Technology

Core viewpoint: Manus AI's industry value is significant, even if it's not the ultimate winner.

Manus AI's Industry Significance

A LAM product manager commented that Manus AI holds significant industry value, emphasizing that "even if it's not the ultimate winner, it is still meaningful."

Technology

Core viewpoint: Older software versions can offer significant savings and sufficient functionality for users with older machines or those seeking simpler interfaces.

Discounted Microsoft Office for Mac 2019 License

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office for Mac 2019, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is available for $39.99 (regularly $229) for a limited time. The version is designed for Mac's Retina display and full-screen view support and includes Teams Classic. To avoid invalidating the license, users should turn off auto-updates after downloading. This is a one-time purchase, saving you from monthly Microsoft 365 subscriptions and is compatible with older machines.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AdGuard Family Plan offers comprehensive online protection and parental control features at a significantly reduced price, promoting a safer digital environment for families.

AdGuard Family Plan on Sale

AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription is available for £12.37 (originally £131.67) using code FAMPLAN until March 30. It blocks ads, malware, and phishing websites on up to nine devices, ensuring online safety. The parental control feature restricts access to inappropriate content, creating a safe online environment for children on Android and iOS devices with continuous updates.

Technology

Core viewpoint: The focus is on simplifying AI development and ensuring the reliability of AI systems, alongside advancements in cloud-based computing.

Simplifying AI Agent Development

AI agents can streamline processes across industries, but their development is challenging for non-technical users due to the programming skills required. Current platforms like LangChain and AutoGen are designed for developers, complicating AI agent design for non-technical individuals. Researchers are working to create no-code systems for AI-powered automation to broaden AI adoption.

Ensuring Reliability of Visual Programs

Visual programming is prominent in computer vision and AI, but ensuring correctness is a significant challenge. A study revealed that only 33% of visual programs generated by the CodeLlama-7B model were correct. Researchers are developing new solutions to evaluate program behavior systematically to improve reliability.

Hardware-less Cloud-Based Personal PC

The digital arm of India’s Reliance Industries is building a hardware-less cloud-based personal PC.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI development is rapidly advancing, but concerns about privacy and security are growing.

Microsoft's New LLM Series

Microsoft is developing its own large language model (LLM) series, known as MAI, to compete with models from OpenAI and Anthropic. MAI might be a reference to Maia 100, an internally-developed AI chip. Tests indicate that the LLM series is competitive and geared towards general-purpose processing. Microsoft is also developing a second LLM series optimized for reasoning tasks.

Privacy and Security Risks of Agentic AI

Signal President Meredith Whittaker warned about the significant privacy and security risks posed by agentic AI. These AI agents require extensive access to users' personal data, likely processing it unencrypted in the cloud, potentially breaking the barrier between application and OS layers. Whittaker also noted the AI industry's reliance on a surveillance model with mass data collection.

WhatsApp's AI Widget

WhatsApp is introducing an AI-centered widget.

Technology

Core viewpoint: The AI-powered coding assistant sector is experiencing a surge in investor interest, while advancements in gaming tablets continue to blend high performance with productivity.

AI Coding Assistant Companies Attract Significant Investment

Investor interest in AI-powered coding assistants is surging. Anysphere, the developer of Cursor, is in talks to raise capital at a valuation of nearly $10 billion. This potential round, led by Thrive Capital, comes shortly after a previous $100 million fundraise at a $2.5 billion valuation. Anysphere's annualized recurring revenue (ARR) may have climbed to $150 million, potentially valuing the new deal at 66 times ARR. Codeium, another AI coding editor company, is also raising capital at a valuation of nearly $3 billion. Investors believe AI is adapting fastest in coding tools, outpacing other sectors. Poolside, another AI-powered coding company, has also been approached by investors. This reflects a strong belief in the transformative potential of AI within the coding and software development space.

Asus Launches New High-Performance Gaming Tablet

The 2025 Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a high-performance gaming tablet with a focus on productivity and creative tasks. It features an AMD Ryzen AI Max processor, up to 128GB of RAM, and a 13.4-inch QHD+ IPS display. While its CPU has been significantly upgraded, the GPU is now limited to an AMD Radeon 8060S, making gaming performance only a small step up from previous models. The tablet has excellent build quality, a cohesive gaming aesthetic, and a very good keyboard, but it is expensive, slightly thick and heavy. The base model starts at $2,100. Despite minor drawbacks, it remains a versatile device for gaming and creative endeavors.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Innovation and antitrust scrutiny are shaping the technology landscape, with AI, mobile devices, and regulatory oversight taking center stage.

Government Launches AI Chatbot

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has launched GSAi, a proprietary chatbot similar to ChatGPT, for 1,500 federal workers at the General Services Administration (GSA) to automate tasks. Available models include Claude Haiku 3.5, Claude Sonnet 3.5v2, and Meta LLaMa3.2. Users are warned against entering federal nonpublic or personally identifiable information.

DOJ Investigates Google's AI Investments and Antitrust Practices

The Justice Department has proposed that Google can keep its existing investments in AI startups like Anthropic, but must notify antitrust enforcers before investing in more AI companies. Separately, the DOJ is seeking a court order to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser and prevent preferential treatment of its search engine in a landmark antitrust case.

HMD and TCL Showcase New Mobile Devices

Finnish phone-maker HMD is appealing to music lovers, football fans, and teens at Mobile World Congress 2025. TCL showcased its AR glasses at MWC 2025, demonstrating progress towards an ideal AR product.

