Following the recent market launch of the device, Xiaomi published the HyperOS 3.0.7.0.WPACNXM update for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra series, including the Leica edition. While it includes system-level optimizations and some visual refinements, it also introduces a number of camera enhancements and greater cross-platform connectivity, so the update is being positioned as a significant piece of early software rather than a simple patch.

On the performance front, Xiaomi has optimized compiler instructions and enhanced memory recycling for better responsiveness while consuming less power. Graphics rendering efficiency has also been optimized for smoother visuals across the system. In addition, more than 100 system animations have been refined, resulting in smoother transitions across the user interface and a generally more polished interaction experience.

This update brings a more visible refresh of the visuals; icons, particularly desktop icons, are redesigned, and grid spacing has been tightened for a cleaner layout. The status bar is simplified. A new centered clock design will also debut on the lock screen to give it a more modern look. Xiaomi introduces an AI-driven dynamic wallpaper system that can animate static images and a unified editor that streamlines the customization process for both the home and lock screens.

Multitasking and productivity further improve; Xiaomi Super Island becomes a more capable multitasking hub, showing support for floating windows and draggable real-time notifications. The Gallery app gets enhanced widgets, which include pinned albums and improved search functionality. The Calendar app comes with a cleaner layout and a new horoscope section, while the Recorder app adds structured summaries and dialect recognition to improve transcription accuracy.

Camera features are one of the main focuses of the update. There’s a new 200MP camera mode with continuous zoom between 3.2x and 4.3x, quicker snapshot performance, better clarity for portraits, and improved AI shooting guidance. The Leica edition gets more controls, including toggles for Leica’s signature zoom ring behavior. Editing features have also been enhanced: audio mixing, glare removal through Magic Eraser, and AI-assisted video creation that can automatically add music and subtitles.

Integration with Apple’s ecosystem

One of the major additions is deeper integration with Apple’s ecosystem. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra now supports notification syncing with iPhones, file sharing using NFC, and cross-device features such as app mirroring and hotspot tethering with iPads and Macs. It will also allow users to unlock their Xiaomi device using Touch ID or Face ID on Apple hardware-a significant step toward better interoperability between Xiaomi and Apple devices.

China has introduced a new regulatory proposal aimed at artificial intelligence services that simulate human personality and interaction. The initiative, announced by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), seeks to prevent emotional manipulation by AI systems that interact with users through text, images, audio, and video. A public consultation period of one month has been opened to gather feedback on the proposal.

The draft regulation targets AI products and services designed to engage users on an emotional level, particularly conversational systems capable of maintaining continuous interactions and forming perceived emotional bonds. According to the authorities, these capabilities raise concerns about the potential for harmful influence on users’ mental and emotional well-being.

Among the practices the proposal aims to curb are the encouragement of suicide or self-harm, the promotion of gambling-related content, and other forms of emotional manipulation that could negatively affect mental health. Regulators argue that conversational AI systems, if left unchecked, may exert undue psychological influence, especially on vulnerable individuals.

The proposal outlines several specific obligations for AI service providers. Chatbots would be prohibited from encouraging suicide, self-harm, verbal abuse, or emotionally manipulative behavior. If a user shows signs of suicidal intent, companies would be required to transfer the interaction to a human operator and immediately contact a guardian or a person close to the user.

Additional restrictions include bans on generating gambling-related, obscene, or violent content. For minors, the use of AI as an emotional companion would require authorization from a legal guardian, along with enforced access limits. Platforms must also be capable of identifying underage users, even if age is not explicitly disclosed, and apply child-safe settings by default in cases of uncertainty.

The proposal also introduces usage reminders after two consecutive hours of interaction and mandates security assessments for chatbots with more than one million registered users or over 100,000 monthly active users. By emphasizing emotional and psychological risks, the initiative highlights China’s growing focus on the societal impact of advanced AI systems.

LG Electronics has announced UltraGear evo, a new premium gaming monitor brand that will debut at CES 2026. The initial lineup includes three flagship gaming monitors-the 39GX950B, 27GM950B, and 52G930B-all offering 5K or higher-class resolutions while catering to high-end gaming and productivity users. One of the distinctive features across the lineup is LG’s on-device artificial intelligence, introducing the world’s first 5K AI Upscaling technology in gaming monitors.

This AI system processes images in real time before they are displayed, enhancing clarity and detail to reach near 5K visual quality without extra GPU power. Meanwhile, the accompanying upscale feature includes scene optimization-which dynamically changes the visuals-and AI sound processing that refines audio output to allow a more balanced audiovisual experience with minimal system overhead.

The 39GX950B is a 39-inch 5K2K OLED gaming monitor that upgrades brightness, color accuracy, and panel lifespan with Primary RGB Tandem OLED technology. It uses a 21:9 ultrawide display with a curvature of 1500R, giving it the same vertical height as a 32-inch display but extending its horizontal space. The screen boasts 142 PPI pixel density with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, focusing on deep blacks and detailed highlights. Its dual mode allows users to switch between 165 Hz at full 5K2K resolution and 330 Hz at WFHD, paired with an ultra-fast 0.03 ms (GtG) response time.

The 27GM950B is a 27-inch 5K MiniLED monitor and is described as the world’s first 5K “New MiniLED” display. It was designed to address blooming and halo effects commonly associated with MiniLED panels. The monitor includes 2,304 local dimming zones and employs zero optical distance engineering to improve brightness control and contrast precision. It reaches up to 1,250 nits of peak brightness and carries VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification. Like the OLED model, it supports dual-mode operation, switching between 165 Hz at 5K and 330 Hz at QHD, with a 1 ms (GtG) response time.

The 52G930B is being marketed as the world’s largest 5K2K gaming monitor. It operates at a 240 Hz refresh rate and includes a 1000R curvature for greater immersion. The screen provides the same vertical height as a 42-inch 16:9 display but extends into a 12:9 panoramic format, yielding a workspace about 33 percent wider than a regular UHD monitor. It comes VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified.

LG is set to show off the UltraGear evo lineup at CES 2026 through themed exhibition zones, and it announced that the UltraGear GX7 (27GX790B) would launch globally on the opening day.

Getting my hands on the echorb was easily my most intriguing and impressive experience at CEATEC 2025. Part of that comes from what echorb is: a palm-sized, stone-like device that blurs the line between technology, art, and human sensation. Mixing art and technology has long been one of my favorite topics, and echorb sits squarely at that intersection.

At first touch, echorb does not feel simple in a generic way. Its design is minimalist yet genuinely beautiful, a rarity for an electronic device packed with sensors. The object is smooth, oval, and carefully weighted, with a finish that feels intentional. Once activated, it becomes clear that this is not about buttons, screens, or notifications. Instead, Murata Manufacturing (hereinafter “Murata”) uses haptics and sensing to create physical sensations that guide movement, convey rhythm, and enable shared tactile experiences.

Echorb was first presented by Murata at Expo 2025 Osaka, where the company sponsored the Better Co-Being Signature Pavilion, “an art-focused space without a roof or walls, designed to enable visitors to experience resonance with each other, the world, and the future.”

What Is echorb?

Murata describes echorb as a “mysterious stone,” but beneath the poetic framing is a tightly integrated piece of engineering that combines sensing, wireless communication, haptics, and light within a single, minimalist object. In addition to touch, echorb also uses subtle lighting effects, with color and intensity changing in sync with the haptic feedback. The light does not act as a primary interface, but reinforces what the user is feeling through vibration.

At its core, echorb brings together several technologies that are rarely combined in such a compact, untethered form:

• 3D haptics technology, capable of generating directional vibration patterns that create the illusion of force or guided movement
• Vital sensing, allowing the device to detect and record heartbeat rhythms
• Wireless connectivity, including LF (low-frequency) antennas to detect location and RFID, used to coordinate multiple devices and link them to external systems.
  
  

What makes echorb unusual is not just what it does, but how quickly and compactly it was realized. According to Murata, the device was developed in roughly six months, a timeline that would normally take two to three years for a completely new hardware concept. To achieve this, Murata partnered with MIRAISENS, a company specializing in 3D haptics. Until this project, MIRAISENS had only worked on 3D haptics systems connected to computers. Building a fully self-contained, battery-powered device was unexplored territory.

At the heart of echorb is a custom actuator developed by the team, led by Kenji Kagayama on the hardware side. Unlike conventional actuators that vibrate along a single axis, this one can output vibration along two axes, allowing the system to create the illusion of being pulled forward, backward, left, right, or anywhere in between. This directional capability is essential to producing the convincing “pulling” sensations that define the echorb experience.

Hardware alone, however, was not enough. Software played a critical role in turning raw vibration into a believable sensation. Keito Kito, who led software development, noted that early versions felt underwhelming when tested by Expo staff. To refine perception, the team repeatedly tested the device with people who had never experienced 3D haptics before, iterating on timing, intensity, and sequencing based on real human reactions rather than lab assumptions.

