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Articles by Saptam Modak
Anthropic IPO: $70-$78 a share, up to $1.4 trillion valuation
Anthropic has set the terms for the most anticipated listing in AI. In an updated IPO filing on Tuesday, the Claude-maker said it plans to offer 825 million Class A shares at $70 to $78 each, according to TechCrunch, raising up to $64.35 billion and valuing the company at as much as $1.404 trillion on a fully diluted basis.
Apple Intelligence usage packs cost $49.99: what to know
Apple has started charging for extra AI usage. The company has updated Logic Pro with a “Buy More Usage” option - a one-time $49.99 purchase it calls an Intelligence Usage Pack - making the music app the first to put a meter on Apple Intelligence features, as The Verge reports. If you use Logic Pro’s built-in AI assistant to start a song from a prompt, set up a vocal track or refine a project, you now have a monthly allowance.
Fireworks AI admits a second breach, and this one reached customer models and billing data
Fireworks AI, the Nvidia-backed startup whose platform runs open-source models for other companies, has disclosed a second security breach in as many months - and this time the attackers got further. In an updated security bulletin, the company says intruders accessed billing information and, for a limited set of customers, subsets of incomplete model weights and datasets.
Claude Code's 'don't ask again' option is leaking passwords all over GitHub
A convenience feature in Anthropic’s Claude Code is quietly spilling developers’ secrets onto public GitHub, security researchers have found. Passwords, API tokens and even root logins are sitting in plain sight inside the tool’s own settings files, according to research by Apiiro, a software security firm. The culprit is a file called .claude/settings.local.json.
Google DeepMind's AI has mathematically proven Signal's encryption code works
Google DeepMind says its researchers have used AI agents to mathematically prove that the code behind the Signal encryption protocol does what it promises, a result long considered a grand challenge in software security. The work, announced in a DeepMind blog post on Monday, marks the first time a widely deployed cryptographic protocol has been formally verified down to the exact code running on people’s devices, by AI or by any other method.
Instagram's AI age checks go global, and millions of teens are about to be moved
Meta is expanding its AI age-estimation technology worldwide, which means Instagram will start hunting for teenagers who signed up with a fake adult birthday and automatically moving them into its restricted Teen Accounts. The company says the rollout will place millions more teens into Teen Account protections, after the tools were first switched on in the US, EU and Brazil last year. The system doesn’t take the birthday on the account at face value.
Australia to launch AI safety regulator after OpenAI agent breached a Medicare portal
Australia will create an AI safety regulator with the power to impose significant penalties, after an OpenAI agent gained unauthorised access to a government Medicare website earlier this year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the move in Canberra on Tuesday, alongside the recommendations of a rapid review into the breach.
Anthropic buys $3.4 billion of gas turbines to power its AI data centres
Anthropic has agreed to spend about $3.4 billion on gas-fired power generators for its data centres, in what is believed to be the largest single purchase of power-generation equipment by a frontier AI lab. The deal, first reported by the Financial Times and struck in late September, secures commitments for 1.7 gigawatts of heavy-duty Caterpillar generators.
Trump says FBI is looking into Nvidia chief Jensen Huang's affair with an alleged Chinese spy
Donald Trump has said the FBI is looking into an affair between Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and a woman US intelligence officials suspect of being a Chinese spy, a revelation that wiped roughly $250 billion off the chipmaker’s value in a single day. Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he had called Huang that morning to ask him directly whether he knew.
Google unveils TPU 8tx and 8i Max, its third and fourth AI chips of the year
Google has added two more AI chips to its lineup, and with them done something it has never managed before: four new TPU systems in a single year. The pair, announced on Monday, are TPU 8tx and TPU 8i Max. They join TPU 8t and TPU 8i, which arrived at Google Cloud Next in April, and round out a family now pitched squarely at the “agentic era” of AI, where software agents rather than people drive the computing load. One for secrets, one for scale Each new chip solves a different headache.
