Apple LEAKS: Info on 9 Products including MacBook SE, M5 Max, Apple TV and MORE...

 

Hold onto your wallets, tech fans. The rumor mill is churning out a delicious forecast for early 2026, suggesting Apple is preparing a veritable tsunami of nine new products before summer even hits. According to reliable sources, this could mean a busy season of virtual events or a flurry of press releases, with at least one major showcase expected before WWDC 2026 kicks off.

Let’s dive into the potential lineup that’s got the Apple sphere buzzing.

The Mac Attack: M5 Power and a Budget Surprise

The computing core of this refresh starts with the MacBook Air. Expect the familiar, sleek design (unchanged since the M2 era) to house the new M5 chip. The best news? The starting price is expected to hold firm at $999. Want a pro-level boost? The MacBook Pro (14” and 16”) is also slated for an M5 Pro/Max upgrade, with rumors pointing to a 50-55% graphics performance jump over the M4 generation. A word to the wise: if you’re holding out for an OLED MacBook Pro, this might not be your year, as this is expected to be the last iteration of the current mini-LED design.

Now for the wildcard: Apple’s long-rumored budget MacBook. Codenames like MacBook SE or MacBook Mini are floating around, but the real shocker is the chip. Insiders suggest it could be powered by an A18 or A18 Pro chip, which—don’t scoff—reportedly rivals the original M1 in multi-core tasks. Housed in a recycled (but refined) chassis, perhaps from the 2018-2020 MacBook Air era, this laptop could be a game-changer with a target price between $599 and $699.

iPad Refresh: Power for the People and the Pros

The tablet lineup is getting love, too. The entry-level iPad is tipped to get the standard A18 chip (from the iPhone 16) paired with 8GB RAM, making it a competent hub for Apple Intelligence and daily tasks, all starting at its familiar $329 price point.

For more power users, the iPad Air is the one to watch. It’s expected to get the M4 chip, and whispers of an OLED display upgrade are growing louder. If the OLED materializes, expect a price bump, but it would cement the Air as a serious contender against the Pro.

Home Hub & Accessory Updates: Filling Out the Ecosystem

After a long wait, the Apple TV is finally due for a refresh, likely centered on an A17 Pro chip to power future Apple Intelligence features and possibly new audio/video passthrough capabilities. Similarly, the beloved HomePod mini is in line for an internal chip update, likely an S-series chip from a recent Apple Watch.

The bigger news for your smart home? Apple may finally introduce its own HomePad—a screen-equipped smart display to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub.

And for those constantly losing their keys, AirTag 2 is allegedly on the horizon. The biggest upgrade would be to a newer Ultra Wideband chip (UWB 2 or 3) for more precise tracking, alongside potential physical tweaks to secure the speaker.

The Bottom Line

With a potential budget MacBook, powerful M5 silicon, and key updates across its ecosystem, Apple’s first half of 2026 is shaping up to be a strategic mix of evolutionary updates and surprising, accessible new entries. Whether you’re a pro user, a student on a budget, or someone building a smarter home, there seems to be something in the pipeline.

As with all rumors, timelines and specs are subject to change. But one thing is clear: the early months of 2026 could be very busy—and very exciting—for Apple fans.

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Author: Dalton Kline
Tech News CITY // Silicon Valley Newsroom

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A MASSIVE Week for AI — Google, Microsoft, Meta, xAI, and OpenAI - All With BIG Announcements...

Every now and then the tech world syncs up and says, “You know what? Let’s drop everything all at the same time.” This was that week. AI didn’t just move fast — it spun, teleported, and occasionally Tokyo-Drifted straight into our faces.

Google unleashed Gemini 3, Nano Banana Pro, and a brand-new agentic IDE. Microsoft rolled into town with 70+ Ignite announcements, Meta hit us with SAM 3 and SAM 3D, xAI dropped Grok 4.1, and OpenAI… well… they dropped a truly stupid number of updates, including a new frontier coding model and GPT group chats.

Let’s break down the most chaotic AI news cycle we’ve had this year — minus the fluff, plus the facts, and seasoned with just enough tech-reporter side-eye to stay honest.

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Google’s Gemini 3: The ‘We Actually Shipped It’ Era Has Begun

Google apparently got tired of being the company that demos amazing AI and then never releases it, because Gemini 3 didn’t just launch — it launched everywhere at the same time:

• Gemini web app

• Gemini 3 inside Search (AI Mode)

• Google AI Pro & Ultra

• AI Studio

• Gemini API

• Gemini CLI

• The new Anti-Gravity IDE

• And an experimental in-browser Gemini Agent that actually performs actions

Gemini 3 itself is a flagship “thinking model” with real jumps in:

• reasoning

• coding

• multimodal perception

• and absurdly long context

It then walked onto the AI benchmark playground and beat up everyone’s favorite models for their lunch money. Across reasoning, coding, and long-context tasks, Gemini 3 is flexing like it’s training for a marble statue reveal.

The Gemini Agent

Google tucked a new agent mode into the Gemini web app. It’s not just chat — it can browse, process email, dig through your Drive, read your calendar, make slide decks, and plan multistep workflows as if it’s your overachieving digital intern.

Anti-Gravity IDE

This is Google’s new cross-platform IDE fused directly with Gemini. Think coding, debugging, refactoring, and agentic workflows — all accelerated by AI knocking out boilerplate for you. If VS Code woke up and decided to go super-saiyan, it would look like this.

People Are Already Doing Wild Stuff With Gemini 3

• Real-time 3D neural network visualizations

• A full 3D RTS game built from scratch

• Pixel-perfect websites generated from a single screenshot

• An auto-interview video journal generator

Gemini 3 is in that early “anything feels possible” phase — and developers are already pushing it into the weird and brilliant edges of what cognitive models can do.

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Nano Banana Pro: Google’s New Image Monster

Google DeepMind said “fine, here’s the image model you keep begging for,” and dropped Nano Banana Pro — built on top of Gemini 3 Pro.

This thing is instantly in the “elite” tier of image generation and editing models. And as much as the name sounds like a children’s sticker book series, the capabilities are no joke:

Why Nano Banana Pro Is Blowing People Away

• Text rendering is freakishly accurate — small text, curved text, multilingual text… all clean, all readable.

• Infographics now use real researched data from Gemini 3.

• Blend up to 14 images (though 5–6 gives cleaner results).

• Any aspect ratio → any other ratio with zero distortion.

• Powerful camera controls, style transfer, and resolution up to 4K.

Social teams, designers, marketers, meme wizards — this is your new toy.

Where It Lives

• Gemini app (turn on Thinking Mode + Nano Banana)

• Gemini API

• AI Studio

• Vertex AI

• Anti-Gravity IDE

• Adobe, Figma, Leonardo integrations coming

Cost (API)

• ~13.5¢ per standard image

• ~24¢ for 4K

Not cheap, but you’re buying cinematic consistency and actual text fidelity — something even Sora struggles with.