Compact Projector Unveiled

A compact, foldable projector that fits in your pocket was unveiled at MWC 2025.

Xbox Alpha Update Issue

An insider alpha update on the Xbox reset the console back to factory settings.

Finance

Core viewpoint: Governments and individuals alike are exploring and managing digital assets, with both strategic reserves and criminal activity playing a role.

Trump Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

President Trump signed an executive order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, capitalized with bitcoin seized from criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings.

StubHub Employees Charged with Ticket Theft

Two StubHub employees have been charged with stealing over 900 concert tickets.

Politics

Core viewpoint: Political oversight and potential censorship continue to be a point of contention between government and tech companies.

Jim Jordan Subpoenas Alphabet over YouTube Content Removal

U.S. Representative Jim Jordan subpoenaed Alphabet, demanding documents to investigate whether YouTube removed content at the Biden-Harris administration's request, suspecting suppression of conservative voices.

Security

Core viewpoint: Copyright infringement remains a significant concern, with individuals facing consequences for illegal distribution of content.

Man Arrested for Sharing Movie Rips

A 37-year-old Tennessee man was arrested for allegedly stealing Blu-rays and DVDs and sharing them online, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in losses.

Space

Core viewpoint: The US military continues to test advanced space capabilities.

X-37B Spaceplane Returns Home

The US military's X-37B spaceplane has returned home after flying higher than ever.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Advancements in AI and brain-computer interfaces are driving innovation across various applications, from content localization to assistive technology and consumer electronics.

AI Dubbing on Prime Video

Amazon's Prime Video is experimenting with "AI-aided dubbing" for select titles, offering AI-generated dubs in English and Latin American Spanish. While localization professionals ensure quality control, initial tests suggest that the AI-generated speech currently sounds bland and unnatural.

Neuralink's Telepathy Trademark

Elon Musk's Neuralink has filed trademark applications for names like "Telepathy" and "Telekinesis", suggesting future products for brain-computer interfaces. The initial product, Telepathy, aims to assist paralyzed individuals, but the trademarks hint at enabling telepathic communication between humans with Neuralink implants.

Xiaomi's SU7 Ultra EV

Xiaomi showcased the SU7 Ultra, a performance version of its successful SU7 electric vehicle, at MWC.

OpenAI's AI PhDs

Silicon Valley may value "imperfect virtual PhDs" (AI) more than universities pay real ones, as the demand for AI expertise grows.

ChatGPT-4.5 vs. Google Gemini 2.0 Flash

Comparisons are being drawn between ChatGPT-4.5 and Google Gemini 2.0 Flash, highlighting the rapid advancements and competition in the AI space.

Optimizing Boox E-Ink Devices

Onyx International's Boox e-ink devices are gaining popularity in the U.S. due to their customizability via an open version of Android. Key settings to adjust include one-touch refresh, font contrast, button remapping, and screen refresh modes.

TCL 75-inch QM7 QD-Mini LED TV Deal

Best Buy is offering the 75-inch TCL QM74K QD-Mini LED TV for $900, a significant discount. The TV features QD-Mini LED technology, 4K Ultra HD resolution, advanced HDR formats, a 120Hz panel refresh rate, and Google TV.

Gaming

Core viewpoint: The gaming industry continues to evolve, honoring its past while hinting at future innovations.

World Video Game Hall of Fame Finalists

The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame released the 12 finalists for induction.

Nintendo Switch 2 and Amiibo Support

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is now more likely to support Amiibo and offer faster Wi-Fi speeds.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI development continues to advance, but faces challenges in misinformation and ethical considerations. Hardware and software innovations are driving performance improvements across various devices.

AI Models Targeted by Russian Propaganda

NewsGuard reports that Russian propaganda network Pravda has created over 3.6 million articles in 2024, which have been incorporated into large AI models, including ChatGPT and Grok. These chatbots repeated false Russian narratives 33.55% of the time, sometimes citing Pravda as a source. A specific false claim about Ukrainian President Zelensky was repeated by several chatbots, highlighting the vulnerability of AI to 'AI grooming'.

Google's New Gemini Embedding Model

Google has introduced a new experimental text "embedding" model, Gemini Embedding, to its Gemini developer API. Trained on the Gemini model, it surpasses Google's previous model, text-embedding-004, in performance and supports over 100 languages. It can handle larger amounts of text and code and is expected to be generally available in the coming months.

Apple Delays Enhanced Siri Features

Apple is delaying the release of enhanced Siri features, powered by Apple Intelligence, until next year, citing the challenges of developing a next-generation voice assistant with cutting-edge AI. The company says it needs more time to deliver on these features and expects to roll them out in the coming year. Some Siri upgrades have already rolled out to Apple devices that support Apple Intelligence.

DeepSeek Challenges AI Giants with Cost-Efficient LLMs

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is challenging OpenAI and Meta with its cost-efficient large language models. DeepSeek claims its R1 reasoning model matches OpenAI's o1 performance. Despite US export controls on high-performance GPUs in China, DeepSeek's claims suggest it has developed powerful AI models regardless.

xAI Expands Data Center Footprint

Elon Musk's xAI has acquired a 1 million-square-foot property in Southwest Memphis to expand its AI data center footprint. xAI plans to upgrade its primary Memphis facility to 1 million Nvidia GPUs this year to train and run its Grok AI models. xAI is reportedly in talks for a $10 billion funding round, potentially valuing the company at $75 billion. Some residents have raised concerns about grid strain and air quality.

