal Alexa. However, if Alexa+ works, it could turn the assistant from a fun gadget into a must-have, making sure that Amazon stays relevant in the future of AI.
40.Sony a7 V Dominates Japanese Sales Charts Weeks After Launch
In Japan, Sony and Fujifilm change how cameras are made.
There is a lot of competition in Japan's camera market, and new products can quickly become bestsellers. The most recent news from Yodobashi Camera, which is from the last half of December 2025, shows this perfectly. The Sony A7 V and Fujifilm X-T30 III kit quickly became the most popular, pushing out things that had been popular for a long time. This shows how strong holiday launches can be.
A lot of people like the Sony A7 V.
The Sony A7 V came out on December 18 and became the best camera very quickly. Sony's A7 series now has five full-frame cameras. It has a new processing engine that works with AI and a 33-megapixel sensor that is partially stacked, which makes it able to read data much faster.
Here are some of the most important things:
Firing nonstop at speeds of up to 30 frames per second.
Better Eye AF makes it easier to keep an eye on people.
Both the videos and the pictures look better.
Because of these changes, people who work in the field and fans have loved the A7 V from the start. It quickly became the most popular thing in Japan because so many people wanted it. The Alpha series from Sony has been popular with serious photographers for a long time.
Fujifilm X-T30 III: Strong but Small
The X-T30 III kit came out on December 16, two days earlier. The kit came with the XC13–33mm lens. It has a small body that works with APS-C and a quick image processor. It also has a new dial that makes it look like a movie and a way to use AI to find people. This shows that Fujifilm really wants to make cameras that take great pictures.
The X-T30 III came in second because it was a good deal. It's a good choice for people who want to be in charge of their creative work and be able to take it with them. Fujifilm's film simulations show that the company can use both old and new technology at the same time.
The ten best cameras at Yodobashi from December 16 to 31, 2025
The body of the Sony A7 V
You can get the Fujifilm X-T30 III XC13–33mm kit in silver, black, or charcoal silver.
A black and silver set of Sony A7C II zoom lenses
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II body
The Sony A7C II is available in black and silver.
The body of the Canon EOS R6 Mark III
The body of the Nikon Z5 II
The Hasselblad X2D II 100C's body
Fujifilm X-M5 XC15-45mm kit in black and silver
Canon EOS R50 double zoom kit in black and white
The list shows how new releases affect sales and how well older models do on their own. You can easily see three Canon cameras, three Sony cameras, and two Fujifilm spots. The last two in the top ten are Nikon and Hasselblad.
Hasselblad's High-End Presence
The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is the eighth best camera. It costs more than $7,000 and has a 100-megapixel sensor. The size of this camera is average. Japan still wants high-end cameras, as shown by their continued presence in the charts, even though they cost a lot of money. Because it sold the most cameras in November, people call the X2D II "the best stills camera ever made." Even though newer releases have pushed it down, its strength shows that there is a steady but small demand for luxury gear.
Canon and Nikon are sticking to their guns.
Canon's color science and wide range of lenses make the EOS R5 Mark II and R6 Mark III still strong competitors. The EOS R50 double zoom kit, on the other hand, is a good choice for beginners and shows that Canon can make things that work for a lot of people.
The Nikon Z5 II is also on the list. Even though it doesn't have any mirrors, this shows how loyal its fans are and how important it still is. Nikon is still in the running, even though it is smaller than Canon and Sony. This shows that there is still a lot of competition.
Timing is very important in business.
As the data from December shows, the rankings can change depending on when a launch happens. Sony and Fujifilm both released their products at the right time for the holidays, when people were spending more money. Their quick success shows that in Japan's fast-paced market, both specifications and momentum are important.
Also, the fact that models like the Hasselblad X2D II and Canon EOS R50 are still available shows that people of all skill levels, from beginners to high-end buyers, still want them. This variety keeps old favorites selling well, even though new ones get a lot of attention.
What I plan to do in 2026
The big question as we start 2026 is whether the Fujifilm X-T30 III and Sony A7 V can stay where they are. Holiday sales often cause short-term spikes, but strong specs and brand loyalty could keep the sales going.
Your competitors probably won't just sit back and let things happen. Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic may come out with new models to try to win back some of the customers they lost. On the other hand, Hasselblad and Leica will keep going after high-end customers. Because sensors, AI-driven autofocus, and video features are changing so quickly, the charts could look very different by the middle of the year.
Final Thoughts
The sales figures for Yodobashi Camera in December show how quickly the camera market in Japan is changing. Right away, the Fujifilm X-T30 III and Sony A7 V sold out. You can beat the best-selling products if you release your own at the right time and with the right features. There is still a lot of demand, though, because both high-end and low-end models are still on the market.
Photographers should know that Japan's market has something for everyone, whether they want the best performance, the most versatility in a small package, or the best craftsmanship. It's hard for manufacturers to meet customer expectations when fortunes can change almost overnight.
41.Most Anticipated Video Games Launching in 2026
The Most Exciting Video Games Coming Out in 2026
The new year has already started, and with it comes a new wave of excitement for the video games that will come out in 2026. Every January, the industry gets ready for a busy schedule of new games, remakes, sequels, and bold new IPs. This year is the same. The list is long and varied, with everything from long-awaited projects finally coming out of development limbo to surprise sequels and experimental titles. Here is a carefully chosen list of some of the most anticipated releases, in chronological order, with a special section for titles that don't have a release date yet but are expected later in the year.
Early Highlights
Hytale (PC, January 13)
After almost ten years of waiting, Hypixel Studios' big Minecraft-inspired project is finally available in early access. Hytale promises a huge sandbox world, RPG elements, and content made by the community. Even though it's not perfect, its arrival is a big deal for fans who have been following its long journey.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition (January 15, Switch 2)
Nintendo starts the year off right with a better version of its popular life sim. The Megaphone, better resolution, and more customization options make the franchise feel fresh again. It can now support up to 12 players at once. This is the best way for a lot of people to start 2026.
Highguard (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S on January 26)
Highguard is a mix of hero shooter and raid-style gameplay that was made by people who used to work on Apex Legends. People have compared its colorful, fast-paced action to Overwatch, but its design makes it hard to put into a single genre. Still, it looks like it will be one of the best multiplayer games of the year.
Cairn (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S on January 29)
A mountain climbing survival simulator from the people who made Furi and Haven. Cairn focuses on movement based on physics, tough environmental challenges, and a peaceful atmosphere. It's a niche idea, but it could appeal to players who want something different.
Frenzy in February
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined (February 5, for all platforms)
Square Enix is going back to one of its most popular RPGs and changing the episodic story to make the pacing better while keeping the charm. Fans hope that this careful reimagining will keep the magic while cutting out the extra.
Nioh 3 comes out on February 6 for PS5 and PC.
Team Ninja is back with another hardcore action role-playing game. Nioh 3 builds on its predecessors by adding open-field design, two loadouts, and more types of enemies. If you like hard combat and a lot of options for customizing your character, you have to play this.
Mewgenics (PC, February 10)
The weird cat-breeding RPG by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel is finally here. Mewgenics promises chaotic fun for players who are willing to embrace its weirdness by mixing crude humor with turn-based combat.
February 11: Romeo Is A Dead Man (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
Fans of Grasshopper Manufacture will be happy to know that their latest action game is bloody, stylish, and has a story that doesn't make any sense. It looks like it's going to be one of the craziest releases of the year.
Mario Tennis Fever (Switch 2, February 12)
Camelot is back with a new game in the Mario Tennis series. Fever builds on Aces by adding more characters, new modes, and hopes for a strong RPG-style adventure mode that is similar to the classic Game Boy Color game.
Reanimal (February 13, available on multiple platforms)
Reanimal is a scary co-op adventure game about siblings exploring creepy places. It was made by the same people who made Little Nightmares. It could be one of the year's sleeper hits because it has both scary and charming elements.
Styx: Blades of Greed comes out on February 19 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The goblin stealth series from Cyanide Studio is back. Blades of Greed is the next game in Styx's series of sneaky infiltration games. It has more dark humor and hard stealth mechanics for fans to enjoy.
February 24: Tides of Tomorrow (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
This story-based adventure takes place in a fluorescent water world after the end of the world. It has multiplayer "ghosts" that change the course of your story. The same team that made Road 96 made this game, and it promises to be new and tell an emotional story.
Laysara: Summit Kingdom (February 27 for PC, PS5, and Switch)
Laysara is a city-building game set on mountainsides that combines hard resource management with easy design. Its complex systems and calm visuals make it a good fit for the genre.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem comes out on February 27 for multiple platforms.
With Requiem, Capcom brings Leon back to Raccoon City and continues its horror renaissance. After the success of recent remakes and Village, people are very excited.
Madness in March
There are a lot of big releases in March. For example, Pokémon Pokopia (March 5, Switch 2) is a strange mix of Animal Crossing and Pokémon. Fatal Frame 2 Remake (March 12, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) brings back one of the scariest survival horror games ever. Monster Hunter Stories 3 (March 13, multi-platform) promises darker themes and more complex gameplay.
Some other great things are Coffee Talk: Tokyo, Replaced, John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Solasta 2, which is in early access. Each one is aimed at a different group of people, from people who like cozy stories to people who love hardcore RPGs.
Surprises in the Spring
On March 19, Crimson Desert (multi-platform) brings Pearl Abyss's open-world fantasy RPG dreams to life. On the same day, Mouse: P.I. For Hire (March 19) is a strange first-person shooter that looks like an old cartoon. Fans of racing games can look forward to Screamer, a remake of a classic arcade series that comes out on March 26.
Later in the spring, IO Interactive's 007: First Light (May 27) will tell the story of how James Bond became who he is. Bungie's troubled Marathon hopes to make up for its mistakes in the extraction shooter genre. Indie hits like Slay the Spire 2 and Mistfall Hunter also want to reach small groups of people.
After Spring, the most important games coming out in late spring are Capcom's Pragmata (April 24) and Blizzard's Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion (April 28). Housemarque's Saros (April 30) looks like a spiritual successor to Returnal, while inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories (April) is a cozy management sim that takes place in a Japanese convenience store.
Half Sword is a physics-based medieval dueling game, and Nintendo's Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream brings back a cult classic with new features.
Anticipation Without a Date
A few titles don't have a date yet, but they should come out in 2026. These include The Legend of Khiimori, a Mongolian horse-management adventure; Planet of Lana 2, a sequel to the popular indie game; 1348 Ex Voto, a historical action adventure set in Italy; and Tankrat, a new version of a tank combat roguelite. Each one shows how many different types of games and themes there are in modern gaming.
End
There are a lot of different things coming out in 2026. There is something for every kind of player, from big-name franchises like Resident Evil and Pokémon to experimental indie games and nostalgic remakes. There will be delays and surprises, but the sheer amount of creativity will make this year one of the most exciting in gaming history. Cairn, Styx, and Coffee Talk: Tokyo are all places where you can have fun. In 2026, you'll have adventures that are worth remembering.
42.Apple to Discontinue Updates for Pixelmator on iOS
The old Pixelmator is going away, but Pixelmator Pro for iPad is here.
Pixelmator Pro for iPad is now available from Apple. This is a big new addition to the company's creative software lineup. This is happening at the same time as the start of its Apple Creator Studio subscription. The announcement shows that Apple wants to bring all of its professional creative tools together. It also talks about the future of two old iOS apps, Pixelmator Classic and Photomator.
The update is good and bad for people who like Pixelmator. The new Pro version promises more advanced features and better integration with Apple's ecosystem. However, the old Pixelmator for iOS will not get any more updates. In contrast, Photomator looks like it will have a better future.
Pixelmator Pro on iPad: A New Era
Pixelmator Pro has been around for a long time on macOS. It is a strong alternative to Photoshop that is also simple to use. Apple is now making that experience available on the iPad. The new app is designed to work with the iPad's touch screen, Apple Pencil, and M-series chips, which are very fast.
Some important things are:
Advanced photo editing tools that use AI to make things better.
Works great with Apple devices and iCloud.
A single experience on both Mac and iPad makes it easy for projects to move from one to the other.
Apple's new Creator Studio subscription includes Pixelmator Pro for iPad, as well as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, MainStage, and Pixelmator Pro all in one plan. This subscription lets both professionals and hobbyists use all of Apple's creative tools for a low price.
What Will Happen to Pixelmator Classic?
There was a quiet Q&A section at the bottom of Apple's new Pixelmator Pro page that talked about what the company would do with its older apps. There won't be any more updates for Pixelmator Classic for iOS, which came out in 2014.
"Pixelmator Classic for iOS, which came out in 2014 as a companion app to the now-discontinued Pixelmator Classic for Mac, lets you do basic image editing tasks like cropping, changing colors, and adding effects," Apple says. The app still works, but it won't get any new features.
This means that the app will still be on the App Store and will still work, but users shouldn't expect any new features or improvements. Version 3.1.16, the last update, came out four months ago. This is the end of an era for a lot of people who have been using it for a long time.
Photomator: Still Going Strong
There's good news about Apple's other iOS photo editing app, Photomator. Apple says that you can still buy Photomator separately from the App Store. Even though there isn't a lot of information available, this shows that Photomator will keep getting updates and support.
Photomator is a lightweight but powerful photo editor that people who want more than the built-in Photos app but don't want the hassle of full-fledged professional tools will love. Apple must think it's worth keeping a mid-range option next to Pixelmator Pro since it's still around.
What This Means
The end of Pixelmator Classic is a sign that Apple is working on something bigger. Apple is trying to get people to switch to newer, better apps by putting all of its creative tools in the Creator Studio subscription. This is similar to what the company has done with other software: it has slowly stopped offering older versions in favor of unified, subscription-based ones.
There are both good and bad things about the change for users. Pixelmator Pro has a lot more advanced features and works better with other Apple products. People who liked Pixelmator Classic because it was easy to use and cheap, on the other hand, may feel like they are missing out. People are also worried about how long other standalone creative apps will be supported after the app ends.
What people in the community think
People have reacted in different ways. Some people are happy about the change because they think that Pixelmator Pro for iPad is a long-awaited upgrade that makes editing on Apple's tablet professional quality. Some people are unhappy that Pixelmator Classic is no longer available. For more than ten years, it has been a useful tool."I'm sad to hear this news because I still use Pixelmator for iOS all the time on my iPad." But let's cross our fingers that the new Pixelmator Pro is a big improvement. This feeling is like wanting to go back to a favorite app and being excited about what's next.
Looking Ahead
Apple may not add any new features to Pixelmator Classic, but they may still release updates to fix bugs from time to time. But the last update is probably going to be version 3.1.16. Users will have to switch to Pixelmator Pro or Photomator if they want to keep getting better.
Apple's release of Pixelmator Pro for iPad is another sign that the company wants the iPad to be a serious creative tool. M-series chips and the Apple Pencil's ability to do many things are making the iPad better at doing professional tasks. Pixelmator Pro makes that vision even stronger.
To sum up
Apple's announcement of Pixelmator Pro for iPad is a big step forward for the creative tools it makes. By adding the app to the Creator Studio subscription, Apple is giving users a powerful, all-in-one set of tools. The fact that Pixelmator Classic for iOS is no longer available at the same time shows that the company is moving away from older, stand-alone apps.
This news might be bittersweet for people who have been using Pixelmator for a long time. Pixelmator Pro for iPad is an exciting new chapter for people who want to use the newest creative software on Apple devices. Apple's strategy will always include a mix of nostalgia and innovation when it makes creative tools.
43.Google and Apple Confirm Partnership to Bring Gemini to iPhone
Apple and Google say that Siri runs on Gemini models.
This week, the tech world woke up to a big announcement: Apple and Google have confirmed that Gemini's AI models now power the new version of Siri and other generative AI features on all Apple devices. CNBC was the first to report the news, but both companies quickly released a statement together.
Apple said in that statement, "Apple decided that Google's AI technology is the best base for Apple Foundation Models... Apple Intelligence will keep running on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, and Apple will keep its industry-leading privacy standards.
Apple's AI strategy has made a big leap forward with this partnership. It shows that Apple cares about privacy and processing on devices while also making Google's Gemini the main part of Siri's growth.
A Long Courtship
A lot of people are keeping an eye on Apple as it searches for an AI partner. Reports said that Apple was thinking about teaming up with OpenAI and Anthropic to make the next version of Siri in June 2025. Apple Intelligence has made it possible for Siri to use ChatGPT for some questions.
But by August, Google was a strong competitor. Later reports said that Apple might use a special version of Gemini to make Siri and that Apple might have to pay Google about $1 billion a year for the right to do so. Neither company has confirmed the financial details, but the official announcement makes it clear that Gemini is the main focus of Apple's AI plans.
How about ChatGPT?
People keep asking how long iPhones will still let you use OpenAI's ChatGPT. ChatGPT is still used by Apple Intelligence for some questions, but it's not clear what will happen to that arrangement now that Gemini is in the spotlight. Apple may eventually make Siri's features more focused on Gemini, which would mean that Siri would need fewer outside models.
This is part of a bigger trend in the business world: companies are combining AI experiences to keep things from getting too different and make sure they are all the same. Gemini gives Apple a single base, and ChatGPT is still useful but might not be needed for long.
Why should you use Gemini?
Google's Gemini models are among the most advanced generative AI systems available right now. They can handle text, images, and code in a lot of different ways, and their performance is very good. Gemini lets Apple use cutting-edge AI without having to make its own models from scratch.
But Apple still decides how AI is used. Apple Intelligence works on devices and through its Private Cloud Compute system, which keeps private data safe, the company says. With this hybrid approach, Apple can use Gemini's power while still being known for its privacy.
A Broader Look at the Business
Apple's decision comes at a time when its rivals are also working on their AI plans. OpenAI's GPT models are now included in all of Microsoft's products, such as GitHub Copilot and Office Copilot. Gemini is still being added to Google's own ecosystem, which includes Android, Search, and Workspace.
Apple stays ahead in the AI race by teaming up with Google. It also shows that Apple is being realistic. Instead of going up against OpenAI or Anthropic head-on, it is teaming up with a partner whose models can work on billions of devices.
Other News This Week
The tech world was very interested in the partnership between Apple and Google, but there were other stories that also made waves:
Meta closes 550,000 accounts to follow Australia's new rule that kids can't use social media. The move shows that more and more people around the world are paying attention to what tech companies owe to younger users.