The Internet Has Been Showing Off

We got:

• A fully legible Calvin & Hobbes-style comic

• Augmented McLaren racing diagrams

• Annotated Apollo 11 breakdowns

• Pixel-art gadgets

• 80s band posters

• Style-transferred portraits

• A Japanese/English menu with flawless tiny text

Nano Banana Pro feels like the image model we expected in 2026, but it arrived early and hungry.

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Microsoft Ignite: 70 Announcements, Most of Them AI-Soaked

Microsoft Ignite this year was basically “Windows, but make it smart.” The shocker wasn’t the features — it was the team-up:

Microsoft x Nvidia x Anthropic

Despite Microsoft practically owning part of OpenAI, they’re now committing:

• $5B to Anthropic

• Anthropic committing $30B in Azure compute spend

That’s not diversification — that’s an open poly relationship.

The Consumer-Friendly Highlights

• AI agents baked directly into the Windows 11 taskbar

• Invoke Copilot or other agents to automate PC tasks

• Background agent notifications right from the taskbar

• AI-powered File Explorer summarization + email drafting

• Dedicated AI agents for Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Anthropic Claude models now accessible across the Copilot ecosystem

If you've ever wished your OS acted like a digital employee, Microsoft is building that future right now.

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xAI’s Grok 4.1: Best Model in the World… for Approximately 24 Hours

Grok 4.1 dropped and briefly strutted around the leaderboard like a prom king. It scored big:

• #1 in several reasoning benchmarks

• High emotional intelligence performance

• Creative writing nearly tied with GPT-5.1

• Massive hallucination reduction

Then Gemini 3 arrived the next morning and yeeted it out of first place.

Still: Grok 4.1 represents the strongest version xAI has ever released — and one that shows serious competitive quality.

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Meta Drops SAM 3 and SAM 3D: Segment Anything, Now Even More Anything-er

Meta had the misfortune of dropping two incredible models during the single busiest AI news week of the decade.

SAM 3

Segment Anything 3 is an image/video segmentation model that:

• Finds people, objects, or categories in your media

• Tracks objects across entire videos

• Can isolate items with surgical precision

• Powers effects like glows, magnification, blur-background, etc.

Video editors just saved 10 hours per project.

SAM 3D

Don’t confuse the two. SAM 3D:

• Lets you click objects in images

• Automatically generates them as 3D objects

• Outputs models usable in AR or 3D workflows

People are turning chairs, plants, dancers, and furniture into 3D assets in seconds. It even builds reference skeletons for human subjects.

The pipeline from “take a picture” → “printable 3D model” just became real.

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OpenAI Drama, Updates, Models, Tools, and More

OpenAI never shows up to a news cycle empty-handed. This week we got:

Board Shakeup

Larry Summers stepped down after revelations involving financial dealings connected to Epstein. The internet reacted exactly how you’d expect.

GPT-5.1 Codex Max

A monster new coding model with outrageous context capability.

• Works across multiple combined context windows

• Supports million-token tasks

• Enables multi-hour agent loops

• Performs project-scale refactors and deep debugging

• Uses “compaction” to prune history smartly

Enterprise, Pro, Business, and Edu users get access.

This is the model built for developers who want an AI agent that can grind through hours-long tasks without melting down.

ChatGPT Group Chats

Shockingly useful:

• Create an invite link

• Multiple people chat with GPT simultaneously

• Shared brainstorming, editing, coding, lesson planning

Imagine Slack threads, but with a super-genius sitting in the room.

ChatGPT for Teachers

Free until 2027. Designed for:

• Student-data safety

• Personalized curricula

• Template sharing

• Integrations with Canva, Google Drive, Microsoft 365

Teachers basically got their own private AI butler.

Intuit Signs $100M Deal With OpenAI

QuickBooks, TurboTax, and Mint are heading into ChatGPT.

“GPT, do my taxes,” might actually become real — and that’s either delightful or horrifying depending on your deductible situation.

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Reporter’s Closing Thought

This entire week hit like an over-caffeinated transformer tripping over a power cable and accidentally upgrading itself. Google re-entered the arena with fists swinging, Microsoft quietly built Skynet into Windows, Meta gave creators segmentation superpowers, xAI flexed their best model yet, and OpenAI tossed a handful of powerful updates into the mix like confetti at a parade.

If this is what “just another week in AI” looks like now, buckle in — because 2025 is clearly done playing warm-up rounds.

Let me know if you want this rewritten for a newsletter, turned into a video script, or tightened into a more serious publication-ready format.

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Author: Travis Sparks
Silicon Valley Newsroom

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Buildings Sprout Up on Indiana Cornfields - Amazon's Massive New AI Datacenters, Running 500,000+ of their 'Tranium 2' Chips...

Amazon has switched on a sprawling AI data-center campus in New Carile, Indiana—seven buildings that rose from cornfields in roughly a year as part of “Project Rainer.” The first phase is already running about 500,000 Tranium 2 chips dedicated to Anthropic’s model training, with Amazon and Anthropic expecting to surpass one million Tranium 2 chips by year-end and begin rolling in Tranium 3. Backed by what state officials call the largest capital investment in Indiana history, the site sits on 1,200 acres and is slated to grow to 30 buildings. Local incentives include more than $4 billion in county tax exemptions over 35 years and additional state breaks, while Amazon says it will create about 1,000 long-term jobs, at least 600 of them above the county’s average wage.

The project is a showcase for Amazon’s in-house silicon strategy: data halls filled with its own Tranium and supporting infrastructure rather than Nvidia GPUs. Amazon argues that tightly controlling the stack—plus packing more, simpler chips per building—improves price-performance and accelerates delivery amid a global compute crunch. Executives say the rapid buildout reflects surging demand from AI customers and Amazon’s experience industrializing cloud infrastructure, with newer facilities incorporating liquid cooling and other efficiency upgrades as construction continues.

Speed hasn’t quieted concerns. At full build, the campus is expected to draw about 2.2 gigawatts—power on the scale of more than a million homes—and use millions of gallons of water, stoking worries over grid strain, rates, traffic, and local aquifers in and around the 1,900-person town. Amazon points to on-site water treatment and existing Indiana wind and solar projects contributing to the grid, while acknowledging the near-term need for gas generation on the path to its 2040 net-zero goal. With two more campuses underway on site, additional facilities planned in Mississippi and beyond, and AI demand still climbing, Amazon’s message is simple: the build doesn’t slow unless the market does.

Video Courtsey of CNBC

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Is Google About to Take on NVidia? Popular AI Startup Anthropic May Switch to Google AI Chips in a Multi-Billion Dollar Deal...

Anthropic is in talks with Google about multi-billion dollar deal for cloud computing services that would see the popular AI startup using Google's tensor processing units, a move that could signal Google's desire to move in to a space currently dominated by NVidia.

