Meta is testing robots from vendors including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB to perform physical data center tasks such as power-cycling servers and swapping networking cables. Internal workers say one robotic arm being evaluated could eventually replace up to 80 percent of certain workers' tasks, while a simpler device already in use can remotely press power buttons to restart machines.
Google has added support for Apple's AirDrop protocol to newer Android phones, including Pixel and Galaxy models, letting users send photos, links, and files directly to iPhones without third-party apps. Setup involves enabling sharing settings on both devices—such as Quick Share on Samsung or AirDrop visibility on iOS—after which either device can initiate a transfer that the other must accept.
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson told the New York Times he completed a playthrough of Grand Theft Auto VI, including the main story and some optional content, in about 80 hours. Rockstar also released an extended, nearly 27-minute look at the game following its Netflix debut, showcasing the fictional state of Leonida and protagonists Jason and Lucia. GTA VI launches November 19 for $80.
Samsung's new budget-tier 990 M.2 SSD, a QLC-based Gen 4 drive released after recent AI-driven storage price hikes, is now available at Amazon for $339 instead of its $529 list price. The 2TB model uses Samsung's PiccoloQ controller and V9 QLC flash, delivering performance close to the 990 EVO Plus with solid latency and bandwidth in testing.
Durability tester JerryRigEverything ran the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra through his usual scratch and bend tests. The cover screen held up similarly to other flagships and the Z Fold 7, but the inner foldable display stopped working after a couple of forceful bends, flickering before going unusable. Dust resistance remained comparable to the previous generation.
Google's Pixel 11 series replaces the Samsung-made Exynos modem used in earlier Pixels with a new MediaTek modem, paired with the Tensor G6 chip, which remains a 3nm design rather than the rumored 2nm jump. Early testing shows the new modem delivers faster download speeds and holds 5G connections better in weak-signal areas compared to the Pixel 10 Pro and older Pixel 9 hardware.
Intel CFO David Zinsner told Deutsche Bank's 2026 Technology Conference that defect density on the company's upcoming 14A (1.4nm-class) manufacturing process is dropping faster than internal targets and faster than any node since 22nm. Both internal design teams and outside customers are now engaging with 14A, though Intel isn't expected to hit high-volume manufacturing until 2028.
Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based startup that sells AI-powered license-plate-reading cameras to police departments, cities, and businesses, has rapidly grown from a niche security vendor into a widely recognized name. That visibility has come largely through controversy, as the company's surveillance technology has drawn public scrutiny and criticism rather than praise.
XGIMI has launched the Vibe One, a battery-powered, Google-certified Full HD LCD projector priced under $250. The compact 3.1-pound device rotates on its own handle to project onto walls or ceilings without a tripod, and doubles as an LED lamp and Bluetooth speaker. It sits below XGIMI's pricier MoGo lineup and the Nebula Capsule 3, offering fewer features but a lower cost.
Marvell Technology's shares slid 8% in premarket trading even after the chipmaker beat second-quarter revenue expectations, posting $2.7 billion, up 37% year-over-year and $39 million above its own guidance. The company raised its fiscal 2028 revenue outlook to roughly $18 billion, about 50% growth, from a prior estimate of $16.5 billion, but offered scant detail on how it plans to get there.
A WIRED journalist filed data access requests with more than 100 companies under the California Consumer Privacy Act, seeking to see what personal information had been collected. Instead of providing the requested data, many firms sent deletion confirmations the reporter never asked for, or refused to honor the contact method listed in their own privacy policies. McDonald's, notably, returned a 515-page file detailing app usage and predictive behavioral profiling.
A writer describes turning to an AI chatbot for guidance after prescribed pain medication failed to relieve nighttime back pain from an injury, and reports that the AI's suggestions offered relief. The account reflects a broader trend of millions of people consulting chatbots for medical advice, according to physicians who say the tools can be helpful but come with important caveats.