Alibaba's START Enhances LLM Reasoning

Alibaba researchers have developed a new AI tool called START (Self-Taught Reasoner with Tools) to improve complex reasoning in large language models. START uses an external Python interpreter to assist with reasoning tasks and overcome limitations of internal logic, making it suitable for scientific analysis or competition-level mathematics.

Lock Screen Widgets Return to Android

Lock screen widgets are making a comeback to Android phones, following Apple's recent reintroduction of the feature.

Dynabook Unveils Portégé Z40L-N Copilot+ PC

Dynabook has announced a new premium Copilot+ PC, the Portégé Z40L-N, designed for business use with a self-replaceable battery. The ultra-lightweight laptop features a magnesium alloy chassis and is powered by Intel’s Series 2 Core Ultra processor, supporting Copilot features like Live Captions and Windows Studio Effects.

Apple Updates MacBook Air with M4 Chip

Apple casually announced the new M4 MacBook Air with sales beginning on March 12. The new MacBook Air features the new M4 chip, 13-inch and 15-inch screen size options, a new “Sky Blue” color, and a 12MP Center Stage camera. The starting price for the 13-inch model is $999. The updated MacBook Air also features a mute key displaying a speaker icon with a strike-through. This launch may lead to great discounts on earlier models to help clear inventory. Refurbished options include the M1 Pro MacBook Pro for $949, the M3 MacBook Air for $799, and the M2 MacBook Air for $699.

Apple Still Without Foldable iPhone

Apple remains the only big phonemaker without a foldable, and the newest rumor says, yet again, it could launch by 2026.

New iPad Air Available

A new iPad Air is available now. The iPad Air (2025) closely resembles the iPad Air (2024) and comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. It's equipped with an Apple M3 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU, and is available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D Release

AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D processors will be available on March 12 for $699 and $599, respectively. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D features 16 cores, 32 threads, a base clock speed of 4.3 GHz, and a boost speed of 5.7 GHz.

Nintendo Switch 2 Details Emerge

FCC filings have revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will support WiFi 6 and NFC and will offer charging via either the bottom USB-C port or the brand-new top USB-C port. NFC support likely means that Nintendo’s upcoming console will probably continue integration with those cutelil Amiibo figurines. The company revealed that the sequel to its most successful home console ever in a brief trailer on January 16th. The Switch 2 looks functionally very similar to the original system but with a larger display, magnetic Joy-Cons, and a sleeker design. The company also reaffirmed that the upcoming console will be backwards compatible with Switch games. Details will be fully released on April 2nd.

Deals

Core viewpoint: Numerous deals are available on Apple products, soundbars, and other electronics, offering consumers significant savings.

Apple Product Deals at Best Buy and Amazon

Best Buy has launched a huge Apple Sales Event. Key deals include the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $170 (32% off), the Apple AirPods Max for $480 (13% off), the Apple iPhone 14 Plus (128GB) for $630 (14% off), the Apple 13-inch iPad Pro M4 (512GB) for $1,299 (13% off), and the Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,499 (6% off). The Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale for a record low price of $299, a $100 discount, and the Apple Watch SE is also discounted to $169. Additionally, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are on sale for just $170 via Amazon. The all-new 11-inch Apple iPad (WiFi 6, 128GB) is now available for pre-order at Amazon for $329, which is $20 off the list price.

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Discount

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is $706.68 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899.99.

TCL S4BH Soundbar on Sale

The TCL S4BH Soundbar is on sale at Best Buy for $70, a discount from its MSRP of $150.

LG 83-inch B4 Series OLED TV on Sale

The LG 83-inch B4 Series OLED TV is on sale for $2,300, a $700 discount from its MSRP of $3,000.

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Discount

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is on sale for $700, a $200 discount from its full MSRP of $900.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI integration and innovation are accelerating across various tech sectors, but challenges remain in delivering seamless and effective experiences.

Apple Delays Personalized Siri Features

Apple is delaying the rollout of its more personalized Siri features, a key part of the Apple Intelligence initiative, as delivering these capabilities will take longer than expected. The updated Siri aims to understand a user's personal context and perform actions across apps, but a truly modernized, conversational version might not arrive until iOS 20 at best.

TechCrunch to Host AI Event

TechCrunch Sessions: AI will kick off on June 5 at UC Berkeley, bringing together startup founders, VC leaders, and AI enthusiasts for breakout sessions and discussions on emerging AI tools and innovation.

Rapid AI Adoption Requires Data Strategy

A recent Data Maturity Index indicates a rapid increase in AI adoption, with only 7% of organizations not using any form of AI, a significant decrease from 26% last year, highlighting the need for businesses to create formal data strategies.

Google's Pixel Update May Have Haptic Issues

Google may have introduced haptic issues in the new Pixel Drop update, although no changes to haptics were mentioned prior to its release.

Yelp's AI Chatbot Improves with Human-Like Tone

Yelp found that its GPT-4o-powered AI chatbot's usage rates initially dropped but improved after training it to sound more human.

New OLED VR Headsets on the Horizon

A new report suggests that three OLED VR headsets are in development from Meta, Apple, and Samsung, with Meta having a plan to make it cheap.

MicroTik Data Server Powered by Amazon's Graviton 1 Arm CPU

MicroTik's RDS2216 data server features 16 ports and is powered by Amazon's Graviton 1 Arm CPU, marking Amazon's foray into servers.

AMD Announces Price and Release Date for High-End 3D Chips

AMD has announced the price and release date for its highest-end 3D chips, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D processors.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI development continues alongside concerns about its impact, while hardware advancements offer improved performance and user experiences.