Video Courtesy of Bloomberg Tech

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NVIDIA Ships Out First Batch of $3999 AI Supercomputers...

Nvidia’s long-teased, developer-centric mini-PC is finally leaving preorders and hitting shelves: the DGX Spark goes on sale this week (online at Nvidia and through select retailers such as Micro Center) with a street price that landed around $3,999 in early listings. 

Think compact workstation, not consumer desktop. The Spark packs Nvidia’s new GB10 Grace Blackwell “superchip” — a 20-core Arm-based Grace CPU tightly paired with a Blackwell GPU — into a palm-sized chassis delivering about a petaflop of FP4 AI throughput. It ships with 128 GB of unified LPDDR5x system memory and up to 4 TB NVMe storage, and it’s preconfigured with Nvidia’s AI stack so you can jump into training and fine-tuning mid-sized models locally. Those are not marketing-only numbers: Nvidia positions the Spark for local experimentation on models up to ~200B parameters, and two Sparks linked together can be used for even larger (Nvidia cites ~405B parameter) workloads. 

Under the hood it’s Linux first: DGX Spark runs DGX OS, Nvidia’s Ubuntu-based distro tuned for the Grace/Blackwell stack and preloaded with CUDA, frameworks, and the company’s NIM/Blueprint toolsets — in short, a developer environment that’s meant to feel familiar to anyone who’s spent time on Linux-based model development. That linux/ARM orientation also signals this isn’t optimized as a plug-and-play Windows gaming box; it’s built to be a compact node in an AI workflow. 

Why this matters for the Valley (and who will buy it)

Nvidia is selling the Spark as a way to bring datacenter-class AI tooling to labs, startups, and university benches without immediately routing everything to cloud instances. For teams iterating on model architectures, RLHF loops, or multimodal prototypes, being able to run large-parameter models locally — with 128 GB of coherent memory and GB10’s integrated memory architecture — cuts friction on experiments and iteration cycles. It also enables fast prototyping of models that can later scale to larger DGX setups or cloud clusters. 

Practically: expect early adopters to be small AI teams that value low-latency development cycles, research labs wanting local reproducibility, and edge-oriented startups that prefer on-prem inference for privacy or cost reasons. For generalists and gamers, the Spark’s ARM/Linux DNA and software focus make it a niche purchase. (Enthusiasts will still tinker, but this is not marketed as a consumer GPU box.) 

The ecosystem angle

Nvidia isn’t going it alone: OEMs including Acer, Asus, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, Lenovo, MSI and others are shipping their own DGX Spark variants and the larger DGX Station desktop tower — the Station uses the beefier GB300/Grace Blackwell Ultra silicon and targets heavier local training workloads. That OEM breadth makes Spark part of a broader push to make DGX software + silicon a platform developers can buy from many vendors. 

Networking and scale matter here: Spark includes high-speed ConnectX networking (and QSFP/200G options) so two Sparks can cooperate as a small cluster for models larger than what a single unit can handle — a practical way to prototype distributed inference without immediately renting a rack. 

Caveats and hard truths

Software compatibility. The Spark’s Arm-centric platform and DGX OS make the CUDA/tooling story smooth for supported stacks, but expect some extra work for niche toolchains or Windows-first workflows. If your pipelines assume x86 Windows tooling, factor in integration time. 

Thermals & real-world throughput. A petaflop of FP4 in a tiny chassis is impressive, but sustained training on huge models still favors larger systems (and racks) with beefier cooling and power budgets. The Spark is best framed as a development node and prototyping workhorse. 

Pricing vs cloud. At ~$3,999 per node (retail listings), teams need to weigh capital expenditure against cloud flexibility — Spark is most compelling when local iteration speed, data privacy, or long-term TCO favor owning hardware. 

Watch how quickly third-party software (e.g., Docker Model Runner, popular MLOps stacks, and smaller OSS frameworks) certify Spark and DGX OS workflows; that will determine the friction for real-world adoption. Docker has already flagged support, which is a positive sign for quick onboarding. 

Nvidia’s wider silicon roadmap: there are signals (and comments from Nvidia leadership) that similar GB10/N1 designs could make their way into more consumer-facing devices down the line, and MediaTek collaboration threads hint at broader ARM partnerships — keep an eye on where Nvidia pushes ARM into the mainstream PC market. 

Final Thought

Nvidia’s DGX Spark is a tidy, ambitious product: it distills a lot of datacenter capability into a desktop footprint with a clear audience in mind — developers iterating on large models, labs that need local reproducibility, and startups that want a deterministic development environment. It’s not a replacement for scale-out clusters, but it’s a meaningful step toward decentralizing serious AI development outside the data center — provided your team is ready for Linux/ARM toolchains and the upfront hardware buy.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Samsung Goes Where Apple Failed - Can Their AI Properly Summarize Your Text Messages?

Samsung looks like it’s about to borrow a page from Google—and even Apple—by rolling out AI-powered notification summaries on Galaxy phones.

According to firmware leaks spotted by SamMobile, Samsung’s upcoming One UI 8.5 update will include a feature that can condense long chats into quick recaps. A pop-up in the leaked build showed the message:

“Your longer conversations can now be summarized to give you quick recaps.”

The example popped up with a WhatsApp notification, hinting that this tool is focused on messaging apps.

How it works

The settings page shows you’ll be able to turn the feature on or off, exclude specific apps if you’d rather not have their notifications summarized, and that the summaries are powered by Google’s AI models—not something homegrown from Samsung.

If this sounds familiar, it should. Google’s been building a similar notification summary feature into Android 16 for Pixel phones, though it hasn’t actually gone live yet. Samsung seems poised to be the first to ship it, debuting in One UI 8.5.

Lessons from Apple’s misstep

Apple already tried something like this with its “Apple Intelligence” rollout. The results? Mixed at best. Summaries were sometimes so inaccurate that Apple ended up disabling the feature for certain apps. Samsung and Google appear to be hedging against that by keeping the feature strictly limited to messaging apps, rather than every notification under the sun.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be hiccups—anyone who’s used Apple’s version has a story about a hilariously wrong summary—but the narrower scope could help avoid the worst-case scenarios.

When to expect it

One UI 8.5 is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 early next year. If the leaks hold true, Galaxy owners may soon get their first taste of AI-generated notification summaries—hopefully with fewer headaches than Apple’s first attempt.

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By: Grant Kennedy
TechNewsCITY Silicon Valley

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Alibaba's New AI Chip: China Sends it's Corporate Goliath to Take Another Swing at Nvidia's Market Domination...

Alibaba has entered the competitive AI chip sector with a new homegrown processor, creating significant buzz in the industry. This development has already impacted the market, causing NVIDIA's stock to drop over 3%, while Alibaba’s shares surged by 12%.