The electronic stone’s physical design also required extensive trial-and-error. Weight reduction and actuator placement had to be optimized to ensure vibrations traveled cleanly through the object. Hiroyuki Harada, responsible for the product design, described shaving weight off the internal structure one gram at a time, even drilling holes in the circuit board, until the balance between responsiveness and comfort felt right.

Unlike conventional vibration motors that simply buzz, Murata’s 3D haptics rely on precisely timed vibration sequences, custom actuators, and carefully tuned software. The result is a sensation that feels directional and intentional rather than mechanical. After a few seconds, the brain begins to accept the illusion, which is precisely the goal. echorb does not apply force; it suggests it.

Groupe Demo 1: Sharing Heartbeats Around the Table

One of the most memorable echorb group demos at the Murata booth involved several participants standing or sitting around a circular table, each holding an echorb.

Using the built-in vital sensor, each device detected its user’s heartbeat. These heartbeats were then shared across the group, allowing participants to feel not only their own pulse, but the pulse of others, translated into gentle rhythmic vibrations.

Importantly, this was not framed as medical monitoring. Murata positions it as an experiential connection, reinforcing the Expo’s Better Co-Being theme: understanding one another not through data dashboards, but through embodied sensation.

Groupe Demo 2: A Multiplayer “Virtual Tennis” Experience

Another group demo used echorb as an input device for a shared, screen-based experience, which I referred to as a “virtual tennis” game for lack of a better term.

Each participant held an echorb while facing a large display. On screen, colored vertical lanes corresponded to individual players, with stylized rackets striking incoming balls in response to timing and motion. The interaction was clear: coordinated swings, taps, or rhythmic gestures translated directly into on-screen actions.

The haptic feedback changed depending on the virtual interaction. A sharper, lighter vibration suggested a fast impact, described on screen as similar to a metal bat, while other interactions produced softer or more resonant sensations. The device was surprisingly responsive, and I genuinely enjoyed the experience.

What made the demo compelling was not competition, but synchronization. Participants adjusted their movements to match one another, guided as much by what they felt through the echorb as by what they saw on the screen.

From Technology to Art: Artist and Artisan Editions

Beyond the interactive demos, Murata also displayed special echorb editions created in collaboration with artists and traditional craftspeople, a detail that can easily be overlooked without careful attention.

Luminous echorb, Pavilion Collaboration and Object Design

Several glittering, iridescent echorbs were labeled as “luminous echorbs.” These versions feature layered colors and reflective particles designed to shimmer under light, particularly in darker environments.

The Better Co-Being Signature Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka was developed under the theme direction of Miyata Hiroaki, with the art installation created by EiM, a multidisciplinary creative team led by Miyata Hiroaki and Ninagawa Mika. The installation expresses the idea of embracing diversity through thousands of suspended light elements that respond to natural light by day and transform into a luminous, immersive environment at night.

In addition, to coincide with the start of the pavilion’s nighttime presentation, Murata unveiled a special version of echorb called “luminous echorb,” designed by Ninagawa Mika. This edition was created by carefully selecting and layering multiple types of glitter to produce deep, vivid sparkles that reflect the visual language of the nighttime installation.

The video shown at the Murata booth at CEATEC 2025, displaying a glowing, rain-like space guided by echorb, originates from this pavilion experience and reflects the shared artistic direction behind the installation.

Wajima Lacquerware Editions — Traditional Craft Collaboration

Another set of echorbs featured gold leaf and lacquered finishes, displayed alongside information about Wajima lacquerware, a traditional craft from Ishikawa Prefecture.

These editions were created as part of Murata’s recovery support efforts following the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Produced in collaboration with local artisans, the lacquered echorbs symbolize both continuity and renewal, merging Murata’s advanced electronics with centuries-old craftsmanship.

My echorb Takeaway

In a trade show dominated by screens, sensors, and specifications, echorb stood out by doing something surprisingly rare: it made me slow down and feel.

Murata is not presenting echorb as a consumer product, at least not yet. Instead, it functions as a research platform, exploring how haptics, biosensing, and shared physical experiences might shape future interfaces.

At CEATEC 2025, echorb felt less like a prototype and more like a question posed to the industry:
What if technology helped us sense each other, rather than only interact with systems?

Murata will also exhibit at CES 2026. Based on the company’s CES announcements, the focus in Las Vegas will center on intelligent system technologies for mobility, wellness, and connectivity, suggesting a stronger emphasis on deep-technology demonstrations rather than the art-and-technology approach I experienced with echorb at CEATEC.

With the release of the Xiaomi Buds 6, the company has increased the number of audio products it offers. The new earbuds are positioned as a bridge between the iOS and Android ecosystems. The Buds 6, which were formally introduced on December 25, are part of the company’s larger plan to improve cross-platform compatibility, which is also the direction HyperOS 3 is taking.

One of the most notable additions is full support for Apple’s Find My app. For the first time, a Xiaomi audio product can be tracked directly through Apple’s native location network, allowing iPhone users to locate the Buds 6 charging case on Apple’s map interface. By adding functionality that was previously only available with AirPods, Xiaomi is indicating that it wants to reach out to customers directly within the Apple ecosystem.

Apart from Apple’s integration of Find My, Xiaomi’s own Find system allows users to track individual earbuds and initiate sound alerts when they are in proximity. There is a technical restriction, though: the Buds 6 can only be linked to one tracking network at a time. Earbuds must be reset to factory settings to switch between Xiaomi’s and Apple’s systems.

Audio performance is another focus of the Buds 6; the earbuds are tuned by Harman, a brand owned by Samsung with strong recognition in professional audio. They feature gold-plated triple magnetic drivers and support high-resolution audio with transmission speeds of up to 2.1 Mbps.

Beyond active noise cancellation, the gadget also has artificial intelligence features. With their three microphones, the Buds 6 are especially helpful for travel and multilingual work settings because they can record conversations, summarize meetings, and translate in real time.

In terms of design, each earbud weighs just 4.4 grams and uses a curved, bionic shape intended for comfort during extended use. The Buds 6 are available in Nebula Purple, Pearl White, Titanium Gold, and Moon Shadow Black, priced at 699 yuan (approximately $100). With this combination of features, Xiaomi positions the Buds 6 as a strong competitor in the premium wireless earbud market.

At CEATEC 2025, Hitachi presented a connected vision for the future of industrial operations. Rather than showcasing isolated technologies, the company demonstrated how AI agents, metaverse-based digital twins, conversational machinery, and wearable sensing can work together to address a growing manufacturing challenge: maintaining efficiency, safety, and quality amid a shrinking and less experienced workforce.

This challenge needs to be addressed particularly in Japan, where skilled technicians are retiring faster than they can be replaced. Training new workers takes time, and traditional manuals or classroom instruction often struggle to transfer tacit, hands-on knowledge built through years of experience. Hitachi’s response is not simply automation, but augmentation, embedding expert know-how directly into the work environment and making it accessible in real time.

That approach was showcased through three core demonstrations at CEATEC 2025: Naivy, which guides frontline workers inside a metaverse-based digital twin; Talkative Products, which give industrial machines a conversational interface; and Sensor Gloves, designed to digitize human skills. Together, they point toward factories becoming living knowledge spaces that can continuously support workers as conditions change.

Hitachi Naivy: An AI Agent That Guides Frontline Workers Inside a Living Digital Twin

Hitachi presents Naivy at CEATEC 2025 as a next-generation AI agent and “Frontline Coordinator” designed to support on-site industrial operations.

At CEATEC 2025, Hitachi introduced Naivy as a next-generation AI agent designed to guide frontline workers through complex industrial environments using a metaverse-based digital twin. The booth presentation made it clear that Naivy is not a conceptual experiment, but a system already grounded in real factory workflows and operational constraints.

A booth slide outlines Naivy’s role as an AI agent operating within an extended metaverse to connect physical sites, field knowledge, and human decision-making.

Large-format displays and Japanese-language panels described Naivy as a “Frontline Coordinator”, operating within an on-site extended metaverse that mirrors an actual factory. Diagrams shown on the main screen position Naivy at the center of a layered system that connects the physical site, accumulated field knowledge, AI reasoning, and human decision-making. Naivy is meant to support workers on location, not replace them or automate decisions without oversight.

A navigable digital twin tied to real equipment

Naivy’s interface combines a navigable digital twin of the factory with an AI chat panel, linking spatial context with real-time guidance.

The practical role of Naivy became evident when looking at the live interface displayed on the booth monitors: Workers navigate a digitized factory environment that closely resembles a real mechanical room, complete with pipes, valves, and machinery arranged as they would be on site. Directional arrows and movement controls allow users to move through the space, while specific assets are visually framed and identified.

Naivy operates on a site-specific digital twin rather than a generic 3D model. The system knows where equipment is located and presents that information spatially, reducing uncertainty for workers who may not yet be familiar with the facility. Manuals, diagrams, and related documents are directly linked to the virtual environment, allowing users to access relevant knowledge without leaving the task context.