AI Companions and Social Connections

Experts are expressing concerns about the potential impact of AI companions on real-world social connections. Kasley Killam, a social health expert, suggests AI should augment, rather than replace, personal relationships, and cautions against leaning too heavily on AI for companionship. While AI can assist in practicing social interactions, it shouldn't substitute in-person connections. Millions are already using AI as friends or partners, and the growing AI companion app market is generating significant revenue.

Palantir Delivers AI-Enabled Systems to U.S. Army

Palantir is rolling out its first AI-enabled systems, the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Nodes (TITAN), to the U.S. Army. These mobile ground stations use AI to gather data from space sensors, aiding soldiers in warfare strategy and improving strike accuracy. Palantir secured a $178 million contract.

White House Considers Restricting Chinese AI Firm DeepSeek

The White House is considering restricting Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, potentially banning its chatbot on government devices due to national security concerns. U.S. officials are worried about DeepSeek's data handling practices, as the company stores user data on servers in China and hasn't adequately explained its data usage and access policies.

Google's Gemini Personalization and Privacy Concerns

Google is introducing a new Gemini Personalization model, which requires access to your Google Search history to provide more relevant responses. This feature, currently in beta, necessitates enabling the Web & App Activity setting, raising questions about AI and privacy. Users can disconnect the model from their search history at any time.

Microsoft's Quantum Computing Claim Faces Challenge

A physicist has cast doubt on a test used by Microsoft to claim the creation of the first 'topological qubits'. Amazon's head of quantum technologies also expressed skepticism, stressing the need to "push back on BS statements" regarding the advancements. The critique questions the validity of Microsoft's claim of improved resistance to information loss.

AMD Announces Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D Processors

AMD has announced the upcoming release of its Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors, set to launch next week. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D, priced at $699, features 16 Zen 5 cores, 32 threads, a base clock speed of 4.3GHz (boostable to 5.7GHz), 144MB of cache, and a 170W TDP. AMD claims this chip will be the "world's best" for gaming and content creation, challenging Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K. The entry-level 9900X3D is priced at $599.

New Samsung Android XR Project

Samsung's upcoming Android XR project, codenamed 'Project Moohan,' may feature 1.3-inch OLEDOS panels with a pixel density of 3,800 PPI, surpassing the Apple Vision Pro's 3,400 PPI. However, the expensive displays could drive the headset's cost over $1,000.

Cybersecurity

Core viewpoint: Cybersecurity threats continue to be a major concern, with both large corporations and government entities being targeted.

NTT Communications Cyberattack

NTT Communications (NTTCom) has confirmed that hackers accessed the data of almost 18,000 corporate customers during a February cyberattack. The stolen data includes customer names, contract numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and service usage information.

Mobile Devices

Core viewpoint: Innovation in mobile devices includes software updates, hardware improvements, and new designs, catering to diverse user needs.

Samsung's One UI 8 Development

Samsung has started development on One UI 8 earlier than expected, with the first versions spotted on an internal test server. This comes amid delays with One UI 7, which is currently in beta testing and is expected to launch in April. By starting development on One UI 8 now, Samsung aims to have the software ready to launch alongside the Samsung Galaxy S26.

Google Pixel Haptic Vibration Issues

An update to Google Pixel phones appears to have messed up the haptic vibrations.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Design Leaks

Renders shared by IceUniverse show the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge with bezels similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra and a slightly smaller 6.656-inch screen. Rumors suggest it will be only 5.84mm thick and priced similarly to the Galaxy S25 Plus (around $1,100).

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Camera

After initially reviewing the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the author explored Barcelona during MWC 2025 to reassess the camera's capabilities, revealing the magic that the company had emphasized during its launch event.

Apple iMessage Storage Management

The author shares tips on how to free up storage space in the Apple Messages app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iCloud, including deleting entire chats or individual attachments. Setting messages to automatically delete after a set time can also help.

Computing

Core viewpoint: Advancements in computing range from new processors and gaming monitors to versatile 2-in-1 devices, offering increased performance, flexibility, and immersive experiences.

M2 MacBook Air Discount

The M2-powered MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM has dropped to a new record low of $699. This is an effort to clear out M2 MBA stock ahead of the M4-powered model's arrival.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor on Sale

The 27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor is on sale for $700 (down from $900) during the Discover Samsung Spring Sale, featuring a 360Hz refresh rate, a 0.03ms response time and QD-OLED technology with HDR10+.

Honor MagicBook Pro 14 Launch

The Honor MagicBook Pro 14, launched at MWC 2025, features flagship specs at an affordable price of $800, offering choices of Intel Core Ultra 5 225H or Core Ultra 9 285H processors, 1TB of storage, and up to 32GB of RAM.

2-in-1 Systems Versatility

2-in-1 systems offer the flexibility of both a tablet and a laptop, suitable for students, creatives, or anyone needing a versatile device. When choosing a 2-in-1, consider whether you prefer a convertible or a tablet with a separate keyboard attachment.

Gaming

Core viewpoint: Gaming technology continues to evolve, with new frame generation techniques and console updates enhancing the user experience.

AMD's AFMF 2.1 for Handheld Gaming

FSR 4 might be incredible for RDNA 4 GPU users, but AMD's new AFMF 2.1 could be just as exciting for handheld gamers.