The Facts Behind the Chip

Recent reports indicate that Alibaba is testing a new AI chip specifically designed for AI inference. 

Unlike Alibaba's earlier chips, which were produced by Taiwan's TSMC, this new processor is being manufactured domestically by a Chinese company. This shift highlights a commitment to local production. The chip is expected to be more versatile than previous models, capable of handling a wider range of AI tasks.

The Timing: A Strategic Move

Alibaba's decision to develop this chip is not just a casual venture; it is a strategic response to geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions that have made it challenging for Chinese companies to access NVIDIA's advanced technology.

With U.S. restrictions limiting access to NVIDIA's high-end chips, Alibaba is taking the initiative to develop its own solutions. The company has committed to investing at least 380 billion Chinese yuan (approximately $53.1 billion) in AI development over the next three years, signaling its serious intent.

Strategic Focus: Internal Use

Rather than selling the chip commercially, Alibaba plans to use it exclusively for its cloud services, allowing customers to rent computing power rather than purchase hardware. This approach leverages Alibaba's existing cloud infrastructure, which has already demonstrated impressive growth, with a 26% year-over-year increase and consistent triple-digit growth in AI-related product revenue.

Technical Details: What We Still Don’t Know

While the announcement is exciting, specific performance details remain unclear. Questions about how this chip compares to NVIDIA's offerings—such as speed and efficiency—are still unanswered. Additionally, the timeline for its market readiness is uncertain, as Alibaba has a history of taking time to launch new products.

The Bigger Picture: A Shift in Tech Independence

This development reflects a broader trend of Chinese tech companies striving for independence from American technology. Alibaba's chip initiative is part of a larger strategy to create a self-sufficient technological ecosystem. While financial investment is crucial, building competitive semiconductors also requires advanced technical expertise and long-term partnerships.

Looking Ahead

In the short term, Alibaba may remain cautious about releasing performance metrics until they are confident in the chip's capabilities. If the chip performs well, Alibaba could expand its internal use and potentially license the technology to other Chinese companies. In the long term, this could either mark a significant advancement for China's semiconductor industry or serve as a costly learning experience.

The Nvidia Wildcard

There's one chip we know even less about than Alibaba's - and that's Nvidia's next chip, code named 'Rubin' we talked about here.  At least according to rumors, it may double the performance of their newest, publicly available chips. Considering it's unlikely Alibaba has been able to match Nivdia's current performance, doubling that would leave any competitor in the dust.  

In any other circumstance this would sound far-fetched, but when it comes to GPU's Nvidia has such a head start and is credited with inventing a large portion of how these chips function, when it comes to development their advantage can't be dismissed. 

Conclusion

Regardless of the outcome, Alibaba's new chip signifies a determined effort by Chinese tech firms to shape their own technological future. As the AI chip competition continues, the stakes are high, with significant implications for both domestic and global markets. The world will be watching closely to see how this unfolds. What are your thoughts? Will Alibaba's efforts succeed, or is NVIDIA's position too strong to challenge? Only time will tell.
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Author: Ross Davis
Silicon Valley Newsroom | Tech News CITY

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AI Music Platform Suno has Something Big in The Works...

AI music platform Suno has been steadily redefining how artists create. Now, the company has dropped a teaser for something called Suno Studio—and if what they’re hinting at is even half true, it could be the biggest leap forward in AI-assisted production since the DAW went digital.

A Blank Canvas That Moves With You

From Suno’s own words, Suno Studio isn’t just another music app—it’s "an audio workstation that reflects your imagination." The pitch is clear: whether you start with a blank project, a single vocal line, a rough voice memo, or even a fully produced track, the platform will adapt to your workflow.

This isn’t about pre-made loops or generic AI backing tracks—it’s about stem-by-stem creation. Suno says you’ll be able to build songs one element at a time—drums, bass, synths, vocals—each generated or imported as its own stem. This means you can replace individual parts, rework arrangements, or strip everything down to one sound and rebuild from there.

Stem Control, MIDI Freedom

One confirmed feature that’s a big deal for producers: MIDI export. That means you’re not locked into the audio you get out of Suno Studio—you can take those AI-generated parts and tweak them in your favorite DAW, change instruments, adjust performance nuances, or re-sequence entirely.

This could turn Suno Studio into a powerful idea generator: sketch the bones of a song in minutes, then finish it in Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, or Pro Tools without compromise.

The AI DAW Dream

Right now, music AI tools often sit outside the main production process. You might generate a melody in one app, beats in another, then manually drag files into your DAW. Suno Studio is hinting at something different—an all-in-one creative space where AI, human input, and traditional production tools coexist seamlessly.

If Suno makes good on their promise, you could:

Hum a melody into your mic and get multiple arrangement ideas instantly.

Build a song in layers, swapping in AI-generated stems on the fly.

Blend your own recorded instruments with AI parts that adapt to your style.

Export MIDI to take your work even further in another DAW.

“Unlock What’s Already Inside”

Suno’s marketing line, "Unlock what’s already inside," suggests a heavy emphasis on personalization. The AI could learn your preferences—favorite chord progressions, rhythmic feels, sound palettes—and then generate ideas that feel like they came straight from your own creative brain.

If that’s the case, Suno Studio might evolve into a kind of creative partner rather than just a tool—one that not only keeps pace with your ideas but anticipates them.

Built for Everyone From Bedroom Producers to Studio Pros

While the teaser positions Suno Studio as an intuitive space for “musicians, producers, and creators of all kinds,” it’s easy to imagine it having two equally passionate audiences:

Newcomers who’ve never touched a DAW but want to create full songs quickly.

Experienced producers who want a rapid prototyping engine for song ideas without losing control over arrangement and sound.

With stem-by-stem flexibility and MIDI export, Suno Studio could bridge those worlds, making it equally useful for casual creativity and professional production.

Why This Could Be Huge

If Suno executes this right, we might be looking at the first truly AI-native DAW—a platform that merges generative intelligence, traditional production tools, and user-driven control into one fluid creative environment.

It’s the difference between AI music as a gimmick and AI music as a serious production workflow.

If Suno’s promise of "pushing your ideas beyond what you imagined" holds up, Suno Studio won’t just change how we make music—it might change who gets to make it.

If you want, I can follow this up with a high-energy, tech-journalism style “launch hype” version so it reads like a breaking news announcement from a music tech blog. That would give it even more punch.

You can join the waitlist on their website.

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Author: Grant Kennedy
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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The High-Tech Fashion Startup with Pants that LOOK Like Denim Jeans, but FEEL Like a Pair of Comfortable Pajamas...

A startup is quietly disrupting fashion with pants that look like denim but feel like pajamas—and the internet’s obsession is just getting started.

In a world where fashion often demands comfort take a back seat, one brand  is flipping the narrative, by lying to your eyes and pampering your legs.