AI-driven troubleshooting with concrete, step-by-step guidance

A tablet close-up shows Naivy providing equipment-specific troubleshooting with step-by-step procedures and explicit human confirmation prompts. Editor’s Note: The stripes visible in the photo were not present on the tablet screen during the on-site demo. They are camera artifacts caused by the shutter speed interacting with the display’s refresh rate.

On the tablet-based Naivy interface displayed at the booth counter, I could see how Naivy combines spatial awareness with an AI chat panel that analyzes abnormal conditions and proposes corrective actions. In the depicted example, the agent identifies a specific piece of equipment by ID and explains a likely cause of a temperature-related issue, such as insufficient cooling water.

Then, Naivy provides structured procedural guidance. The interface lists confirmation steps, references concrete components like valves, and includes explicit safety reminders. Users are encouraged to verify actions and confirm whether a step was completed, reinforcing that the AI’s role is to guide and document, not to act autonomously.

Designed for abnormal situations and real-world constraints

A live booth demonstration illustrated how Naivy supports real-time response to abnormal on-site situations through visual context and structured AI guidance.

Booth panels emphasized abnormal events, night shifts, time pressure, and understaffed operations. Naivy was presented as an evolving system that coordinates information rather than replacing human judgment. At CEATEC 2025, Hitachi showcased Naivy as a way to make the metaverse practically useful by embedding it directly into frontline work.

Hitachi Talkative Products: Giving Industrial Machines a Conversational Interface

Hitachi Talkative Products at CEATEC 2025: an AI agent that enables maintenance workers to converse with industrial machines via chat or voice using operational data and documentation.

Hitachi also demonstrated Talkative Products, an AI-driven system currently under development that explores how industrial machines could communicate directly with maintenance workers through natural conversation. Rather than presenting a finished commercial product, the booth showcased a working prototype designed to illustrate how conversational AI might reshape maintenance and service workflows in industrial environments.

The idea behind Talkative Products is to move beyond dashboards and error codes by allowing workers to ask machines directly about their condition. In the live demo, visitors interacted with equipment such as air compressors, printers, and water pumps using chat or voice. The system returned concrete operational data, including temperature, pressure, operating hours, and maintenance status, and indicated whether the machine was operating normally or required attention.

This interaction is enabled by an AI agent that synthesizes multiple data sources, rather than by autonomous machine behavior. As shown in the booth diagrams and reflected in Hitachi’s official materials, Talkative Products combines generative AI with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), drawing on manuals, operational data, and diagnostic information to generate human-readable explanations. The goal is not to automate decisions, but to make machine behavior easier to understand and act upon.

Hitachi positions Talkative Products as a step toward more intuitive, data-driven maintenance, especially in manufacturing environments facing labor shortages while experiencing growing equipment complexity.

Hitachi Sensor Glove: Digitizing Human Skill Itself

While AI agents and conversational machines address knowledge gaps, Hitachi recognizes that a significant portion of factory work remains stubbornly manual. Even with increasing automation, manual labor still accounts for a large share of manufacturing tasks, particularly in assembly, inspection, and maintenance. This is where the Sensor Glove comes into play.

The Sensor Glove integrates pressure, inertial, and microphone sensors, along with a Bluetooth unit, to capture fine-grained hand movements that are difficult to observe visually. A live CEATEC demonstration showed the Sensor Glove in use during a manual task, with sensing occurring directly on the worker’s hand.

The Sensor Glove was initially developed to solve a particular problem: connector insertion defects in assembly lines, where products were shipped with components partially inserted. Traditional cameras could not reliably detect these errors due to blind spots. Hitachi’s solution was to instrument the worker’s hands instead. The glove accurately captures hand movements, pressure, and timing, regardless of visual obstructions.

Over time, the scope of the Sensor Glove expanded. By digitizing manual actions, Hitachi created a way to record, analyze, and share human skills in real time. This enables improvements in quality control, productivity, and training, allowing inexperienced workers to be compared with skilled operators using data-driven guidance.

Real-time sensor dashboards visualize pressure, acceleration, gyro, geomagnetic, and audio data captured simultaneously during manual work.

Most importantly, the Sensor Glove addresses skill transfer, one of the hardest challenges in manufacturing. By capturing movements rooted in muscle memory and intuition, Hitachi helps preserve expertise that might otherwise be lost to retirement.

Multiple sensor streams are displayed together to analyze subtle differences in motion, force, and workload that distinguish expert performance.

Safety is another key application. By identifying excessive or hazardous workloads, the system can help prevent injuries and improve workplace ergonomics. While manufacturing remains the initial focus, applications are being explored in healthcare, construction, welfare, and service industries.

At CEATEC 2025, Hitachi presented the Sensor Glove as a working demonstration and future-oriented system under continued development, showcasing how digitized human motion could be applied to real industrial workflows. The company positions the Sensor Glove as a wearable human-measurement technology that digitizes manual labor itself, complementing AI-driven systems for machines and environments.

In the context of CEATEC 2025, the Sensor Glove completes Hitachi’s vision. Where Naivy digitizes the environment and Talkative Products digitize machines, the Sensor Glove digitizes people, creating a comprehensive, data-rich view of industrial work.

Conclusion: The Shift Toward Industry 5.0 Is On

These three demos give a good sense of where Hitachi sees industrial AI heading next. Rather than pushing toward fully humanless automation, the focus here is on helping people do their jobs better on the factory floor. In my opinion, this is perfectly aligned with the key principles of the next big industrial shift, aka Industry 5.0. Please read more on this here.

For instance, Naivy helps workers navigate complex environments, Talkative Products make machine behavior easier to understand, and the Sensor Glove captures hands-on skills that are usually hard to put into software.

I genuinely enjoyed spending time at the Hitachi booth at CEATEC 2025 because the demos stayed close to real-world factory problems, such as abnormal temperature alerts, routine maintenance, and day-to-day safety checks. The takeaway was simple: AI is not meant to replace frontline workers, but to help them move faster, make fewer mistakes, and feel more confident about what they are doing.

With labor shortages worsening and industrial systems becoming more complex, Hitachi’s approach points to a factory that is not just more automated but also easier to understand, easier to work with, and ultimately more human.

LG NOVA, the North America Innovation Center for LG Electronics, is returning to CES 2026 with an expanded showcase that puts a spotlight on its collaborative, AI-first innovation model. Featured in the exhibit are companies incubated internally by LG NOVA, along with startup partners and breakthrough projects that are expected to become future businesses.

Taken together, these businesses demonstrate LG NOVA’s emphasis on creating market-disruptive business opportunities that solve real-world problems in mental health, energy management, healthcare access, and the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.

At Eureka Park in the Venetian Expo, the LG NOVA booth will feature a project showcase along with portfolio companies and startup collaborators. Participants will witness the role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in healthtech, cleantech, and enterprise solutions; get the chance to meet LG executives and entrepreneurs-in-residence; and attend several in-booth sessions and technology talks.

The exhibit presents LG NOVA’s bigger vision of cross-industry collaboration for building AI-driven businesses with long-term societal and environmental impact.

According to Sokwoo Rhee, Executive Vice President at LG Electronics and Head of LG NOVA, the organization’s mission in the AI era is to develop new experiences and capabilities that enrich daily life. These include healthcare applications that transform how people manage their health, energy and power solutions that support modern living, and business tools that help entrepreneurs and employees succeed.

LG NOVA sees its collaboration model—working closely with startups, industry experts, and entrepreneurs—as a competitive advantage in launching new ventures that can reshape entire industries.

LG NOVA Companies to Make Their Debut

• ReliefAI Health
  A connected care company for mental health, enabled through AI-powered programs aiming to improve mental health experiences and guide therapists closer to their patients.
• PADO AI Orchestration
  An energy management platform that deploys proprietary AI and machine learning to orchestrate data center workloads, gray space, distributed energy resources, and grid services for maximum efficiency, unlocking new revenue streams and improving grid stability.
• Primefocus Health
  Modular platform for remote care that enables providers to deploy personalized at-home chronic and acute care programs, as well as proactive monitoring, education, and intervention, especially for rural and underserved communities.
• OnVibe
  A concept-stage AI-powered social media marketing tool for tailored insights, audience analytics, and cross-platform guidance for content creators and small to medium-sized businesses.

Startup Partner Showcase

Artificial Intelligence

• Revelio Labs
  A workforce intelligence platform powered through standardized global employment data, allowing data-driven talent and labor market decisions.
• Roll
  The AI-powered video creation platform simplifies the production of high-quality, multi-camera videos with smartphones.
• Stitch AI
  A contextual intelligence platform that connects institutional knowledge to help organizations align strategy and execution.

HealthTech

• VeeOne Health
  AI-powered care platform for acute and post-acute management of substance abuse and complex chronic diseases, including biometric monitoring.
• OneStep
  A patented, FDA-listed smartphone-based platform that transforms natural walking into clinical gait insights for rehabilitation and mobility care.

