Google Research, working with HHMI Janelia Research Campus, published the first complete map of an adult male fruit fly's brain and central nervous system, called MaleCNS v1.0. The AI-assisted project stitched together millions of 2D images into a 3D model reconstructing more than 166,000 neurons. Within days, software engineers used the connectome data to train a simulated version of the fly's neural circuitry to play Doom and Super Mario 64.
Fast Company's judges selected eight companies as category honorees in Cybersecurity and Enterprise Software for its 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list. The recognition highlights firms that stood out among peers for fostering internal innovation and workplace culture in these sectors.
Enterprise software firms including Salesforce and Workday reported resilient financial performance even as investors sold off their shares over fears that AI would erode their business models. The disconnect suggests markets are pricing in disruption faster than it is actually materializing in company earnings.
Google's seven-year software commitment for Pixel phones guarantees OS version updates and security patches, but the company now ships its flashiest features through quarterly Pixel Drops and Android Drops rather than the annual Android release. As a result, older Pixels that technically remain 'supported' are increasingly missing out on the features that actually matter to users, while major Android version updates like Android 17 have grown noticeably thin on new capabilities.
The open-source media server project Jellyfin has shipped version 12.0, a stable release that completes the database conversion started in 10.11 and translates it into concrete performance gains. The update also adds long-requested support for books and comics, alongside changes to how usernames and alternate video versions are stored.
A parent on Ask HN is trying to restore a 1991 DOS educational title, Spellbound by The Learning Company, for their children, but a modern USB 3.5-inch diskette drive is producing read errors that prevent Linux from mounting the disks. Using ddrescue they managed to extract some data, though it remains unverified, and they still have unread 5.25-inch disks from the same box. They're asking whether switching to a period-correct IDE floppy drive, such as one built into an old Leading Edge WinPro 486, would read the aging media more reliably.
A software engineer reflects on how years of routine coding work and constant smartphone distractions have dulled their thinking and reading habits compared to their more intellectually demanding early career and university years. They describe attempting to counter this decline by deliberately unplugging and cutting back on short-form content, games, and other low-effort entertainment during a recent vacation.
Samsung has started rolling out the One UI 9 Watch beta, based on Wear OS 7, to the 2023 Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic models in South Korea. The update follows earlier beta releases for the Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 7, and Watch Ultra, though a full changelog has not yet been published.
A reader survey of 3,649 respondents found that 51.9% had a flawless experience with their Google Pixel phones, despite recent high-profile reports of battery drain, overheating, and bricking issues. About 23.1% reported problems with previous Pixel models, while 8% specifically cited issues with the new Pixel 11 Pro, and 17% of respondents don't own a Pixel at all.
The FSF announced it created a Bluesky account this week to reach a wider audience, even though it won't recommend others sign up for the platform. The organization cited Bluesky's registration page and web client relying on nonfree JavaScript as reasons it can't endorse the service the way it does Mastodon or PeerTube.
A book teaching programming using OCaml, originally written in French, has been translated into English by Urmila Nair. The translation was funded by The OCaml Software Foundation and is released under a CC BY SA 4.0 open license, making it freely shareable and adaptable.
Android Authority's three-week review of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL finds the phones fall short on paper, with less RAM than last year, a modest Tensor G6 upgrade, higher prices, and a disappointing HiLight feature. Despite these shortcomings, the reviewer says daily use of the devices remains compelling thanks to strong hardware, cameras, and software.
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