They're called Comforfeit (comfortable, counterfeit jeans) and at first glance, their pants look like your favorite pair of casual blue jeans. But once you touch them (or better yet, wear them) you’ll realize you’ve been fooled. These aren’t jeans at all - they’re high-resolution printed loungewear disguised as denim, and they might just be the comfiest pants you’ll ever wear.

“You shouldn’t have to suffer to look put together. We engineered something that’s stylish enough for the streets, but feels like you never left the couch.” said a spokesperson for Comforfeit.

The name itself is a cheeky mashup of "comfort" and "counterfeit", a nod to the brand’s unapologetically deceptive design. Each pair is crafted using a patented sublimation process that prints photorealistic denim textures onto ultra-soft performance fabric. The result is convincing enough to pass visual inspection—even up close—but without the rigid seams, buttons, or structure that typically define jeans.

From Airports to College Dorms...

While Comforfeit is still a brand-new brand, there's two groups they're seeing show immediate interest - college students and frequent travelers - who both cite the same reason, being comfortable throughout a long and busy day, going from one activity to the next. "Jeans are acceptable pretty much everywhere I normally go - I wore them to class, then where I work as a barista at a cafe a few blocks off-campus, and from there I met up with friends at a bar... and I'll admit it, I was exhausted when I got home and wore them to bed too! a customer who says they're a student at UC Berkeley posted in a online forum.

“I’ve worn them on set, to dinner, even on the long flight to Europe” said Reggie M, a Los Angeles-based audio engineer, “I've told a couple friends the secret, and when I tell them they’re not actually jeans, it blows their mind, its hilarious. I think it's because, like, it never crosses anyone's mind that someone's pants are designed to fool them.”

How It's Done...

They've patented their method, so don't expect to find these anywhere else anytime soon.  It's one of those inventions that make you go 'why didn't I think of that?'- as their website explains it works by first taking high-resolution images of actual jean/denim fabric, then, that high resolution image is transferred on to white super-soft and comfy loungewear pants.

It's not so much putting the image 'onto'  the pants as 'into' them, as they use a newer method called Sublimation, which involves using extremely high heat (400+ degrees fahrenheit) causing the ink to be absorbed by the fabric itself - so it's not an image printed on top of the fabric, the fabric itself is colored, which is essential to making an illusion like this work.  It also means it can't just rub off over time.

So the reason people see jeans is because, well - they're seeing jeans! Or more accurately, images of jean fabric printed onto the pants.  They plan to use this exclusive method for limited-edition drops with texture-illusions beyond just jeans.

The Benefits Go Beyond Just Comfortable Clothing... 

Real denim production has faced criticism over the last decade or so for its significant environmental impact. The manufacturing involves high chemical usage that's been blamed for polluting water supplies, as toxic metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium have been found in wastewater from denim factories.

Comforfeit isn't out to be just another trend-fueled brand, they say their clothes represent an upgrade on every level, including how they're made. With sustainability in mind, Comforfeit’s printing process, (normal jeans aren't printed, they're dyed in large batches of blue coloring) uses only the ink going on the pants, with no runoff, significantly reducing water and dye waste.  Plus, their materials are wrinkle-resistant, fade-resistant, machine washable, and designed to last for years.

Where to Get Them...

Comforfeit pants are currently available exclusively through the brand’s website Comforfeit.com, with select early adopters getting access to pre-launch editions. As word spreads, however, demand is expected to spike—and inventory may not last long.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Last Week Open AI CEO Sam Altman Shared that Zuckerberg Failed to snag Some of His Top Talent, Even With Bribes Up to $100M - Today we Learn 3 Open AI Staffers are Headed to Meta...

There's officially a talent war in AI - until this week I wouldn't use any word beyond 'competitive' to describe the situation - but these latest developments make 'war' totally appropriate.

Last week, Altman was a proud man with a faithful team...

He shared how other companies were after his top talent, but they weren't budging - "Meta has started making these, like, giant offers to a lot of people on our team” Sam Altman said on a podcast last week “You know, like, $100 million signing bonuses, more than that in compensation per year - and I’m really happy that, at least so far, none of our best people have decided to take him up on that"

Altman went on to say he believes Open AI’s culture of innovation is what has kept the top minds in AI there, and that Meta’s “current AI efforts have not worked as well as they hoped".

But here in Silicon Valley, things can change quickly...

There are reportedly 3 OpenAI staffers now heading to Meta -  Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Xiaohua Zhai — the team that ran OpenAI’s Zurich office. It appears the Zuck can indeed sway some minds.

Zuckerberg personally has been messaging top AI researchers on WhatsApp, and inviting his targets to dinners at his homes in Palo Alto and Lake Tahoe.

Meta also recently signed Scale AI’s CEO Alexandr Wang with a $14 billion investment, the 28-year-old is one of tech's most expensive hires ever, and there were no shortage of people who found these numbers insane. 

This latest development only further underscores the escalating battle for AI's brightest minds, if I had to bet if the battle calms down from here, or grows into something much nastier, unfortunately, it' the latter.

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Author: Dalton Kline
Tech News CITY // Silicon Valley Newsroom

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Everything We Know About Nvidia’s Vera Rubin Chip: Details and Rumors Trickle In, with Release Date Still Over a Year Away...

At GTC 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the Vera Rubin platform, comprising the Rubin GPU and Vera CPU. The Rubin GPU is expected to deliver up to 50 petaflops of FP4 performance, more than doubling the capabilities of the current Blackwell architecture. The Vera CPU will feature 88 custom Arm cores, aiming to enhance AI processing efficiency .

The Rubin platform will utilize HBM4 memory, providing 288GB per GPU with a bandwidth of 13 TB/s. The system will also incorporate Nvidia's sixth-generation NVLink, offering 260 TB/s of interconnect bandwidth, and the upcoming 1.6 Tbps ConnectX-9 NICs for improved networking .

Rumors and Speculations...

While Nvidia has confirmed many aspects of the Vera Rubin platform, some details remain speculative:

Rubin Ultra: Expected in the second half of 2027, this iteration may feature four GPU dies per package, doubling the performance to 100 petaflops of FP4 compute. It could also introduce HBM4e memory with up to 1TB per GPU and a new NVLink 7 interface offering 1.5 PB/s of throughput .

Manufacturing Process: The Rubin chips are anticipated to be manufactured using TSMC's advanced 3nm process node, enhancing power efficiency and performance density .

Market Impact...

Despite the impressive specifications, Nvidia's stock experienced a slight dip following the GTC 2025 announcements. Analysts suggest that while the Vera Rubin platform represents a significant technological leap, the market is awaiting tangible performance benchmarks and adoption rates before reacting positively .

In Closing...