CleanTech

• Derapi
  Interoperability software platform connecting smart energy devices to digital systems for better efficiency in the distributed energy environment.
• OnSense
  An intelligent equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance system that reduces costs, extends asset lifetimes, and improves operational efficiency.

Early information has emerged about new features expected to go live on WhatsApp in 2026, based on reports from WABetaInfo. The updates relate mainly to security, transparency, and storage management, aiming at granting users much more control over their accounts and data.

One of the more significant updates would be tighter integration with the Apple Watch. WhatsApp is said to be working on a new section called “Peripherals,” housed under the “Linked Devices” section. This will enable users to see if their account can be accessed from an Apple Watch. By giving users insight into where and how their account is accessed, this will improve transparency and allow you to better manage the devices linked to your account.

The new category will show which peripherals have accessed the user’s WhatsApp account, as well as the date and time of the last recorded activity for each device. This information would be very useful in situations where account access is a concern. But at this point in the feature’s testing, there isn’t a way to unpair or remove these peripherals directly from this section.

Apart from device transparency, WhatsApp is testing enhancements about storage management through its iOS beta; the app is going to provide more granular options for cleaning up storage within individual conversations. These tools would allow users to delete selected messages or specific categories of media files instead of the current blanket option of clearing chats.

The main advantage of this feature is that it reduces storage usage to a great extent, saving messages marked as favorites. This update has been made for heavy WhatsApp users who, over time, have huge amounts of media and look for ways to free up space on their smartphones more efficiently.

On the other hand, there is currently no information regarding when these will be available in WhatsApp’s stable version. Furthermore, it is unknown if the iOS features under test will be available on Android smartphones.

Companies are beginning to reveal previews of the products and concepts they plan to showcase at CES 2026, which will be held in Las Vegas in January, and among them, LG has sparked interest once more, this time by announcing CLOiD, a new humanoid robot designed to help with household tasks.

CLOiD, according to the South Korean giant, is a humanoid with two articulated arms and five individually controlled fingers on each hand. While the company has yet to reveal detailed technical specifications or a finalized design, it claims that the robot is being developed to assist users with various domestic tasks. At this time, LG has not specified which household tasks CLOiD will be capable of performing.

The robot is part of LG’s larger vision of a “zero-labor home,” which aims to reduce the time and effort people spend doing routine chores while increasing opportunities for leisure and quality time. LG defines CLOiD as a step toward relieving users of time-consuming domestic responsibilities.

In terms of hardware, CLOiD is said to have a chip housed in its head, as well as a display, camera, speaker, and various sensors. These components are designed to help users communicate and interact expressively. LG also claims that the robot is powered by “Affective Intelligence,” a system that allows for neutral and friendly interactions; CLOiD is expected to refine its responses over time as a result of repeated interactions, adapting to user behavior and preferences.

Despite the limited information available at the moment, LG is expected to provide more details during CES 2026, which runs from January 6 to January 9. Given that the event frequently features conceptual products that showcase long-term visions rather than immediate commercial releases, it is unclear whether CLOiD is a near-market product or primarily a concept. This question, however, is expected to be answered during the exhibition.

StikDebug, a very popular utility that was used to enable the emulation of modern console games on iOS, was removed from the App Store. The unexpected move is going to have a noticeable impact on the state of emulation on iPhones and iPads (particularly for gamers interested in running performance-intensive emulators). Before its removal, the tool served as a practical bridge between Apple’s restrictive execution model and the technical needs of modern emulation software.

At the core of this issue is just-in-time (JIT) compilation, a technique widely used by emulators to dynamically translate and execute instructions from one system architecture to another. JIT is essential for achieving playable speeds in more demanding emulators, especially those targeting sixth-generation consoles and beyond. Apple’s iOS security framework generally blocks JIT execution for third-party apps unless they are run under specific developer entitlements (not typically available to consumer apps).

The iOS developer behind StikDebug’s project recently tweeted about it, mentioning that users still have an alternative, which is sideloading the .ipa file:

StikDebug addressed this limitation by allowing JIT execution on non-jailbroken devices via debugging mechanisms; as a result, emulators that would otherwise be severely limited were able to operate much closer to their intended performance levels. This capability made a significant difference for certain emulation projects for consoles such as GameCube, Wii, PS2, 3DS and Switch.

When users try to update their StikDebug to the latest version, the system displays the message that it is no longer available.

One of the most affected examples is DolphiniOS, an emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii systems. DolphiniOS could achieve playable or nearly playable speeds on contemporary iPhones and iPads if JIT is enabled. Performance drastically declines without JIT, though, as many games are unable to advance past menus, audio becomes erratic, and frame rates frequently drop to single digits. As a result, the emulator is practically useless for its intended use.

Other emulators, such as those targeting PlayStation 2, Nintendo 3DS, or advanced arcade systems, face similar limitations. While simpler emulators—for example, those for NES, SNES, Game Boy, or even PlayStation 1—rely less on JIT and continue to function adequately, higher-end emulation is disproportionately affected by its absence.

The removal of StikDebug demonstrates an ongoing conflict between Apple’s security-first platform design and the technical requirements of emulation software. While emulation on iOS remains possible, the absence of an App Store-distributed JIT enabler significantly limits what is realistically achievable on the platform, particularly for users seeking high-performance, console-level emulation experiences.

Lenovo has introduced what might be one of the cheapest 144Hz IPS monitors available in the market; we’re talking about the ThinkVision S25-4e, presented a couple of days ago in China. Priced at 609 yuan (approximately $86) and available through JD.com, the new monitor targets users seeking smooth visuals for everyday productivity and light gaming without a high cost.

Featuring a 24.5-inch Full HD (1920 ? 1080) IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 4ms response time, the panel allows for smoother motion compared to standard 60Hz or 75Hz displays, making it suitable for fast-scrolling content, video playback, and casual gaming. The product uses WLED backlighting and delivers a typical brightness level of 250 nits.

In terms of color performance, the monitor supports 8-bit color through a 6-bit + FRC configuration and covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut. This ensures relatively accurate and vivid color reproduction, making the display suitable for general office work, media consumption, and basic content creation tasks.

Lenovo has placed a strong emphasis on visual comfort. The ThinkVision S25-4e is T?V Rheinland Eye Comfort certified and includes hardware-level low blue light technology along with global DC dimming to reduce flicker. These features are designed to minimize eye strain during extended usage sessions.

The IPS panel provides wide 178-degree viewing angles, helping maintain consistent color and contrast when viewed from different positions. A static contrast ratio of 1500:1 further improves detail visibility, particularly in darker scenes.

From a design perspective, the monitor adopts a three-sided micro-bezel layout, which enhances its appearance and makes it suitable for multi-monitor setups. The included stand supports tilt adjustment, and the display is compatible with 100 ? 100 mm VESA mounts for alternative mounting options.

Connectivity options include one HDMI 1.4 port and one VGA port, ensuring compatibility with both modern and older devices. Navigation of the on-screen display is handled through a multidirectional joystick located on the monitor. We still have no official word about global pricing or availability.

Alef Aeronautics, a San Mateo-based startup founded in 2015, has begun producing what it describes as the world’s first road-legal flying car. While autonomous ground vehicles continue to face reliability challenges, Alef points out that controlled aerial mobility is both feasible and practical; the company’s original goal of building a flying car in six months proved unrealistic, but steady development resulted in a full-size prototype by 2019 and the start of production in early December 2025.

Alef’s flagship vehicle, the all-electric Model A, can be used as both a standard road vehicle and a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. It can drive on public roads and fit into standard parking spaces, as well as take off vertically like a helicopter. Alef claims that this makes it the first road-legal passenger vehicle with VTOL capability, setting it apart from previous concepts like the Samson Switchblade, which requires a runway.

The Model A has a top speed of 25 mph on the ground, with higher speeds intended for air travel. The vehicle has eight propellers integrated into a mesh structure that surrounds the cabin. During flight, the entire vehicle rotates, transforming its sides into wing-like surfaces, and the driver’s seat transforms into a cockpit-style configuration.

The Model A is manufactured in a lengthy process that combines robotic systems and manual assembly. Before completion, each vehicle goes through individual component testing as well as multiple test flights. Alef reports receiving approximately 3,500 pre-orders at the current listed price of $299,000. If mass production is successful, the company claims that costs will eventually fall to compact-car levels.

Initial deliveries will be restricted to early backers, who will serve as beta testers to help improve manufacturing and deployment. Pre-orders are available on Alef’s website, with refundable deposits. A major unresolved challenge is regulation, as there is currently no clear legal framework governing vehicles that can function as both cars and aircraft, raising concerns about licensing, classification, and operational rules.

With its official launch in China, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has established itself as a significant flagship product in the high-end smartphone and mobile photography market. Along with Xiaomi HyperOS 3, it makes its debut with a number of noteworthy hardware and software enhancements, such as a large battery, a sophisticated camera system, and top-tier performance components. The product is the result of Xiaomi and Leica’s long-standing partnership.