Netflix wins seven Golden Globes. Adolescence, its hit show, won four awards, including best limited series and acting awards for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, and Erin Doherty. KPop Demon Hunters, an animated movie, won two awards, including one for best original song. Ricky Gervais also won for his stand-up special Mortality. Hulu won one award, while Apple and HBO Max each won three.
NASA is getting ready for Artemis 2, which will be the first manned mission to the moon in over 50 years. The mission could start as soon as February 2026. It will send four astronauts on a ten-day trip to the far side of the moon, 4,700 miles beyond the moon's surface, to test Orion's life-support systems.
You can now place a pre-order for Lego's first Pokémon sets. A Pikachu kit with 2,050 pieces ($200), an Eevee model with 587 pieces ($60), and a huge set with Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise with 6,838 pieces ($650) are some of the best things. On February 27, the sets will be sent out.
Looking Ahead
The fact that Apple and Google are working together makes me think about what the future holds for AI assistants. Will Siri finally give users the smooth, conversational experience they've always wanted with Gemini? Will Apple continue to support ChatGPT integration, or will it stop doing so in favor of Gemini?
It's clear that Apple won't let the AI wave pass them by like they did the mobile revolution. By adding Gemini to Siri and Apple Intelligence, Apple is getting ready to compete directly with Microsoft, Google, and other companies in the new AI ecosystem.
Customers love the promise of a smarter, more personal Siri that remembers context, anticipates needs, and does tasks across devices, all while keeping Apple's well-known privacy protections in place. We'll see if this vision can live up to the hype in a year.
44.Google Updates Veo 3.1 to Support Vertical Video Generation via Reference Images
Google adds support for vertical video and better reference images in the new Veo 3.1.
Google's Veo 3.1 AI video creation model has changed a lot. With this update, you can make vertical videos that look great on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The update that came out on Tuesday also makes it easier for Veo to use photos as maps. This makes the outputs more clear, steady, and lively.
There is built-in vertical video.
The best part is that it works with the 9:16 vertical format, which is what most people use to watch short videos on their phones. In the past, people who made videos had to change the format or cut them down so they would fit on sites that were vertical. This could change how the piece is put together or leave out important parts. With Veo 3.1, users can now make vertical videos right away, so they don't have to change anything later.
YouTube Shorts and the YouTube Create app will both have this new feature. It will help people who make videos get clips ready to post on the site faster. This shows that vertical video is becoming more popular in the digital world, where billions of people watch short clips that are easy to watch on a phone.
Use pictures more often to help you.
With Veo 3.1, users can give characters reference images to help them move and show more emotion. This is one of the things that makes it look good. The prompts are shorter, but the model can still make videos that look real and make you feel something.
Google said that the update makes things like backgrounds, characters, and objects more consistent, among other things. This means that the pictures have fewer problems and things that don't fit. People can also mix different inputs, such as characters, environments, and textures, to make one output. This makes Veo better for professional video makers who want to put together polished clips from a lot of different places.
There are a lot of Google tools you can use.
You can use new features on a lot of Google sites:
People can talk to Gemini every day.
Google makes Flow, a professional video editing program.
Both businesses and developers can use the Gemini API and Vertex AI.
Groups can use Google Vids to work together and come up with new ideas.
By adding Veo's features to both consumer and professional products, Google is making its AI video tools available to both casual creators and production studios.
Better upscaling
It also does a better job of scaling up to 4K and 1080p now. This part of Google Cloud's Flow, Gemini API, and Vertex AI helps people make movies, stream them, and show them on TV. Upscaling makes sure that videos made by AI look good on screens of all sizes.
The Rise of Veo: Google put out Veo 3.1 for the first time in October 2025. The sound was better, and the tools for editing worked better than they did before. This model lets people who make AI-generated videos choose when the dialogue happens and how the scenes change.
The most recent update adds two very important things that you need to make videos these days: Vertical formats for social media and clear, consistent pictures when you use reference images. These changes have made Veo more competitive in the fast-paced world of AI video.
Why It's Important
Short-form videos are popular now, so people watch and make videos in different ways. Vertical videos made for phones can be found on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Google is making it easier for creators to quickly make a lot of content by letting them make vertical content.
When professionals use Veo at the same time, it's easier to see reference pictures. It's very important for stories, ads, and branded content to have characters who can show how they feel and settings that stay the same. Anyone can now use Veo, from hobbyists who want to try AI to studios that want to speed up their work.
AI Video Contest
Google's update comes at a time when a lot of businesses are making AI videos. Runway and OpenAI are two new companies that are making AI that can handle more than one type of input, such as video and text. Google is setting itself apart by adding Veo to its already large ecosystem, which includes Gemini, Vertex AI, and YouTube.
It's great that you can link AI video directly to YouTube Shorts. YouTube is still one of the best places on the web to watch videos. If Google makes it easier for YouTube creators to use AI without leaving the site, more of them might do so.
What to Look Forward To
The focus is changing from being new to being useful as AI video tools get better. People who make things want models that work well on all platforms and formats and always give them good results. The newest version is Veo 3.1. It has useful features like the ability to make high-resolution videos, support for vertical videos, and the ability to make characters that show emotion. This makes sense with what's going on.
Google needs to find a way to make their products strong enough for professionals to use but simple enough for anyone to use. The company is trying to meet the needs of both consumers and professionals by making Veo available through apps like Gemini and professional tools like Flow and Vertex AI. For this plan to work, Veo needs to be able to do a lot of things.
Last Thoughts
Google's new Veo 3.1 is another step towards making AI-based videos. Google is improving Veo for both short and long videos by adding support for native vertical formats, better handling of reference images, and the ability to make videos bigger to 4K.
Veo's growth shows that Google wants to be at the centre of the next big thing in video. AI is helping more and more people who make things get things done faster and come up with new ideas. You can use Veo 3.1 on any platform, such as a scene from a movie, a TikTok video, or a YouTube Short. It will help you get results that are clear and always the same.
45.Apple Vision Pro Debuts Full-Length Immersive NBA Game With Lakers vs. Bucks
The Future of Immersive Sports with Apple Vision Pro
When Apple showed off the Vision Pro headset two years ago for a shocking $3,499, it was clear what they were promising: this was more than just another gadget; it was a new way to use computers. Since then, a lot of people have been curious about what kinds of apps and experiences would really be worth the money. Live immersive broadcasts have been one of the most interesting options for sports fans.
Apple and Spectrum started testing that idea earlier this month with the first round of NBA immersive games, which started on January 9. I watched the Lakers vs. Bucks game because I wanted to see what it would be like to be courtside. The result was impressive in some ways, but it also showed how hard it is to turn live sports into mixed reality.
Between "Being There" and TV
Ben Thompson, an analyst at Stratechery, said that the Vision Pro sports experience is somewhere between watching a game on TV and being there in person. That comment was correct. The high-quality cameras and screens on the headset gave clear images, but the sense of presence was limited.
I thought about other times I had tried VR sports. I watched a boxing match and even a presidential debate on Oculus headsets ten years ago. Those experiences were new but not complete; they were immersive in a way that made you feel like you were in someone else's shoes, but they didn't have the interactivity and flexibility of real life. The Vision Pro broadcast made me feel the same way: the visuals were great, but they didn't change anything.
How the Broadcast Works
Spectrum's immersive recording uses more than one camera angle, such as a front-row seat on the court and cameras at each basket. The feed switches between these angles, giving viewers a 180-degree dome of video that looks like the Sphere in Las Vegas. It's very interesting, especially in 3D, but in the end, it's just one network-cut broadcast. The production team is in charge of the point of view, not you.
In Southern California, Nevada, and Hawaii, you can watch the service live with a Spectrum SportsNet subscription. You can also watch it the next day anywhere in the country through the NBA app. Of course, you also need the Vision Pro itself, which is still too expensive for most fans.
The Illusion and What It Can't Do
It can be fun to feel like you're sitting courtside. But sports are more than just pictures. During a real game, I'd be looking at stats, texting friends, sharing photos, and reading comments. I would use more than one screen at a time on TV. In contrast, the Vision Pro experience made me feel alone.
Apple's NBA app does have a multiscreen mode with a 3D court map and stats on top of it, which is helpful. But I wanted more: instant highlights, insights from beat reporters, and layered reality features that let me tilt my wrist to see pop-up stats during the broadcast. Without that, the immersion didn't feel complete.
Sports Fans with Multiple Screens
Multiscreen is a natural part of modern sports fandom. Fans switch back and forth between the live broadcast, social media, fantasy apps, and messaging threads. The Vision Pro headset can technically let you use your phone through its pass-through camera, but that ruins the illusion. It doesn't feel smooth to type on a phone while wearing the headset.
Apple will need to directly add these multiscreen behaviours to the experience for immersive sports to work. Picture being able to check stats on your wrist, swipe to see Twitter comments or call up instant replays in a floating window—all without leaving the broadcast.
First Steps, Questions That Remain
To be fair, this is Apple's first try at immersive sports broadcasting. The camera works great, and the editing doesn't use jarring jump cuts. But two years after the Vision Pro came out, it is still expensive and not as flexible as many fans would like.
If Apple can make the headset cheaper and add more interactive features, immersive sports could become a must-have app. For now, it's more of a demonstration of what high-quality cameras and displays can do than something you have to do.
The Way Ahead
There is a lot of potential. Sports are a great fit for immersive technology because they combine spectacle, emotion, and data in ways that could be made even better by mixed reality. Imagine being able to watch a football game from different angles at the same time, see heat maps on the field, or talk to friends in a virtual suite.
Apple has the hardware, but the software and ecosystem need to grow. Working with broadcasters like Spectrum is a good start, but the next step is to add interactivity, social features, and personalisation. That's when immersive sports will feel like more than just video.
The End
The Vision Pro NBA broadcast was fun, but it's not the best way to watch games yet. It gave clear pictures and a taste of being at the game, but it didn't have the flexibility and connectivity that modern sports fans need.
Apple needs to show that these moments of near-telepresence can go beyond video and become something bigger, more interactive, and social for immersive sports to really take off. The Vision Pro is still just a demonstration of what is possible, not a game-changing way to watch the games we love.
46.Samsung Debuts Breakthrough Crease-Free Foldable Display at CES 2026
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 from Samsung might not have a crease.
Since the first Galaxy Fold came out in 2019, foldable phones have changed a lot. What started out as a risky experiment has turned into a popular category with thinner designs, stronger hinges, bigger displays, and fewer compromises. But there is still one problem: every folding screen has a crease that is easy to see. Samsung Display may finally have a fix, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is coming out soon, could be the first device to ship without that telltale wrinkle.
A Look Ahead to CES 2026
Samsung Display showed off a number of prototype panels at CES 2026, including one foldable screen that looked like it had no creases at all. The demo right away made people wonder if this technology would be used in Samsung's next big foldable phone. People are saying that Apple is getting ready to make its first foldable iPhone. This puts pressure on Samsung to come up with a new idea that proves it is still the best in the category.
Leaked Information Points to Fold 8
ZDNet Korea says that Samsung is seriously thinking about adding this new display technology to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is set to come out this summer. The optical clear adhesive that holds the layers of the OLED panel together is what makes it new. Samsung has made the adhesive less stiff and less likely to cause wrinkles along the fold by changing the composition of the adhesive.
The end result is a panel that looks and feels more like a regular flat display behind glass. This could mean a smoother viewing experience, better durability, and a more premium feel for users, which is one of the biggest complaints about foldable phones so far.
Concerns about price and when production will start
Even though people are excited, Samsung hasn't made up its mind yet about whether or not to include the crease-free panel in the Fold 8. The cost is the reason. The new glue technology is likely to raise production costs, and since RAM shortages are already driving up prices, Samsung needs to think about whether customers will buy a more expensive device.
People who work in the industry say that Samsung will make its final choice by the end of Q1 2026, right before mass production starts. If the Fold 8 doesn't have the new display, it might not be because of technical problems, but because of these expected price pressures.
Rumours about Apple's foldable phone
It's interesting that Samsung is coming out with new products at this time, especially since there are rumours that Apple is working on its first foldable iPhone. Some reports say that Apple is making its own technology that doesn't leave creases. ZDNet Korea did, however, quote an official who said that any technology that would be used in Apple's devices would not be shown off to the public at CES.
This means that Samsung's prototypes may give us a glimpse of the future of foldables, but we still don't know what Apple's plans are. If Apple does come out with a foldable that doesn't have a crease, it's likely that it will use its own technology instead of Samsung's adhesive technology.
Why Crease-Free Is Important
For devices that can be folded, the crease has been more than just a cosmetic problem. It changes how easy it is to use, how visible it is, and how people see it. Because the crease makes the screen look fragile or unfinished, many people who might want to buy foldables have been hesitant to do so. Getting rid of it would be a big step forward, showing that foldables are ready to compete with regular smartphones in terms of looks and quality.
Also, a design without creases could make foldables more appealing to people who aren't early adopters or fans. It would make the devices more appealing to professionals, creatives, and regular users who need displays that are perfect for work and play.
Samsung's Plan
Samsung has always been the leader in the foldable market, but the competition is getting tougher. Competitors like Huawei, Oppo, and Motorola have come up with interesting alternatives, and Apple's possible entry could change everything. Samsung would strengthen its reputation as the leader in foldable technology and set a new standard for the industry by making the Fold 8 without any creases.
At the same time, Samsung needs to find a balance between being new and being cheap. Foldable phones are still more expensive than regular smartphones, and the high price is a big reason why more people don't buy them. If the crease-free panel makes things a lot more expensive, Samsung could end up only reaching a small, high-end market.
Looking Forward
The next few months will be very important. By March, Samsung should have made a final decision about the panel, and production should start soon after. If the Galaxy Z Fold 8 comes out with a display that doesn't have any creases, it will be one of the biggest steps forward in foldable technology since the category first came out.
The prototypes shown at CES show that a solution is close, even if the Fold 8 still has a crease. Crease-free foldables are coming, either in 2026 or soon after. They could change how people think about the category.
End
Foldables have improved a lot since 2019, but the crease is still a stubborn reminder of their flaws. Samsung Display's new adhesive technology gives us a taste of a future where foldable phones look and feel just like regular smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 may or may not be the first to bring about that future, depending on how much it costs, but the direction is clear.
There are rumours that Apple will soon enter the foldable market, so the race to get rid of the crease is more important than ever. For consumers, the payoff could be huge: foldable phones that finally live up to their promise of being versatile without sacrificing design.
47.Animal Crossing 3.0: 11 Steps to Prepare for the Resort Hotel Update
How to Get Your Island Ready for the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update comes out on January 15, 2026. It adds a lot of new features, improves the Switch 2's performance, and gives long-time fans new content. It's worth taking some time to get your island ready so you can jump right into the new content, whether you've been playing regularly or are coming back after a long break. These are 11 important things you need to do to get ready.
1. Move your save to Switch 2
You will need to use the island transfer tool if you want to play on Nintendo's new Switch 2. Animal Crossing is different from most games in that it needs a special transfer process even if you've already moved your saves. This makes sure that your island, villagers, and progress all move smoothly to the new platform. Don't skip this step; it's the first step to enjoying the update on new hardware.
2. Save Up Your Bells
The update adds a huge amount of storage, bringing the total to 9,000 items, up from 5,000. This upgrade will probably be expensive, since the last one cost 1.2 million bells. You won't be able to buy things with bells in the new hotel gift shop, but you'll need them for storage and other improvements.
Turnips are still the best way to make money: buy them cheap from Daisy Mae and sell them for a lot to the Nooklings.
Selling bugs and fish is a good way to make money, especially when Flick or CJ comes by. They pay 50% more.
Farming can also bring in a steady income and needs less space than orchards.
Get a lot of bells now so you're ready for the costs of the expansion.
3. Get more Nook Miles
Nook Miles are always helpful, but they aren't as important as bells. Nintendo hasn't said anything about new items for the Nook Shopping terminal, but surprises happen all the time. Miles also let you go to Mystery Islands, which can be very helpful for getting resources. Think of Nook Miles as a backup currency. Having some on hand means you won't miss out on new chances.
4. Open Kapp'n
The dockside hotel is the most important part of the 3.0 update, and you may need Kapp'n to unlock it. To let him out:
Improve the services for residents.
Get a three-star rating for your island.
Go to K.K. Slider's first show.
The next day, Kapp'n should show up at your dock. If you haven't already, start now because this process takes a few days. Are you going to restart your island? Do it quickly so you don't miss out.
5. Get your materials together
Making and sending things to Kapp'n is part of the hotel system. You can get hotel tickets for every piece of DIY furniture you give away. You can then use those tickets to buy things in the gift shop.
Get the basics:
All three types of wood
Sticks
Iron, gold, clay, and rocks
Weeds
You can get resources by going to Mystery Islands or taking Kapp'n's boat rides. Keep in mind that eating fruit before hitting rocks can break them, sometimes revealing gold ore.
6. Make a plan for your island uniform
You can set an island uniform inside the hotel once the update comes out. You can give outfits to guests and NPCs with two mannequins. If your island has a theme, like a beach resort, a spooky forest, or a stylish city, start picking out clothes now. It's a fun way to make your island's identity stronger.
7. Add more items to your catalogue
You can now make your own islands in Slumber Islands using furniture you've already collected. To get the most out of this, add as many items as you can to your catalogue.
If you have the Happy Home Paradise DLC, check Nook's Cranny every day, shake trees to find hidden items, and go to the shop. The more furniture you get, the more freedom you will have to be creative when building Slumber Islands.
8. Make Space for New Villagers
There are four new villagers in Update 3.0. Two of them are from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and two are based on Splatoon. You need amiibo cards and empty plots of land to invite them.
People in the village leave at random times, usually when a thought bubble pops up over their heads. You can either wait or skip time to get people to leave. Remember that the last villager to move in can't be the one to move out. If you want room for the new people, plan ahead.
9. Don't Redesign Yet
Wait until after the update to clean up your island. With the new Resetti's Reset Service, you can get rid of a lot of flowers, furniture, and weeds at once. This tool will save you a lot of time compared to cleaning by hand. If you wait now, it will be easier to reorganise later.
10. Sign up for Switch Online again
You need an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use multiplayer features like Slumber Islands. Slumber Islands lets up to 12 players work together to design islands, which is one of the most social features so far. Make sure your subscription is active and invite friends ahead of time so you're ready for group sessions.
11. Look into Amiibo choices
Update 3.0 adds new features to Amiibo. Now you can invite Mineru and Tulin from Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as well as Cece and Viché, who are based on Callie and Marie from Splatoon. Adding these characters can give your island a unique look. Now is the time to find the Amiibo cards you need if you collect them.
