A new study reports that AI models in the 9B-30B parameter range can already perform many individual steps needed for autonomous replication across consumer IoT hardware like smart ovens and budget Android TV boxes, though they still fail at chaining these steps together reliably. The researchers say a 9B model successfully ran inference on 8 of 9 tested hardware types, and that stronger models like GLM-5.2 can already complete full end-to-end replication in simplified tests.
Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro is out of stock on Sony.com and reselling above $1,100 on auction sites, amid anticipation for GTA 6's Nov. 19 launch. Sony reportedly told distributors in September that the console would remain in short supply until 2027, citing market constraints and a global memory and storage component shortage linked to AI infrastructure demand.
A tongue-in-cheek website called OpenFatigue has launched, parodying the tech industry's habit of prefixing products with 'Open' — citing examples like OpenAI, OpenTable, and Open WebUI. The site brands itself as a platform for people tired of Open-branded products, complete with a mock disclaimer that its 'free' offering is only a free trial, not free as in freedom or beer.
Lawmakers are pushing legislation that would mandate automakers include AM radio receivers in every new car sold, countering a trend of manufacturers removing the feature. Automakers have cited rising costs and technical issues, particularly interference from electric vehicle components, as reasons for dropping AM radio from new models. Supporters of the bill argue the technology remains critical for public safety and emergency broadcasts.
A report indicates that Russia's data center infrastructure was not adequately prepared for the sustained cyber and infrastructure conflict that emerged with Ukraine. Limited details were provided beyond this central claim, with no specific figures or named sources included in the available text.
Apple has rolled out several new perks for iCloud+ subscribers over the past few weeks, including upgraded HomeKit Secure Video with 4K support, AI-generated clip descriptions and searchable footage tied to iOS 27. The company also raised the custom email domain limit from three to ten addresses, and in more than 100 countries outside the US, iCloud+ now bundles Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra cost.
Meta unveiled two new AI models, Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full, which it says match top-tier AI performance on coding, legal, financial and health tasks. The models add features called 'active memory' and 'active focus' meant to help AI agents retain context and persist through difficult tasks, and will roll out to Meta's Muse agent for paid subscribers. Muse Wonder is priced at $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens via API, while Muse Wonder Full requires a $50 or $200 monthly Muse Code subscription.
The WHO released a disease outbreak report on the death of a Russian infectious disease researcher, noting that Russian authorities have not confirmed a cause of death. The agency said it learned of the death on October 2 via media reports and subsequently requested information from Russian authorities on four separate occasions through October 8. Early media reports suggested the researcher, identified as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, may have died of plague after a lab incident.
Designer David Rudnick, an Arsenal supporter, worked with the club's brand team including James Kirkup over roughly five years to create a bespoke typeface intended to be unique to Arsenal. Rudnick says he approached the club with the idea of building a visual identity system no other football club could replicate, developed incrementally without a fixed preview of the final design.
Elon Musk has donated more than $276 million since July to political groups working to preserve Republican majorities in Congress ahead of this year's midterm elections. Of that total, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, the primary super PAC backing Republican Senate candidates. The donations make him the largest known contributor to the midterm cycle so far.
Norway's Data Protection Authority fined Xandr, an adtech unit now owned by Microsoft, 92 million kroner (about $9.6 million) for allegedly using sensitive Grindr user data for advertising without obtaining explicit consent. The agency said Xandr assumed Grindr had already secured user approval, and the case stems from a 2020 complaint by Norway's consumer council covering data practices between July 2018 and April 2020. It is the largest fine the NDPA has ever issued.
Singer Kelly Clarkson has become embroiled in an online dispute with a small novelty toy store in Brooklyn. The exchange has played out publicly on social media, drawing widespread attention to the previously low-profile shop.
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