Its camera system is one of the main features; sporting LOFIC ultra-HDR technology, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s 1-inch Leica “Light Master” primary sensor (Light Hunter 1050L) enhances dynamic range, especially in low-light conditions. Specialized features like a Fireworks Mode are designed to capture nighttime scenes with precise colors and controlled highlights. Additionally, a 200MP optical zoom system with Leica lenses is introduced by the device. This system maintains image clarity without digital cropping and offers continuous optical zoom from 75 mm to 100 mm. Even at long focal lengths like 200mm and 400mm, the telephoto system promises excellent results.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, which is based on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, powers performance. A dual-path three-dimensional ring cooling system is used by Xiaomi to control heat. Battery capacity is yet another significant improvement; the global version is anticipated to use a 6000mAh battery, while the Chinese version uses a 6800mAh Jinshajiang battery; 50W wireless speed and 90W wired speed are supported for charging.

In terms of design, the phone features a 6.9-inch flat 2D display with ultra-narrow bezels, an 8.29 mm slim profile, and improved ergonomics for one-handed use. Durability is reinforced through IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications. The device is available in multiple color options.

Xiaomi also introduced a limited “Leitzphone by Xiaomi” edition, inspired by Leica’s camera aesthetics. Pricing in China starts at 6,999 yuan (approx. $995), with higher configurations and the Leica edition reaching up to 8,499 yuan (approx. $1,209). Global availability and pricing have yet to be announced.

Specs

According to information on an official support page, Google is gradually rolling out a new feature that will allow users to change their “@gmail.com” email address. Until now, Google only allowed changes to account email addresses with third-party domains, while Gmail addresses were generally fixed and could not be changed.

The updated support page (which, by the way, is currently only available in Hindi) that was discovered by users before an official announcement details a new process that allows users to change their Gmail username while being able to keep the “@gmail.com” domain. According to Google, this feature will be gradually introduced and eventually made available to all users.

The new system will allow users to create a new Gmail address with a different username; following the change, the original Gmail address will become an alias for the new one. Emails sent to either address will go to the same inbox, and both can be used to sign in to Google services like Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Maps, and Google Play. It is important to note that existing account data, such as emails, photos, and messages, will be preserved.

But the company also mentions some restrictions and conditions, like, for example, users will be unable to delete or change their email address for the next 12 months after making the change. While the old Gmail address can be reused by the same account, it cannot be used to create a new Google Account for the next 12 months. Each account may change its Gmail address up to three times, for a total of four Gmail addresses per account.

It is also important to mention that some elements of the old email address may persist in certain places, like calendar events created before the change, and updates may not be immediately reflected everywhere. Users will still be able to send emails from the old address (which will remain reserved exclusively for them).

The feature is not yet fully functional, but when it is, users will be able to manage the change through the “My Account” settings. As the rollout progresses, Google is expected to share additional information.

Generative AI fans will have another place to create their content soon, because DuckDuckGo has said that its own AI-powered image generator is almost ready. With a strong focus on user privacy, the company is now entering the field of generative AI, which is getting more competitive lately. Even though DuckDuckGo is best known for its privacy-focused web search engine, the company is now also using its “privacy first” philosophy to make images. They see this as an alternative to other services that often rely too heavily on data collection.

The new image generator works in a way that is similar to how generative AI tools generally work; when the users type a text prompt, the system uses that description to create an image. Despite sharing some features with other platforms, DuckDuckGo claims that its primary distinction is its greater emphasis on privacy.

User prompts are processed anonymously, which is what the company claims, and neither stored nor used to train the underlying image models. OpenAI provides the image generation technology, but DuckDuckGo says it doesn’t store personal information or link prompts to users’ identities. This strategy fits with the business’s long-standing goal of reducing data tracking and avoiding the storage of private data.

Another important factor is how generated images are handled. Images are not saved on DuckDuckGo’s servers; instead, they are saved on the user’s device. This cuts down on the amount of data the company keeps and the amount of user-generated content that could be seen. The photos also contain metadata that complies with the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standard. Later, third parties can use this metadata to confirm that the images were made using AI. This helps make AI use more open and responsible.

And for newcomers, the image generator appears to be pretty easy to use. Using a web browser, users can go to duck.ai and choose the “New Image” option from the left. The service is available for free, but it includes a daily limit on the number of images that can be generated. In order to reward power users and maintain basic access, DuckDuckGo offers higher generation limits to users who sign up for one of its paid plans.

With this tool’s release, DuckDuckGo formally enters the competition among leading tech firms creating AI image generation solutions. In contrast to many larger platforms that depend on massive data collection to enhance and scale their models, its primary competitive advantage is its stringent privacy policy. Still, it’s not clear if privacy alone will be enough to beat new and old competitors like Google’s image-making tools or OpenAI’s newest models. DuckDuckGo’s image generator will probably do well in the long run if it strikes a good balance between privacy, image quality, usability, and new feature development in a market that is changing quickly.

TCL has launched the Note A1 tablet for global markets, presenting it as a digital note-taking and reading tool that mimics the texture of paper while preserving the adaptability of a conventional LCD screen. Instead of E Ink technology, the Note A1 uses TCL’s proprietary NxtPaper display, which is designed to reduce eye strain while maintaining color performance and responsiveness.

The tablet boasts an 11.5-inch anti-glare LCD panel capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. TCL’s NxtPaper technology reduces blue light exposure, eliminates screen flickering, and gives the screen a matte finish to create a more paper-like viewing experience. This method enables users to read, write, and browse content for longer periods of time with improved visual comfort while still benefiting from full-color support and smooth refresh rates.

The Note A1 focuses heavily on stylus input. The tablet includes a stylus with dual tips and an integrated eraser, allowing for fast writing, sketching, and drawing. Handwritten notes can be turned into digital text, and the device includes AI-powered tools for note summarization, voice transcription, and smart content search. These features are designed to support productivity tasks such as meetings, lectures, and creative work.

In order to ensure clear sound during video calls or voice recordings, an array of eight microphones handles audio capture. Along with syncing files to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, the tablet has speech-to-text capabilities.

Regarding design, the Note A1 weighs 500 g (1.10 lbs) and has dimensions of 260.1 x 196.5 x 5.5 mm (10.2 x 7.73 x 0.2″). Wireless display casting, a magnetic pogo pin connector for an optional keyboard accessory, and a fingerprint sensor are all included. A circular front button and a single rear camera round out the design, while a thicker bezel on one side enhances one-handed use.

TCL has not yet disclosed details about the processor, memory, or storage. The tablet is expected to run Android and support multitasking features such as split-screen mode. The Note A1 will be offered through a Kickstarter campaign, with pricing starting at $419.

The OnePlus Pad Go 2, recently launched by OnePlus, is now officially available for purchase in both the United States and Canada starting today. Designed to offer a balanced tablet experience focused on everyday productivity and entertainment, this tablet expands OnePlus’ lineup of slates with an option aimed at a wider audience across North America.

To mark the start of sales, the brand is offering a series of sweet deals, available from now through December 31, perfect for those wanting a high-tech Xmas gift! These deals are designed to add value for early buyers and include a mix of gifts, discounts, and trade-in incentives.

Customers who purchase the OnePlus Pad Go 2 during the promotional period can choose one free gift at checkout. Available options include a Folio Case, which adds everyday protection and usability, or the OnePlus Stylo, offered in limited availability for users who want note-taking or creative input features.

Students get an extra goodie because they are also eligible for a 10% discount through the OnePlus student program, making the Pad Go 2 even more accessible for academic use, study, and remote learning. Buyers can also take advantage of a bundle offer with 30% off Pad Go 2 accessories, allowing users to build a more complete setup at a reduced cost.

OnePlus is also introducing a flexible trade-in promotion, where customers can choose one of two options: The first provides a guaranteed instant credit of USD $30 or CAD $40 when trading in any device, regardless of brand or condition. Alternatively, buyers can opt for a guaranteed USD $30 or CAD $40 cashback bonus when purchasing with a trade-in.

Recalling the specs, we have in this product a 12.1-inch LCD display with 2,800 x 1,980 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision support. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra, paired with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage, with Wi-Fi-only and 5G variants available. The tablet includes 8 MP cameras on the front and rear, a 10,050 mAh battery with 33W SUPERVOOC charging, and runs Android 16 with OxygenOS 16, including AI productivity features.

With official availability now confirmed in the U.S. and Canada and multiple launch incentives running through the end of the year, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 enters the market with a strong value-focused offering for early adopters. Are you getting yours?

MAINGEAR unveiled a new ordering option that addresses one of the more frustrating realities of the current PC market: unpredictable memory availability and pricing. The company’s new BYO RAM builds let customers order a fully assembled desktop system without the need to buy DDR5 memory from MAINGEAR, allowing them to purchase their own compatible kit.