Nvidia's Vera Rubin chip is poised to redefine AI processing capabilities, with its release slated for late 2026. While official details paint an exciting picture, the tech community eagerly awaits further information and real-world performance data to fully assess its impact.
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Author: Ross Davis
Silicon Valley Newsroom | Tech News CITY

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Game Developers at the Forefront of AI - How We Can Expect to see AI Being Used in Upcoming Releases...

AI was one of the biggest trends at The Game Developer Conference in San Francisco - so how is it being used, and what else do they have in the works?

Video Courtesy of BBC News

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Nintendo Unveils the Highly Anticipates Switch 2!

Nintendo unveils the highly anticipated Switch 2 - Live at 6am (PST) 9am (EST) April 2nd.

This presentation is set to run for around 60 minutes, and you better believe it’s going to be packed with everything we’ve been waiting for – all the juicy details on the Nintendo Switch 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to the legendary Nintendo Switch.

We’ve got you covered with live updates on every major announcement and reveal, so whether you’re watching the stream with us or just checking in for the highlights, this is your go-to spot.

Stick with me as we count down the final hours before it all goes down. I’ll be dropping the latest leaks, rumors, news, and maybe even a few predictions as we get closer to showtime. Let’s get ready to dive in!

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Business Survival 101: Why This Book Should Be Required Reading for Every CEO...

In the high-stakes world of executive leadership, the pressure is immense. CEOs are expected to navigate complex markets, inspire teams, drive innovation, and ultimately, ensure the company thrives. While leadership books often focus on visionary strategies and success stories, perhaps the most underrated skill is learning from failure, especially the failures of others. This is precisely why Furkat Kasimov’s "Don't Do This: A Guide to Business Survival" isn't just another business book; it's an essential manual that should be on every CEO's desk.

Forget abstract theories and feel-good platitudes. Kasimov dives straight into the trenches, delivering over 150 concise, real-life examples of mistakes made by actual businesses. These aren't vague cautionary tales; each example clearly outlines what went wrong and why, offering practical, actionable insights distilled from hard-won experience. It cuts through the noise, providing the kind of direct, unvarnished truth that is often hard to come by in the boardroom.

For a CEO juggling countless responsibilities, time is precious. "Don't Do This" respects that. It covers a vast range of critical areas – from financial management and people issues to marketing pitfalls and leadership effectiveness. Need to quickly gut-check a potential marketing plan or reflect on your management style? The book offers checklists and focused sections designed for quick reference and immediate application. It’s structured not just for reading, but for using as a day-to-day guide.

The true value for a CEO lies in prevention...

Kasimov’s work equips leaders to spot potential trouble before it escalates into a crisis. By dissecting the errors of companies both known and unknown, it provides a powerful framework for risk assessment and decision-making. It’s about building success proactively by understanding the anatomy of failure – a far less costly approach than learning every lesson firsthand.

Kasimov's tone is refreshingly direct and honest, treating the reader like an intelligent peer. There's no sugarcoating; the book acknowledges that business is hard and demonstrates how easily things can go wrong. But it also shows how simple corrections and awareness can keep a company on track. Think of it as that brutally honest advisor every leader needs – the one who points out the potential iceberg before you hit it.

"Don't Do This: A Guide to Business Survival" isn’t about chasing overnight success; it’s about building enduring businesses by systematically avoiding the errors that lead to downfall. For any CEO committed to navigating the complexities of modern business and safeguarding their company's future, this book offers invaluable, practical wisdom. It’s more than just recommended reading; it’s a foundational text for business survival.

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Submitted via Guest Author

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Villarreal vs Real Madrid Takes Over Online Excitement...

What a week for Real Madrid! Fresh off their nail-biting penalty shootout win over Atletico in the Champions League Round of 16, Los Blancos are gearing up to face Villarreal on Saturday in a crucial La Liga showdown right before the international break. With Real Madrid and Barça both sitting on 57 points (though Madrid have a game in hand), and Atleti lurking just a point behind, every match is massive at this stage of the season. Meanwhile, on Sunday, right after Madrid’s match, Atlético will host Barcelona in a blockbuster clash. Here’s the scoop:

Team News

Villarreal: Kiko Femenia is questionable, while Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach remain sidelined and won’t suit up against Real Madrid.

Possible Villarreal XI: Conde; Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, S Cardona; Pino, Gueye, Parejo, Baena; Barry, Perez.

Real Madrid: With Ferland Mendy out injured, Fran Garcia is set to slot in at left-back. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to roll out his top attacking trio, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. supporting French star Kylian Mbappe.

Possible Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Prediction All signs point to Real Madrid bagging all three points at the Bernabéu and piling pressure on Barcelona, who battle Atlético on Sunday. Final call: Real Madrid 2, Villarreal 0.

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Author: Alex Benningram
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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iPhone 16e Teardown Reveals Surprising Internal Changes Despite Familiar Design

A quick 5-minute teardown video on YouTube from REWA Technology dives into the iPhone 16e, offering a closer look at its internals. On the surface, the iPhone 16e shares some design similarities with the iPhone 14, but it's what's inside that’s more interesting.

Most of the internal components are laid out similarly to the iPhone 15. The standout change, though, is in the rear camera. While the iPhone 15 has a dual-lens setup (wide and ultra-wide), the 16e features a single 48-megapixel wide lens, resulting in a noticeably smaller camera module. This compact design likely gave Apple the extra space needed to fit in a larger battery.

Speaking of the battery, the iPhone 16e is equipped with a 4005 mAh capacity—more than what earlier leaks suggested. For comparison, the iPhone 16 packs a 3561 mAh battery. The teardown also reveals that the iPhone 16e uses a low-voltage system to safely remove and replace the battery, making the process simpler and more secure.

As for Face ID, it’s essentially the same setup as the iPhone 14, with the iPhone 16e opting for a notch instead of the Dynamic Island.

The video also shows off the C1 chip, Apple’s first 5G modem. With a mix of 4-nanometer baseband tech and 7-nanometer transceiver tech, the modem delivers better efficiency and lower power consumption compared to the Qualcomm modems in other iPhones.

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Breaking Boundaries: Heather Ferreira's Atlantis and the Rise of AI Stars in Hollywood...

Last Year she shook up Hollywood with the first full length AI feature film, now she's taking on mankind's biggest legend with her next film "Atlantis"...

She's shorter than I thought. Compact, restless, mostly unable to sit still throughout this interview, Heather Ferreira enters a Sherman Oaks Thai restaurant wearing fitted black that looks a little like some kind of Silicon Valley customer service rep uniform: a bit “Apple” – solid black polyester, no features, no frills, simple – and orders meekrob then sits with me, continually watching what happens outside our sidewalk side window. She is a talkative, even garrulous, friendly personality who reminds me a bit of Ralph Bakshi. “I know him,” she informs me. “Ralph hired me in 2016 to produce a wonderful animated musical feature for him. It didn't work out because he yelled at me, and I still feel sad about that. He's a visionary despite the yelling. Everything Tarantino is praised for Ralph did first, in 1970, by hand.”