NVIDIA's GR00T 2 lets robots learn new tasks just by watching humans
NVIDIA has a new answer to robotics’ oldest problem: teaching a machine to do something it has never done before. GR00T 2, unveiled this week, learns physical tasks by watching humans, and the numbers behind it are striking. The model is what NVIDIA calls a world-action model. Instead of just mapping instructions to movements, it predicts how a scene will change and works out the actions that get there.
Anthropic launches Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2 ahead of a blockbuster IPO
Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5.2 and Claude Mythos 5.2, its most capable AI models yet, and the timing is hard to ignore. The launch landed on Monday, days before what could be one of the biggest tech IPOs in years. The two names are, in fact, one model. Fable is the version everyone can use, wrapped in cybersecurity and biology safeguards. Mythos is the same system with fuller capabilities, reserved for vetted organisations doing approved security or biomedical research.
Meta's Muse Ember takes on Claude and GPT with a small AI model built for agents
Meta has a new AI model out, and it’s not trying to be the smartest one around. Muse Ember, announced on Monday, is the smallest entry in the company’s Muse family, and it’s aimed squarely at the boring-but-expensive work AI agents chew through all day. The pitch is simple. Most agentic tasks aren’t grand feats of reasoning. They’re tool calls, routing decisions, data extraction, quick code fixes, long documents that need parsing.
Apple releases iOS 27.2.1 with security fixes for Messages, AirPlay and Bluetooth
Apple has released iOS 27.2.1, a minor iPhone software update that addresses several bugs and security vulnerabilities. The release arrived on November 9, just two weeks after iOS 27.2 introduced a wider set of features. Although there are no major new features, this update is worth installing. Apple's security notes reveal fixes for issues affecting iMessage group chats, AirPlay pairing and Bluetooth connections. What Apple has fixed One of the more notable vulnerabilities affected iMessage.
Apple’s early Black Friday sales bring discounts on MacBook Air, Apple Watch and AirPods
Apple’s 2026 Black Friday shopping season is getting underway, with retailers already cutting prices on several popular devices ahead of the main sale on November 27. Early offers include discounts on MacBook Air models, Apple Watch Ultra watches, AirPods, and the second-generation AirTag. According to MacRumors’ November 7 roundup, some of the current offers match record-low prices, giving shoppers an opportunity to save before the main Black Friday event.
Apple cannot say when iPhone Duo supply will catch up with demand
Apple is struggling to keep up with demand for its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, and says it cannot yet predict when supply will return to normal. The company acknowledged the production constraints after the device attracted strong interest following its October launch. Apple’s chief operating officer, Sabih Khan, said production was increasing, but the company was finding it difficult to estimate when supply would meet demand.
Apple may remove the Action button from future iPhones, report claims
Apple could simplify the physical controls on its next-generation iPhones by combining two existing buttons into one, according to a new leak. The reported change would remove the dedicated Action button while keeping its functions available through the Camera Control. The claim comes from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, who posted the information on Weibo.
OpenAI launches GPT-6 Cyber, a specialised AI model for cybersecurity research
OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Cyber, a cybersecurity-focused AI model designed to identify software vulnerabilities and help security researchers develop fixes, while reducing the risk of unauthorised hacking. Announced on November 5, the model is built for authorised security research rather than general chatbot use. OpenAI says it is more capable than its predecessor, GPT-5.6 Cyber, and better at staying within the boundaries set by researchers.
Apple explains how to turn off the glowing logo on its new MacBook Pro
Apple has brought back the illuminated logo on its redesigned MacBook Pro after nearly a decade, but users who prefer a more understated look can switch it off completely. The company has published an official support guide explaining how the feature works and how to disable it. The glowing Apple logo appears on the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, which launched alongside the company's latest hardware updates.
