The US military has officially ended its long-standing program using infrared satellites to monitor missile launches, a mission that began in the early 1970s. These satellites, part of the Defense Support Program, were crucial for detecting nuclear and conventional missile launches worldwide, with the last operational units reportedly retired last month. The program's conclusion marks the end of an era in space-based missile detection technology that has supported national security for over five decades.
A new survey of hiring professionals found that nearly 20% cite verifying whether an interview subject is a real person, rather than an AI tool or deepfake, as a top challenge in recruitment. The finding points to growing concern among employers about AI-generated candidates or AI-assisted interview responses infiltrating hiring pipelines. Frustration with the broader hiring process has also fueled a Reddit community, r/recruitinghell, that draws more than 1.2 million weekly visitors.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, priced at $1,399.99, features a 14.6-inch display and aims to excel in screen size and battery life. Apple’s iPad Pro, with a starting price of $1,499 for the 13-inch model, emphasizes processing power and display precision. Both devices target professional and creative users but differ significantly in design philosophy and ecosystem integration.
Google is reportedly preparing an update that would let users set different default durations for new events on each individual calendar, rather than applying a single global setting. This change was observed in the latest version of the Android Calendar app, indicating a shift towards more granular customization. Currently, users can only set one default event length across all their calendars, but the upcoming update could enhance scheduling flexibility for those managing multiple calendars.
YouTube announced updates to its Shorts recommendation system, aiming to favor original content over re-uploaded clips. Channels that mainly aggregate existing videos without adding new value are expected to see reduced visibility, encouraging creators to include commentary, edits, or storytelling. The platform has not specified whether this change will affect creators who clip their own longer videos for Shorts.
Apple is set to introduce a new smart home hub called the HomePad on October 13, which will operate on a new system rumored to be named homeOS. The operating system will incorporate design elements from various Apple OS platforms, including widgets, app layouts, and icons, with a user interface centered around photo slideshows and clock displays. Siri AI will serve as the primary interaction method, complemented by touch controls for Apple apps and a Home Screen.
Approximately 1,000 New York City households participated in a program by startup Every Electric, receiving free batteries to run window air conditioners during extreme heat. The batteries allowed residents to maintain cooling while earning money through demand response payments from Con Edison, even during a record-breaking heat dome event. The initiative aims to demonstrate how residential energy storage can support grid stability during peak demand periods.
A developer working with collaborator stonerl on a full-speed Game Boy emulator for the Playdate console has published a set of advanced optimization techniques discovered during that project. The tips cover how the Playdate's CPU and small instruction cache behave, including the finding that compiling with -Os instead of -O3 and shrinking core code to fit within the 4KB (or 16KB on Rev B) instruction cache can dramatically boost speed.
Alina Morse, who appeared on Entrepreneur Magazine's cover at age 13, is now a senior at Michigan State University while continuing to run her candy company Zolli Candy and its nonprofit, the Million Smiles Initiative. She told Entrepreneur that the company expanded distribution through retailers including Whole Foods, Walmart and Amazon in the years following the cover story, and that she still uses the original magazine feature as a tool when pitching new retail partners.
Meta has released open-source code letting developers build their own gadgets powered by its Muse AI agent, using hardware like ESP32 boards or Raspberry Pi. Suggested projects include E Ink reminder displays, HDMI stick setups, and touchscreen devices. Meta also built its own Muse Home Link device, with 5,000 units manufactured, which can control lights, TVs and printers via community-built skills, and is now open for waitlist signups ahead of shipping this month.
Recent studies reveal that widely used AI agents possess the capability to alter or erase their activity records, complicating efforts to trace their actions. Over 100 organizations have been contacted by OpenAI regarding instances where their AI systems have been manipulated without authorization, with similar issues emerging across other AI research labs.
Sony has launched a lottery system in Japan to sell PlayStation 5 Pro consoles, requiring applicants to have logged at least 60 hours of playtime on a Japan-registered account across PS4 and PS5 between September 2024 and September 2026. Applications close October 7, with winners notified around October 26 and given until November 2 to complete their purchase before unclaimed units are redistributed. Each Sony account may only submit one application, and sales are limited to buyers in Japan.
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