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January 24
- Scientists subject AI to 'pain' after being inspired by electrocuting hermit crabs
➀ Researchers from Google DeepMind and the London School of Economics and Political Science conducted tests on large language models (LLMs) to evaluate if they could experience pain or pleasure.
➁ The tests were inspired by experiments involving electrocuting hermit crabs to observe their behavior.
➂ The results showed that some AI models, like Google's Gemini 1.5 Pro, avoided pain and sought pleasure, but this does not necessarily indicate sentience.
- iPhone's with TikTok installed are being sold on eBay for $50,000
➀ The TikTok ban in the U.S. has led to a surge in demand for smartphones with the app pre-installed.
➁ This has resulted in listings on eBay for thousands of dollars.
➂ One listing even goes as high as $50,000 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max with TikTok installed.
January 23
- Apple sued over harmful 'forever chemicals' found in Apple Watch bands
➀ Apple is facing a lawsuit alleging the use of PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' in its smartwatch bands.
➁ The lawsuit claims that these chemicals are linked to negative health effects including increased cancer risk and immune system issues.
➂ The lawsuit highlights specific Apple Watch bands and references a study from Notre Dame University that found PFAS in fitness-tracking wearables from multiple companies.
- Samsung officially teases its first tri-fold Galaxy smartphone
➀ Samsung has hinted at a tri-fold smartphone during its Unpacked event.
➁ The device features a large display and is set to launch in Q3 2025.
➂ Only 200,000 units are planned to be manufactured, targeting tech enthusiasts.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshots leak ahead of release
➀ Assassin's Creed Shadows faced criticism over design, pricing, and animations before its release in March 2025.
➁ The game was delayed multiple times due to backlash and accusations of bot usage for positive promotion.
➂ Leaked screenshots and a preview by GamingTrends highlight a balance between RPG and stealth elements.
- ADATA showcases a selection of innovative gaming products at CES 2025
➀ ADATA and its gaming brand XPG showcased innovative gaming solutions at CES 2025, including a mini PSU.
➁ XPG introduced a new ITX chassis called Starfighter with an exclusive design language and support for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs.
➂ ADATA also presented a new PCIe 5.0 SSD with a liquid and air cooler block and a new gaming chair called Nexus Plus with adjustable features.
- Samsung teases new Galaxy S25 Edge, new ultra-slim smartphone to compete with iPhone 17 Air
➀ Samsung has teased the Galaxy S25 Edge, an ultra-slim smartphone with a 200-megapixel camera.
➁ The device will have a staggered release, starting in select markets like the US and Korea.
➂ The Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to compete with Apple's iPhone 17 Air later this year.
- Samsung unveils new Galaxy S25 series powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12GB RAM, and AI
➀ Samsung announced the Galaxy S25 series, including the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra.
➁ The S25 and S25+ feature Snapdragon 8 Elite processors, 12GB RAM, and One UI 7 on Android 15.
➂ The S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch anti-reflective display, 200MP camera, 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB storage.
- A mystery NVIDIA Blackwell GPU with insane 96GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus has been spotted
➀ NVIDIA is reportedly developing a new RTX Blackwell workstation GPU with 96GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus.
➁ The GPU is expected to feature over 21760 CUDA cores and will likely debut at the GTC event in March.
➂ The new GPU will be part of the RTX 8000 series and is expected to have a dual 12V-2x6 power connector capable of handling an 800W TDP.
- Intel's next-gen 'Nova Lake' CPU spotted in shipping manifest, succeeds Panther Lake
➀ Intel's upcoming Nova Lake CPUs have been spotted in shipping manifests, indicating progress on their next-gen consumer platform.
➁ The next CPU architecture from Intel will be Panther Lake, showcased at CES 2025, and will be the company's first consumer platform on its new Intel 18A process node.
➂ Intel's next-gen Nova Lake CPUs are expected to be fabricated on Intel 14A or TSMC 2nm, and will not feature on-package memory.
January 22
- GAINWARD's new GeForce RTX 5090D FROST graphics card teased with new snowflake design
➀ GAINWARD's new GeForce RTX 5090D FROST graphics card is designed for the Chinese market with a snowflake-inspired design.
➁ The card includes a GB202 GPU with 21,760 CUDA cores, 32GB GDDR7 memory, and a 575W TDP.
➂ The card has restricted AI and crypto-mining performance.
- Gamers now have less reasons to use the Steam Overlay in 2025
➀ Microsoft has introduced Game Assist, a feature integrated with the Windows Game Bar, which allows gamers to access web advice without leaving their game.
➁ Game Assist operates through the Windows Game Bar (Win+G) and uses the same browser profile as Microsoft Edge on PC.
➂ The new feature encourages gamers to switch from alternatives like Steam Overlay due to its integration with the operating system and the latest features.
- NVIDIA says how it will get gamers to play their games at 1000FPS
➀ NVIDIA is focusing on the future of gaming by aiming for extremely high refresh rates, potentially reaching up to 1000FPS.
➁ NVIDIA believes that with the advancement of AI-powered technologies, such as frame generation, high refresh rate monitors will become more common.
➂ The current challenges include the need for powerful graphics cards and the development of new AI technologies to achieve 1000Hz at 4K resolution.
- GeForce NOW 'sold out' as Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 headset support arrives
➀ GeForce NOW, NVIDIA's cloud gaming service, is experiencing capacity issues, leading to it being 'sold out' in several regions.
➁ Despite these capacity issues, NVIDIA is expanding its reach with a native app for the Steam Deck and new game support.
➂ The service recently introduced a 100-hour monthly cap and support for VR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3.