Nintendo Switch 2 Details

FCC filings suggest the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will support NFC for Amiibo figurines, with the RFID feature located in the right Joy-Con, similar to the original Switch. The console, designated BEE-001, will also feature two USB-C ports and support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) networks. Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 will be released sometime this year.

Audio

Core viewpoint: Audio devices continue to improve in sound quality, features, and affordability, offering a range of options for consumers.

Beats Powerbeats Pro on Sale

The Beats Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds are on sale for $150 at Amazon, combining impressive sound quality with a secure, workout-ready design.

VPN

Core viewpoint: VPN services prioritize security and transparency to ensure user privacy and data protection.

NordVPN Security Audit

An independent security check conducted by Cure53 comes only a few weeks after a successful no-log audit.

Deals

Core viewpoint: Consumers can find significant discounts on a variety of products, including Apple devices, audio equipment, and home appliances.

Amazon Deals on Apple and Bose Products

Amazon is offering deals on Apple and Bose products, including the M2 MacBook Air, the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, and Apple AirPods Pro 2.

10th-Generation iPad on Sale

The 10th-generation iPad is currently on sale for $260, marking a record-low price. This model, released in late 2022, is recommended for basic tasks like reading, email, and streaming.

Shark FlexStyle Hair Dryer Deal

The Shark FlexStyle hairdryer and styling system is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon, offering a multi-styling tool that can curl, volumize, smooth, and dry hair without damage.

Travel

Core viewpoint: Airlines are enhancing the in-flight experience with improved internet connectivity, aiming to meet the increasing demands of travelers.

United Airlines Implements Starlink

United Airlines is accelerating the implementation of Starlink across its fleet, aiming to provide internet speeds up to 250Mbps. Starlink service will be offered for free to MileagePlus members. The airline aims to have Starlink installed on its fleet of 1,000 airplanes before the end of the year.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI is rapidly integrating into various applications, while hardware developments continue to push performance boundaries.

AI Chatbot DeepSeek Gains Traction

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab, has attracted global attention after its chatbot topped app store charts. Founded in 2023, DeepSeek focuses on AI tool research, utilizing its own data center clusters for model training. Their next-gen DeepSeek-V2 models are known for their performance and cost-efficiency, leading competitors to cut prices.

Gemini Integration in Google Calendar

Google is testing a new AI-powered Gemini side panel within Google Calendar, available through Google Workspace Labs. Users can conversationally manage their schedules, create events, and look up event details. This integration streamlines calendar management by leveraging Gemini's conversational abilities.

DuckDuckGo Launches AI Integrations

DuckDuckGo has launched its AI integrations for all users, emphasizing privacy and free access with limits. The "Assist" feature provides AI-generated answers in search results, and the Duck.ai chatbot offers access to multiple AI models like GPT-4 and Llama 3. User chats are not saved or used for model training.

Reflection AI Focuses on Coding Agents

Reflection AI is developing coding agents capable of functioning autonomously, signaling advancements in AI-driven software development.

Amazon's Project Kuiper

An overview of Amazon's Project Kuiper.

NVIDIA RTX 5050 and 5060 Rumored Launch

Rumors suggest that NVIDIA may launch the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050 next month.

WordPress Sites Targeted by Malicious Backdoors

Thousands of WordPress sites have been targeted with malicious plugin backdoor attacks, potentially allowing for persistent access and remote code execution.

Gaming

Core viewpoint: Nintendo's next console generation is highly anticipated, promising to build upon the Switch's success.

Nintendo Switch Successor Officially Revealed

Nintendo has officially revealed the successor to the Switch, slated for a 2025 release. It will be larger than the original and feature attaching Joy-Cons. A Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2 is planned for April 2nd to reveal more details. The original Nintendo Switch has sold over 130 million units, becoming the company's best-selling console.

Audio

Core viewpoint: Sonos continues to innovate in the audio space, offering a range of speakers to suit different lifestyles.

Best Sonos Speakers

An overview of best speakers from Sonos.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI is rapidly evolving, impacting various aspects of technology from cybersecurity and content generation to hardware and consumer electronics. The industry is seeing a surge in innovation, but also faces challenges related to misinformation and ethical concerns.

Russian Propaganda Influencing AI Chatbots

A new report indicates that Russian propaganda is influencing AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Meta AI. NewsGuard found that a Moscow-based network called “Pravda” is publishing false claims to manipulate AI responses. Chatbots repeated false Russian disinformation narratives 33% of the time due to the network’s effective search engine optimization strategies.

Broadcom's AI-Driven Growth

Broadcom shares surged by approximately 5% following strong first-quarter earnings and guidance, driven by sustained demand in the artificial intelligence sector. Adjusted earnings per share reached $1.60, with revenues at $14.92 billion, surpassing expectations. Bank of America analysts view Broadcom's results as a positive sign for AI sentiment, with shares more than doubling in 2024.

Understanding AI Agents and Autonomous Systems

The rise of AI agents and autonomous systems are being applied across various domains from chatbots to autonomous vehicles. Agentic AI is emerging, capable of handling complex tasks and continuous learning. Data scientists are exploring how to leverage these advancements for better data science-based solutions.

TechCrunch Sessions: AI Seeks Industry Leaders

TechCrunch Sessions: AI is scheduled for June 5 at UC Berkeley, seeking AI leaders to participate in industry-focused discussions and breakout sessions. The event welcomes diverse AI-related topics, with selected speakers gaining exclusive access to event programming and networking opportunities.