Last Tips
Animal Crossing is all about planning and being creative. To get the most out of the 3.0 update, you should move your save file, stock up on bells and materials, unlock Kapp'n, and plan ahead for uniforms, villagers, and Slumber Islands.
GameSpot's Animal Crossing: New Horizons guides hub has more than 80 detailed guides that cover everything from farming strategies to managing villagers. The 3.0 update promises to make the game feel new again and give you new reasons to love living on your island, whether you've been away for years or never stopped playing.
48.Samsung Fans Pan 'Uninspired' Galaxy S26 Design in New Community Poll
Fans are split on the design changes for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra.
A few days ago, images of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra appeared online. Fans' reactions have been mixed at best. A poll done at the same time as the leaks showed that more than 42% of people thought the design changes could have been better. This shows that more and more people think that Samsung's flagship phones are no longer pushing the limits of how they look on the outside.
Poll Results Show Disappointment
The poll, which got 855 votes, showed that almost half of the people who took it weren't excited about the rumoured changes. A lot of people thought Samsung would do something more extreme, especially since the company has a history of trying out bold designs. The leaks, on the other hand, only show small changes: the Ultra model has corners that are a little more rounded, the bezels are thinner, and the S Pen slot has been moved closer to the edge of the phone.
These changes don't seem like much for a device that will probably cost a lot. Fans who wanted a new look are now wondering if Samsung is more focused on improving its own products than coming up with new ones.
The Camera Island is back
People are interested in the rumour that the camera island will be back on the back of the phones. After the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung stopped using this design and switched to separate camera rings. The S26 Ultra might bring back the island idea, which would make the back cameras look more like one unit.
Ice Universe, a reliable leakster, says they have seen parts of the new Ultra design and called it "premium and clean." This is especially true because it gets rid of the "vinyl record" camera ring design, which has been criticised a lot. Instead, the cameras are said to have metal rings, which will make them look more polished.
This could be a good change, but the raised camera island brings back an old problem: it wobbles on flat surfaces. People have said bad things about phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Xiaomi 15, and iPhone 14 series for this. Most people don't use their phones flat on a table, but those who don't want a case may find the wobble annoying. A case can help with the problem, but it's still a design compromise.
Smartphone design that is incremental
The lack of excitement about the S26 renders shows a bigger trend in the smartphone business. As the market has matured, changes to the outside design have slowed down a lot. Instead of making big changes to the outside of their products, manufacturers are now focussing on the inside, like cameras, processors, and displays.
There was a time when this wasn't true. Ten years ago, companies tried out bold designs like the Samsung Galaxy Round and LG G Flex. These phones had curved screens that caught people's attention, even if they didn't do well in the market. These kinds of risks are rare these days. Instead, flagship phones usually look almost the same as the ones that came before them, with only small changes.
It looks like the Galaxy S26 series will follow this pattern. Rounded corners and a camera island aren't new ideas, and while they might make the device a little easier to use and better looking, they don't represent a big change in design philosophy.
Why the outside design still matters
Some people say that the hardware inside is more important than the design on the outside. Most people care more about how well the camera works, how long the battery lasts, and the software features than how the phone looks. But design is very important for brand identity and how appealing it is to customers.
It's harder to tell devices apart when they all start to look the same. If Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and others don't make their products look different, they could all look the same. Design is often the first thing that people notice, and it can even affect their buying decisions before they even look at the technical details.
Finding a balance between new ideas and what works
Samsung has a tough job of balancing things. On the one hand, big changes to the design could bring back excitement and make the Galaxy S series stand out. On the other hand, the company's ability to go far is limited by cost and practicality. Thinner bezels and components that are moved around are safe bets that make the product easier to use without turning off mainstream buyers.
The hard part is finding ways to make things new while still being useful. For example, foldables are one way to try out new designs, but they are still a niche market because they are expensive and not very durable. The way forward is less clear for slab-style flagships like the S26.
What Comes Next
Samsung needs to listen to its fans as it gets ready to release the Galaxy S26 lineup later this year. The poll results show that a lot of people want more bold changes to the design. It is not clear if Samsung will listen.
If the S26 Ultra comes out with a camera island that doesn't have a crease and looks better, it might win back some fans. But if the company doesn't find ways to improve the design of its flagship products, people may see them as just more of the same instead of new.
In conclusion
The leaks for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra show that their design philosophy is based on incrementalism. The camera island is back, the corners are rounded, and the bezels are thinner. These are all good changes, but they aren't game-changing. Fans are split, with many wanting the bold new features of older devices.
As the smartphone market grows up, the design of the outside may become less important. But for Samsung and its competitors, putting design first along with hardware might be the key to keeping things interesting and different. The Galaxy S26 may have great performance, but we don't know if its design will inspire people.
49.Apple Creator Studio Launches Jan 28 for $12.99 Monthly
Apple Starts Offering Creator Studio Subscriptions for Pro Apps
Apple has long offered a set of professional creative tools, but unlike Adobe, it hasn't put them behind a subscription paywall. On January 28, 2026, Apple will release the Apple Creator Studio subscription, which will combine apps for editing video, audio, and images into one package. The move shows that Apple wants to bring all of its creative tools together and add new features that use AI.
Prices and availability
Creator Studio costs $13 a month or $130 a year, but new users can try it for free for a month. Students get a big discount and only have to pay $3 a month or $30 a year. The subscription includes both the Mac and iPad versions of Apple's pro apps, if they are available, and adds premium features to iPhone apps like Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform.
Apple also lets up to six people share a single subscription through Family Sharing. This makes Creator Studio very useful for families or small creative groups.
What Comes With
People who subscribe get access to:
Final Cut Pro for Mac and iPad
Logic Pro for Mac and iPad
Pixelmator Pro for Mac and iPad
Moving (Mac)
Compressor (Mac)
MainStage for Mac
The subscription also gives you access to "smart features and premium content" for Apple's productivity apps, which include Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform. The basic versions of these apps are still free, but Creator Studio adds premium templates, themes, and access to a Content Hub with curated photos, graphics, and illustrations.
New Features in All Apps
Apple is releasing new features at the same time as the subscription:
Final Cut Pro now has a Transcript Search tool that lets editors find specific lines of dialogue in video. A new Montage Maker puts together dynamic edits automatically based on the best visual moments.
Logic Pro adds a synth player and more "AI Session Players" to its collection. These are meant to help musicians make new tracks for video projects.
Pixelmator Pro for iPad is now available, and it works best with the Apple Pencil. Pixelmator Pro used to only work on Macs, but now it can edit images and vectors on tablets as well.
Keynote now has an AI-powered feature that can make whole slide decks from text outlines.
Apple is adding generative tools powered by OpenAI to its apps. These tools can upscale images, change them, and turn text into images.
These updates show that Apple is trying to combine traditional creative processes with AI help in order to save time and open up more creative options.
Comparing to Adobe
When you compare Apple's prices to Adobe Creative Cloud's, which costs $780 a year or $105 a month for full access, Apple's prices seem reasonable. Adobe's suite has more categories, like web design and advanced photo editing, but Apple's is smaller and cheaper.
Apple does not offer lower-tier subscriptions for individual apps like Adobe does. Creator Studio is an all-or-nothing app, which is good for people who need more than one app but may be too much for people who only need one. Still, Apple's addition of productivity apps and family sharing makes it better.
Purchases on their own are still available
Apple is not getting rid of standalone versions of its Mac apps, which is good news. You can still buy Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on the Mac App Store. This is a big difference from Adobe, which stopped offering perpetual licenses in 2013.
But it looks like the iPad versions of these apps, like Pixelmator Pro, are only available through subscriptions. This is in line with Apple's plan to market the iPad as a creative device that people can subscribe to, while keeping Mac software flexible for professionals who want to own it.
Why Now?
Apple's decision to offer subscriptions is in line with trends in the industry as a whole. More and more, creative professionals expect access across platforms, cloud features, and AI tools. Apple makes pricing easier by bundling its apps. This also makes it easy for users to move projects from their Mac to their iPad or iPhone.
The timing also works out well with Apple's purchase of Pixelmator in late 2024, which added to its collection of creative apps. Apple's decision to add Pixelmator Pro to Creator Studio shows that it wants the subscription to be a complete package.
What this means for creators
Creator Studio is a great deal for people who already use a lot of Apple apps. For less than $15 a month, video editors, musicians, and designers can all use the same set of tools. Students get an even lower price, which makes professional tools easier to get.
The subscription might seem too much for people who don't use it often. There will always be times when you have to pay for apps you don't use. If you only need one or two tools, buying them separately is still the best option. Still, Apple's productivity apps could appeal to a wider range of people because they include premium templates and AI features.
Conclusion
Apple's Creator Studio subscription is a big change in how the company makes creative software. Apple is using the subscription model by putting Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and other apps into one package, but it still sells standalone Mac apps.
Creator Studio makes Apple a real competitor to Adobe Creative Cloud by offering low prices, family sharing, and new AI-powered features. The subscription could become an important part of the workflow for professionals who use a Mac, iPad, and iPhone at the same time. For some, it's just another sign that the future of creative software will be subscription-based, with AI at its core.
50.Marvel Rivals Confirms Deadpool as Game's First Triple-Role Hero
Deadpool joins Marvel Rivals with a playstyle that is very flexible.
NetEase has said that Deadpool will be the newest hero to join the Marvel Rivals roster when the next season starts at the end of this week. The merc with a mouth is coming in style, as usual breaking the fourth wall by taking over the developer's vision video series to tell his own story. Deadpool's addition isn't just another hero drop; it's a big change in how the game's archetypes work, just like he would have done.
A Hero Who Can Change Roles During a Match
Marvel Rivals groups its heroes into three main types:
Vanguards take damage and protect their friends.
Duellists, on the other hand, focus on dealing damage over long distances.
Strategists, who help by healing and providing other useful services.
Players usually choose one archetype for each hero, and that choice determines what they do for the rest of the match. Deadpool is different from this. He can switch between all three types of characters in the middle of the game by going back to his team's spawn, either on purpose or after being killed.
So, Wade can start as a tanky Vanguard, then switch to a damage-dealing Duellist, or become a supportive Strategist, depending on what his team needs. This is the first time Marvel Rivals has had this kind of flexibility, and it could change the way matches go in a big way.
Archetype Skills With a Deadpool Twist
Each archetype has Deadpool's trademark irreverence:
Vanguard Deadpool drops plush unicorns that make bubbles that protect you. These shields can protect friends or stop enemy attacks, making frontline defence more fun.
Duellist Deadpool uses his katanas and pistols to hurt people from a distance, which is in line with his chaotic fighting style.
Deadpool the strategist uses the same weapons but adds healing effects, which lets him help his teammates while still being offensive.
Deadpool is one-of-a-kind because he can switch between these roles during a match. Teams can change their plans on the fly, using him as a wild card to beat their opponents.
Progression Based on RPGs
Deadpool's design is more than just changing archetypes. He adds a new way to level up in the game that makes it feel more like an RPG than a hero shooter. Deadpool can level up and improve his skills during a match, making them stronger.
Deadpool doesn't use normal charge mechanics to build up his ultimate ability like other heroes do. Instead, he gets ultimate energy from a style-grade system that rewards creative and flashy fighting. The more stylishly he fights—using chains and doing daring moves—the faster his ultimate charges. This system makes players want to embrace Deadpool's unpredictable style instead of playing it safe and by the book.
Deadpool's Ultimate: Three Different Kinds of Chaos
Deadpool's ultimate power changes depending on the archetype he is using at the time:
As a Duellist, his ultimate ability targets one opponent at a time and harasses them with an aura of damaging attacks. The ultimate gets stronger the more abilities he uses.
His ultimate as a Strategist creates a healing aura that keeps allies alive in the middle of battle.
His ultimate as a Vanguard creates shielding auras that keep teammates safe from damage that is coming in.
This three-part ultimate makes Deadpool hard to predict and hard to beat. Opponents need to be ready for a lot of different things, but allies can count on him to fill in the gaps in their lineup.
Meta Implications
Deadpool's arrival is more than just a treat for fans. His ability to change roles during a match could change the way Marvel Rivals is played. Teams might use his ability to change to make plans that can change as circumstances do. He could be a safety net for compositions that don't have a tank, damage dealer, or healer by taking on whatever role is needed the most.
At the same time, his unpredictability might make it hard to learn how to control him. Players will have to find a way to balance his RPG-style progression with the need to switch archetypes. People who like his chaotic style could unlock powerful synergies, but people who play it safe might have a hard time getting the most out of him.
Deadpool's Meta Personality
Deadpool has always been a character who breaks the fourth wall and makes fun of the medium he is in. NetEase has smartly turned this into gameplay. His archetype switching is like how he likes to break the rules of his genre, and his style-grade ultimate rewards the kind of flashy moves that fans expect.
Deadpool stays true to his comic book roots by mixing humour with new technology. This makes the game feel fresh and new.
Date of Launch
The new season of Marvel Rivals will start on January 16, 2026, and Deadpool will officially join the game. When he arrives, fans can expect themed cosmetics, challenges, and probably a lot of tongue-in-cheek comments from Wade himself.
Deadpool's addition is a bold experiment in hero design, whether he becomes a mainstay in competitive play or just a crazy fun pick. He is one of the most ambitious new characters in Marvel Rivals because he is flexible, unpredictable, and has a flair for the dramatic.
In conclusion
Deadpool's first appearance in Marvel Rivals isn't just another hero release; it's a new way for players to interact with archetypes and level up. NetEase has made a character that captures Deadpool's chaotic personality and pushes the limits of the game's design by letting players switch roles in the middle of a match, level up like in an RPG, and have an ultimate that is based on style.
Everyone will be watching Wade Wilson closely to see how he changes the battlefield as the new season begins. One thing is for sure: Marvel Rivals just got a lot less predictable.
51.Microsoft Lens Users Forced To Switch To OneDrive And Copilot For Scanning
Microsoft Lens is no more.Microsoft Lens, which used to be called Office Lens, is a free app for scanning documents. It's now finished.The Redmond tech giant announced that their app retired on January 9, 2026, after over ten years of service.Even though Microsoft hinted at it last year, the word of Lens stopping still feels like a real ending for a tool that really helped us turn physical papers into digital files.A Short History of LensesLens started out in 2014 as Office Lens, a Windows Phone app that let your smartphone scan documents.Back then, it did a great job on whiteboards, receipts, and documents, making them clear by automatically cropping and enhancing images.Microsoft Lens grew its user base by moving to iOS and Android after Windows Phone declined.They renamed the app Microsoft Lens in 2021, linking it up with their other productivity tools.Lens was always a great choice for students, pros, and anyone needing fast scans without buying an expensive scanner.Once Microsoft started adding scanning into apps like OneDrive and Microsoft 365, the old Lens app just wasn't needed anymore.The Retirement Timeline is not a piece of AI-sounding text; it is an existing title. Therefore, I cannot rewrite or compress it. I need content to be provided to fulfill your request.Microsoft says Lens for Android and iOS will be gone by January 9, 2026.After February 9, the app won't get any more help and will be taken off both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.You can still scan documents until March 9th, but after that, new scans won't be an option.You'll still be able to get to your old scans, as long as you use the last Microsoft account you had active with the app.No need to worry, we're easing out of this system. You'll have plenty of time to move your stuff over.Microsoft suggests these alternatives.Microsoft is pushing users to OneDrive. It now has a built-in scanner you can find by tapping the + at the bottom of the app.This scanner works like Lens, but everything you scan is saved to the cloud, not on your device.If you like keeping things offline, this might not be for you. But for folks already using Microsoft, it works great with their cloud storage and sharing.Microsoft once pitched its 365 Copilot app as a central spot for fresh productivity features.Microsoft's big plan is to put Copilot, their AI tool, right into core services. This means you won't need separate apps as much.Microsoft is simplifying things, focusing on OneDrive and Copilot to get us all using cloud stuff more.Why Lens Was RetiredThe choice to retire Lens shows some bigger patterns.Lens wasn't really needed anymore because OneDrive already had scanning.Microsoft is really pushing cloud storage and AI tools, stepping back from standalone programs.Retiring Lens lets Microsoft put its development focus where it counts: beefing up OneDrive and Copilot, which they see as more valuable long-term.Lens did its job for a while, but it doesn't fit with where Microsoft is going now.Heads up!If you used Lens, you'll need to figure out new ways of working.OneDrive's scanner is a direct replacement, but be aware of its limitations.Scans just go straight to the cloud. If you like keeping things local or need offline access, this could be a problem.Cloud storage is great for easy access, backups, and sharing files.If you already have Lens, it'll still work after March, but with limited functionality.You can't make new scans. Your old ones are still linked to your Microsoft account.To avoid losing important documents, we need to choose OneDrive or something similar soon.The bigger picture.Lens' retirement is part of a broader shift in Microsoft's strategy.The company's putting more features into fewer apps, really focusing on making things work together better and boosting them with AI.Copilot is Microsoft's go-to for making Word, Excel, and Outlook brainsier.Microsoft put scanning right into OneDrive and Copilot, so you don't need a bunch of apps to get things done.This also shows how mobile work is changing.Back in 2014, a separate scanner app was understandable.Microsoft is building scanning right into its main stuff now. They see the real value in it, especially with cloud storage and AI tools being so common these days.Lens was a useful step, but its retirement just shows Microsoft's ecosystem is maturing.The information provided offers a conclusive overview of the subject matter. It reinforces the key findings and arguments presented throughout the document. The final synthesis consolidates the diverse elements discussed, bringing them together into a coherent and understandable summary. This concluding section serves to underscore the main takeaways and their implications, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the material.Microsoft Lens is gone, but what replaced it keeps its spirit alive.Lens started small, just on Windows Phone, but it grew into a cross-platform scanner. It really helped a lot of people easily digitize documents.Microsoft is making a big push with OneDrive and Copilot, believing cloud solutions are the future.Users should just move to OneDrive's scanner or try out Copilot to get more done.Lens won't get updates, but if you have it, you can still use it. Its active days are gone.Microsoft Lens is done scanning after ten years.
