Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning:
AI continues to be a dominant force in tech news, with ongoing discussions around its integration into various products and its societal impact. Meta is reportedly planning significant layoffs as AI costs increase. There are also concerns about the potential misuse of AI, with a new Amazon Health AI Chatbot raising questions and studies showing that many chatbots could help plan violence. Conversely, Microsoft is warning about hackers using AI to supercharge cyberattacks, automating phishing and malware development. Anthropic’s models may now include interactive charts. Some reports indicate that companies like Atlassian are shedding staff, citing AI as a reason for “reshaping their skill mix”.
Cybersecurity and Privacy:
Cybersecurity remains a critical topic. Google has rushed a Chrome update to fix two zero-day vulnerabilities that are already being exploited, bringing the total actively exploited bugs in 2026 to three. There are reports of credential-stealing crews spoofing VPN clients from major companies like Cisco and Fortinet. Iran is also reportedly plotting “infrastructure warfare” against US tech giants, with state news publishing a list of potential targets. Additionally, an Iran-linked cyber crew claims to have hit a US med-tech firm. Account recovery is becoming a major source of workforce identity breaches.
Big Tech Company Updates:
- Google: Beyond the Chrome security update, Google is testing a new certificate architecture in Chrome to protect HTTPS and TLS connections from future quantum computing threats. There are also reports of users protesting as Google Antigravity prices float upward.
- Microsoft: Microsoft is shipping weekly VS Code updates, adding an “Autopilot” mode that allows AI to operate without constant user intervention. The company is also reportedly adding an Xbox mode to Windows 11, even the Professional edition. Microsoft veteran Rajesh Jha is preparing to retire, triggering another reorg.
- Apple: Apple is accelerating its unified silicon strategy.
- Meta: Besides the reported layoffs due to increasing AI costs, Meta has revealed four Broadcom-built custom AI chips, claiming some outperform commercial silicon. Mark Zuckerberg is also set to defend Meta’s youth strategy at an addiction trial.
- AT&T: AT&T is simplifying its wireless plans, adding more data, and mostly lowering prices.
Consumer Technology and Gadgets:
- Starlink: Starlink satellites are moving into lower orbits for better signal.
- AI Glasses: Shipments of AI glasses soared by 322% in 2025, reaching 8.7 million units, driven by advancements in multimodal AI and lighter designs.
- Streaming Services: Ad-free Amazon Prime Video is getting a price bump and rebrand in the US. Disney+ has re-added Dolby Vision HDR for European viewers after a patent dispute.
- TVs: LG is adding support for Samsung’s new Dolby Atmos rival to some of its TVs. TCL can no longer call some of its TVs “QLED” after losing a court case to Samsung.
- Audio: Bose QC Ultra Headphones users are reporting issues with a new firmware update. JBL has unveiled new headphones and an AI party speaker. Spotify’s new Taste Profile feature allows users to steer the algorithm.
- Gaming: Microsoft is adding an Xbox mode to Windows 11.
- Smartwatches: Instructions are available on how to get 49 Pokémon watch faces on Garmin watches for free.