AI Chatbots Attempt to Crack Kryptos

AI chatbots are being used to try and crack the code of Kryptos, a sculpture at CIA headquarters. While three of the four panels have been solved, the final segment, K4, remains a mystery. The artist is reportedly disgusted with the recent increase in AI-generated submissions, which often falsely claim to have solved the code.

DeepSeek AI Ban

The White House is considering measures to restrict the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, including banning its chatbot from government devices.

Consumer Electronics

Core viewpoint: The consumer electronics market is seeing innovation in power solutions, audio devices and home cleaning technology with deals frequently available across brands

Anker Power Bank Sale

Amazon is hosting a sale on Anker products, with discounts up to 35%. Deals include the Anker 621 power bank for $26, a new power bank capable of charging an M3-powered MacBook Air for $90, and a 3-in-1 charging cube for $104.

Victrola Adds Bluetooth and Roon

Victrola has expanded the wireless streaming capabilities for its Stream Carbon, Pearl, Onyx and Sapphire decks to include Bluetooth, UPnP, and Roon, moving beyond Sonos.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ Discount

The Roborock Q5 Pro+, a smart home cleaning solution with vacuum and mopping capabilities, LiDAR navigation, and a self-emptying function, is available on Amazon for $300, a $400 discount from the original $700. Features include 5500Pa suction power, dual rubber brushes, and customizable settings via the Roborock app.

Best Apple Deals

Apple products are often in high demand and rarely discounted. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target offer deals on devices like the iPad with the A16 chip, the iPad Air with the M3 chipset, and the MacBook Air with the M4 processor. AirPods 4 are available for $169 (with ANC) and $117 (without ANC). The Apple Pencil Pro costs $99, and the Apple Pencil USB-C costs $69.

Cybersecurity

Core viewpoint: Cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities are persistent challenges, impacting both individual devices and broader network infrastructures.

Eleven11bot Botnet Threat

A significant botnet, Eleven11bot, with over 80,000 devices is posing a major security concern, infecting thousands of webcams and video recorders for DDoS attacks.

Mobile Technology

Core viewpoint: Mobile devices are undergoing continuous improvements and adjustments, but also present potential bugs or unintentional effects.

Google Pixel Vibration Issues

Google Pixel users are reporting changes to notification and call vibrations after the March 2025 update, describing the new feel as "hollow." This affects Pixel 7 and 7 Pro devices, as well as the Pixel 8 Pro. The cause of the change is currently unknown.

Software and Apps

Core viewpoint: Software and applications continue to evolve, offering a variety of solutions that cater to different user needs and preferences.

iScanner Lifetime Subscription Deal

iScanner is offering a lifetime subscription for $40, reduced from $200. The app enables users to digitize documents using AI for automatic border adjustment and text recognition. It supports various scanning modes and includes a PDF editor and file manager.

Transportation

Core viewpoint: Technological advancements are enhancing the functionality and customization options for electric vehicles, providing users with greater control over their riding experience.

Lectric XPeak 2.0 E-Bike Settings

Lectric XPeak 2.0 e-bike owners can modify various settings directly from the onboard screen, including top speed, throttle, and pedal assist. Access the settings menu by holding down the "+" and "-" keys. Adjusting the speed limit to 45 enables a Class 3 setting, boosting the top speed to 28 mph.

Gaming

Core viewpoint: AI helps bring fantasy book franchises to life in gaming.

Infinite Realms Turns Fantasy Books into Games

Infinite Realms aims to transform popular fantasy books into interactive game worlds, leveraging AI technology.

Technology

Core viewpoint: The tech industry is seeing rapid advancements in AI models, hardware performance, and device accessibility, alongside increasing regulatory scrutiny of major players.

AI Model Advancements and Accessibility

Meta is planning to introduce improved voice features with Llama 4, expected in "weeks," focusing on user interruption capabilities and "omni" model functionality for interpreting speech, text, and other data. Meanwhile, X is expanding the reach of xAI's Grok model by allowing users to mention Grok in replies for explanations, complementing xAI's new standalone apps and SuperGrok plan. AI agents are also emerging as a significant tech trend, promising to reshape industries and enhance decision-making.

Apple's Hardware Updates and Regulatory Challenges

Apple updated its iPad and iPad Air with new processors, MacBook Air with a new processor and color, and Mac Studio with a new processor. The latest Mac Studio will use the new M3 Ultra and M4 Max, but a new benchmark suggests the former will only be slightly faster in some CPU processes. The M2 MacBook Air is now priced at $699 on Amazon, offering a balance of power and portability. Simultaneously, a Brazilian judge mandated that Apple open its iOS platform to alternative app stores within 90 days, citing compliance with EU requirements under the Digital Markets Act, a decision Apple plans to appeal.

Mobile Device Innovations and Reviews

Mobile World Congress (MWC) showcased new phones, notably the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which addresses telephoto camera issues with improved sensors. ASUS Zenbook A14, a Copilot+ PC, includes 16GB of RAM but uses a Snapdragon X Elite chip, limiting demanding tasks.

Cybersecurity Threats and Solutions

A newly discovered botnet named Eleven11, consisting of approximately 30,000 webcams and video recorders primarily in the US, is believed to be responsible for a significant denial-of-service attack, peaking at 6.5 terabits per second and targeting communications service providers and gaming hosting infrastructure. Microsoft reveals over a million PCs hit by malvertising campaign that grabbed login credentials and other secrets. UK government guideline websites no longer suggest using ADP.