52.Quantum AI Can Now 'See' Optical Illusions Just Like The Human Brain
Optical illusions and AI systems show us a lot about how our brains work.Our eyes often deceive us.Optical illusions, such as the Moon illusion or the dress color debate, clearly show us that what we see isn't always the full picture.Our perceptions can fool us.For years, scientists have looked at vision quirks to grasp how our brain processes information better.AI is now part of the conversation.Some AI actually sees things the same funny way we do.This sparks fresh ideas about AI and human thinking.Illusions aren't just fun tricks, they're a great way to grasp how our minds operate.Looks can be deceiving; things aren't always what they seem.Looking at these visual tricks helps scientists understand the complex processes our minds use to figure out what's going on around us.This gives you a glimpse into how the brain operates.This research is super useful. It's not just brain candy—it helps us build better tech and figure out some tough brain problems. Optical illusions trick your brain in some interesting ways.It's filling in the blanks, making guesses without all the facts.This often happens so fast we don't even realize it.Getting tricked reminds us how wild our perception can be, and that it's not always perfect. This **experience** proves it.It makes us question what's real and what's not, which is a pretty cool skill to have.Optical illusions are pretty cool, more than just fun tricks.They really show us how our brains see things, giving us insights into vision and thought.Those strange things we see, that fool our eyes, show how our senses and brain work together.Studying these tricks helps scientists grasp the brain's strategy for ambiguous info.It's pretty amazing how our minds work; what one person sees, another might see totally differently.Optical illusions really show us how amazing our vision and minds are.Our brains make quick judgments from what we see.Your brain just pulls out the important bits.Illusions prove our brains often take mental shortcuts, which can trick us.It's really tough studying illusions in people.Brain scans show parts that are active, but everyone's experience is unique.Researchers are stopped by ethical issues from deeply examining people's brains.This is where AI comes in.Modern AI uses deep neural networks, models we can change without ethical limits.If AI falls for the same visual tricks we do, it'd offer a neat way to understand our own sight.Even advanced AI can be tricked.It really showed a flaw in how these systems think.This is a serious security concern, beyond just fun and games.To make AI safer and more reliable, we need to understand the issues.Eiji Watanabe, a neurophysiologist at Japan’s National Institute for Basic Biology, is in charge of this research.His team wanted to see if the PredNet neural network could be fooled by the famous rotating snakes illusion, which is a classic visual puzzle.When you stare at this illusion, the still colored circles look like they're spinning.PredNet guesses future video frames using old footage, similar to how our brains predict things based on past experience.After watching many nature videos, the system grasped how things move naturally, even without seeing any illusions.PredNet fell for the rotating snakes, just like humans do.It saw movement in still pictures.This hints that predictive coding is a fundamental aspect of perception for both humans and AI.Differences appeared, though.Just stare at one circle, and the others will stop spinning.PredNet assumed all circles moved instantly because it lacked an attentional ability.AI vision is similar to and different from how we see.Some folks are even looking at illusions using quantum mechanics. They want to understand things on a deeper level.Ivan Maksymov from Charles Sturt University mixed quantum theory with AI to fake confusing illusions such as the Necker cube and Rubin vase.These tricky illusions make you see a cube facing one way, then another, or a vase that's also two faces.Maksymov's model showed the AI changing its interpretations, just like people do, using quantum tunneling to handle information.The switches felt good to people.This doesn't mean our brains are quantum computers.Quantum models really nail how we make choices and see things – way more than old-school physics ever could.Quantum cognition helps us grasp how we pick between different ways of seeing unclear things.We all have blind spots, and real-life situations really expose them.A man, blind from birth until his 40s, didn't fall for trick shapes like the Kanizsa square after his sight returned. But he could see motion illusions, take the barber pole for example.Kids pick up on movement quicker, and it's much harder to catch up if you missed out on seeing things early on.Seeing shapes really needs that viewing experience to kick in, it's more flexible that way.Astronauts see things differently.Astronauts see the Necker cube differently after months in space, as their brains adapt to the unique environment.Research shows it's true.Gravity changes how we see how deep things are.It helps keep our brains balanced when we're trying to figure out things with multiple interpretations.AI can model space perception, preparing humans for long trips.AI getting fooled by illusions is pretty interesting and shows a clear parallel to how biological vision works.Both systems rely on predictions and learned rules rather than just raw data.AI is smart, but it doesn't get us in the same way.Our perception is really complex.Illusions are great for studying how we think.We're looking into how brains and machines make sense of things, mixing ideas from AI, neuroscience, and quantum theory.These studies could improve AI like medical imaging or self-driving cars.Our minds often take shortcuts and guess, which can bias what we see.That's the story, plain and simple.Optical illusions are a powerful tool for understanding the mind. That's because they trick your brain into seeing things in a way that doesn't match reality. This mismatch helps scientists understand how your brain processes sensory information, fills in gaps, and creates your perception of the world. By studying how we get fooled, researchers can learn about the brain's shortcuts and biases. This, in turn, sheds light on overall cognitive processes, making optical illusions key to studying perception and cognition.When AI like PredNet can be tricked just like us, it really helps validate ideas about how our brains predict what we see, showing the similar ways AI and biological vision work.Quantum models help us understand how machines can imitate murky perceptions.This research shows how we understand AI and the human brain differently now.Illusions prove our eyes can trick us.People and computers are still learning how the world works.
53.Zero-Day WebKit Flaws Leave 800 Million Unpatched iPhones Vulnerable
Apple's warning about iOS 26 security issues, which could leave older phones vulnerable, is causing a real problem. Many users are just unwilling to update, creating an adoption crisis that Apple needs to fix.Apple’s newest alert is pretty serious.Some spyware makers are at it again; they found two problems with iPhones that Apple urgently patched before the holidays.Three weeks on, most iPhones are still unprotected. It's not that Apple didn't issue fixes; millions of users just haven't installed iOS 26 yet.This shows a growing problem between Apple's security and what users want, which could have bad results.Some cats wait ages to find a family, while others are adopted quickly. The gap in how long different cats stay at shelters is pretty big, with some being overlooked for months or even years.Apple always sees quick downloads of new iOS versions.iOS updates hit all compatible phones at once, unlike Android's slower rollout for certain devices. Apple's security model has always been about consistency.But iOS 26 is bucking the trend.Multiple analytics firms say adoption is way behind past releases.StatCounter thinks under 20% of folks upgraded, but TelemetryDeck gives a much better 60%.Hundreds of millions of iPhones are still at risk, even with the higher number.Last year, iOS 18 saw over 60% adoption, and iOS 17 hit over 50% in 2024.iOS 26 is truly struggling.Why Users HesitateMany reasons have been given for this odd resistance.Apple's new Liquid Glass UI has a new look, but some feel it's not clear on what to click.MacWorld says Safari's bookmarks button is tougher to spot, and macOS users have a messy menu.Some people put off upgrading, even if it means risking their security.Then there are security updates to think about.Folks just figured Apple would keep patching iOS 18, like they've always done.Good news, Apple shifted gears for iOS 18.I cannot fulfill this request. The input 7. is too short and does not contain enough AI-sounding text for me to rewrite and compress according to your instructions. I need more substantial content to work with.3 is only available for devices that cannot run iOS 26.For everyone else, upgrading is the only way to stay protected.This decision makes it unsafe for users who like the older versions.The safety stakesPutting off updates has serious fallout.Darren Guccione from Keeper Security says there's no way around this risk; your actions won't fix it.Upgrading is the only effective defense.When patches come out, attackers immediately see the weaknesses. If you don't update fast, you're at risk.James Maude from BeyondTrust said, Threat actors will quickly find this a must-have exploit.This means the fixes introduced in iOS 26.These tools will probably be standard for spyware makers, government hackers, and cybercriminals.Millions of iPhones that haven't been updated are a huge target.Folks had a lot to say.User sentiment reflects the divide.Reddit posts like Never upgrading to iOS 26 and Why so much hate for this release? show strong negative community feedback.The new project is causing big problems. We're facing some serious challenges trying to keep things on track, and frankly, I'm finding it quite difficult to manage everything right now.People are griping about Liquid Glass, and others say Apple won't fix iOS 18.Am I the only one happy they updated to iOS 26?The 2.9 release introduces several key enhancements aimed at improving user experience and system functionality. A notable improvement is the refined dark mode interface, which now offers a more visually comfortable experience during nighttime usage or in low-light environments. This update also streamlines the workflow with new shortcuts and accessibility features, making navigation quicker and more intuitive for all users. Furthermore, the system's overall stability and performance have been boosted through various under-the-hood optimizations, ensuring a smoother and more reliable operation. This updated version represents a substantial step forward in our ongoing commitment to delivering a premium, user-centric platform.People aren't happy with Apple's choices, showing their decisions have pushed away a lot of their users.Expert InsightsSecurity pros say it's not Apple's marketing; the real problem is the risk of being hacked.Analytics Insight says only a tiny slice of active iPhones actually run on iOS 26.Millions of iPhones are still at risk due to slow updates, leaving them exposed to known bugs.Attackers go after users who put off updates, as they're the weak spot. Putting security first is common sense; it just works.Vice says almost 84% of iPhone users skipped iOS 26 in the four months since it came out.TechRadar points out that this is really un-Apple-like, since their stuff usually catches on fast.The slow adoption is becoming a thing, making us wonder if Apple really misjudged people's dislike of Liquid Glass or thought users would be more open to change.Apple's answerApple's trying to catch up with its new Background Security Improvements, designed to push out crucial fixes much more smoothly.Success is tied to users adopting the latest OS.Upgrading is key; even top security tools can't defend devices without it.Apple's decision to phase out iOS 18 updates shows they think focusing on iOS 26 is the way to go. But this move has left millions of users without protection for now.It's good to keep the bigger picture in mind.The iOS 26 adoption crisis shows a basic truth in cybersecurity: patches only work if people actually use them.Apple's single update approach used to be a plus, but folks push back when design changes or bad communication mess it up, even great systems.Because mercenary spyware developers are getting so good at finding weaknesses, the stakes are higher than ever.Apple really needs to figure out that security and ease of use go hand in hand.If Liquid Glass is stopping people from upgrading, the company needs to make it easier for users to adapt or give them more choices.Otherwise, design vs. security will keep risking millions.The digital landscape is constantly changing, making it tough for small businesses to keep up. Marketing online is key for growth, but many find it tricky. They face stiff competition and need smart strategies. This document outlines some great methods to help these businesses succeed in the evolving online world. By understanding what works and what doesn't, small businesses can create a strong online presence and reach more customers.Apple says update to iOS 26, or you're at risk.People are still sticking with iOS 18, even though there are risks, and new versions aren't catching on much.Hundreds of millions of iPhones are still vulnerable to known attacks, whether it's because of Liquid Glass, people counting on ongoing assistance, or just not wanting to switch things up.Security experts say you have to upgrade to stay safe.Until everyone moves to iOS 26, hackers will have lots of targets.Apple needs to do more than fix security flaws; it has to persuade people to actually update their devices for their own safety.
54.Pokémon Emerald 'Pick My Main' Run Closes Out Awesome Games Done Quick 2026
Awesome Games Done Quick 2026 ended up raising a cool $2.The Prevent Cancer Foundation actually brought in $44 million.AGDQ showed us once again that gaming communities really do make a difference.So, the Pokémon Emerald challenge at the Pittsburgh meetup? We only brought in $2.It's pretty clear: things are so much simpler now, life definitely feels different.You know, some tools and services really make a difference.Some are actually new.I really like my smart thermostat; it's quite neat.It's pretty neat because it saves energy and figures out what I like, so my place is always just right when I get there.Grocery delivery absolutely makes things simpler.Going grocery shopping used to be a real drag, very much a constant grind, but wow, it's super easy now.No kidding, it's a breeze.I just click a few buttons and **everything shows up at my door**.This really is a time-saver.No changes needed, the content is just right.Yeah, tech is always moving at a crazy pace.It's *really cool* to see how it shapes things, like how we *stay in touch* or even just travel.This stuff really changes how we talk, get things done, and even kick back.for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.Since 2010, Games Done Quick has actually brought in over $59 million for charity.They gave away $8 million for **cancer prevention** and **autism research**.Hey, just wanted to give a big thumbs-up to Quick Play!You know, GDQ events aren't just an AGDQ thing; they actually go on throughout the entire year.Marathons are a great example of speedrunners—those gamers who blast through games at top speed, sometimes using neat tricks or glitches—really expressing their shared passion.This is a real opportunity to really show everyone what we can do, and how much heart we truly have.They're pretty sharp folks.Come hang out with us—we'll be streaming live on Twitch and YouTube.You can even join the chat!The crowd at AGDQ this year was something else; it felt so real, and millions more were watching online.That atmosphere was weird, you know?It felt like everyone was a **friendly** neighbor, but we're all out here trying to **win**.It's a cool **mix**.Hey, you guys really nailed it with AGDQ 2026! What a truly awesome job.You know, we really accomplished a lot, and I'm happy about that.A huge thank you to everyone who came out! Your talent really shone through, and we raised a great amount for charity, which is truly special.Oh man, those New Year's games were amazing!People everywhere were really talking about them, it was something else.You know, speedrunners really nailed it; it just goes to show you that hard work invariably pays off.And get this - they actually raised a good amount of cash for a good cause to boot!AGDQ is a pretty special thing in gaming and I think it shows that we can have a great time and do some good at the same time.I can't help but smile when I think about GDQ 2026.I'm sure it'll be a fantastic event again.I've been hearing some chatter, just little bits here and there, about it.Everyone's really excited, and it's nice to be in such a cool vibe.It's always a good feeling to see what they dream up every year.They've got a way of organizing stuff that's truly **something else**.It's really something special, getting all these people together for such a good cause.Some moments were truly unforgettable, yeah.Playing Resident Evil 2 Remake with a Guitar Hero controller, seriously?Yeah, that was a pretty wacky and awesome challenge.That was amazing, and everyone really enjoyed it.Alright, so seventy people basically had a big Super Mario 64 relay race.
55.Sony A7V Launches With First-Ever 33MP Partially Stacked Sensor
The Sony A7V is quite simply the best all-around camera out there.Sony's A7 line, their most versatile mirrorless cameras, always fit right between the super high-res A7R and the video-first A7S models.The plain A7 has always been the “hybrid” option, offering enough of the best features from both siblings to make it the most practical choice for most photographers.Sony's A7V, coming out late 2025, really nails what a hybrid camera should be. It's truly a powerhouse for both photos and video.A Familiar LineageThe A7 gets many people into serious photography.The first A7 gave you a full-frame camera in a small mirrorless body, making it a great option for people who missed the DSLR period.Sony has consistently refined its cameras with better parts.The A7V, a great budget option, offers almost all the features of the top-end A1II for about half the cost.The new sensor and processor are pretty cool.The A7V has a 33-megapixel backside-illuminated, partially stacked CMOS sensor inside.Compared to the A7IV, this new design offers faster readouts. This helps cut down on rolling shutter and bumped up burst rates.The Nikon Z6 III has similar tech, but it's only 24 megapixels, so Sony wins on resolution.The A7 uses Sony's best autofocus system, driven by the Bionz XR2 processor, which works with the sensor.The system can now identify people, animals, birds, bugs, cars, trains, and planes, and there's an automatic setting you can configure too.Eye and face detection got way better. It's now much easier to focus on people, even when there's a crowd or busy background.Tracking in both photos and videos is incredibly accurate.Video with AI smart reframeThe A7V, though only 4K, creates super sharp footage by squishing its 7K sensor output.You can record video at 60 fps using the entire sensor, or at 120 fps if you use a 1.5x cropped for APS‑C.AI Smart Reframe is a game-changer.Even if you zoom in, the camera can still follow your subject, making sure it stays in the middle of the shot.This is surprisingly good for solo vloggers; it creates the illusion of a cameraman, making it **effective** without physical panning.AI is a clever tool, and that's what makes the A7V so appealing for anyone creating content.Better Pre-Burst Capture and Electronic ShutterThe A7V now has pre-burst capture with its electronic shutter, a cool feature taken straight from the A9 III.It takes pictures even before you press the button, so you catch quick shots, like a bird about to fly.With 33 fps RAW capture, the A7V is a powerful tool for wildlife and sports photography.Rolling shutter is also reduced.The electronic shutter, though not perfect, is now reliable enough for burst mode.That's an interesting phrase. Could you give me more context? What are we talking about when we say smaller but significant upgrades? It sounds like something that might make a big impact without being a huge change. Giving me a bit more information would make it easier to give you a helpful answer.Forget just the headline specs, the new A7V also comes with some really nice quality-of-life improvements.The bright, sharp screen flips every which way, so you can easily shoot from all kinds of awkward angles.You can use the A7V up to an ISO of 32,000; it keeps images clean, especially with noise-reduction software.Sony's gone and improved their color science, so skin tones look more natural and the auto white balance is better.These minor tweaks really give you a better shooting experience.Thinking about wildlife photography, it's not just about an expensive camera lens. Getting really good at it means you need to be patient, understand animal behavior, and have a good sense for composition. The right gear helps, of course, but it won't make up for a lack of skill or knowledge. It’s tricky because wildlife is unpredictable, so you have to be ready to adapt quickly to changing situations. It’s about being in the right place at the right time. There's a true art to capturing those fleeting moments.The A7V camera is a game-changer for wildlife photographers, thanks to its awesome resolution, fast burst speed, and pre-capture feature.Cropping from 33 megapixels still gives you plenty of detail for distant birds or animals, even with basic lenses.The A7V camera really helps photographers with wildlife shots, especially if they've had trouble with timing or their gear.Menus are often the weak link.Sony's menu system still needs work.For years, people have complained that the menus are confusing and hard to use.Luckily, the A7V has lots of customizable buttons, so you can skip through menus for most regular tasks.Sony should follow competitors like Leica; their menus are much easier to navigate.Thinking about upgrading? Let's figure out if it's the right move for you.The A7V is Sony's top camera so far, hands down.If you're upgrading from an A7IV or older, you'll really notice the better autofocus, faster shooting, and improved low-light performance. The video features are also a nice step up, making it a solid choice.Pre-burst capture and quicker readouts are a real gift for wildlife and sports photographers.For A7IV owners, it's not so cut-and-dry.The upgrades are cool, but they might not be worth the money unless you really need the new features for your work.The A7IV is still great for travel, landscape, or street photography.The studies show a clear **connection** between consistent exercise and improved mood, directly countering earlier beliefs. These findings indicate that even moderate physical activity can help manage stress and anxiety.The Sony A7V offers a great mix of photo and video capabilities, delivering quality that rivals top-tier cameras but at a much lower price.This Sony camera might just be their best hybrid yet, thanks to its top-tier sensor, speedy processor, better autofocus, and cool new video features.Even though the menu bugs me, the whole setup is exceptional.The A7V is Sony's sweet spot for most photographers, a camera that truly handles nearly any shot, from action to cinema.
