Technology
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University of Minnesota Duo Named to 2025 NAI Fellows Class, Signaling a New Era of Tech Innovation
in TechnologyTwo University of Minnesota engineers have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for 2025, a prestigious honor reserved for leading inventors turning ideas into real-world impact. The duo spans robotics, intelligent transportation, energy harvesting, and advanced materials—marking a bold cross‑disciplinary moment in innovation. Their selection highlights a wave of transformative research pushing…
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Liquid Glass Divides iPhone Users After iOS 26 Update
in TechnologyiPhone users are buzzing about iOS 26, unveiling a bold Liquid Glass look and a wave of smarter features that are sparking mixed reactions. With 26.1 already in broad use and 26.2 on the horizon—promising reminders, offline lyrics, and tweaks to AirDrop and CarPlay—the debate over Apple’s latest direction is far from settled.
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Disney-OpenAI Pact Signals a New AI-Driven Entertainment Era
in AIDisney’s landmark OpenAI collaboration signals a bold shift in storytelling, tapping AI to reimagine iconic franchises. As the pre- and post-AI era unfolds, a wave of inventive experiments could reshape how we connect with beloved characters and experience entertainment.
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iOS 26.2 Update Brings Sleek UI, Sleep Scores, and Smarter Podcasts
in TechnologyiOS 26.2 brings a sleek “Liquid Glass” polish, smarter sleep scoring tied to Apple Watch, and smarter Podcasts with automatic chapters. It also tightens AirDrop privacy, adds full-screen reminders, News shortcuts, and expanded Live Translation for AirPods in the EU — a thoughtful mix of polish and practical upgrades for daily iPhone use.
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Prime Video’s Fallout AI Recap Sparks Backlash Over Inaccuracies
in AIAn AI-generated recap of a popular series has sparked backlash for misrepresenting the story and characters. As studios lean into automation, fans and creators debate where quality ends and cost-cutting begins. A hot topic in the evolving AI-in-media conversation.
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Rivian Signals Bold Self-Driving Push at Autonomy Day
in AIRivian lays out a bold autonomy blueprint, pairing lidar-driven sensing with custom silicon to push its EVs toward higher-level self-driving. The roadmap hints at hands-free driving in cities and even rideshare ambitions, with early implementations teased for 2026. A move that could reshape how we think about mobility.
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Rivian Aims for Level 4 Autonomy With In-House Chip and Lidar in R2
in AIRivian unveils a bold autonomy roadmap for the upcoming R2, including lidar integration, an in-house AI compute chip, and a voice-enabled Rivian Assistant. The moves hint at Level 4 capabilities and a new era of smarter, more capable EVs that could shake up the competition.
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Disney inks $1B OpenAI deal to power AI-generated video with iconic characters
in AIA landmark billion-dollar partnership between Disney and OpenAI could redefine entertainment with AI-generated visuals of beloved characters. As licensing and copyright questions loom, this collaboration hints at a bold, responsible future for storytelling with generative AI.
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iOS 26.2 Teaser: AI-Powered Upgrades and Live Translation Coming to iPhone
in TechnologyiOS 26.2 is on the horizon, bringing a sleeker look and AI-powered tools that could redefine your iPhone experience. From smarter translations to a refreshed interface, here’s a glimpse of what this update might bring—and what it could mean for your device.
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Apple’s iOS 26.2 Rollout: What to Expect for Your iPhone
in TechnologyiOS 26.2 is edging closer, promising better battery life and refined sleep tracking. The update also targets lingering Liquid Glass quirks and brings tweaks to several built-in apps. It could mark a new chapter in the Apple experience, subtly reshaping daily iPhone use.
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Could AI Win Time’s 2025 Person of the Year?
in AICould the 2025 Person of the Year be more idea than individual? As artificial intelligence climbs to the top of the contenders, a heated conversation about power, ethics, and our daily lives takes center stage. From tech visionaries to nonhuman contenders, the race signals a turning point in what we celebrate—and what it means for…
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Alphabet Bets on Full-Stack AI to Drive Growth
in AIAlphabet is turning AI into a full-stack platform, from chips and models to enterprise tools. With Gemini powering smarter search, AI-driven ads, and a booming cloud business, the company hints at a long-term growth path built on AI across the entire stack.
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McDonald’s AI Christmas Ad Sparks Backlash in the Netherlands
in AIAI-generated ads are turning heads for all the wrong reasons. A 45-second Christmas spot for McDonald’s Netherlands, crafted with AI and TBWA/Neboko, sparked a firestorm of criticism and was pulled after the backlash. The clash between high-tech experimentation and traditional craft is fueling a heated debate about the future of advertising.
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Andrew Scott Leads Scotland’s World-First Tidal-Battery-Hydrogen Project
in TechnologyAndrew Scott trades the spotlight for a frontline role in a Scottish renewable breakthrough. In Orkney, a world-first project blends tidal energy with storage and green hydrogen, signaling a bold path toward a reliable decarbonized future.
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Disney+ Kicks Off 12 Days of Perks for Subscribers This Holiday Season
in TechnologyThis December, Disney+ rolls out a parade of daily perks that stick around into January. Expect new surprises, sweet savings, and chances to win big—all designed to brighten the season for subscribers.
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AI 2025: The Year of Hallucinations, Faked Facts and Corporate Flops
in AI2025 tested AI’s promise with a string of high-profile missteps and surprising misfires. From baffling hallucinations to products that underwhelmed, the year underscored how far AI still has to go. A concise, cautionary snapshot of the year’s lessons for technology and trust as we move forward.
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Pixel December 2025 Update: Android 16 QPR2 Brings Major Security Fixes and Battery Improvements
in TechnologyDecember 2025 brings a major Pixel update with essential bug fixes and security patches across the lineup. From charging behavior and battery indicators to display, camera, and overall system stability, this rollout aims to make everyday use faster, safer, and smoother.
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Android Package Installer Gets Material 3 Makeover in Android 16 QPR2
in TechnologyAndroid’s Package Installer gets a Material 3 Expressive makeover with the Android 16 QPR2 update. The install dialog now centers the app name and icon, adopts new primary/secondary button styles, and adds a linear progress indicator. The sideloading permission prompt remains in the old design, a small holdout in the update.
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Cynthia Nixon Returns to Broadway in Marjorie Prime: Where Grief Meets AI
in AICynthia Nixon returns to Broadway in Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime, a provocative meditation on memory, loss, and the ethics of artificial intelligence. With a powerhouse cast and bold direction, the play explores how technology reshapes what we cling to—and what we must finally let go.
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Meta Eyes 30% Metaverse Budget Cut Amid AI Push
in TechnologyMeta is rethinking its big bet on the metaverse as it tightens its 2026 plan. With potential cuts and even layoffs on the table, the company is zeroing in on AI and a leaner, faster strategy. What this pivot means for its ambitious projects and future growth is shaping up to be a pivotal story.
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MrBeast Launches Beast Mobile: A Creator-Backed MVNO Arriving in 2025
in TechnologyOne of the internet’s biggest personalities is stepping into a new arena with a bold mobile venture. Expect affordable plans, fan-focused perks, and a fintech twist aimed at a younger audience—hinting at a future where entertainment and everyday connectivity collide.