Enhancing User Experience with Technology

5G home internet is providing real competition, closing the cable gap and getting better. For neurodivergent individuals, tech products can help manage sensitivity to sound, light, and touch. Spotify has fixed a bug that showed ads to Premium subscribers. The Anker Charging Station, now $36 at Amazon, offers a compact solution for charging multiple devices.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Innovation continues to drive advancements across various sectors, from AI and mobile devices to connectivity and security.

DuckDuckGo Enhances AI Search Capabilities

DuckDuckGo is expanding its AI features by integrating AI-generated answers, sourced from across the web, and the Duck.ai chatbot into its search engine. The chatbot allows anonymous interaction with AI models like GPT-4 and Llama 3, with planned future updates including web search and voice interaction.

Hugging Face Launches Smolagents AI Agent Framework

Hugging Face has launched Smolagents, an AI agent framework that simplifies the development of AI agents with a lightweight and code-centric approach. It supports various LLMs, modality inputs, and tools from frameworks like LangChain.

ExpressVPN Enhances Linux App with GUI and Security Features

ExpressVPN has released a major upgrade to its Linux app, now including a GUI, configurable kill switch, and split-tunneling for enhanced security and user experience.

Meta Integrates AI into WhatsApp with Standalone Chat Character

Meta is integrating its AI into WhatsApp by introducing a standalone chat character with a dedicated widget, offering quick access to Meta AI chat with capabilities to hold conversations, generate images, and summarize documents.

Abu Dhabi Weighs Reviving AI Joint Venture Share Sale

Abu Dhabi’s state oil firm and data analytics company Presight AI Holding Plc are considering reviving plans to list their artificial intelligence joint venture, AIQ, amid the AI boom.

Samsung Reaffirms Commitment to AI

At MWC 2025, Samsung executive Annika Bizon reaffirmed the company's commitment to AI, highlighting its ongoing integration into Galaxy devices.

United Airlines Installs Starlink for Faster In-Flight Wi-Fi

United Airlines has successfully installed Starlink on its first regional aircraft, promising Wi-Fi speeds up to 250MBps, 50 times faster than current speeds. This marks a significant upgrade in in-flight connectivity for passengers.

Malicious Browser Extensions Can Mimic Others

Experts warn that a malicious browser extension can mimic another one, and disable it at the same time, posing a security risk to users.

Android 16 Beta Introduces Lock Screen Widgets and Battery Drain Issues

Android 16 beta includes lock screen widgets, allowing users to display important information, but some users report major battery drain issues. Google Maps has become the first app to get live update support with the latest Android 16 beta, with the app now able to show directions and other information on your phone’s lock screen.

Honor Magic V4 Foldable Phone Rumored to Feature 200MP Camera

The upcoming Honor Magic V4 foldable phone may feature a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, paired with a 50MP primary sensor, and might be thinner than its predecessor.

Apple Announces M4 MacBook Air, M3 iPad Air, and Refreshed Mac Studio

Apple has announced the M4 MacBook Air, M3 iPad Air, and refreshed Mac Studio with M3 Ultra and M4 Max chips.

AMD's RX 9070 XT Competes with Nvidia's RTX 5070

AMD's RX 9070 XT offers performance similar to the Nvidia 5070 Ti/4080 at around $600, while the RX 9070 should be priced under $500 to compete effectively. Nvidia needs to lower the prices of its 5070 and 5070 Ti to compete with AMD.

Rumored iPhone 17 Air to Be Incredibly Thin

The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be incredibly thin, with a thickness of just 5.5mm, potentially making it the thinnest phone on the market.

Brazil Orders Apple to Allow App Sideloading

Brazil has ordered Apple to allow users to bypass the App Store and sideload apps within 90 days, following similar orders in Europe, a move Apple plans to appeal citing security concerns.

Eco-Friendly Phone Cases Offer Durability and Sustainability

Eco-friendly phone cases offer durability and sustainability by using materials like biodegradable plastics, recycled ocean waste, or sustainable bamboo.

AOC Q27G4ZD Gaming Monitor Features QD-OLED and G-Sync

The AOC Q27G4ZD gaming monitor features a QD-OLED panel, 240-Hz refresh rate, and Nvidia G-Sync, offering excellent image quality and smooth gameplay.

Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 Smart Gaming Monitor on Sale

The 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor is on sale for $600, offering 4K Ultra HD resolution with Samsung's Quantum Matrix technology, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time.

Rumors Suggest Apple's Foldable iPhone May Arrive Next Year

Rumors suggest Apple's foldable iPhone may arrive next year, priced between $2,000 to $2,500, featuring a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display.

Finance

Core viewpoint: Financial markets react strongly to earnings reports and future guidance, reflecting investor sentiment and expectations.

Chipmakers Experience Stock Drops Despite Topping Estimates

Wall Street has high expectations for chipmakers, with good earnings reports not always being enough to satisfy investors. Marvell shares dropped 20% after its guidance fell short of expectations, despite exceeding analyst estimates. Nvidia and AMD also experienced stock drops after their earnings reports. Optical supplier Credo Technology plummeted despite triple-digit revenue growth. However, not all companies are experiencing the same downturn; Broadcom shares popped 12% after earnings.

Fixes and Updates

Core viewpoint: Software and hardware updates continue to enhance device performance and user experience.

Garmin Fixing Crashing Issues on Older Watches

A fix is imminent for older Garmin Fenix 6 or Enduro watches that are crashing, addressing frustrating problems for users.

Technology

Core viewpoint: AI integration and hardware advancements are shaping the future of technology, impacting software development and consumer electronics.