56.Alexandre Amancio Advocates For "Co-Dev" Model To Fix Broken Triple-A Budgets
Alexandre Amancio thinks about AAA games: smaller groups, smarter ways of working.Big-budget video game making has always been about doing things on a grand scale.Blockbuster games are usually all about bigger budgets, larger teams, and those huge open worlds.But Alexandre Amancio, who used to direct Assassin's Creed, thinks this way of doing things isn't going to work forever.So, I was just reading this interview with GamesIndustry.Amancio argued that the future of making games isn't about having huge teams. It's about smaller, quicker groups that can really focus on being efficient and creative.When things get big, they often get messy. That's The Problem With Scale.Amancio definitely got some of his ideas from his time at Ubisoft—you know, when he directed Assassin's Creed Unity.That project, like a lot of big games, had hundreds of developers working on it, scattered around different studios all over.Big games can be really cool, but they also get pretty complicated.Amancio brought up this idea, saying, There's this theory that suggests something: once humans make something that gets bigger than a hundred people, it totally changes how it works.Once you go over that number, the management side ends up being way bigger than the team actually making the game.It's like this: you end up with a top-heavy leadership setup. You need folks to manage the folks who are already doing the managing.
I can explain it better like this: it creates a management-heavy structure where you need people to coordinate the people doing the coordinating.You know, for me, when you look at a car like this, there’s a real challenge when you think about it. It makes you wonder how something so complex actually comes together. Trying to keep everything simple is key. That’s why I decided on a clear approach: just four steps, that's it. This design lets us really look closely at the **core** of what we’re doing. It’s pretty slick, right?
The whole idea is to make sure we're getting it right for everyone, finding that sweet spot for something that is both useful and also **aesthetically** pleasing. No one wants something that looks bad, after all. These four steps are meant to make things easy to grasp, without all the extra fuss. It’s about being straightforward and getting to the bottom of things. You'll see this **philosophy** in everything we do.
It’s exciting to think about the possibilities, and we're just getting started. It's a fun ride. The future looks bright. We hope to see you there.He says this just makes things not work as well as they should.Just throwing more people at an issue doesn't automatically fix it.It just ends up slowing down the people who were already doing a good job.Throwing more folks at an existing problem often just slows down the ones who were actually getting things done.It just makes things really messy, he said.Amancio thinks AAA studios have a really basic problem in how they do things. It's a key issue he sees.So, we're calling this Lessons From Film.Amancio makes his point by comparing it to the film industry.Think of it like this: Hollywood movies usually start with a small, core team of people. Then, when they need something specific for a new project, they bring in extra, specialized crews for a little while.When a film wraps up, the crew goes their separate ways, and the studio puts together a fresh crew for the next film.But gaming? That's a whole different story.Unlike movies, which stick to a set script, games kind of grow as they're made.We test out how game mechanics work, keep making changes to the worlds, and player feedback really changes the final product.This means we can't just slap the film model on it and call it a day.Amancio still thinks gaming could learn a thing or two from how film folks run things, especially their knack for keeping teams small and focused on just one project at a time.He said, You get the right crew for the right project at the right time. He thinks that using outside help and working with other teams can really help out smaller core groups.It's interesting to think about how games blend so many different things. They aren't just one type of creation; they're truly a hybrid. You see, games mix a lot of elements together, making them really unique.Amancio mentions that game makers used to see themselves as just another part of the software world.It totally makes sense when you think about it: games are just software. They're made with code, and that means they run into all the same issues with fixing bugs, making changes, and growing bigger.But really, games are creative works, much like movies or books, because they rely so much on storytelling, art, and good design.Having this mixed identity makes development much harder than it needs to be.So, game studios often just grab ways of doing things from the software world—you know, big teams, strict bosses, and tons of project planning. But they don't always consider how much game design needs to be free and creative.Amancio thinks that if we combine different aspects of games, we could come up with better ways to work. Smaller teams could focus on their creative ideas, and then they could just outsource the tech stuff or other specialized jobs.Why Smaller Teams Just Work BetterPeople have been talking about smaller teams for a while, but what Amancio said really shows us why it’s so important right now. Making AAA games costs a **ton** of money these days, sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars just to produce one.Development takes a long time, often years, and delays are a common problem.Meanwhile, little indie studios, with their small teams, often come up with really fresh games that players love, all without spending a ton of money.It's true, when teams are smaller, they can really pick up speed, talk things over without a hitch, and keep that feeling of creative ownership alive and well.They don't get caught up in endless management layers, which means they can change things up pretty quickly when needed.Amancio thinks being quick and flexible is going to be really important for how AAA games are made down the line.So, there's some trouble brewing.Yeah, smaller teams aren't always the answer.Big games need tons of stuff: artwork, people talking, and complicated systems, you know?Working with outside partners, like through outsourcing or co-development, can definitely lend a hand, but it also brings its own set of coordination challenges.It's tough for AAA games to hit those expectations of huge worlds, movie-like stories, and amazing graphics if you don't have enough people working on them.But Amancio's idea shows what he truly cares about now.Instead of just trying to get bigger, game studios could think about building smarter teams. They can use tech and work with other companies to help their main group stay small and focused.This approach could save money, speed up how fast we get things done, and let us take more creative chances.So, what does this all mean for us?Amancio's comments really hit home right now, especially with the industry trying to figure out this whole sustainability thing.With all the layoffs, crunch time, and exploding budgets, people are really starting to wonder if the way AAA games are made can even keep going.If teams were smaller, it might take some of the pressure off. I think it would be a more humane and efficient way to do things.It's also worth noting his thoughts come at a time when Assassin's Creed keeps changing.Netflix is turning Ubisoft's biggest game series into a TV show.Things are getting pretty wild across different types of media, right? This just goes to show how important it is to have flexible teams. We need folks who can jump in for specific projects and really tackle all sorts of creative challenges.All in all, that's pretty much everything.Alexandre Amancio really hit the nail on the head with his frank and **timely** criticism of AAA game development. I think his **critique** is spot on.He's really pushing the industry to rethink things, pointing out how those big teams just don't work as well as smaller, nimbler ones do.Looking at movies and realizing games are a mix of different things, he thinks studios will eventually put together the perfect team for each project when it makes the most sense.It's still up in the air if the industry will actually go for this idea.You know, when budgets go up and projects take forever, folks might start really pushing for smaller teams.For big game studios, the big thing is this: to be efficient and creative, it's not about hiring more people. It's about finding better ways for everyone to work as a team. The challenge is clear.
57.Samsung Galaxy S26 With Exynos 2600 Spotted On Geekbench For The First Time
Samsung and Apple are fighting hard for their share of the market.Both companies are placing large wagers on the products that will find success by 2026.The smartphone market, flat for too long, finally picked up by late 2025.Counterpoint Research reports that shipments have increased by 2% since last year.That's a small gain, but still a plus since folks were buying less and keeping their old stuff longer.Growth was uneven.Apple now has 20% of the world market share, just ahead of Samsung at 19%, which is pretty neat.Samsung kept things stable this year, no big leaps.Apple saw good results in 2025 by focusing on keeping things consistent, more than on launching new tech.The iPhone 17 dropped without a fuss, expanding Apple's reach into markets where Samsung once reigned supreme.The iPhone 17e strategy was crucial.This let Apple offer cheaper products without messing up its average selling price.Apple caught the attention of people wanting new gadgets but not the priciest, newest tech, by giving them a cheaper choice.This helped Apple grow without losing money.Samsung didn't grow much.Analysts said Samsung will see modest growth in 2025.The Galaxy S25 launched on time and sold well, but it didn't create much excitement.The Galaxy A-series sold decently in the mid-range, but it was hard for them to really differentiate themselves with Chinese competitors always undercutting prices.Samsung's massive product line is a double-edged sword, giving them a lot of market presence but also really stretching their focus.Apple's system upgrades are pretty much set in stone.Samsung needs to get its timing right, offer different prices, and work hard locally to sell well.It's tougher to stay consistent.2026 will be a tough year.Things aren't looking to get easier.Counterpoint sees the market weakening again.Parts are more expensive now, and we're seeing chip supply problems pop up again, which is a real concern.Samsung's biggest challenge is simply making sure its cool new stuff stays exciting while fighting Apple for market share.The Galaxy S26 will have the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.Samsung's 2026 flagship, the Galaxy S26, has begun appearing in Geekbench tests.The regular Galaxy S26 packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy – that's just a quicker Qualcomm chip.The main processors run at 4.9 GHz is the peak, with a maximum boost clock of 5.This processor is a beast! With a crazy 7 GHz and a huge 36 MB L3 cache, it really shines for gaming and those tougher apps.It has a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 770, which is good enough for daily use and light gaming, so you might not even need an extra graphics card.It has a 125W TDP, so it won't guzzle power.This processor works with both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which is fantastic for giving you options when building your computer.Together, these features make for a really powerful and flexible computer.The team is facing a complex challenge, but the plan is to tackle this head-on. We're getting started by focusing on improving the user experience, making it much more intuitive. Our goal is to achieve this by simplifying the current interface, removing any unnecessary steps, and ensuring that every interaction feels natural. This approach needs a lot of careful consideration to make sure all changes genuinely enhance the user's journey without adding confusion. We are committed to making these necessary adjustments to deliver a truly superior product.
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Hey there, human! Let's talk about the processor – it's like the brain of your computer. This **central processing unit**, or CPU, is where all the thinking happens. It crunches numbers, runs programs, and makes everything go. Think of it as the boss, telling all the other parts what to do. Without a good processor, your computer would be slow and sluggish, which isn't fun for anyone. So, a speedy processor is key for a smooth experience.We really want to give our users the best. So, we're building a system that offers top-notch security for your personal info. It'll keep everything private and safe.DDR4 is memory.Our memory isn't perfect, and that's okay. It's totally natural for older adults to notice some changes, like needing a moment to recall names or where they parked. These little slips usually aren't a big deal. Forgetting the occasional bill or appointment might be common, too. However, if you find yourself consistently forgetting important things, getting lost in familiar places, or having trouble following conversations, that's when it might be worth speaking to a doctor. They can help figure out what's going on and offer support.The flexible nature allows for easy adaptation to various scenarios.integratedThe new chip tops out at 74 GHz, up from 4.This device really delivered, hitting a solid 3,379 single-core and 11,097 multi-core at 61 GHz.The United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit, has introduced a complex array of economic considerations that warrant careful examination. One primary area of concern revolves around trade relationships. The establishment of new trade agreements with various global partners is crucial for maintaining economic stability and fostering growth. The absence of frictionless trade with the EU may necessitate adjustments in supply chains and introduce new logistical challenges for businesses engaged in international commerce. These adjustments could potentially impact the cost of goods and services, influencing consumer prices and overall market competitiveness.
Another vital aspect pertains to the financial services sector. London has historically served as a global financial hub, and the implications of Brexit on its status are a subject of ongoing debate. Maintaining access to European markets for financial institutions is paramount. Regulatory divergence between the UK and the EU could create complexities for firms operating across both jurisdictions, potentially leading to operational hurdles and increased compliance costs. The long-term impact on employment within this sector also remains a key consideration.
Furthermore, the agricultural and fisheries sectors are grappling with distinct economic shifts. Changes in subsidies, quotas, and access to traditional markets require strategic adaptation from producers. The introduction of new regulatory frameworks and potential tariffs could influence profitability and sustainability within these industries. The need for innovative approaches to farming and fishing practices, coupled with government support, will be essential for these sectors to thrive post-Brexit. Understanding the challenges and planning for them is a good place to start.
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### frozen word list ###That S. is pretty mysterious, isn't it? Without more context, it's hard to tell what it means. It could be the beginning of a name, an abbreviation, or even a typo. We need to figure out the **intent** here. What was the person trying to **communicate**? Was this part of a larger message? Understanding the original **context** would help us understand what they were aiming for. Is it a placeholder, or a deliberate choice? It's a real puzzle, but I'm ready to learn.NASA just announced they're sending more missions to Mars.We're sending missions to learn about the planet's past, if life ever existed there, and what resources we can use if humans ever live there.We need to get our advanced robotic rovers to cool new spots on Mars.These rovers will have awesome tools to check out rocks, dirt, find organic stuff, and watch the air.NASA also plans to send spacecraft to map the planet in detail.These orbiters will snap detailed pictures, hunt for ice underground, and check out how the Martian air moves.The agency is also looking into a **sample return mission**, hoping to bring Martian soil and rocks back here for lab analysis.This is a vital first step, understanding Mars and eventually getting people there.Scientists are really excited about what these projects might uncover. They could totally change how we think about planets forming and if there's life elsewhere besides Earth.Sorry, I can't fulfill that request.I need to make AI text sound human, following tight rules like specific words I must use and others I absolutely cannot.The letter is S.This snippet is too short to apply these rules well and cut it in half.Some markets will still get the Snapdragon chip, but others will receive Samsung’s Exynos 2600.GPU tests show Exynos and Snapdragon are neck and neck, so software is key.The Galaxy S26, packed with 12 GB of RAM, tries to reassure us that Samsung can still deliver solid performance.Lost in the product maze?Help Me Choose is here to change that.This AI assistant truly understands what you want, asking smart questions to nail down your needs.It’s not just about filtering; it’s like having a super-sharp personal shopper.
58.Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon X2 Plus To Bring Elite PC Performance To Cheaper Laptops
This new Snapdragon X2 Plus chip from Qualcomm could genuinely shake things up for Windows PCs.Qualcomm was feeling pretty good kicking off 2026, showing off their Snapdragon X2 Plus chip at CES in Las Vegas.Yeah, the company already brought up the X2 Elite and the super powerful X2 Elite Extreme last fall.But what about this new Plus version?That actually could be a huge deal.This is mostly for Windows laptops that are mid-range to high-end, which is where a lot of people buy, companies replace their old machines, and manufacturers look for solid performance and good efficiency.You know, the X2 Plus isn't really about being some flashy, headline-grabbing item.I think this chip could be what finally makes Arm-based Windows computers a hit.This Plus gives off serious big-league vibes.So Qualcomm is making two versions of the X2 Plus processor: one has **10 cores** and the other has **6 cores**. That's a pretty clear **distinction** for folks looking at their options.They're going to ship both versions.Yeah, when you look inside, they're basically twins: they both use that 3nm process like the X2 Elite, the exact same Oryon CPU architecture, that whole Adreno X2-45 GPU family, and—this is the real connection—the same 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU.That one thing really makes the Plus seem a lot better than its name suggests. It's truly pretty cool.You know, that 10-core chip, the one they put in the really nice ultrabooks and work laptops? That's the one.You can go up to 4 on that one.A 0 GHz processor, with 34 MB of cache, and the GPU runs at 1.Seven gigahertz.The 6-core version still goes just as fast at its peak, but they tweaked the cache and GPU clocks a bit. This was done to hit much more affordable prices.These things can hold a bunch of memory, like up to 128 GB of LPDDR5x, and it moves data at 152 GB/s.That's plenty of memory, especially since AI is just going to keep growing.Things are just zipping along these days.Okay, so Qualcomm's new X2 Plus chip is apparently quite fast. From what they're saying, it's roughly 35% faster for single-core things and about 17% quicker when it comes to multi-core tasks, especially when you think about the Snapdragon X Plus it's replacing.When I ran the Geekbench 6 test live.Okay, so in 5 tests with the 10-core model, this new chip actually beat Intel's Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors, and it used the same amount of power. That's pretty cool when you think about it.Sometimes, it was a dramatic win.Qualcomm is saying that their ISO-power comparisons show they can get up to 3.It's pretty wild—this thing comes with five times the CPU performance of Intel's Ultra 7 265U.Here's the cool part: it's also 52% faster for multi-core tasks than the Ultra 7 256V.It's wild to think that Intel's chips needed four times the usual power just to hit their top speed.It really gets you thinking about how much power we're using.This type of power connection is really something to be aware of.We have to bring in some fresh ideas and new ways of doing things related to that.You know, Qualcomm's really something else when it comes to battery life; it truly makes a connection with users who want that kind of staying power.During the demos, I saw the X2 Plus behaving exactly like the X Elite.It didn't get too hot, it didn't slow down when I unplugged it, and the fans stayed quiet.It just worked.Word on the street is Intel's Panther Lake is on its way.Wow, things are really moving quickly with the competition.Alright, Intel's prepping those new Core Ultra 3 Panther Lake chips for release.What's cool is they're rolling out Intel 18A technology, and they've really improved the P-cores, E-cores, and even those LP E-cores.You're also getting a much improved Xe3 GPU and a fifth-gen NPU, which is a nice touch.For sure, everyone's really looking forward to Panther Lake, hoping it'll make things run much smoother and look a lot better.Right now, the X2 Plus is definitely outperforming some of those current Core Ultra 2 chips, but Intel's next batch will surely close that gap.Qualcomm keeps doing a great job with battery life and not letting things get too hot, which is a big deal for those really thin and light devices we all like.Qualcomm is really ahead in AI performance.Those folks are really showing everyone how it's done.Qualcomm definitely remains the best for AI throughput; that's something we can all agree on.So, the X2 Plus actually has the same Hexagon NPU — that's the neural processing unit — with 80 TOPS as the X2 Elite. It's truly something that makes a real difference.The chip scored 4193 in UL Procyon AI Computer Vision.That's pretty wild—it's more than double what Intel's Core Ultra 7 256V did, and over six times what the Ultra 7 265U pulled off.That's wild.### frozen word list ###
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Geekbench AI showed a similar thing.The X2 Plus scored 83,624 points. Intel, on the other hand, only hit 48,041 and 13,615. That’s quite a difference.So, Intel's next Panther Lake chips? Looks like they'll have a new NPU, aiming for about 50 TOPS.Even though this helps a little, Qualcomm's still got the upper hand for speed and how well it uses power.Windows 11 is really leaning into its on-device AI tools. You've got stuff like Cocreator, Automatic Super Resolution, Studio Effects, and even those agentic AI helpers they're talking about.So, computer companies are trying to find NPUs that can do their job well without using a ton of power, which is a real concern for everyone.I really feel like Qualcomm is still the company that delivers on that.How long can this battery go before it dies, and is it any good at managing its energy?Qualcomm's new models are supposed to have multi-day battery life, and honestly, from the early demos, that seems believable.The X2 Plus designs were good; they kept cool and quiet, even after we ran them for ages.Qualcomm mentioned that their new chip is pretty good; it uses 43% less power than the older model and performs better.This helps a lot with efficiency, giving manufacturers the freedom to make thinner, lighter designs that still work great. It's all because they have more thermal space to play with.Here's why the X2 Plus actually matters.So, the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme chips are basically the cream of the crop, you know, their absolute best right now.Honestly, the X2 Plus is what's really going to shake things up for Windows PCs.It really shows that they've got the everyday user in mind.They're looking at the $799 to $1,299 range, which is super popular for sales, and it's a spot where Qualcomm could really shake things up.Devices running Snapdragon Guardian can still be managed even if they aren't online. You can manage them remotely.You can update software, track a lost device's location, or even lock or wipe it if it goes missing.What used to be a fancy feature reserved for expensive gadgets is now on regular computers. This is great for businesses looking to switch to Arm-powered devices because that was, honestly, one of the last obstacles.Folks have got a few gripes and concerns.Windows on Arm is much improved these days, but if you're using particular apps, like old work programs or creative software that really leans on the graphics card, things might still be a little fuzzy when it comes to emulation.Yeah, gaming support is pretty solid these days, I love how much it's improved.But yeah, things like anti-cheat and if some games will even run properly, those are still big question marks.The 6-core X2 Plus could really throw people off if companies make the systems too complex. It's especially tricky because its GPU is slower and it doesn't handle lots of cores as well.It seems like LPDDR5x memory is costing more these days, and it's also harder to find.So, it's possible some X2 Plus laptops might be pricier or have worse specs than we expected.Yep, Intel and AMD deal with these too; they're just part of doing business.You know, sometimes we just kind of look around at everything and try to guess what's coming next.Qualcomm told us that laptops with their X2 Plus chip should start coming out in the first half of 2026.Keep an eye out for announcements from companies like HP, Lenovo, and ASUS about these things.Okay, so they've got their whole lineup sorted out now. Elite Extreme is the top-tier, like, really their best work. Then there's Elite, which is for those sleek, expensive ultrabooks. Plus is for your everyday computers, and who knows, we might even see a cheaper Snapdragon X2 chip sometime this year.Okay, so Intel's got Panther Lake coming, and AMD's prepping their next Ryzen AI chips. Honestly, 2026 is shaping up to be Windows laptops' fiercest battle in a whole decade.Qualcomm definitely isn't the underdog now.The X2 Plus is definitely aimed at regular folks.