Apple lets App Store apps offer discounts when users try to cancel subscriptions
Apple has launched a new App Store feature that lets developers make a final pitch to subscribers who are trying to cancel. Called Retention Messaging, it allows apps to show messages, images or special offers during the cancellation process. The feature became available to developers on November 4, following its announcement at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year. Apple says the messages are intended to remind subscribers of a service’s value as they decide whether to leave.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake earns a historic 96 on Metacritic
Nintendo’s remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has opened with a Metacritic score of 96, making it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far and placing it among the top-scoring games of all time. According to Forbes contributor Paul Tassi, the remake had reached 96 from 80 reviews as of November 4. That puts it just below the 1998 Nintendo 64 original, which holds a 99 Metascore and remains the highest-rated game on the platform.
Xbox builds a working Series X inside a five-foot alligator for one-off giveaway
Xbox has unveiled an unusual custom console that looks like an alligator has swallowed an Xbox Series X whole — and one fan could win it. The Xbox Series X-BITE is a one-of-a-kind creation measuring more than five feet from snout to tail. A fully functioning Series X is housed inside the fabricated alligator, with an illuminated Xbox logo visible through its body. A custom Xbox Wireless Controller, complete with bite marks, sits between the creature’s jaws.
iOS 27.3 beta brings expanded Siri AI, vertical Safari tabs and a redesigned Health app
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Nov 4, 2026 · 2:14 PM IST Source: Web Apple has begun testing iOS 27.3, introducing a wide set of changes to the iPhone’s software just one day after releasing iOS 27.2. The first developer beta adds more ways to use Siri AI, a redesigned Safari browsing layout and the return of Apple’s updated Health app. The update also includes adjustments for the iPhone Duo, Apple’s foldable device, alongside new Apple Music and Fitness+ features.
Apple may make touchscreen displays standard across premium MacBook Pro models in 2027
Apple could remove most of its non-touchscreen MacBook Pro models from the lineup next year, according to a report based on Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter. If the plan goes ahead, the standard 14-inch MacBook Pro would remain the only non-touch option, while higher-end models would move to touchscreen displays. The reported change would follow Apple’s launch of its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models on 28 October.
The Verge staff reveal the keyboards they actually use every day
The Verge has turned its attention from reviewing keyboards to a more personal question: which ones do its own writers and editors use at work? The resulting staff roundup, published on 31 October, spans ergonomic split keyboards, compact mechanical models, Apple’s Magic Keyboard and highly customised builds. Rather than settling on one “best” keyboard, the collection shows how much the choice depends on a person’s habits, comfort, desk setup and priorities.
Windows 11 Search can now launch Android apps streamed from your phone
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 31, 2026 · 9:53 PM IST Source: Web Microsoft is testing a new way to bring Android apps into Windows 11: users can search for an app from the taskbar and open it on their PC, even though the software is running on a connected phone. The feature was spotted by Windows Latest while testing Windows 11’s new Search experience. Searching for Bluesky on a Surface Laptop displayed the Android app as a “Mobile App” result.
Google’s first orbital data centre satellite is online and writing poetry
Google has successfully run an artificial intelligence model aboard a satellite in orbit and received its response back on Earth, marking an early milestone in its plan to explore data centres in space. The prototype is part of Project Suncatcher, a long-term research effort investigating whether solar-powered satellites could eventually support large AI workloads.
Lenovo Googlebook 15 review: premium hardware held back by unfinished software
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 31, 2026 · 1:08 PM IST Source: Web Lenovo’s Googlebook 15 makes a strong first impression. It pairs a polished, lightweight design with a vivid 120Hz OLED touchscreen, capable Intel hardware and useful links to Android phones. But in Engadget’s review, the laptop’s biggest weakness is not its build quality or performance — it is Googlebook OS, which still feels like a work in progress.
Android 16 leads the platform, while Android 17 remains on just 1% of devices
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 31, 2026 · 9:10 AM IST Source: Web Android 16 is now the most widely used version of Google’s mobile operating system, but the latest distribution figures underline how fragmented the Android ecosystem remains. Data for October 2026 puts Android 16 at 25.4% of active devices, while Android 17 has reached only 1% roughly four months after its release.
iOS 27.2 brings two useful FaceTime upgrades to iPhone
Apple’s iOS 27.2 update expands FaceTime with two features that make video calls more flexible and accessible. Dual Capture now works during Group FaceTime calls, while users can bring a third-party sign language interpreter or live captioner into a conversation.