Gesticulatory, bright-eyed (her eyes are almond-shaped and she says it's due to partial Asian heritage),  Ferreira is pensive, a little sad and depressed looking on surface, but seething with constant ideas: ideas to create male robot companions for intelligent straight females at her upcoming Tesla-style company Kubrick, ideas for the return of Saturday morning cartoons she’s producing, ideas for how she can make original Sesame Street and her childhood favorite TV show The Electric Company return.  A little autistic in aspect and somber, the mixed-race film director has won multiple cinema awards but remains largely unknown because she “hates” social media and publicity and is intensely private. 

“I'm a bit Aspergers or something,” she tells me as her meal finally arrives: late. “I don't like attention, I hate crowds, and I don't even like tight-fitting clothing or exposing myself. To become famous in the 2020s you've got to instead really love these things or at least adapt to them. I refuse to because I can't. You're lucky to get this [interview] out of me.  I'm doing it because of Atlantis (her current production). I hate being heard and seen. I just want to create.  I've been stalked and I keep being stalked both by weird, mentally nuts guys and nuts gay women. So I hide. This may why nobody knows about me.”

Her meal was late and prepared wrong. “I used to be a waitress,” she confessed to me at the end of this interview. She tipped the waiter a $100. Aren't you encouraging him, I ask her? “It wasn't his fault,” she replies, “and he's on his feet all day. This is the least I can do. Give him a break.”

Ferreira directed The Fragrance of Petrichor, the first completed full-length motion picture (at 90 minutes) in November of 2024 using solely AI...

It immediately won the Honorable Mention Award from the 2024 AI International Film Festival, but the world doesn't know because an amateur actor she cast for a single day's work on her 2021 film The Fisherman targeted and stalked her during its premiere, swerving her publicity team's attention from the premiere to instead resolving him. 

She achieved a permanent restraining order immediately against the actor (reportedly even the judge, a San Diego County veteran judge, was terrified by the actor’s obsession with Ferreira) but the damage was already done, “And this,” Ferreira assures, “happens like clockwork on every production of mine. I achieve something notable and a mentally ill guy or lesbian appears immediately, posting things online about me that are false, and threatening and stalking me, and the film winds up subsumed because I have to put more intention into my preserving safety into the picture. This pattern goes back to 1997 and I don't know how I attracted it or why. But it ruined (The Fragrance of) Petrichor. Had [the most recent stalker actor] not inflicted what he did and disrupted our publicity as he did, I'd probably be the most famous film director in the world right now,” says Ferreira. “Petrichor was the first completely AI feature length film, but let's talk about Atlantis. That's, I think, where the future will have to be.”

Set in 13,611 B.C., Atlantis: The Motion Picture depicts the infamous sunken island as a teeming, wealthy technological superpower much like America of today but with cooler gadgets, against a slick backdrop of Greek temples, Dorian columns and Roman statues all using electricity. Generated entirely with AI at Ferreira's human directorial command, the film is already attracting strong response becoming similar to the way the 1977 world audience reacted to the first Star Wars. Ferreira thinks it’s no coincidence:

 “America and the world have been crying out for a nonpolitical science-fiction fantasy blockbuster with a broad vision, compelling characters, special effects and a good story, and it's my hope and conviction Atlantis will deliver it. It has name recognition, meaning everyone, and every language and culture and race in the world, knows what 'Atlantis' is and recognizes its name instantly, so it's its own brand while simultaneously public domain, which in 2025 is becoming important. I've noticed everybody has an opinion on Atlantis, even people who don't believe it existed. Their disbelief it existed is an opinion: theirs; and they expressed it. Everyone else knows of course the place existed and most cultures refer at least vaguely to it having done so. Everyone knows something caused, about around 13,600 B.C., an epic worldwide flood that changed demographics, technology, religion, pretty much everything. Everyone knows Ancient Egypt suddenly developed or was exposed to technology of a paradigm shift-level sort somehow for some reason. You say to people the word Atlantis and their eyes start to glitter. Even taxi drivers in Mexico reacted fabulously to it. The Mexicans call it Atlante, with an E on the end. The name Aztlan derives from it, so something happened. Mine just happens to be the first ever film that not only says yes it existed, and yes it sank, but here, this is possibly why: and it's all generated by AI with me at the helm, and features all-artificial stars, which is also important.”

Atlantis: The Motion Picture indeed boasts an impressive raft of completely artificial but unsettlingly real seeming stars...

All of which kind of remind you of this or that name star from history but you somehow can’t quite place your finger on, and some fairly startlingly strong special effects.  Its story is common and relatable, and you find yourself rooting for exactly the right characters just the right way.  Again, as she has implied, it has a distinct and eerie feel of 1977 George Lucas.  But it’s also an anachronism feast for the eyes: Atlantis the country has atomic weapons, fighter jets, and smartphones.

The screener so far shows a fairly compelling science-fiction movie: Atlantis is depicted as an intriguing cross of 1950's Cecil B. DeMille Bible pic and futuristic technopolis teeming with lasers, crystal pyramids and torpedos. There are numerous allusions to America in the movie: a leisurely wealthy populace used to good things is suddenly confronted by catastrophe, brought by determined foreign military enemies. The villain is formidable with a strong reason for his actions, one you almost could agree with. But the protagonist, The Emperor of Atlantis, Adelphi I, has arguably equal reasons for defending his nation and is played – if I can call an AI actor’s performance that – by without doubt probably the most photogenic and likeable male star pixels have ever put together. If you can cast politics aside Atlantis has everything in place to be, yes, possibly, the next 1977 Star Wars.  But it’s completely AI, which she has made work exceptionally well visually.  Will it work the rest of the way, and in Peoria?

Ferreira hoped to complete the film by May 2025 but says “September is probably more feasible. May 25th of 2026 is absolutely if distribution works out. I'm at Warner Bros, so I am under legal obligation to screen it for them first: first look first refusal. But if they pass, 20th Century Fox feels the most natural and logical.  We’ll have to see.  But,” the director promises, “the real seller here is controversy. Human actors in this film have been replaced entirely by some very competent artificial ones.  How will it come across to audiences?  I’m more concerned what SAG-AFTRA will do.  They’re going to hate both this picture and me.  But the hour has come.  The technology is here.  And there is no more deserving union.”

Atlantis: The Motion Picture is in production in Los Angeles and San Diego and is expected to premiere worldwide by Christmas of 2025 or Summer of 2026. Says the director to me over her very wrong Thai meal, forgivingly, “It all depends upon both luck and distribution.”

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Article Submitted via Guest Author
Farzan Farhad

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Why is Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaii Home a Fully Functional DOOMSDAY BUNKER?!

 

Mark Zuckerberg is constructing a $397 million compound in Hawaii that seems to be more than a family home. With blast-proof doors, an enormous underground bunker, and fortress-like security, the extravagant compound seems seems to be ready for a lot more than vacations.