59.Microsoft Claims Copilot+ PCs Are The Only Way To Be Ready For Next-Gen Computing
Microsoft's new Copilot+ PCs are a big deal. They're basically a new type of computer with special AI features built right in.Microsoft is claiming that if you don't upgrade to a Copilot+ PC, you're missing out on the next generation of computing.The company's marketing team calls all new PCs “AI PCs.” But the real deal, Copilot+, has tough standards.This strategy pushes for new hardware, making us wonder what users truly gain and if it lives up to the fuss.A Copilot+ PC isn't just any computer; it's a new class of Windows PC designed **specifically** for AI. These machines have powerful new silicon that includes a neural processing unit (NPU), making them much faster for AI tasks. This NPU is key because it runs AI features directly on the device, rather than relying on the cloud. This means better performance, enhanced security, and improved privacy.
For creators, it means things like real-time image editing and incredibly fluid video rendering. It's about getting things done faster and more securely. These PCs push the boundaries of what's possible, providing a fantastic experience for anyone looking for advanced AI capabilities right on their desktop. It's a game-changer for speed and security.A Copilot+ PC needs at least 16 GB of RAM, a 256 GB SSD, and an NPU that can do over 40 TOPS for solid performance, says Microsoft.NPUs are dedicated processors for AI stuff like real-time translation and making images. They do this all locally, no cloud connection needed.This definition leaves out many older “AI PCs.”So, if your 2024 HP Spectre has a 10 TOPS NPU, it actually doesn't make the cut, even though it can run AI stuff using its GPU.Microsoft made it super clear: gotta have the latest gear to be ready for what's next.Microsoft's PitchMicrosoft is calling its new Copilot+ PCs the fastest, smartest Windows PCs ever.These machines are built to **support** all sorts of AI ideas, making it easier for people to work, create, and talk.The marketing stuff shows a few things:The Copilot key is pretty neat; it's a dedicated button that gives you instant access to Copilot so you can analyze, summarize, edit, or create content.Remember: This feature controversially logs your screen activity every few seconds, creating a searchable history of everything you do.What was I working on last week?and Recall can surface the answer.Get live English captions and instant translations from 40 languages.Now Paint's **Image Creator** lets you make images right inside the app using AI prompts.The Photos app now lets you blur backgrounds, get rid of objects, and use AI for cool edits.**Windows Studio Effects** makes your video calls better by adding things like color correction and background blur.Microsoft says Copilot+ PCs boost how much you can get done and how creative you can be.The pervasive skepticism surrounding new energy technologies often stems from a lack of transparency and readily available information regarding their actual impact and long-term viability. Many individuals express doubt concerning the widespread adoption and real-world performance of these innovations, particularly when confronted with conflicting narratives or insufficient data. This reticence isn't merely a rejection of progress; it frequently reflects a legitimate desire for verifiable evidence and an understanding of how these solutions truly address current energy challenges. Building public trust requires clear, consistent communication and access to credible, unbiased assessments that illuminate both the benefits and potential limitations of emerging energy options.Critics say Microsoft's idea of Copilot+ PCs is self-serving and too narrow.Gaming laptops with strong GPUs are already really good at running AI – often quicker than dedicated AI chips.Microsoft minimizes this, as it clashes with their push for new hardware.AI's growing use is making RAM and GPUs more expensive, which is a real pain.Going anime with AI tools isn't worth a new PC for a lot of people.Someone once joked, If future computers are just expensive PCs, I'd rather just live in a cave.The core issue preventing renewable energy from truly taking over is that it's just not there when you need it most. We need to store lots of energy to make it reliable 24/7. Battery tech is key, but it's gotten really expensive and complex to scale up. Think about this dilemma: we're constantly trying to improve grid-scale storage, but the financial and technical pressures are huge. It's not about little batteries for your phone; we're talking about storing enough power for entire cities. We need creative solutions that balance performance with affordability to move past this.Remember privacy worries.Recall is innovative but also pretty controversial.Recall takes screenshots constantly, so you'll have a searchable record of what you've done on your PC.This could help you find old projects, but it might also bring up some privacy issues.Keeping all those detailed records on your devices could be a real problem if something goes wrong, and honestly, some folks just aren't going to be comfortable with their every move being tracked.The way the market works.Microsoft is pushing Copilot+ PCs as component costs go up and what people want in a computer changes.AI needs quicker memory and storage, but a chip shortage could limit availability.Dell and some other manufacturers are already being careful.Instead of just pushing AI, they prioritize solid build quality, gaming really well, and the regular cool stuff we all look for.This means Microsoft is really pushing AI PCs, but some other companies aren't sure customers care more about NPUs than other features.It's about seeing the bigger picture.Microsoft’s Copilot+ shows how AI is becoming a part of our daily computer use.People now expect things like live translation, blurring backgrounds, and generating images as usual features.Microsoft sets hardware requirements to make sure these features run smoothly every time.But this plan could annoy users, making them feel like they *have* to upgrade even if they don't need to.Your current computer probably already has the parts it needs to run AI stuff, especially with a graphics card or if you use cloud services.The push for 40+ TOPS NPUs seems more like a marketing gimmick than a real need.The findings indicate a strong correlation between regular exercise and improved mood. Participants who engaged in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity daily reported higher levels of well-being and reduced stress. These observations align with existing literature on the subject, suggesting that physical activity serves as a vital component of mental health. The implications for public health initiatives are clear. We recommend promoting accessible exercise programs to the general population.Copilot+ PCs are Microsoft's glimpse into the future: AI devices built to boost how we work and create.These new computers offer something different, with special Copilot buttons, Recall timelines, and smarter apps. They really aim to improve computing.Still, some are skeptical.Critics say the benefits are overblown. GPUs already handle local AI well, and with hardware costs going up, upgrading isn't very attractive.Concerns about privacy with Recall just make me more hesitant.Copilot+ PCs will be around until the market decides their fate.Microsoft believes AI will define the next wave of Windows PCs.Customers deciding for Copilot+ makes all the difference as to whether it really catches on or just fades away.
60.New Google Photos Leak Reveals Long-Awaited Variable Speed Playback
Google Photos is testing new features like playback speed options and a better grid.Google Photos is great for keeping your photos and videos tidy and sharing them with friends.It's tough to move on from something that just works. Between great search features and handy cloud backup, it's hard to make folks switch.Even great things can always be improved.Looks like Google's been messing with the apps again.They're supposedly adding some nice new app features, like changing video speed and hiding date labels for a tidier photo grid.That’s enough to get you excited!Folks have been requesting playback speed for ages.One of the coolest things they found in Google Photos v7.Fifty-eight lets you change playback speed.People have wanted this for a long time; it's a common feature in other video apps, but Photos never had it.Did you see the new feature?When you're watching a video, it's just in the overflow menu.See those three dots up top, on the right?Tap it for the playback speed.A bottom sheet then presents choices ranging from 0.You're asking about dropping from twenty-five to zero, or possibly just two, depending on the situation.We have three options here: 5x speed, normal speed, or just 1, which might be a single shot.I'm not sure what to make of just 5x.In today's fast-paced world, staying informed is crucial, but information overload is a real challenge. You're constantly bombarded with news, articles, and data, making it tough to separate the wheat from the chaff. Our tool helps you cut through the noise, providing a summarized, yet detailed overview so you don't miss out on important updates. This is designed to save you time and make sure you've got the latest crucial information at your fingertips, letting you focus on what truly matters.Are we discussing a fivefold increase, a specific product known as 5x, or something different altogether here? We need to clarify.We need more details to help.You can change your video speed, so you pick how you watch memories.Changing playback speed is handy.Slowing down videos, especially for sports or family moments, lets you catch little things you'd usually overlook, like a kid's funny expression.If your recordings, like lectures or videos, are super long, you'll probably want to speed things up.It's really handy to speed up playback; you can get the main idea quickly without wasting time.Google Photos is stepping up from just photo storage; it's practically a video player now.To make things neater, they're testing a toggle to hide dates in your Photos view.Google Photos currently uses date dividers, such as January 2026 or December 2025, to help organize your pictures by when they were taken.It's handy for ordered viewing, but those labels mess with the grid.You can now turn off date dividers with the setting, Show dates in grid.You get this smooth grid of pictures, just like in most gallery apps.This view prioritizes your photos, stripping away everything else.It's perfect for minimalists.Flipping that switch does nothing on screen, so I'd say developers are still on it.Once live, people will be able to view their collections more flexibly, in many different ways.Some folks like a clear timeline, while others prefer something a bit simpler.The new features offer several key benefits. They are designed to streamline your workflow and enhance overall productivity. These enhancements will allow you to complete tasks more efficiently and with greater accuracy.Google Photos is already quite useful with its automatic backup, face recognition, AI search features, and handy editing tools.Just a few quick changes, and wow, what a **difference** it makes.Playback speed and immersive grids sound like small details, but they directly address features people have wanted for ages. This is our answer to that demand.These really fit today's app design trends.Nowadays, folks just assume apps will let them change video speed; it's pretty standard.You know how you can just change the playback speed on things like YouTube or Netflix?Zoom also lets you change the speed.Bring this to Google Photos, and everything will stay in sync.People want to make their interfaces their own, which explains why so many appreciate the option to hide date labels.Folks genuinely want to choose how their things appear, whether that's tidy or a bit more relaxed.Heads-up about tearing APKs apart.These features aren't out for everyone yet, just so you know.Taking apart APKs is pretty cool; you get to see code developers are messing with privately.Just because they're experimenting doesn't mean everything will be released.Google frequently pilots new projects internally to assess their fit with future product direction.The options in the code really make you think someone put some serious consideration into them.It’s nice to see Google listening to user feedback, which means Google Photos will continue to improve.Google Photos isn't just for storing pictures anymore; it's really grown.Google Photos is more than just storage; these updates prove it.Guess what? They're rolling out timed backups.You can choose when your pictures upload to the cloud.This could help manage your internet use or device battery.The app is really shaping up with quicker playback and handy grids, personalizing your experience into a useful tool for everyone.Photo management is still pretty competitive.Apple Photos is fantastic since it works so well with iPhones and Macs.Samsung Gallery is pre-installed on Samsung phones, which is a good thing.Google Photos is improving with new, user-friendly features.It's a great pick for Android users now, and honestly, a good option for everyone.What's next?If Google brings playback speed or those cool immersive grids, my bet is it'll be part of a larger update around 2026.The company's been leaning into AI lately, adding things like auto photo enhancements and smarter searches that learn from you.These new options may not be fancy, but they sure make daily tasks easier.Google Photos always keeps changing.A few tweaks can really spruce up how you look through your old memories.Want to make your favorite videos slower or tidy up your photo grid? These app features could totally make it more fun.So, there you have it.That's about it.We've covered a lot, and I think we can feel a good sense of accomplishment.This flows nicely from what we've been discussing.Remember what we discussed; that's the main thing.Look, it might feel like a lot to grasp, but truly, I think these points are worth the effort to understand.It's been quite a challenge to keep everything running smoothly this past year. We've faced some really tough times, and everyone on the team has stepped up in a big way. The dedication and hard work that went into handling the issues, especially with our customer support, were truly exceptional. We saw a huge jump in calls and emails, but our team managed to keep quality high and response times down, which is something to be proud of. Looking at the data, the feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, even with the increased volume. This shows how resilient and adaptable our people are. We are planning a small token of gratitude to show our appreciation for all their efforts. This kind of teamwork really makes a difference, and it's what keeps us moving forward, no matter what hurdles come our way.This really helps a lot, hope it was useful.Google Photos keeps getting better at organizing our digital memories and isn't close to being done.Google's constant testing, like checking video playback response or photo grids without dates, really highlights their focus on small, steady improvements.These aren't ready just yet, but soon, users could get more control and flexibility.Just so you know, even with this APK teardown, there's no promise of a release.Google is clearly listening, making the app genuinely better for its users.Small changes could make it really tough for millions of people to stop using Google Photos.
61.Samsung Partners With Netflix To Launch Exclusive Stranger Things Galaxy Theme
Samsung and Netflix are celebrating the last season of Stranger Things with special Galaxy themes.Stranger Things is ending, but Samsung wants to help fans keep the show going on their devices.Starting January 12, 2026, Galaxy users in 186 countries canGet a cool Stranger Things theme and wallpapers from the Galaxy Store.Grab this collection now by just opening or downloading the Netflix app.It’s a cool digital souvenir for finishing up a big project.Ever since it first showed up in 2016, Stranger Things has become a huge deal in pop culture.The show clicked with everyone, young and old, everywhere.It blended spooky mystery, 80s vibes, and real stories well.The numbers tell a story.After Season 5, Part 1 dropped on November 27, 2025, the series hit number one.Our operations span 91 countries, collecting data at 59 sites.InStranger Things truly made history, being the first show ever to have all five of its seasons in Netflix's Global Top 10 simultaneously, a spot it held for five straight weeks.All episodes from the final season are out. Fans are excited to celebrate this almost ten-year journey.Samsung content, only for them.Samsung and Netflix are collaborating, so fans can experience Hawkins and the Upside Down every day.The special package includes a Season 5 theme and five wallpapers.With real actors and famous locations, the visuals truly capture the show's mysterious, yet fascinating, vibe. The Stranger Things collection, here until February 22, lets Galaxy users really get into the show.Make your device *yours* with wallpapers straight from Hawkins – from Eleven's defiant stare to the haunting Upside Down glow.Been together quite a while.Samsung and Netflix earlier teamed up to celebrate storytelling.Companies often partner up to create exclusive content inspired by popular movies and shows.Samsung partnered with Netflix to bring special themes to fans of the KPop Demon Hunters movie.They even partnered on special projects for the Stranger Things Season 4 launch.We aim to improve the fan experience by blending entertainment with technology.Samsung Galaxy phones aren't just gadgets; they're a window to culture, giving you a chance to truly express yourself.This deal helps Netflix reach more people, beyond just their streaming service.You can get the Stranger Things theme for your Galaxy phone if it's running Android 15 or 16, just make sure to **check** if your model is supported.Wallpapers **work** on Android 8+.Heads up: Samsung or Netflix could change the special theme and wallpapers anytime.This collection isn't for an endless run – the offer closes February 22, 2026, so hurry and get it!It matters because we care.This partnership lets fans celebrate a series that helped shape how we talked, dressed, and even the music we listened to for ten years.Samsung's Galaxy phones are designed for a more personal feel.They want you to feel a real connection to what you love.This collaboration shows how tech and entertainment are teaming up more to give people cool new digital experiences.Streaming and device companies are teaming up to offer neat features, which is a definite plus for everyone.Stranger Things really made a mark.Stranger Things is ending, but its pop culture influence will definitely last.Running Up That Hill going viral and retro styles popping up everywhere show the series left a big mark.Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and the gang are true household names.Their stories show us how friendship and resilience help confront whatever comes next.Samsung and Netflix gave fans exclusive digital content so they could keep a piece of that legacy with them.These wallpapers and themes are more than just images; they're echoes of a streaming TV story that really resonated.Research shows our first plan was a good start.Next, let's process the feedback we got to better serve everyone.This should improve things faster.What we planned and what actually happened shows a real link, which makes us pretty confident.Samsung and Netflix are collaborating to give Stranger Things a proper send-off since it's wrapping up its final season, which is a fitting tribute to a show everyone loves.Galaxy users across 186 countries can still get those cool Stranger Things themes and wallpapers.You can make your phone look like Hawkins or the Upside Down, so the show's vibe stays with you.Tech and entertainment are blending, which shows us that storytelling goes beyond screens, living even in our daily devices.It's hard to see Stranger Things go, but Samsung and Netflix make it easy to stay connected to its world.