- Bluesky and X's bids to become TikTok scream more 'Threads' than anything
➀ Amidst TikTok's potential ban, Bluesky and X are introducing new features to attract users seeking short-form content.
➁ Bluesky offers personalized video feeds, while X has a TikTok-style video feed.
➂ Despite these efforts, users may return to TikTok or similar platforms once the situation stabilizes.
- Death, taxes, and another Netflix price increase hits wallets
➀ Netflix is raising its prices in the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina.
➁ The ad-supported tier will increase to $7.99, while the standard ad-free tier will go up to $17.99.
➂ This price increase is part of Netflix's strategy to reinvest in programming and deliver more value to its members.
- Elon Musk caught red-handed cheating in Path of Exile 2 during livestream
➀ Elon Musk admitted to breaking the terms of service for Path of Exile 2 and Diablo IV by engaging in account sharing and level boosting.
➁ The suspicions of cheating began when Musk revealed his POE 2 character was among the highest-ranked in the game.
➂ Streamer Quinn69 noticed Elon Musk's character was playing PoE while Musk attended President Trump's inauguration.
- NASA releases jaw-dropping 2.5 billion pixel image that took 10 years to capture
➀ NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured a 2.5 billion-pixel image of the Andromeda galaxy, our closest neighbor, set to collide with the Milky Way in 4.5 billion years.
➁ The image is a result of over 10 years of work, consisting of approximately 600 different fields of view of Andromeda.
➂ The image captures 200 million stars and provides a detailed view of Andromeda almost edge-on, giving insights into the structure and evolution of spiral galaxies.
- OpenAI has now made ChatGPT more human than it ever has been before
➀ OpenAI's latest ChatGPT update enhances personalization, allowing users to customize tone and roles.
➁ This update makes the chatbot more consistent and easier to use, eliminating the need for constant re-prompting.
➂ The update also focuses on transparency, helping users understand how ChatGPT responds.
January 21
- Instagram moves to capitalize on TikTok ban with release of new app
➀ A short-term ban on TikTok and other ByteDance-owned apps has been implemented.
➁ In response, Meta has announced the launch of a new competing app called Edits.
➂ Edits is a free video editing app with various features including text insertion, captioning, audio tracks, stickers, special effects, and more.
January 20
- Microsoft to bring six staple Xbox games to the Nintendo Switch 2, says insider
➀ An insider has revealed that several Microsoft-owned games, including Call of Duty, Fallout, and Diablo IV, are set to be released on the Nintendo Switch 2.
➁ Microsoft is rumored to bring six of its games over to the Nintendo Switch 2, according to an insider who outlined each of the rumored titles in a new YouTube video.
➂ Microsoft has been working to break down platform exclusivity barriers and has already started releasing once-Xbox-exclusive titles on competing platforms.
- European regulators put X in its sights with demands to turn over its algorithm
➀ European regulators have issued new orders requiring X to provide its recommendation algorithm for assessment to determine if it breaches any EU laws.
➁ The EU has demanded X provide it with internal documentation on the recommendation systems used across the website to serve users' content.
➂ The European Commission has requested X provide it with any documentation on recent changes to the content recommendation system and any planned changes between now and the end of 2025.
- RuneScape players rally against Jagex over egregious membership changes
➀ RuneScape players are protesting against Jagex after a survey suggested the introduction of ads and microtransactions in the game.
➁ The survey also proposed more expensive membership tiers with various new features.
➂ Players reacted strongly, leading to in-game riots, canceled memberships, and negative reviews on Steam.
- GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition unboxing - a thing of beauty
➀ NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090, set to launch on January 30, is expected to be the most powerful gaming GPU.
➁ The Founders Edition model features a new double flow-through thermal design, a smaller custom PCB, and a 575W power rating.
➂ The design is sleek, stylish, minimal, and unique, making it stand out among other GPUs.
- Grand Theft Auto 6 to release at new price that will make all games more expensive
➀ Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to break sales records upon its release.
➁ Industry experts anticipate Rockstar/TakeTwo Interactive to increase the price of GTA VI.
➂ The price increase might lead to an industry-wide adjustment in game pricing standards.
- Elon Musk confirms he cheated to become a top player in Path of Exile 2 and Diablo IV
➀ Elon Musk admitted to cheating to become a top-ranked player in both Path of Exile 2 and Diablo IV.
➁ Private messages between Musk and a YouTuber revealed his cheating methods.
➂ The legitimacy of Musk's rankings in both games is now questioned due to his admission of account sharing.
- TikTok is officially back after Trump drops the hammer on the ban in new response
➀ TikTok was officially banned by the US government.
➁ The ban was lifted after President Trump intervened.
➂ TikTok is now back and available to Americans again.
- NVIDIA and TSMC working on new opportunities for robotics and autonomous vehicles
➀ NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is collaborating with TSMC on robotics and autonomous vehicle development.
➁ NVIDIA's upcoming Jetson Thor SoC and Project GROOT robot are part of this collaboration.
➂ The collaboration includes a joint silicon photonics research project between NVIDIA and TSMC.
- Here's how to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25 unveiling, Galaxy S25 Slim tease
➀ Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 will introduce the Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25, S25+, and tease the Galaxy S25 Slim.
➁ The event may also reveal new AR glasses or an XR headset.
➂ Samsung will use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and Micron LPDDR5 memory in the S25 series, excluding its own components.
- US TikTok ban has a surprising side effect, as Marvel Snap card game is taken down with it➀ Marvel Snap is temporarily unavailable in the US due to the TikTok ban; ➁ Developed by Second Dinner and published by Nuverse, owned by ByteDance; ➂ The developer is working to resolve the issue and promises an update soon.