There’s nothing subtle about Silicon Valley billionaire Zuckerberg’s efforts to transform over 500 hectares of pristine Kauai coastline into a secluded doomsday retreat for his family.

Critics contend Zuckerberg has overridden ancient indigenous property rights and indulged an extreme passion for privacy that seems hypocritical coming from someone who earned their fortune monetizing people’s personal information.  

The sprawling compound will include two large mansions, over a dozen guesthouses, and more than 30 bedrooms and bathrooms.

The two main mansions have a combined floor area approaching the size of an American football field.

Other highlights are a full gym, tennis court, pools, and an elaborate underground bunker with living space, a mechanical room, and an emergency escape hatch. The bunker door is built to military-grade anti-blast specifications. 

Security is unparalleled, with a vast camera network and keypad-operated interior doors. Some doors are even disguised as walls. The compound will be entirely self-sufficient with its own water storage, solar power, and agricultural production.

But Zuckerberg’s intense secrecy around the project has angered locals. Workers must sign strict non-disclosure agreements, a long rock wall blocks coastal views, and guards monitor the beach below. Some feel the once-pristine shore now resembles a “prison camp.”

While other celebrities own discreet Kauai homes, Zuckerberg’s compound is viewed as an invasive colonization of sacred land where private property rights didn't exist until the mid-1800s. 

After buying the initial 283-hectare estate, Zuckerberg sued hundreds of native Hawaiians who potentially had ancestral claims on sections of the land. He insisted this was to pay them fairly, but locals saw it as highly confrontational.

Though Zuckerberg later dropped the lawsuits, he's still accused of improperly pressuring land sales. His donations to local causes are seen as buying goodwill after Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal.

For tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Larry Ellison, the isolation of Hawaii makes it the ultimate apocalypse hideaway. That’s likely why Zuckerberg wants to “plant roots” there. But his extreme compound has ruined the island paradise that initially drew him in.

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Author: Alex Benningram
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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A Hands on Look at Apple Watch 10!

Hard to believe but Apple watch now has 10 versions since it was created - so what did Apple change and improve for the big milestone? A few things, some good, some probably unnecessary...

Video Courtesy of MacRumors

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TechNewsCITY's Christmas Holiday 2024 Gift Picks - 3 Items For The Tech Lovers You Love...

Finding the perfect tech gift can be a challenge, especially with so many options and a wide range of needs to consider. Whether you’re shopping for a budget-conscious gadget lover, a fitness enthusiast who thrives on staying active, or a young techie eager to explore, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ve curated standout picks that balance affordability, functionality, and fun, ensuring there’s something special for everyone on your list.

From budget-friendly innovations to kid-friendly devices and gear for the on-the-go adventurer, these tech gifts are sure to make this Christmas unforgettable.

Note; these are NOT sponsored items, and we do not receive any commission from the links - just genuine recommendations!

Wyze Cam v4 – Most Budget-Friendly...

Budget tight? Want someone to think you spent more on them than you really did? Then check out the The Wyze Cam v4. It's packed with features aimed at enhancing home security from 2K HD video to motion-activated spotlights and Wi-Fi 6 support. For the price, the camera's resolution and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) produce impressively vibrant images in daylight, though color night vision tends to be less consistent, sometimes appearing murky.

Setup is quick thanks to Bluetooth and screw-free mounting, which eliminates the usual QR code hassles. However, being a wired camera limits placement options. The spotlight and siren offer basic deterrent features, though the siren lacks the punch to induce panic in an intruder, it's enough to startle them and hopefully do the trick.

Audio is improved with an upgraded mic and amplifier, making two-way talk clearer, though still not perfect in noisy environments. Users can enjoy smart home integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, though the camera feels most seamless within the Wyze ecosystem.

While Wyze Cam v4’s combination of affordability, connectivity, and storage options (up to 512GB locally or cloud storage) make it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers, its limitations in low-light performance and audio clarity may leave some users wanting more.

But there's no question, what you get for the price is truly amazing - as these are going on Amazon currently for UNDER $25. 

TRI PRO / TRI 2 Multi-Sport Headphones - Best Gift for Active People...

The TRI headphone series from H2O Audio bring a robust waterproof design to the table, boasting an IPX8 rating that allows them to be submerged up to 12 feet—ideal for swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers. Bone conduction technology provides reliable audio clarity both in and out of the water, though the sound quality underwater may still require the included earplugs for an optimal experience.

These headphones are crafted to withstand intense activities, from swimming to cycling, with  8GB of storage, letting users store plenty of music for extended workouts. Playlist+ technology is a standout feature, allowing users to record and replay live-streamed audio - the reason behind this Bluetooth signals do not transmit well in the water, no device can get around that, but you may forget this with these on.

The thing that surprised me the most has to be the battery life - as soon as you turn it on a voice tells you the charge level, and I probably used them 6 or 7 times before it warned me it was 'low', I'm seeing people getting anywhere from 5hrs to 9hrs of playtime in buyer reviews.

Their one-year "Go Beyond" warranty, extendable to two years, adds peace of mind to an already well-rounded sports headphone option.

While they are available from Amazon we found the best prices directly on the company's website.

Amazon Fire Kids Tablet – For Kids Under-12s

The Amazon Fire Kids Tablet is designed specifically with younger users in mind, offering robust parental controls and pre-installed filters to ensure a safe browsing experience for kids aged 12 and under. The tablet includes a kid-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate while limiting access to age-inappropriate content, giving parents peace of mind.

Performance-wise, the tablet runs smoothly for basic activities like streaming videos, playing games, or using educational apps. However, it’s not built for heavy multitasking, and older kids might find the hardware sluggish for more demanding apps. Battery life is decent, lasting around 7–10 hours depending on usage, making it a solid companion for road trips or study sessions.

One standout feature is the included one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, granting access to a wealth of age-appropriate books, games, videos, and educational content. Parents can customize time limits and app permissions to tailor the device to their child’s needs. The sturdy case and two-year worry-free guarantee make this tablet a durable choice for younger kids prone to accidental drops.

While it’s a great starter device, its limitations in speed and screen resolution might feel restrictive as kids grow older. Still, for younger users, the Fire Kids Tablet strikes an excellent balance between safety, entertainment, and educational value.

Amazon recently just dropped the price by a massive 56% so it's currently just $79 on Amazon.

Happy Holidays from Tech News City!

No matter who you’re shopping for, the right tech gift can bring a little extra excitement to the holiday season. From practical and budget-friendly choices to devices tailored for active lifestyles and kid-friendly favorites, these picks are sure to impress without the stress. As you wrap up your holiday shopping, remember it’s not just about the gadgets—it’s about the joy and memories they create. Happy gifting, and here’s to a tech-filled Christmas!


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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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