62.YouTube TV Mobile Update Brings TV-Style Live Guide To Android And iOS
YouTube TV's mobile live guide just got a new look.YouTube TV's got a fresh Live Guide for all users on Android and iOS.The new app update really makes it feel like the 2023 TV version.It gives you more info, is easier to browse, and the new features make finding live shows quick.Turning a simple list into a real guide adds lots of detail and helps us understand things better.It's more than just bullet points; it actually sheds light on things, making the info way more useful.We can give examples and show how things work so readers actually get it, instead of just a summary.It means telling a story, being creative, and making the content interesting.This helps readers find real value.The Live tab on your phone used to be just a small list.At the top, channels showed what was on, making it easy to scroll.The design was alright, but it didn't really tell you what was coming next.The redesign changes that.Channel icons are now on the left, which looks much cleaner.Swipe to see what's new, not just what's live.It's like a TV, showing more info instantly.Absolutely.The new Live Guide has some cool stuff. There's a red button at the bottom of the screen. You can't miss it, it takes you back to the live show, wherever you've scrolled.Every show listing now displays its total length, alongside the remaining time.This helps you decide if you want to watch.Just use the Sort menu at the top-left to arrange your channels.These updates make Live Guide a dynamic tool for planning your TV viewing.Just press and hold, and you'll get a preview.Just long-press a program to see a **preview**.A small window will pop up that tells you about the program and lets you make some choices.It's like a digital library where you can get digital stuff.Set a reminder: A go to program is a powerful tool for process control.It lets programs jump to specific points in their code. This makes loops and conditional logic much simpler to deal with.This is really handy for dealing with errors or surprises; it lets you jump straight to fixing things.Go to statements, when used prudently, can actually improve system efficiency and clarify code for difficult jobs, despite some avoiding them.They replaced the old fixed menu with a swanky floating version, which is way more modern and simple.It's tidy, so you can browse without distractions but still quickly find what you need.Make sure your design speaks the same language and is consistent.The YouTube TV Live Guide now looks more like regular YouTube, though the app isn't fully updated.The Library and Home tabs, plus the bottom bar, still look old.YouTube TV just isn't keeping up with regular YouTube or YouTube Music.The Live Guide update really moves things forward.Google is trying to make YouTube TV better for everyone, especially those watching on their phones, by rolling out the same great updates that TV users got last year.No live guide? No, we don't have one anymore, but you can get access to the redesign right now.Update your YouTube TV app on your Android or iOS device.Just restart the app to get the update done.The redesign is apparently showing up on many devices, so it's a big rollout, not just a small test.Your Live Guide is key to enjoying YouTube TV.Live TV is all about surfing channels and making snap decisions, unlike the ease of streaming.People just want to know what's playing, what's next, and how long it'll last.YouTube TV's new look makes it easier to find info and use controls, putting it ahead of cable and other streaming options.For users, expect smoother sailing.You can sneak a peek at what's on, set a reminder for later, or go straight back to live TV instead of just channel surfing.YouTube TV's fresh look makes it a real competitor to traditional cable, by blending simple streaming with live channels.Next up, we're really focusing on innovation for this project.We're all about fresh approaches to sustainable design, finding creative solutions to push boundaries.We're really hoping to see some good progress by using cool new materials and tech.We always aim for our concepts to be absolutely top-notch.The Live Guide got a refresh, fitting in with wider changes to YouTube TV.As the service keeps growing, Google will probably update other app sections to match the new look.The Library and Home tabs deserve equal attention.How users feel in streaming is a make-or-break aspect.Small design changes can truly alter how a service is perceived.YouTube TV keeps your mobile and TV views in sync, so you can switch devices and pick up right where you left off. This research paints a clearer picture of how quantum communication might work, but it also shows we still have substantial challenges ahead.The new YouTube TV Live Guide on phones is a huge improvement.The TV guide is much better now; you can swipe through shows easily, see channel icons on the left, and go straight to live TV.More program info is available with a quick long-press.The app isn't perfect yet, but this update shows real progress.
63.Games Workshop Confirms New Warhammer World Flagship Opening Outside Washington D.C. 17.
Plans for Games Workshop Warhammer World in North America is close to Washington, DC.
Games Workshop, the company that made the Warhammer franchise famous around the world, has big plans to open a North American version of Warhammer World just outside Washington, DC. The venue is set to open in late 2027 and will be a gathering place for tabletop gamers, fans of the Warhammer universe, and others, just like the original Warhammer World in Nottingham, England.
From Nottingham to North America
Warhammer fans have been going to the Nottingham site for a long time. It has a restaurant, an exhibition centre, an event hall, and a huge store full of Warhammer merchandise. Visitors can learn about the lore, see detailed dioramas, and take part in tournaments or community events.
The new US location will try to keep that same spirit while making changes to fit in with its new surroundings. Games Workshop has made it clear that it doesn't want a one-to-one copy of Nottingham's Warhammer World. The company instead promises something "just as uncompromising on quality and experience, something worthy of Warhammer's rich settings and, of course, the title 'Warhammer World'. " The goal is to make a one-of-a-kind place that North American fans will love.
Why Washington, D.C.?
Choosing a site close to Washington, DC, is smart. The area is well-known and has good transport links, so millions of East Coast residents can easily get there. It makes Warhammer World accessible for both casual visitors and dedicated fans who are willing to travel to get to it. The location also shows that Games Workshop wants to have a flagship store in the US, where Warhammer's popularity has been steadily growing.
Warhammer's Growing Reputation
The news comes at a time when Warhammer is more popular than ever. The grimdark sci-fi world of Warhammer 40,000 has inspired a lot of popular video games, such as Space Marine II and Total War: Warhammer 40K. These games have brought the franchise to new people who don't play tabletop games.
In the meantime, mainstream interest has grown because actor Henry Cavill is going to star in and produce a Prime Video version of Warhammer 40K. Fans are excited about Cavill's involvement, and it has brought the franchise into more general pop culture conversations. Games Workshop is still growing on the tabletop side by releasing new editions, rulebooks, and miniatures that keep its core community interested.
Problems Along the Way
Even though Games Workshop has been successful, it has had problems. Scalpers have made it difficult for real players to get new releases by buying up limited-edition collectibles, which has upset fans. Some product launches that were based on nostalgia didn't go as well as planned. But overall, the company's path is still positive, and Warhammer's popularity is growing in the gaming, entertainment, and hobbyist communities.
The planned Warhammer World in North America is a sign that things are still moving in that direction. Games Workshop strengthens its community ties and gives fans a real place to celebrate their love of the franchise by giving it a physical space.
What Fans Can Look Forward To
Even though more information is coming out, the US Warhammer World will probably have a lot of the same things that make Nottingham's site so popular:
Event hall: Holds tournaments, conventions, and other special events.
Exhibition centre: Displaying dioramas, art, and stories from the many Warhammer universes.
Restaurant: Offering themed meals for guests.
Store: Has miniatures, rulebooks, and other items that are only available there.
Games Workshop has made it clear that fans will be at the forefront of the venue's design. The company wants to make a place that shows off Warhammer's rich settings and gives people in North America unique experiences.
A Cultural Landmark in the Works
If it works out, the North American Warhammer World could become a cultural landmark for tabletop gaming. It would be a central place for fans from all over the continent to meet, just like Nottingham is for Europe. The venue could also show how Warhammer is becoming more popular in mainstream entertainment, bringing together hobbyists and people who don't play games.
Looking forward to 2027
Games Workshop has time to improve its vision and build excitement because it plans to open in late 2027. Just the announcement has gotten fans excited to see how the company will bring its success in Nottingham to the US.
The North American Warhammer World is a sign of how popular the franchise is, as Warhammer continues to grow through video games, streaming adaptations, and new tabletop games. It demonstrates Games Workshop's confidence in its future and its commitment to providing fans worldwide with exceptional experiences.
To sum up
The opening of Warhammer World by Games Workshop near Washington, DC, is a big step forward for the franchise around the world. The company is providing North American fans with a destination that pays homage to the lore, community, and creativity of Warhammer.
The timing is perfect because Warhammer's profile is rising thanks to video games, Henry Cavill's Prime Video adaptation, and new tabletop expansions. There are still problems, like scalpers and nostalgia, which isn't always fair, but things are moving quickly. Warhammer World will not only be a store or exhibition when it opens in 2027. It will also be a tribute to a franchise that has shaped gaming culture for decades and is still going strong.
64.Crimson Desert Map Confirmed To Be Larger Than Red Dead Redemption 2
Plans for Games Workshop Warhammer World in North America is close to Washington, DC.
Games Workshop, the company that made the Warhammer franchise famous around the world, has big plans to open a North American version of Warhammer World just outside Washington, DC. The venue is set to open in late 2027 and will be a gathering place for tabletop gamers, fans of the Warhammer universe, and others, just like the original Warhammer World in Nottingham, England.
From Nottingham to North America
Warhammer fans have been going to the Nottingham site for a long time. It has a restaurant, an exhibition centre, an event hall, and a huge store full of Warhammer merchandise. Visitors can learn about the lore, see detailed dioramas, and take part in tournaments or community events.
The new US location will try to keep that same spirit while making changes to fit in with its new surroundings. Games Workshop has made it clear that it doesn't want a one-to-one copy of Nottingham's Warhammer World. The company instead promises something "just as uncompromising on quality and experience, something worthy of Warhammer's rich settings and, of course, the title 'Warhammer World'. " The goal is to make a one-of-a-kind place that North American fans will love.
Why Washington, D.C.?
Choosing a site close to Washington, DC, is smart. The area is well-known and has good transport links, so millions of East Coast residents can easily get there. It makes Warhammer World accessible for both casual visitors and dedicated fans who are willing to travel to get to it. The location also shows that Games Workshop wants to have a flagship store in the US, where Warhammer's popularity has been steadily growing.
Warhammer's Growing Reputation
The news comes at a time when Warhammer is more popular than ever. The grimdark sci-fi world of Warhammer 40,000 has inspired a lot of popular video games, such as Space Marine II and Total War: Warhammer 40K. These games have brought the franchise to new people who don't play tabletop games.
In the meantime, mainstream interest has grown because actor Henry Cavill is going to star in and produce a Prime Video version of Warhammer 40K. Fans are excited about Cavill's involvement, and it has brought the franchise into more general pop culture conversations. Games Workshop is still growing on the tabletop side by releasing new editions, rulebooks, and miniatures that keep its core community interested.
Problems Along the Way
Even though Games Workshop has been successful, it has had problems. Scalpers have made it difficult for real players to get new releases by buying up limited-edition collectibles, which has upset fans. Some product launches that were based on nostalgia didn't go as well as planned. But overall, the company's path is still positive, and Warhammer's popularity is growing in the gaming, entertainment, and hobbyist communities.
The planned Warhammer World in North America is a sign that things are still moving in that direction. Games Workshop strengthens its community ties and gives fans a real place to celebrate their love of the franchise by giving it a physical space.
What Fans Can Look Forward To
Even though more information is coming out, the US Warhammer World will probably have a lot of the same things that make Nottingham's site so popular:
Event hall: Holds tournaments, conventions, and other special events.
Exhibition centre: Displaying dioramas, art, and stories from the many Warhammer universes.
Restaurant: Offering themed meals for guests.
Store: Has miniatures, rulebooks, and other items that are only available there.
Games Workshop has made it clear that fans will be at the forefront of the venue's design. The company wants to make a place that shows off Warhammer's rich settings and gives people in North America unique experiences.
A Cultural Landmark in the Works
If it works out, the North American Warhammer World could become a cultural landmark for tabletop gaming. It would be a central place for fans from all over the continent to meet, just like Nottingham is for Europe. The venue could also show how Warhammer is becoming more popular in mainstream entertainment, bringing together hobbyists and people who don't play games.
Looking forward to 2027
Games Workshop has time to improve its vision and build excitement because it plans to open in late 2027. Just the announcement has gotten fans excited to see how the company will bring its success in Nottingham to the US.
The North American Warhammer World is a sign of how popular the franchise is, as Warhammer continues to grow through video games, streaming adaptations, and new tabletop games. It demonstrates Games Workshop's confidence in its future and its commitment to providing fans worldwide with exceptional experiences.
To sum up
The opening of Warhammer World by Games Workshop near Washington, DC, is a big step forward for the franchise around the world. The company is providing North American fans with a destination that pays homage to the lore, community, and creativity of Warhammer.
The timing is perfect because Warhammer's profile is rising thanks to video games, Henry Cavill's Prime Video adaptation, and new tabletop expansions. There are still problems, like scalpers and nostalgia, which isn't always fair, but things are moving quickly. Warhammer World will not only be a store or exhibition when it opens in 2027. It will also be a tribute to a franchise that has shaped gaming culture for decades and is still going strong.
65.Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition Receives Official ESRB Classification
Plans for Games Workshop Warhammer World in North America is close to Washington, DC.
Games Workshop, the company that made the Warhammer franchise famous around the world, has big plans to open a North American version of Warhammer World just outside Washington, DC. The venue is set to open in late 2027 and will be a gathering place for tabletop gamers, fans of the Warhammer universe, and others, just like the original Warhammer World in Nottingham, England.
From Nottingham to North America
Warhammer fans have been going to the Nottingham site for a long time. It has a restaurant, an exhibition centre, an event hall, and a huge store full of Warhammer merchandise. Visitors can learn about the lore, see detailed dioramas, and take part in tournaments or community events.
The new US location will try to keep that same spirit while making changes to fit in with its new surroundings. Games Workshop has made it clear that it doesn't want a one-to-one copy of Nottingham's Warhammer World. The company instead promises to deliver an experience that is "just as uncompromising on quality and experience, something worthy of Warhammer's rich settings and, of course, the title 'Warhammer World'." " The goal is to make a one-of-a-kind place that North American fans will love.
Why Washington, D.C.?
Choosing a site close to Washington, DC, is smart. The area is well-known and has good transport links, so millions of East Coast residents can easily get there. It makes Warhammer World accessible for both casual visitors and dedicated fans who are willing to travel to get to it. The location also shows that Games Workshop wants to have a flagship store in the US, where Warhammer's popularity has been steadily growing.
Warhammer's Growing Reputation
The news comes at a time when Warhammer is more popular than ever. The grimdark sci-fi world of Warhammer 40,000 has inspired a lot of popular video games, such as Space Marine II and Total War: Warhammer 40K. These games have brought the franchise to new people who don't play tabletop games.
In the meantime, mainstream interest has grown because actor Henry Cavill is going to star in and produce a Prime Video version of Warhammer 40K. Fans are excited about Cavill's involvement, and it has brought the franchise into more general pop culture conversations. Games Workshop is still growing on the tabletop side by releasing new editions, rulebooks, and miniatures that keep its core community interested.
Problems Along the Way
Even though Games Workshop has been successful, it has had problems. Scalpers have made it difficult for real players to get new releases by buying up limited-edition collectibles, which has upset fans. Some product launches that were based on nostalgia didn't go as well as planned. But overall, the company's path is still positive, and Warhammer's popularity is growing in the gaming, entertainment, and hobbyist communities.
The planned Warhammer World in North America is a sign that things are still moving in that direction. Games Workshop strengthens its community ties and gives fans a real place to celebrate their love of the franchise by giving it a physical space.
What Fans Can Look Forward To
Even though more information is coming out, the US Warhammer World will probably have a lot of the same things that make Nottingham's site so popular:
Event hall: Holds tournaments, conventions, and other special events.
Exhibition centre: Displaying dioramas, art, and stories from the many Warhammer universes.
Restaurant: Offering themed meals for guests.
Store: Has miniatures, rulebooks, and other items that are only available there.
Games Workshop has made it clear that fans will be at the forefront of the venue's design. The company wants to make a place that shows off Warhammer's rich settings and gives people in North America unique experiences.
A Cultural Landmark in the Works
If it works out, the North American Warhammer World could become a cultural landmark for tabletop gaming. It would be a central place for fans from all over the continent to meet, just like Nottingham is for Europe. The venue could also show how Warhammer is becoming more popular in mainstream entertainment, bringing together hobbyists and people who don't play games.
Looking forward to 2027
Games Workshop has time to improve its vision and build excitement because it plans to open in late 2027. Just the announcement has gotten fans excited to see how the company will bring its success in Nottingham to the US.
The North American Warhammer World is a sign of how popular the franchise is, as Warhammer continues to grow through video games, streaming adaptations, and new tabletop games. It demonstrates Games Workshop's confidence in its future and its commitment to providing fans worldwide with exceptional experiences.
To sum up
The opening of Warhammer World by Games Workshop near Washington, DC, is a big step forward for the franchise around the world. The company is providing North American fans with a destination that pays homage to the lore, community, and creativity of Warhammer.
The timing is perfect because Warhammer's profile is rising thanks to video games, Henry Cavill's Prime Video adaptation, and new tabletop expansions. There are still problems, like scalpers and nostalgia, which isn't always fair, but things are moving quickly. Warhammer World will not only be a store or exhibition when it opens in 2027. It will also be a tribute to a franchise that has shaped gaming culture for decades and is still going strong.
66.IKEA Adds Matter Support and Smart Features to Viral Varmblixt Lamp
Ikea popped up at CES 2026, the big electronics show, for the first time, bringing some cool new stuff. They're known for good-looking, cheap furniture, and now they're mixing that with smart home tech. They showed off some new speakers and other smart gadgets, plus two updated Varmblixt lamps: a donut-shaped one and a hanging one. Both can now do smart lighting tricks.
### What Was Cool
Walking into Ikea's area at CES felt more like an art show than a tech display. Right there were their donut lamps, which used to just glow amber. This year, though, they have RGB lights that slowly change colors. Ikea said they didn't want anything too wild, just a soft, relaxing feel.
These lamps looked like glowing art. The colors weren't super bright like some other brands, but that was actually a good thing. While others can be a bit much, Ikea's donut lamp felt calmer, better for a living room or bedroom. It showed how Ikea often puts mood and usefulness first.
Then there was the Varmblixt hanging lamp. It's made of three bent light tubes hanging from the ceiling. This one doesn't do all the colors. Instead, it cycles through different shades of white light, from warm amber to cool daylight, just like natural light changes through the day.
Even without RGB or regular dimming, this hanging lamp offers plenty of mood options. Ikea compared it to Philips Hue white ambiance lights, which also focus on changing light warmth. It's a modern, bendy lamp great for dinner parties or late-night work.
### Easy Smart Home Setup
Both lamps work with Matter, which is a big deal for Ikea. Matter is a new standard that lets smart home gadgets work with different systems like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa without a fuss. By using Matter, Ikea is making sure their products fit into whatever smart home you already have, instead of making you use only their brand.