Buyers can send an existing DDR5 kit to MAINGEAR or purchase one separately from a third-party retailer and ship it in for installation. MAINGEAR provides compatibility guidelines to reduce the risk of mismatches, and the finished system still goes through the company’s standard assembly and system-level validation before it ships.

DDR5 pricing has been volatile for months, driven by strong demand from AI and data-center infrastructure, and tighter allocations from memory manufacturers, resulting in a DDR5 shortage for retailers. For consumers, it means either overpaying for RAM or delaying a complete build until memory availability improves.

MAINGEAR operates as a boutique system integrator, focusing on high-performance gaming desktops, laptops, and workstations built to order rather than mass-produced. Its approach emphasizes clean assembly, thermal tuning, and validation, appealing to users who want powerful, turnkey systems without sacrificing customization.

According to Wallace Santos, CEO, MAINGEAR, the decision to introduce BYO RAM builds was driven by the realization that current memory constraints are not a short-term disruption. What initially appeared to be a temporary supply issue has evolved into what he described as a multi-year problem, fueled by large-scale commitments from data-center and AI players that now dominate memory production capacity.

During our briefing, Santos explained that DDR5 cost increases have been extreme, even by recent PC component standards. Since October, MAINGEAR’s internal costs for common memory configurations have risen sharply, in some cases by several hundred percent, making it increasingly difficult for system builders to absorb pricing changes without passing them on to customers.

Rather than limiting configurations or delaying orders, Santos framed the BYO RAM program as a way to keep systems shipping while preserving the customer experience.

"BYO RAM LETS US KEEP SHIPPING FULLY BUILT, FULLY TESTED SYSTEMS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. - WALLACE SANTOS, CEO, MAINGEAR"

Memory supplied by customers is vetted for compatibility in advance, installed by MAINGEAR technicians, tuned at the BIOS level if needed, and fully validated before shipping. MAINGEAR continues to warranty the complete system, while memory failures are typically handled through the module manufacturer’s lifetime warranty.

Santos also emphasized that the program is expected to remain in place as long as market conditions require it, potentially extending well into 2026. He added that memory shortages are likely to have broader ripple effects across the PC ecosystem, beyond RAM alone.

Besides this new build option, MAINGEAR has also been active on the product side. In recent months, the company launched the Ultima 18, an 18-inch gaming laptop pairing desktop-class CPUs with NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs, aimed at users who want extreme performance in a portable form factor. Its MG-1 and TURBO desktops have also been refreshed with improved airflow designs and support for current-generation CPUs and GPUs, while the higher-end RUSH systems continue to focus on custom liquid cooling.

We have great news for the gamers because LG Display has made a big announcement in terms of monitor technology by introducing the world’s first 27-inch 4K OLED panel with a 240 Hz refresh rate and an RGB stripe subpixel structure. Developed with the high-end gaming and professional monitor markets in mind, it is set to make its debut at CES 2026.

The red, green, and blue subpixels are aligned in a straight line by the RGB stripe structure — Most people agree that this layout is good for image clarity because it reduces artifacts like color bleeding and fringing, especially when looked at closely. This makes RGB stripe panels perfect for desktop monitors, which need to show text clearly and fine details.

Up until now, though, OLED panels with this structure could only refresh at around 60 Hz, which meant they weren’t very good for fast-moving content or games; LG Display’s new panel is the first one to pair the RGB stripe configuration with a 240 Hz refresh rate, overcoming a long-standing technical barrier .

Dynamic Frequency and Resolution (DFR) technology from LG Display are another important components of the new panel, allowing the users to switch between different operating modes depending on their priorities. One mode delivers Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution at 240 Hz, focusing on visual detail and image quality, while the other prioritizes speed, offering Full HD (FHD) resolution at up to 480 Hz for applications where ultra-high refresh rates are more important than resolution, such as competitive gaming .

The panel promises crisp images and precise color reproduction with a pixel density of 160 PPI. LG Display is strongly reinforcing how its high resolution, RGB stripe layout, and quick refresh rate enhance text readability and overall visual consistency, marketing it as the perfect panel for professional tasks that require accurate font rendering and intricate graphics, as well as for use with operating systems like Windows.

To make all this tech this work, LG Display came up with new ways to make screens; One of these was to improve the aperture ratio, which makes more of each pixel emit light. The panel is different from many other OLED monitors because it has RGWB structures that include a white subpixel or alternative pixel arrangements.

The manufacturer plans to initially roll out this tech in premium gaming and professional monitors, strengthening its efforts to expand its presence in the higher-end OLED monitor segment and consolidate its leadership through uniquely designed display technologies .

Last week OpenAI launched a new version of its most advanced coding model, the GPT-5.2-Codex, which the company says was designed for complex software engineering tasks and also for defensive cybersecurity initiatives.

Based on the recently released GPT-5.2, the new release focuses on improving the management of large-scale projects, especially when code is distributed across multiple repositories and changes are introduced gradually over time.

Being able to maintain operational context more efficiently, without the need to use numerous tokens, this new model handles large refactorings, technology migrations, and structural changes in code in a more effective way, ensuring greater consistency across different stages while minimizing common errors, such as those that occur when an AI needs to operate on massive codebases in professional environments.

Compared to previous versions, Windows support has been expanded, something critical for companies that still maintain their infrastructure outside the Linux ecosystem.

Moreover, improvements were made to image processing features, making it simpler in terms of analyzing graphs, technical schematics, and user interface captures. Tool performance has also become more dependable, particularly during command-line operations and practical coding scenarios.

OpenAI’s GPT-5.2-Codex has shown remarkable results in standardized testing, scoring an impressive 56.4% on SWE-Bench Pro and an outstanding 64% on Terminal-Bench 2.0. This updated version is particularly exciting in security applications, with enhanced code analysis features that improve its capacity to detect security flaws.

While it hasn’t yet achieved a “High” cyber capability rating according to OpenAI’s Preparedness Framework, the company is proactively adding extra security measures to prepare for future iterations that might reach that level. The deployment is happening in phases, with current availability through Codex CLI, IDE plugins, cloud platforms, and code review applications for ChatGPT users, while broader API access for external developers is planned for later.

Additionally, OpenAI has introduced a limited-access initiative specifically for authenticated cybersecurity professionals and authorized entities with well-defined use cases.

Cybersecurity experts just found a flaw in the UEFI firmware that many modern motherboards use. The “bug” could let attackers do direct memory access (DMA) attacks on systems, which may enable unauthorized users to gain deep and persistent access to affected systems under certain conditions, and the worst part is that it affects boards from several major manufacturers, including Gigabyte, MSI, ASUS, and ASRock.

To give you context, the PC motherboard contains low-level software called UEFI, or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, which securely starts the operating system and initializes hardware components. One of its primary security obligations is to enable the Input-Output Memory Management Unit (IOMMU), a hardware-based isolation mechanism that is intended to safeguard system memory. If set up correctly, the IOMMU stops external devices from reading or writing to random parts of system RAM.

Components such as PCIe expansion cards, Thunderbolt peripherals, GPUs, and similar hardware that can access memory directly without passing through the CPU are included in DMA-capable devices. Malicious or compromised hardware can have less of an impact because these devices are limited to particular memory regions if the IOMMU is operational and properly initialized.

The recently discovered vulnerability is caused by the wrong way this protection was set up; in affected motherboards, the UEFI firmware says that DMA protection is on, even though the IOMMU was never fully or correctly set up, and then the operating system consequently assumes that memory protections are implemented, even though they are not actively enforced.

The issue is being tracked under multiple vulnerability identifiers: CVE-2025-11901, CVE-2025-14302, CVE-2025-14303, and CVE-2025-14304, as motherboard vendors implement UEFI features differently.

Researchers at Riot Games, the developer of well-known multiplayer games like League of Legends and Valorant, were the first ones to identify the vulnerability. Vanguard, Riot’s anti-cheat system, is implemented at the kernel level and incorporates safeguards that are intended to prevent unauthorized system manipulation. Valorant may be prevented from launching on systems that are affected by this specific flaw, as it detects an unsafe hardware security state.

There is an important limitation to think about, even though the possible effect could be terrible: the ability to physically access the system and connect a malicious PCIe or similar device before the operating system boots up are prerequisites for a DMA attack. Consequently, the probability of widespread exploitation is substantially diminished, particularly for residential users.

Users are being advised to monitor updates from their motherboard manufacturers and apply any available firmware patches. Updating the UEFI firmware is still essential to preserving system security, particularly in light of the ongoing evolution of hardware-level attacks.

Meta seems to be developing a new artificial intelligence model focused on images and videos, codenamed “Mango.” This effort is part of its strategy to compete more directly with major players like Google and OpenAI. According to information published by The Wall Street Journal, this initiative shows Meta’s intention to strengthen its position in the fast-changing AI market, particularly in visual content generation and processing.