Microsoft offers direct Windows 11 26H2 upgrade through KB5121794 enablement package
Microsoft is making it easier for eligible Windows 11 users to move to version 26H2 with KB5121794, a small enablement package that activates the operating system's latest feature update without requiring a lengthy Windows installation. The package is available through the Microsoft Update Catalog, including the x64 installer linked here.
Apple adapts macOS controls for touch without abandoning its desktop design
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 30, 2026 · 1:31 PM IST Source: Web Apple is taking a measured approach to bringing touchscreen support to the Mac, making selected macOS controls easier to use with fingers rather than redesigning the entire operating system. The changes accompany the company's first touchscreen MacBook Pro, announced on 28 October, and show how Apple intends to combine touch input with the traditional keyboard-and-trackpad experience.
Apple explains why its new OLED iPad mini still has a 60Hz display
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 30, 2026 · 10:47 AM IST Source: Web Apple has defended its decision to leave ProMotion out of the redesigned iPad mini, despite introducing an OLED display in its latest compact tablet. The device is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, a specification that may disappoint buyers expecting the smoother scrolling and animations found on higher-end iPads.
Instagram’s Adam Mosseri warns backlash against AI will get worse
Instagram head Adam Mosseri expects growing anger towards artificial intelligence to become a bigger problem for technology companies, as concerns over creative ownership, job displacement and online authenticity spread beyond the tech industry. Speaking on the Colin and Samir podcast, Mosseri said frustration with AI was likely to increase over the next couple of years.
Apple’s touchscreen MacBook Pro can cost $14,549 with every upgrade
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 29, 2026 · 11:05 AM IST Source: Web Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro has arrived with a price tag that pushes the company’s premium laptop strategy to a new extreme. While the new 14-inch model starts at $2,899 in the US, selecting the highest-end components for the 16-inch version can raise the total to $14,549.
Vivo X500 Pro Max targets mobile filmmakers with advanced stabilisation and 200MP zoom
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 28, 2026 · 6:21 PM IST Source: Web Vivo is sharpening its focus on mobile videography with the X500 Pro Max, a flagship smartphone that combines a 200-megapixel telephoto camera, advanced optical stabilisation and professional video tools. In a new hands-on report, Engadget found that the phone captures exceptionally smooth footage, although software clutter and aggressive image processing remain notable drawbacks.
Super Mouse puts a touchscreen macro pad inside a $199 computer mouse
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 28, 2026 · 10:44 AM IST Source: Web Arctic Fox Technologies has unveiled the Super Mouse, an unusual computer peripheral that combines a conventional mouse with a touchscreen for app shortcuts, programmable macros and productivity tools. The device is now available to backers through Kickstarter, offering a different approach to users who want faster access to software controls without adding another accessory to their desks.
Gizmodo’s 2026 holiday tech gift guide highlights gadgets under $100
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 27, 2026 · 5:39 PM IST Source: Web Gizmodo has published its 2026 holiday tech gift guide for shoppers looking to buy useful gadgets without spending more than $100, featuring everything from wireless earbuds and portable keyboards to compact music players and smart-home accessories. Published on 24 October, the guide arrives as retailers and technology publishers begin their holiday shopping coverage.
Apple releases watchOS 27.2 with smarter Siri, more languages and security fixes
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 27, 2026 · 4:28 PM IST Source: Web Apple has released watchOS 27.2, bringing expanded Siri AI capabilities, support for additional languages and security updates to compatible Apple Watch models. The update arrived on 26 October alongside new software versions for several other Apple devices.
Apple’s M6 iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro could arrive this week
Apple is reportedly preparing to update two of its Mac computers with its latest M6 processor, with a refreshed 24-inch iMac and an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro expected to be announced on 28 October. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, cited by MacRumors, both machines are nearing launch as part of Apple’s late-October product rollout. The upgrades are expected to focus on processing power rather than a major redesign, leaving the familiar appearance of both computers largely unchanged.