If you don't want to connect them to a smart home hub, Ikea includes a small, pre-set remote. It only has two buttons but lets you dim and change the color warmth for the hanging lamp, or dim and pick from 12 special colors for the donut lamp. These colors were picked by designer Sabine Marcelis, who worked with Ikea on the Varmblixt stuff. You can see her touch in the lamps' cool shapes and subtle colors, which mix art with everyday use.
### Price and When You Can Buy Them
Ikea said these new smart lamps will be out in April 2026. The donut lamp will cost $99.99, and the hanging lamp $149.99. These prices are pretty typical for Ikea, giving good design and useful stuff without costing too much. Compared to pricey smart lights from other brands, Ikea's prices make smart home tech easier for more people to get.
### What's Coming in 2027
Ikea also hinted at more work with Sabine Marcelis, with a new collection coming in 2027. We don't have many details yet, but it shows Ikea is serious about mixing great design with smart features. We'll have to wait and see if future products will also use Matter, but CES made it clear Ikea wants to do more in the smart home world.
### Ikea's Smart Home Plan
Ikea's first time at CES wasn't just about lamps. They also showed new speakers and other Matter-ready devices, proving they want to be more than just a furniture store messing with tech. By sitting where design and connectivity meet, Ikea is making a unique spot for itself that appeals to both tech fans and design lovers.
These lamps show off that plan perfectly. They're not trying to beat other brands with crazy features or endless options. Instead, they focus on smooth changes, smart design, and working with everything. It's a classic Ikea move: practical, cheap, and stylish, with just enough newness to feel fresh.
### The Bottom Line
Ikea showing up at CES 2026 was more than just a display; it was a clear statement. By launching smart versions of their Varmblixt lamps, they showed how they plan to mix their design history with modern tech. The donut lamp's special colors and the hanging lamp's changing white tones prove that smart lighting doesn't have to be too much or too expensive. With Matter built-in, Ikea is making sure their products will fit right into the bigger smart home picture.
For a company known for flat-packed furniture and simple design, Ikea's CES presence reminded everyone that they can also invent in tech. The Varmblixt lamps might not have been the flashiest gadgets there, but they show a thoughtful step forward – one that could make smart home living easier, more stylish, and very much Ikea.
67.Google Phases Out Gemini Side Panel for In-Line AI Experiences
Google is getting rid of the Gemini side panel in Gmail for people who pay for AI Pro and Ultra.
Google keeps adding AI features to its work tools, and now it's Gmail's turn for a big change. Yesterday, Google launched in‑line AI experiences and confirmed that the Gemini side panel is going away for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States. This means they're moving away from the old chatbot style to put AI help right where you need it in your email.
**The Gemini Side Panel is Gone**
Before now, Gmail users could get to Gemini by clicking a spark icon in the top right of their web browser. This panel was like a chat window where you could talk to Gemini. It could do things like:
* Summarize emails so you could catch up fast.
* Suggest replies for ongoing chats.
* Write emails from scratch or based on your ideas.
* Look up old emails for info.
* Find files in Google Drive without leaving Gmail.
* See Google Calendar events and details.
* Make new calendar events right from the panel.
For many, this side panel was a handy spot for all of Google's AI stuff. But now, Google thinks putting AI right into writing and reading emails will make things smoother and less distracting.
**Hello, In-Line AI**
The new in-line AI tools are meant to make things easier by putting AI exactly where you need it. Instead of opening a separate panel, you can now use these features right inside Gmail. Here are some of the main tools:
* **Help Me Write:** This still helps you draft emails based on what you tell it or the email's content.
* **Proofread:** This is better than just checking spelling and grammar. It also gives tips on your writing style and tone to make your messages better.
* **Suggested Replies:** These are smarter now and think about the whole email conversation, making the automatic replies more helpful and natural.
Google is also bringing **AI Overviews** to Gmail. These can summarize long or trick email conversations, giving you a quick summary without having to scroll through tons of messages. AI Overviews also show up in Google Search, where they give summaries when you'd expect them.
**Why Google Made This Move**
Google said getting rid of the Gemini side panel is part of its plan to make AI easier to use directly in Gmail. The bigger idea is to mix AI into your daily work instead of making it a separate thing. By putting help right into the email writing box, reply suggestions, and thread summaries, Google wants to make things simpler for users and make AI feel like a natural part of using email.
This change shows a larger trend in software: moving away from separate AI chatbots and toward AI that helps you with specific tasks in the moment. Microsoft has done something similar with Copilot in its Office apps, putting AI into Word, Excel, and Outlook instead of using a separate interface. Google's choice suggests that the future of AI in work will be less about chatting with bots and more about invisible, smart help.
**What's Still There and What's Different**
For now, the Gemini side panel is gone from personal Gmail accounts with AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions in the US. But it's still on mobile (Android) for now. Google hasn't said if mobile will get the same in-line approach eventually, but it seems likely they'll want things consistent everywhere.
It's important to note that nothing has changed for Google Workspace plans. Business and organization users will still have the Gemini side panel in Gmail. This might be because people use it differently for work. Businesses often need central tools to search across emails, calendars, and files, and the side panel might still be useful there.
**What This Means for Users**
For everyday Gmail users, this change means getting used to a new way of using AI. People who liked how flexible the side panel was might miss being able to ask Gemini questions like a conversation. On the other hand, the in-line tools promise to save time by giving you help exactly when you need it.
The better Proofread tool could be especially helpful for people who need to write clear messages for work. Suggested Replies, now smarter about context, might save time with daily emails. And AI Overviews could be a huge help for anyone dealing with really long email chains, turning pages of back-and-forth into a quick summary.
**What's Next**
Google's move shows it really wants AI to be a main part of Gmail, not just an extra. By removing the side panel, the company is saying that the future is about putting AI right into things, not having separate chat experiences. While some users might be sad to lose some flexibility, the simpler approach could make Gmail easier to use and more powerful in the end.
As AI keeps changing work tools, Gmail's changes give us a peek at what's coming: less asking questions in a side panel, and more AI quietly making the tasks we already do better. For Google, this isn't just about changing how something looks—it's about changing how millions of people use email every day.
68.Windows 11 Build 26220.7535 Issued as First Insider Release of 2026
After a short holiday break, Microsoft is back to sending out weekly Windows 11 test versions to its Insider testers. This week's update, sent to both Dev and Beta groups, brings better accessibility, fixes for File Explorer, and other small improvements. Microsoft also gave a heads-up: the easy way to switch between Dev and Beta groups without reinstalling Windows is ending soon.
**Easier Access and File Explorer Fixes**
This new build continues Microsoft's goal of making Windows 11 easier for everyone to use. Improving accessibility is a key focus, making sure the operating system works for all users. The specific improvements change with each build, but they often include tweaks to tools like Narrator, Magnifier, and voice control. These updates make it simpler for people with sight or movement problems to use the operating system and apps.
File Explorer also got some love in this release. Microsoft has been slowly updating File Explorer with new looks, faster performance, and better cloud storage connections. The fixes in this build sort out stability problems and make it snappier. This means one of the most used parts of Windows feels smoother and more reliable.
**Dev and Beta Channels: The Same... For Now**
Right now, Microsoft is sending the exact same builds to both the Dev and Beta Channels. This unusual overlap lets testers hop between the two channels without reinstalling Windows. This flexibility is great for testers: the Dev Channel usually gets more experimental features, while the Beta Channel is closer to what will eventually go out to everyone. Having the same build number across both channels means users can move to Beta if they want a more stable experience, or jump into Dev if they're eager to try the very latest features.
**A Separation is Coming**
Microsoft has made it clear that this overlap won't last. Soon, the Dev Channel will get a newer build number, leaving the Beta Channel behind. Once that happens, moving from Dev to Beta won't be easy anymore. Users who want to go back will have to reinstall Windows 11 from scratch. That takes a lot of time and wipes out existing data and settings unless you've backed them up.
This is why Microsoft is telling Insiders to make a choice now. Those who prefer stability and fewer glitches should think about moving to the Beta Channel while the builds are still the same. Staying in Dev means taking the chance of experimental features, which can sometimes cause issues or unexpected problems.
**How to Switch Channels**
For those who want to move from Dev to Beta, it's simple:
1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Choose Windows Insider Program.
4. Change your setting from Dev to Beta.
Once you switch, your PC will stop getting Dev updates and stay on the Beta track, which tends to be more stable and closer to upcoming public releases.
**Canary Channel and What's Next**
While Dev and Beta are where new features are mostly tested, Microsoft also has the Canary Channel. This channel gets builds from the very earliest stages of development. Canary users are currently testing Windows 11 version 26H1, which should arrive in the first half of 2026. This version will likely include bigger changes and improvements, especially for new hardware.
At CES 2026, manufacturers confirmed that the first PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processors will ship in the first three months of the year. These devices will show off how much better ARM-based computing is in terms of speed and power usage, with Windows 11 made to work well with the new chips. Later in the year, other PCs will get the big update in the form of Windows 11 version 26H2, planned for the second half of 2026.
**What This Means for Insiders**
For Windows Insiders, the next few weeks are important. Picking the right channel decides how much stability you get versus how early you see new features. The Dev Channel lets you try new things, but it might have glitches. The Beta Channel is safer, closer to what everyone else will eventually get. The Canary Channel, though, is for those who want to try things at the very earliest stage, testing features that might not come out for months.
Microsoft's reminder means it's important to plan ahead. Once the Dev Channel moves past Beta, switching back will mean a full reinstall—something many users would rather not do. By acting now, Insiders can make sure they're on the path that suits them best.
**Wrapping Up**
Microsoft sending out weekly test builds again means a busy year ahead for Windows 11. With better accessibility, File Explorer fixes, and more going on behind the scenes, the operating system keeps getting better. But the bigger story is that the Dev and Beta Channels will soon be different. Insiders need to decide if they want to try the experimental stuff in Dev or stick with the stability of Beta before it's no longer easy to switch.
Meanwhile, Canary testers are already checking out Windows 11 version 26H1, and CES 2026 has confirmed that new Snapdragon X2 PCs are coming soon. With version 26H2 set for later in the year, 2026 looks like a big year for Windows 11. For Insiders, the journey continues—but the path they choose now will shape what they experience in the coming months.
69.Report: Samsung Galaxy S26 Series to Hit Stores on March 11
The yearly Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is always a big deal in tech, and 2026 seems to be no different. A trusted leaker, Billbil-Kun, says Samsung plans to show off the Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026, with phones hitting stores in March. We're expecting to see the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, keeping Samsung's usual three-phone strategy going.
**The Usual Schedule**
Samsung usually uses February to announce its Galaxy S phones, and they typically go on sale in March. This year looks to follow that trend. Billbil-Kun's leak suggests people in Europe can buy the new phones starting March 11, 2026, with other areas probably getting them around the same time. We'll also see new accessories come out with the phones, but we don't have many details yet.
This timing fits with Samsung's plan to get their main phones out early in the year. This gives them a head start before rivals like Apple update their iPhones in the fall. By launching in February, Samsung tries to grab all the attention and buyer interest in the first few months of the year.
**The Phones: S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra**
Right now, leaks point to three models: the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. This is what Samsung has done for a while now. They offer a basic model for most people, a bigger plus version for those who want more screen, and the Ultra for folks who want the absolute best parts and functions.
No other versions have been mentioned yet, like a Fan Edition or special foldable phones that go with it. But Samsung sometimes brings out those kinds of models later in the year, so it's possible we could see more after the first launch.
**What We Expect Inside**
The Galaxy S26 series will likely have new internal parts built to handle advanced AI stuff. Artificial intelligence is a big deal for phone makers now, and Samsung is right there with everyone else. Rumors say Samsung might use its new Exynos 2600 chip in some models, especially the Ultra. But like in past years, this Exynos chip will probably only be available in certain places.
Most areas are expected to get phones with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which is Qualcomm's newest top-tier chip. This chip promises better speed, power use, and AI abilities, making it a good fit for what Samsung wants to do. Having both Snapdragon and Exynos versions shows Samsung's long-standing plan of using two different chips, though many users still prefer Snapdragon phones because they're consistent and perform well.
**AI Features Coming Soon**
While we don't have all the specific details, Samsung has hinted that the S26 series will really focus on AI-driven experiences. This could mean smarter camera tools, better features to help you get things done, and closer ties with Samsung's apps and services. With Google and Apple also pushing AI, Samsung needs to deliver real new ideas that are more than just buzzwords.
The Ultra model, in particular, is expected to show off Samsung's best AI features, possibly using the Exynos 2600's capabilities. We'll have to wait and see if this leads to groundbreaking user experiences or just small improvements, but AI is definitely the main battleground for 2026's top phones.
**How Much Will They Cost?**
One thing we don't know for sure is the price. Even though no clear leaks have come out, Samsung's CEO has already warned that the ongoing shortage of memory chips could make its phones more expensive. This global supply problem has hit many industries, and phones are no different. If costs go up, Samsung might struggle to make a profit while still meeting what buyers expect.
Historically, Samsung has priced its Galaxy S series to compete with Apple's iPhones, often giving more hardware for similar or slightly lower prices. But if shortages drive costs up, people might need to be ready for higher launch prices compared to previous years.
**Accessories and The Samsung World**
Along with the phones, Samsung is expected to reveal a bunch of accessories. While details are light, these could include updated Galaxy Buds, new smartwatches, or better charging options. Samsung has been putting more and more effort into its ecosystem, encouraging people to pair Galaxy phones with wearables, tablets, and laptops for a smooth experience. The S26 series will likely keep this going, with AI features possibly working across all your devices.
**What's Next**
The Galaxy S26 series is Samsung's latest try to stay on top in the Android world. With Apple still improving its iPhones and Chinese makers strongly entering global markets, Samsung needs to offer a great package of design, performance, and new ideas. The February 25 Unpacked event will be where the company makes its case.
For buyers, the main questions will be: how much does AI truly make daily use better, will the price be reasonable, and how will the Snapdragon vs. Exynos chip difference play out? If Samsung can get all these things right, the S26 series could be one of its best lineups yet.
**Summary**
Leaks suggest Samsung will show off the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra at its Unpacked event on February 25, 2026. Sales in Europe are expected to start March 11. These phones will have Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Exynos 2600 chips and are expected to focus heavily on advanced AI features. Prices are still up in the air because of global memory shortages, but people are definitely excited. As always, Samsung's big phone launch will set the tone for the smartphone market in the coming year.
70.Czech Retailer Leaks High Pricing for Valve’s Steam Machine
What's the deal with Steam Machine prices?
Back in 2025, Valve made a splash by announcing the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller. After years of focusing on handhelds like the Steam Deck, Valve getting back into living-room PCs got PC gamers really excited. Everyone wants a small, console-like machine that still lets you play tons of games from Steam. But the big question has always been: how much will this Steam Machine actually cost?
Valve hasn't said anything official about the price, so people are guessing. Now, we've got some leaks from Czech stores that give us a first real hint, even if they're not 100% confirmed. Based on what's out there, it looks like these prices are probably about 65% accurate. Let's see what we know, what's been leaked, and why the price is such a big deal for Valve's new GabeCube.
**The Czech Store Leak**
The biggest news came from Smarty.cz, an online store in the Czech Republic. A Reddit user, chusskaptaan, grabbed screenshots of their Steam Machine listing, which showed two versions:
* **512GB model:** Listed at 19,826 CZK, which is about $950 USD.
* **2TB model:** Listed at 22,305 CZK, around $1,070 USD.
These numbers were found in the website's code, so they seem like real price estimates, not just placeholders. Keep in mind, these are conversions and might include the store's own markup. Valve's actual price could be lower when they finally announce it.
**Another Store Says Pretty Much the Same: Alza**
After the first leak, another user on X (formerly Twitter), Hajedan, checked Alza, another big Czech store. Alza's prices for the Steam Machine looked similar to Smarty.cz's. This makes it more likely that these numbers are real estimates and not just random guesses.
Both stores often list upcoming products with early prices that include their profit. So, the final price from Valve might be lower, but these figures give us a good idea: somewhere between $950 and $1,070 USD, depending on which version you get.
**What Valve Says About Pricing**
Valve hasn't confirmed prices, but company folks have talked about it. When asked if Valve would make the Steam Machine cheaper by losing money on it, software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais said clearly:
No, it's more like what you'd expect from today's PC market. Of course, we want it to be a good deal for the performance it offers. And then it has features that are really tough to get if you build your own gaming PC. Things like how small it is, or how quiet it runs – that's really cool, and we think people will be surprised by how silent it is.
This means Valve wants the Steam Machine to be priced fairly compared to other PC parts, but not as cheap as consoles like the PlayStation or Xbox. The Steam Machine is supposed to be a good, small PC that runs well without you having to build it yourself.
**The Memory Problem**
Another issue is the ongoing shortage of memory chips, which has made tech parts more expensive. Valve has said that hardware prices are going up and they won't pay for those extra costs themselves. So, even if Valve wants the Steam Machine to be a good deal, you might end up paying more than you would have a few years ago.
**How It Stacks Up Against Other Stuff**
At first glance, $950–$1,070 might seem a lot compared to consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X, which cost around $500. But the Steam Machine is different: it acts like a full PC, lets you play all your Steam games, and offers things like custom storage and a small design.
Building a gaming PC that runs as well, is as small, and as quiet as the Steam Machine could easily cost more than $1,000. So, in that way, Valve's price might actually be pretty good, especially for gamers who want a ready-to-go PC without all the fuss of building one.
**Our Guess: 65% Likely**
Considering the info from various Czech stores and Valve's own comments, we're saying these prices are probably about 65% right. The leaks seem reliable, but they're not official yet, and store markups mean the final price could change a bit. Still, because several sources are saying similar things, it seems we're getting close to the actual numbers.
**When Will We Officially Know?**
Reports say the Steam Machine will come out in Spring 2026. If that's true, Valve will likely announce the official price in the next few months. Until then, leaks from places like Smarty.cz and Alza are our best hints.
**Wrapping Up**
The Steam Machine is Valve's big return to living-room PCs, and its price will play a huge role in how well it does. Early leaks suggest it'll be in the $950–$1,070 USD range, depending on how much storage it has. While that's not cheap, the Steam Machine offers things that are hard to get if you build your own PC, like its small size and quiet operation.
With memory shortages making things more costly and Valve not wanting to lower prices by losing money, people should expect a high price. Still, for what the Steam Machine might offer, paying just over $1,000 could be a good trade-off for its flexibility, power, and ease of use.
Until Valve makes things official, these leaks are just guesses. But if these rumors are right, gamers might soon know exactly how much they'll need to shell out for a GabeCube.
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