Previously, Meta worked on another AI project called “Avocado,” which was a closed model aimed at programming and code-related tasks. With Mango, the company is shifting its focus toward multimodal capabilities, especially in images and videos. These areas are currently dominated by solutions such as Google’s AI tools and OpenAI’s ChatGPT with image features. The goal is to create a powerful AI model that can compete with established visual AI offerings.

In an interview on Thursday the 18th, Meta’s Director of AI, Alexandr Wang, and Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, confirmed that both Mango and Avocado are set for release in the first half of 2026. These models are expected to be the first major products from the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a research and development division announced in July. The lab was established to centralize and speed up Meta’s efforts in artificial intelligence.

With the upcoming launch of Mango, Meta aims to become a stronger competitor to Google’s visual AI products, like Veo 3 and Nano Banana, and to the updated image generation features of ChatGPT. This move underscores the growing importance of AI models that can understand, generate, and manipulate visual media. This area has seen rapid innovation and rising demand.

The article also sheds a light on a broader shift in Meta’s corporate priorities; AI has become a key focus for major tech companies, and Meta, of course, is no exception. The company has indicated plans to cut investments in the Metaverse, redirecting resources and attention to AI development. The shift suggests that Meta sees advanced multimodal AI systems as a more immediate and impactful growth opportunity.

At CES 2026, Hisense showed off its next generation of Laser Home Cinema products, which are a part of the company’s long-term strategy to focus on large-format displays, advanced color reproduction, and flexible home entertainment solutions. With the new products targeted at both devoted home theater enthusiasts and regular living room users, the company has maintained its position as a cornerstone of its display portfolio since launching its first laser projector in 2014.

This year, one of the highlights for the show is the expansion of the TriChroma laser technology, first introduced back in 2019. The focus on multi-primary color and wide color gamut performance definitely helped Hisense stand out at this year’s Consumer Electronics Expo 2026; the company expands upon that foundation, presenting us two new models, the XR10 and the PX4-PRO, both of them made to accommodate a broad range of screen sizes, from 65 to 300 inches, as well as different installation scenarios.

The XR10 is targeted as a high-end laser projector for people who want to enjoy a movie theater-like experience without committing to a traditional, fixed home theater setup. Even though it is small, the XR10 has a pure RGB triple-laser light source, an upgraded chipset, and Hisense’s LPU 3.0 Digital Laser Engine. According to the company, this arrangement makes it possible for the projector to work well even in brighter spaces with brightness levels of up to 6,000 ANSI lumens. Sixteen all-glass lenses are part of the system to enhance thermal stability and light transmission, and a new IRIS system dynamically modifies exposure and aperture to adjust to shifting lighting conditions. This setup is meant to give users up to 6000:1 contrast and even detail in both dark and light environments.

Still on the XR10, it has a fully sealed microchannel liquid cooling system to handle heat, improving heat dissipation and keeping the system running well over time. Hisense also focuses on better color performance, with more BT.2020 color coverage and less laser speckle to create a clearer and more consistent image. A large optical zoom range, intelligent image correction utilizing multiple cameras and sensors, and both vertical and horizontal lens shift are features that support a more flexible installation.

In addition to the XR10, Hisense unveiled the PX4-PRO, an ultra short throw laser projector intended for more informal home theater configurations. Building on the PX3-PRO, the PX4-PRO offers 4K resolution with a maximum contrast ratio of 6000:1, supports screens up to 200 inches in size, and has a brightness of 3,500 ANSI lumens. Its small, space-efficient design makes it easy to fit into living rooms, and its features—like TriChroma laser technology, IMAX Enhanced certification, and low input latency—are aimed at both movie buffs and

The products that Hisense is showing off at CES 2026 show that the company is still interested in laser-based displays, big screens, and accurate color. They want to make Laser Home Cinema more popular by making a wide range of products, from high-end, flexible projectors to ultra-short throw models that are designed to look good. They also intend to make multi-primary color technology a key differentiator in the changing display market.

Valve appears to be in the process of discontinuing the production of the Steam Deck LCD, which signifies a change in its handheld gaming strategy, at least in the United States. The company has stopped restocking the 256GB LCD version of the Steam Deck in the US and has put a note on its store page saying that it will no longer be made. The device will no longer be available for purchase after the remaining stock is sold, but Valve has stated that it will continue to support LCD units that are already in use.

Even though Valve hasn’t officially said why they’re getting rid of the Steam Deck LCD, people in the industry think that rising component costs, especially for RAM and storage, may be one of the reasons behind the decision; it might become more challenging to keep the LCD model’s lower price point in the current market due to these rising costs. This could happen in other places too, but Valve hasn’t said for sure if it will only happen in the U.S.

Valve’s Steam Deck LCD, which retailed for $399 when it was first released in February 2022, was their most reasonably priced portable gaming PC, establishing the category and popularizing PC handheld gaming even before rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go hit the market. It was especially appealing when it was on sale for up to 20% off during big shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday; these sales may have been meant to get rid of any remaining stock before the product was taken off the market.

The OLED version of the Steam Deck is becoming the standard option for new customers as it is being phased out, but it is priced at $549, which is a significantly higher entry point. Customers on a tight budget who thought the original Steam Deck was a reasonably priced substitute for conventional gaming PCs and consoles may find it more difficult to purchase due to this price increase.

Silently taking away the Steam Deck LCD makes people wonder how Valve will price its hardware in the future. With powerful performance and a console-like price, the original LCD model contributed to the accessibility of PC handhelds. Its disappearance raises the possibility that it will become more challenging to maintain such affordability as component costs increase. Future Valve hardware expectations may also be impacted by this trend, particularly since Microsoft and other companies have hinted that future gaming devices might prioritize premium performance over affordability.

Despite being phased out, the Steam Deck LCD will probably be remembered favorably for its contribution to the introduction of portable PC gaming. If you want to buy one, the current availability may be your last chance to do so at the original or discounted price before supplies run out and prices go up when they’re sold again.

The super-popular anime streaming service Crunchyroll has announced its major premieres for January 2026, marking the start of a new season with a lineup focused on high-profile titles. The announcement comes shortly after the platform confirmed the discontinuation of its free, ad-supported tier, signaling a stronger emphasis on premium content to attract new subscribers and retain the paying ones.

Probably one of the main highlights of January is the debut of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3; the new season launches the highly anticipated Culling Game arc, a storyline that has generated significant excitement among manga readers and long-time fans of the franchise. Also returning with new episodes is Oshi no Ko, continuing to expand its reach as one of the most popular contemporary anime series.

Sequels play a huge central role in Crunchyroll’s January lineup. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End returns with its second season, building on the critical acclaim and strong audience reception of its debut. Hell’s Paradise is also set to continue, alongside My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, a spin-off series designed to keep audiences engaged with the franchise following the conclusion of the main storyline.

In addition to returning series, the schedule includes notable new releases. Trigun Stargaze arrives as the final chapter of the story that began with Trigun Stampede, offering closure for fans of the rebooted sci-fi western. Meanwhile, Sentenced to Be a Hero introduces a darker fantasy premise, portraying heroism not as a reward, but as a form of punishment within its narrative world.

Alongside the content announcements, Crunchyroll confirmed a limited-time year-end promotion on annual subscription plans. For the U.S. market, discounted pricing is expected to align with current tiers, with annual plans typically ranging around $79.99 for Fan and $99.99 for Mega Fan, depending on regional offers. The promotion is scheduled to run through December 29, 2025.

Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi Note 15 series globally, which is a big deal for people who like the Redmi Note devices. Now they have a lot of options to choose from because the Chinese manufacturer has unveiled five different models: Redmi Note 15, the Redmi Note 15 5G, the Redmi Note 15 Pro and a couple more. The Redmi Note 15 series is meant for people who want a phone that is not too expensive. Xiaomi wants to make sure that this new series has “something for everyone”.

The Redmi Note 15 series is a part of Xiaomi’s plan to make good phones that people can afford, and the fans seem to be really excited about the Pro 5G and the top-of-the-line Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G. These devices were announced in China before, but now they are available in more markets around the world, for the first time.

Redmi Note 15 / Note 15 5G

When you first look at the Redmi Note 15 and the Redmi Note 15 5G, they look very similar. The big difference is really about the kind of network they support and what’s inside of them. The Redmi Note 15 that uses 4G has the MediaTek Helio G100-Ultra. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 15 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3.

The Redmi Note 15 and the Redmi Note 15 5G both have a nice 6.77-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen is bright, reaching up to 3,200 nits. The battery life is different for each model; the 4G model has a 6,000 mAh battery and 33W charging. The 5G model has a 5,520 mAh battery but supports faster 45W charging. The camera setup includes a 108 MP main sensor, while the 5G model adds an 8 MP ultrawide camera.

Redmi Note 15 Pro / Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G

The Redmi Note 15 Pro and the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G are stronger options in terms of specs; they come with several advanced features. Both models support up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage. The Redmi Note 15 Pro and the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G also feature a high-end camera system with a 200 MP main sensor and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. The Pro 4G model uses the MediaTek Helio G200-Ultra, has a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, and has a large 6,580 mAh battery.