Google’s $180 Fitbit Edge review highlights the limits of its smartwatch-like fitness tracker
Google’s new Fitbit Edge is arriving in stores with a bigger screen, extensive health tracking and a closer connection to the company’s AI-powered Google Health platform. But early reviews suggest the $179.99 wearable occupies an awkward middle ground between a traditional fitness band and a full-fledged smartwatch. The device begins shipping on 27 October, following its announcement earlier this month.
Samsung’s Exynos 2700 reportedly beats flagship Snapdragon chip by up to 20%
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 26, 2026 · 3:59 PM IST Source: Web Samsung’s next flagship smartphone processor could challenge Qualcomm’s dominance in high-end Android phones. New reports from South Korea claim the upcoming Exynos 2700 outperformed Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 in several internal CPU and graphics tests.
Apple’s touchscreen MacBook Pro could mark its biggest laptop shift in years
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 26, 2026 · 2:03 PM IST Source: Web Apple is preparing to bring touchscreen technology to the MacBook Pro, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, with the company expected to reveal redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch models at its 28 October “Pro and tell” event in Los Angeles. The move would represent a significant change for Apple, which has long kept direct touch input on the iPad rather than its Mac laptops.
Phantom Blade Zero reviews praise its spectacular combat but criticise its design
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 26, 2026 · 9:16 AM IST Source: Web S-Game’s long-awaited action game Phantom Blade Zero is earning strong early praise for its cinematic sword fights and distinctive martial-arts style, but the first reviews suggest that its visual ambition is not matched by every part of its design.
iPhone Duo screen cracks may be linked to a failing hinge component
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is facing early questions over screen durability, with a teardown of a damaged device suggesting that a small component inside its hinge could be responsible for some of the reported failures. The suspected fault emerged after owners began sharing images of cracked inner displays shortly after the iPhone Duo went on sale on 23 October.
Reddit’s r/opensource bans AI projects and non-English submissions, sparking backlash
A Reddit community dedicated to open-source software has introduced controversial rules banning AI-related projects and effectively excluding contributors who cannot communicate in English. The changes at r/opensource have drawn criticism from developers who say the restrictions are too broad and could undermine the community’s goal of sharing and discussing open-source software.
Cancelled Mass Effect 5 reportedly planned a spy-inspired RPG with greater player freedom
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 25, 2026 · 4:24 PM IST Source: Web New details about BioWare’s cancelled Mass Effect 5 suggest the studio was exploring a more flexible, espionage-inspired role-playing game, with a customisable N7 operative, missions offering multiple solutions, and a story designed to preserve the legacy of Commander Shepard. The information was shared by YouTuber Dantics, who says he served on a “Mass Effect Council” intended to advise BioWare during development.
Google updates privacy policy to allow connected Gmail and Photos data to influence ads
Google has revised its privacy policy to clarify that information drawn from users’ Gmail, Google Photos and Google Drive accounts may influence personalised advertising when they choose to connect those services to other Google products. The change introduces an important qualification to the company’s longstanding promise not to personalise ads using content stored in those apps. The updated policy took effect on 16 October 2026.
Apple’s iPhone Duo fails JerryRigEverything durability test as dust jams hinge and damages display
In a video published on 24 October, creator Zack Nelson subjected the iPhone Duo to scratch, dust, and bending tests. The device’s outer display held up relatively well, but dust interfered with its folding mechanism and forceful bending left the inner screen permanently damaged. The results come just one day after the phone went on sale.
Apple releases iPhone Duo repair manuals, but genuine replacement parts are not ready yet
By Saptam Modak 4 min read·Published on Oct 24, 2026 · 7:55 PM IST Source: Web Apple has released official do-it-yourself repair manuals for the iPhone Duo, giving independent technicians and technically experienced owners step-by-step instructions for replacing individual components in the company's first foldable smartphone.
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