AI-Powered Sentiment Analysis with Microservices

An author details their transition from a monolithic sentiment analysis pipeline to microservices using Kubernetes and GPU-aware autoscaling. This change was implemented to manage large volumes of social data in near real-time, improving performance and enabling independent scaling of functions.

Open-Source AI Agent Framework for PHP

A PHP developer created NeuronAI, an open-source framework to integrate AI agents into PHP applications, after finding existing packages insufficient. This framework addresses the limitations of the PHP ecosystem compared to Python and JavaScript for AI development.

ChatGPT's Coding Upgrade for Mac

ChatGPT's Mac app now features automatic code insertion, saving macOS developers time. A Windows version is also anticipated.

Google Pixel 9a Leaks

Leaked images of Google's official Pixel 9a hint at a new purple color option and minimal camera bump.

iPhone 17 Air Details Emerge

Details on the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air have surfaced, suggesting a next-generation battery to offset the weight.

Palantir's Titan Project

A glimpse into Palantir's Titan project, which involves delivering mobile AI trucks to the Army.

Amazon's Project Kuiper

An overview of Amazon's Project Kuiper, a satellite internet competitor.

Golf as a Web Framework for C

Golf now supports C code directly, functioning as a web framework for C programming. This allows developers to create web applications using C, exposing functionalities through web interfaces.

Creating a Recovery USB Drive

Instructions on how to create a recovery USB drive for Windows or macOS to restore access to files and apps in case of system failure. It's recommended to back up system files to the recovery drive, requiring a USB drive with at least 32GB capacity.

Space

Core viewpoint: Space exploration continues to face setbacks and challenges, highlighting the complexities of spaceflight technology.

Starship's Unscheduled Disassembly

Starship experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" during its ascent burn. This marks another setback for the program.

Other

Core viewpoint: Technology and related policies continue to evolve.

HackerNoon Techbeat Highlights

HackerNoon's Techbeat covers topics including natural language coding, data visualization, Trump's Mar-a-Lago Accord, diffusion LLMs, learning data structures with Flutter, and Maruti Techlabs' Medicare policy sales simplification.

News from 36kr

春天已经到来，接下来会百花齐放

Technology

Core viewpoint: Rapid advancements and increased competition are driving innovation across various tech sectors, from mobile devices to graphics cards, while also prompting concerns about user privacy and ethical AI use.

New Shark TurboBlade Fan

The new Shark TurboBlade fan is designed to blast blades of air in any direction, potentially offering relief during the summer.

Nvidia RTX 5000 Series

Nvidia assures gaming laptop buyers that mobile RTX 5000 graphics cards will not have the same chip-level fault that affected desktop GPUs. Leaks suggest Nvidia is expected to announce the RTX 5060 family of graphics cards in about 10 days, including the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, 8GB, and the RTX 5060 non-Ti. The RTX 5060 is expected to retain the same 8GB memory capacity as its predecessor. If Nvidia can provide ample stock, the RTX 5060 could be a serious competitor to AMD's upcoming RX 9060 XT. The RTX 5060 will use the GB206 GPU, while the RTX 5060 Ti's GPU is still unknown, but both are rumored to have 16GB and 8GB VRAM variants.

AMD RX 9000 Series

Following the "paper launch" of Nvidia's RTX 50-series, AMD's RX 9000 series saw larger quantities available. However, retailers are indicating that prices may increase once the initial shipment of MSRP models sells out.

Apple's New Products and Features

Apple is making it easier for users to test their hearing health. The upcoming ultraslim iPhone 17 Air, rumored to be just 5.5mm thick with a large screen, may utilize a high-density battery to address battery life concerns. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests this technology will pack more energy into a smaller package and may ditch the Ultra Wide camera to create more internal space and use a power-efficient C1 modem. The iPhone 16e rethinks the basic iPhone. The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) is on sale for $299 at Amazon, a 25% discount, featuring a larger display and comprehensive health tracking.

Apple Discontinues M3 and M2 MacBook Air

With the introduction of the new M4 MacBook Air, Apple is discontinuing the M3 and M2 MacBook Air models. The M2 will still be available at certain retailers, with some configurations selling for as low as $699 on Amazon, 30% off MSRP.

Google's Enhancements and Updates

Google's little streamer finally fixes its biggest problem by adding iPlayer and BBC streaming support. BBC One and BBC Two are now under the TV streamer's Channels tab, while BBC iPlayer appears on the Google Play Store with a new download option. Google doesn’t want you mixing personal and work browsing sessions with its latest Chrome Enterprise update, which features better warning labels to ensure you’re aware when using a company profile. Android users are getting a first look at the Live Updates feature in Google Maps, part of Android 16, providing updated information in the status bar, allowing users to track ongoing activities like map directions.

Rotel's DX-3 Headphone Amp and Bose Soundbar 550

Rotel's DX-3 promises exceptional high-end audio for elite headphones, even when using aptX Bluetooth. The Bose Smart Soundbar 550 with Dolby Atmos is available for $199 at Walmart, a 60% discount, using TrueSpace technology to create an immersive sound experience.

AI & Robotics

Core viewpoint: AI is becoming a core element in the global technological revolution, but ethical concerns and practical applications remain crucial areas of focus.

Rise of Chinese Robotics

Chinese robots are rising as a group. The trend of "AI +" is becoming the core of a new global technological and industrial revolution.

AI in Academia

A Chinese Ph.D. student in the U.S. was expelled and sued for alleged AI cheating, prompting many universities to severely restrict AI writing.