179886790
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Mozilla is testing a new Firefox feature that delivers direct results inside the address bar instead of forcing users through a search results page. The company says the feature will use a privacy framework called Oblivious HTTP, encrypting queries so that no single party can see both what you type and who you are. Some results could be sponsored, but Mozilla insists neither it nor advertisers will know user identities. The system is starting in the U.S. and may expand later if performance and privacy benchmarks are met.
Honestly, itâ(TM)s about time Firefox tried something bold again. The browser has been falling behind for years while Chrome and Safari dominate, and now OpenAIâ(TM)s Atlas browser is stealing headlines in beta. If Mozilla can pull this off, it might prove that Firefox still has life left â" not just as the âoeprivacy browser,â but as a serious innovator in the post-Google search era.
179858230
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Microsoftâ(TM)s latest Copilot Fall Release gives its AI assistant a face, and that face is Mico â" a glowing blob that blinks, changes colors, and tries to look friendly. Microsoft says Mico makes AI feel more âoehuman-centered,â but its wide-eyed, vacant design has already raised eyebrows. It looks approachable to the point of emptiness, like a cartoon meant to reassure users that itâ(TM)s harmless. The update pushes Copilot further into personal and creative spaces, with new features like memory recall, voice tutoring, and even health guidance powered by vetted medical sources.
Beyond the new face, Copilot now links with services like Gmail, Google Drive, and OneDrive, and introduces a social mode called Groups for collaborative chat sessions. The Windows 11 and Edge integrations make Copilot more omnipresent than ever, even offering voice-activated controls with âoeHey Copilot.â Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman insists the goal is to make technology âoeserve people,â but Micoâ(TM)s oddly blank stare may have people wondering if the company overcorrected in its quest to make AI look less intimidating.
179851934
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Centercode has launched Centercode Labs, a free online library of lightweight web apps designed to make product development a little more useful and a little more fun. Born from an internal engineering hackathon, the project delivers quick, browser-based tools for product managers and developers, with new releases arriving weekly. The debut lineup includes Beta Broadcaster for crafting polished beta announcements, Ice Breaker for warming up meetings, and Backlog Blitz, a tongue-in-cheek arcade game about surviving sprint chaos.
The company, best known for its enterprise beta testing software, says Labs is meant to share decades of testing insight through quick, creative experiments. Each app is open to anyone and reflects Centercodeâ(TM)s take on how AI, prototyping, and play can drive better collaboration. The collection is live now at labs.centercode.com.
179830822
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
GIMP has officially launched its own Snap package for Linux, finally taking over from the community-maintained Snapcrafters project. The move means all future GIMP releases will now be built directly from the teamâ(TM)s CI pipeline, ensuring faster, more consistent updates across distributions. The developers also introduced a new âoegimp-pluginsâ interface to support external plugins while maintaining Snapâ(TM)s security confinement, with GMIC and OpenVINO already supported.
This marks another major step in GIMPâ(TM)s cross-platform packaging efforts, joining Flatpak and MSIX distribution options. The first officially maintained version, GIMP 3.0.6, is available now on the âoelatest/stableâ Snap channel, with preview builds rolling out for testers.
179807174
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
The United States Mint is honoring Steve Jobs and Apple with a new coin for 2026. Part of the American Innovation $1 Coin Program, Californiaâ(TM)s entry depicts a young Jobs seated before rolling northern California hills, accompanied by the words âoeMake Something Wonderful.â The reflective design, created by Elana Hagler and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, captures how Jobsâ(TM)s surroundings and vision shaped Appleâ(TM)s mission to make technology feel intuitive and human.
The 2026 series also celebrates Dr. Norman Borlaug for Iowa, the Cray-1 supercomputer for Wisconsin, and mobile refrigeration for Minnesota. The obverse of all coins features the Statue of Liberty and a special âoe250â Liberty Bell mark commemorating the nationâ(TM)s Semiquincentennial. The Steve Jobs coin stands out as one of the few times the U.S. Mint has recognized a modern tech innovator, and some collectors are already calling it one of the most exciting releases in years.
179806986
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
A new iHeartMedia study called âoeThe Human Consumerâ reveals that Americans are growing weary of AI and craving authenticity. The report, released at AudioCon 2025 in New York, found that 82 percent of respondents worry about AIâ(TM)s impact on society and 9 in 10 say itâ(TM)s important to know their media was created by a real person. While nearly everyone uses social media, most say it leaves them feeling worse. Many even admit theyâ(TM)d rather ditch their smartphones entirely as trust in algorithms and online information continues to collapse.
The study highlights a growing disconnect between technology and human emotion. Parents report their kids are glued to screens yet struggle to form real-world connections, while adults are losing faith in the very media they consume. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman says the findings show that people are seeking meaning over convenience, turning to radio, live events, and human storytelling for something AI cannot offer⦠genuine connection.
179780974
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
NordVPN has open sourced its Linux GUI on GitHub, giving the community full access to the code behind its graphical client. The move follows a 70 percent surge in daily active Linux users since the GUIâ(TM)s debut earlier this year, showing clear demand for a user friendly VPN experience on the platform. Alongside the previously open sourced command line tool, the GUI codebase is now available for anyone to audit, modify, and contribute to.
While NordVPNâ(TM)s core backend infrastructure remains proprietary, the company says the open source release reflects its commitment to transparency and collaboration with the Linux community. The GUI can also now be installed with a single command using Snap, simplifying setup and ensuring automatic updates across distributions.