The Pro 5G model is slightly different. It features a larger 6.83-inch AMOLED screen, a 32 MP front camera, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra chipset. This model is also more durable thanks to IP68 and IP69K certifications.

Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G

The Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G is the most premium device in the lineup. It features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, delivering strong performance. You can get the Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G with up to 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. It packs a 6,500 mAh battery with 100W fast charging and includes a 200 MP main camera. It also offers flagship-level water and dust resistance.

Pricing and Availability

In Europe, the Redmi Note 15 starts at €229 ($250). The Redmi Note 15 5G costs €269 ($290). The Redmi Note 15 Pro is priced at €299 ($323), while the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G costs €379 ($410). The most expensive model, the Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G, is priced at €479 ($518). Xiaomi has not yet announced pricing or availability for other regions, and there is no official word about a launch in the United States so far.

NVIDIA has just announced the addition of Fallout: New Vegas to the GeForce NOW cloud gaming catalog, expanding the availability of one of the most critically acclaimed titles in the Fallout franchise. Released back in 2010, this game is set in the Mojave Desert after a nuclear conflict and places players in the role of a courier who becomes deeply involved in political and territorial disputes. Throughout the campaign, player choices significantly influence the balance of power in the New Vegas region and the iconic Strip, shaping multiple outcomes.

Over the years, the game has gained recognition for its narrative depth, faction-based storytelling, and strong emphasis on player agency; its continued relevance has been reinforced by its connection to the Fallout TV series, as the game serves as a narrative foundation for events portrayed in the 2nd season of the adaptation available on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service.

With its debut on GeForce NOW, Fallout: New Vegas can now be played by many users of the service via cloud streaming without requiring local downloads or high-end hardware. The service promises users low-latency gameplay and quick access, being compatible with basic laptops, smartphones, and even smart TVs. Players can access the title through existing versions available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox, as long as they already own the game on those platforms.

The announcement was made during a period of renewed interest in the Fallout franchise, coinciding with the release of the second season of the television series. This momentum has also led Bethesda to offer a free trial of Fallout 76 on Xbox and PlayStation, further expanding access to the franchise across different platforms and audiences.

In addition to Fallout: New Vegas, NVIDIA confirmed several other titles coming to GeForce NOW, including Hogwarts Legacy, LEGO Harry Potter Collection, For the King II, and Pioneer. The inclusion of Hogwarts Legacy is particularly notable, as the game was recently distributed for free on the Epic Games Store, allowing players to enjoy it through cloud gaming even if their hardware does not meet the recommended requirements.

Changes To The Free Tier

NVIDIA also announced some changes to the free tier of the GeForce NOW; starting in January 2026, certain games will no longer be available on the free plan due to increased hardware demands, being accessible only to paid subscribers. The affected titles include Enshrouded, Alan Wake 2, Cities: Skylines II, and Rust, reflecting the company’s efforts to balance performance and accessibility across its service plans.

With the latest smartphones becoming compatible with satellite tech, Android is expected to introduce a new centralized interface for managing apps with satellite connectivity, indicating a broader push to integrate non-terrestrial networks (NTN) into the OS. The feature suggests that more apps could support satellite communication in the near future, depending on the type of service offered by telcos.

When fiddling around with the 2512 Android Canary release on a Pixel 9, the folks at Android Authority found out that the new menu includes a satellite connection test option (which is currently non-functional) and a list of apps that support emergency communication via satellite. The apps shown vary based on the type of NTN technology provided by the user’s carrier. Android currently recognizes two main satellite connectivity standards: NB-NTN and LTE-NTN.

NB-NTN (Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Networks) offers lower data speeds and is limited to text messaging and emergency location sharing. When a carrier supports only NB-NTN, Android displays a restricted list of compatible apps, focused on safety and essential functions. These include Emergency SOS, Messages, Find Hub, Maps, and Settings. This setup highlights Android’s emphasis on basic emergency communication rather than general app usage under narrowband satellite conditions.

LTE-NTN, on the other hand, provides higher bandwidth and supports text messaging and voice calls. When LTE-NTN is available, the list of satellite-capable apps expands significantly. Additional apps shown include AccuWeather, Google Weather, Personal Safety, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). This expanded list suggests that Android is preparing for broader satellite use cases, potentially enabling limited access to messaging, social media, and information services beyond emergencies.

However, not all listed apps have officially confirmed satellite support. At this time, only Google Maps, Messages, and WhatsApp have confirmed availability via satellite connections. The appearance of other apps in the menu implies that official announcements or support updates may follow in the future.

The feature was discovered by Mishaal Rahman; during the process, he identified a new Quick Settings toggle hidden within the system’s developer options. This Quick Settings button allows users to enable or disable satellite communication with a single tap.

Additionally, pressing and holding the toggle opens a dedicated menu labeled “Satellite Connectivity.” This menu centralizes satellite-related controls and information, reinforcing the idea that Android is laying the foundation for expanded satellite connectivity as carrier support and infrastructure continue to evolve.

Apple has announced that it will start displaying more ads in the App Store’s search results beginning in 2026, with the stated goal of increasing opportunities for developers and advertisers to reach users. The change was disclosed through an update on Apple’s Ads website and will affect how ads show up when users search for apps in the App Store.

As of now, ads are shown primarily at the top of App Store search results, but starting next year, Apple will introduce additional ad placements both at the top and further down within search results pages. These new positions will be automatically available to existing search campaigns, and advertisers will not need to modify their current setups to participate. Ads may appear either in the original top position or in one of the newly added placements lower in the results.

Cupertino’s giant emphasizes the importance of search as a discovery mechanism within the App Store; according to the company, nearly 65% of app downloads occur directly after a user performs a search. By adding more ad positions within search results, Apple aims to give advertisers additional chances to drive app downloads when the users are searching for content.

As for the format of App Store search ads, they will remain unchanged, continuing to use either a default or a custom product page, with the option to include a deep link that directs users to specific content within an app. Apple also confirmed that its billing structure will not change. Ads will continue to operate under a cost-per-tap model, meaning developers are charged only when a user taps on an ad, rather than when it is merely displayed.

Ad placement will continue to be determined by a combination of the advertiser’s bid and the relevance of the app to the user’s search query. Apple says that ad matching is handled automatically, and advertisers will not be able to select or bid specifically for individual ad positions within search results. Any active search results campaign will be eligible for all available placements.

The expanded ad placements will be rolled out on devices running iOS 26.2 or later, with availability beginning in early 2026. Apple has directed developers and advertisers to its Ads website for additional information and updates regarding the changes.

The long-awaited OnePlus 15R 5G was finally introduced to global markets, after months of rumors and leaks; The smartphone stands out as one of the first devices to adopt Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 platform, while also offering a very large battery capacity outside China.

Speaking about design, the flagship features a slightly raised rear camera module shaped like a pill, housing the sensors and an integrated LED flash. It was built with a metal frame and emphasizes durability, carrying an extensive set of certifications: IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K, ensuring strong resistance to dust, water immersion, high-pressure jets, and harsh environments.

The front part is dominated by a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, making it suitable for gaming and smooth everyday interactions. The panel reaches up to 1,800 nits of peak brightness, improving visibility in outdoor conditions.

Powering the device is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, paired with 12 GB of RAM and storage options of 256 GB or 512 GB. Connectivity features include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and NFC, ensuring compatibility with the latest wireless standards.

Battery life is a major highlight. The OnePlus 15R includes a 7,400 mAh silicon-carbon battery, paired with 80W SUPERVOOC wired fast charging, a combination rarely seen in global flagship smartphones.

The camera system consists of a 50 MP main sensor (Sony IMX906, f/1.8, OIS) and an 8 MP ultrawide lens with a 112-degree field of view. On the front, users get a 32 MP selfie camera. Software is handled by Android 16 running under OxygenOS 16, which integrates multiple AI-powered tools such as Gemini, AI writing assistance, audio transcription, and object removal in photos. OnePlus also promises four major Android updates and six years of security patches.

OnePlus Pad Go 2

Alongside the smartphone, OnePlus also launched the OnePlus Pad Go 2, targeting users seeking solid features at competitive prices.

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 features a 12.1-inch LCD display with 2,800 x 1,980 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision support. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra, paired with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage, with Wi-Fi-only and 5G variants available. The tablet includes 8 MP cameras on the front and rear, a 10,050 mAh battery with 33W SUPERVOOC charging, and runs Android 16 with OxygenOS 16, including AI productivity features.

Availability and Prices

The OnePlus 15R is available for pre-order in Charcoal Black and Mint Breeze. Pricing is set at $699.99 for the 12 GB + 256 GB version and $799.99 for the 12 GB + 512 GB model.

Prices start at $399.99 for the Wi-Fi 8GB/128GB version, while the stylus pen is sold separately for $79.99 and the Folio Case for $44.99.