179767854
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
TP-Link has officially achieved the first successful Wi-Fi 8 connection using a prototype device built through an industry collaboration. The company confirmed that both the beacon and data throughput worked, marking a real-world validation of next-generation wireless tech. Itâ(TM)s an early glimpse of what the next leap in speed and reliability could look like, even as the Wi-Fi 8 standard itself remains under development.
But many are asking whether we need Wi-Fi 8 at all right now. Wi-Fi 7 already delivers incredibly fast and stable connections, and most people still havenâ(TM)t upgraded from older routers. The tech world may be charging ahead faster than consumers can keep up, pushing new standards before the previous ones even have time to settle in.
179767768
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
A new Elevate study warns that artificial intelligence could replace nearly 30 percent of jobs worldwide by 2030, with clerical roles facing the highest risk. Data entry clerks, telemarketers, and cashiers top the list, each facing over 90 percent automation likelihood according to GPT-5 risk estimates. Even legal assistants and administrative staff may not be safe as AI continues to master document drafting, billing, and customer service with increasing precision and speed.
Not all jobs are equally threatened, however. The study found creative and human-driven fields such as public relations, interior design, and law remain relatively safe for now, with automation risk under 35 percent. The reportâ(TM)s author said businesses need to focus on reskilling workers before automation outpaces adaptation, warning that the clock is ticking fast.
179743746
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
A new report from Wysa reveals that loneliness is taking a serious toll on both mind and body. Nearly one in three Americans say they often or always feel lonely, with those individuals far more likely to experience depression, pain, fatigue, and insomnia. The data shows loneliness isnâ(TM)t limited to those who live alone, as many young adults and people living with parents or roommates report the same feelings of isolation. Wysa calls it a clinical crisis hiding in plain sight.
The company believes artificial intelligence can help. Its AI-guided mental health platform offers support between therapy sessions, allowing clinicians to track emotional health in real time while keeping human contact at the center of care. The report suggests AI might not cure loneliness, but it could help people feel less invisible in a world thatâ(TM)s increasingly disconnected.
179716168
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
IDC says global PC shipments jumped 9.4 percent in Q3 2025, reaching nearly 76 million units. Asia and Japan led the growth thanks to school projects and corporate refreshes tied to Windows 10â(TM)s end of support. North America was the weak link, with tariffs and economic unease keeping buyers on the sidelines even as aging fleets strain under Windows 11 pressure.
Lenovo kept its top spot with 25.5 percent market share, followed by HP at 19.8 and Dell at 13.3. Apple and ASUS both posted double-digit growth. IDCâ(TM)s takeaway is clear: the PC market is not surging on flashy new features, it is being pulled forward by deadlines, old batteries, and the reality that five-year-old laptops do not cut it anymore.
179696732
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Micro Center and iFixit have announced a partnership that combines the DIY repair giantâ(TM)s guides, parts, and toolkits with Micro Centerâ(TM)s nationwide chain of computer and electronics stores. Customers browsing iFixit online can now find local Micro Center locations through a built-in locator and even stop in for a free consultation with a certified technician. Inside stores, shoppers will see iFixit toolkits and parts on shelves, while Micro Centerâ(TM)s in-house technicians begin using iFixitâ(TM)s gear for professional repairs.
Both companies frame the collaboration as a win for the Right to Repair movement, with Micro Center COO Brad Kramer saying the deal extends the companyâ(TM)s long tradition of supporting tech enthusiasts and builders. iFixitâ(TM)s VP of Partnerships Matt Zieminski added that âoeownership means having the freedom to decide what happens when something breaks,â and now consumers can choose between expert service or the tools to do it themselves.
179695294
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Surfshark has rolled out the worldâ(TM)s first 100Gbps VPN servers, starting in Amsterdam. The company says the move is designed to prevent VPN services from becoming a bottleneck as internet speeds continue to rise and more devices demand higher capacity for streaming, gaming, and software updates. Surfshark CTO Donatas Budvytis noted that âoewith 10 times the headroom of 10Gbps, we can reduce congestion and maintain consistent speeds, even during high traffic spikes,â adding that the upgrade is also about preparing for future tech like AR glasses and VR headsets.
By choosing Amsterdam, Surfshark is tapping into AMS-IX, one of the worldâ(TM)s largest internet exchanges, handling more than 14 trillion bits per second. The company says the new servers enable faster encryption on modern CPUs, better load distribution, and reduced need for throttling, which should give customers more consistent performance closer to their ISPâ(TM)s maximum speeds. Surfshark users wonâ(TM)t need to pay extra for the upgrade, with the new infrastructure coming online as part of the standard subscription.
179679572
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Canonical has revealed the codename for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: Resolute Raccoon. The announcement came today on X through the official @ubuntu account, continuing the tradition of pairing an adjective with an animal for each release. As an LTS version, it will be supported for five years and serve as the foundation for servers, desktops, and cloud deployments when it launches in April 2026.
While the name itself is now public, the features of Ubuntu 26.04 remain under wraps. The community will be watching closely to see which kernel it ships with, how GNOME evolves, and what improvements land for enterprise and container use. For now, fans simply have a raccoon mascot to rally around as the countdown to April begins.
179669204
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
OpenAIâ(TM)s Sora 2 has impressed many with its ability to generate realistic video, but not every use case is worth celebrating. While experiments with intellectual property or fictional characters can be harmless, users have started generating clips of Martin Luther King Jr. in absurd and tasteless scenarios like breakdancing, taking paternity tests, and mocking his famous âoeI Have a Dreamâ speech.
The result is content that feels less like playful experimentation and more like disrespect toward one of the most important civil rights leaders in history. Critics argue OpenAI must act quickly to put guardrails in place before Sora 2 becomes better known for degrading cultural icons than for its technical potential.
