#BrainUp Daily Tech News – (Thursday, October 30ᵗʰ)

Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/10/30. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 27 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.

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1. Nvidia’s market value hits $5 trillion as AI hype surges

Nvidia achieved a market valuation surpassing $5 trillion due to the surging enthusiasm for #artificialintelligence, particularly in the use of its specialized chips powering AI applications. The company’s shares soared after its financial results exceeded Wall Street expectations, reflecting growing demand from sectors deploying AI technology. The jump highlights the significant impact of AI on technology markets and Nvidia’s pivotal role in providing critical hardware that fuels this growth. CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the increasing integration of AI across industries, fostering optimism about future innovation and revenue streams. Nvidia’s milestone underscores the broader trend of AI reshaping global tech dynamics and reinforcing its influential market position.


2. Microsoft Azure suffers significant outage impacting multiple services

Microsoft Azure experienced a major outage affecting a wide range of its cloud services, disrupting operations for numerous customers globally. The incident was traced to a configuration error in the Azure Active Directory system, which impacted authentication and access to resources. Customers reported inability to access virtual machines, storage accounts, and other dependent services, highlighting the extent of the disruption. Microsoft responded by deploying fixes and restoring services progressively while communicating updates through its status portals and social media channels. This outage underscores the critical dependency enterprises have on cloud infrastructure providers like #MicrosoftAzure and the importance of robust failover and incident management strategies.


3. Meta, Google, and Microsoft Triple Down on AI Spending

Three of the biggest US tech giants, @Microsoft, @Meta, and @Alphabet, are signaling that their AI infrastructure investments will continue to grow even as profits rise. Meta raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to about $70-72B, with CFO Susan Li saying spending will be notably larger next year, as the company posted $51.24B in the most recent quarter. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said front-loading capacity is prudent to meet potential breakthroughs in superintelligence, and Meta has been recruiting AI talent, reorganizing teams, and cutting 600 jobs to boost efficiency, with AI already benefiting its ad and VR lines. Alphabet raised its 2025 capex guidance to $91-93B, most of it for data centers and AI initiatives, while reporting $102.3B in quarterly revenue and 650M Gemini MAU, with cloud revenue up 35% and Gemini users rising. Microsoft posted $77B in quarterly revenue, cloud up 26%, and $34.9B in capex, about $5B above forecast—with the CFO signaling sequentially higher AI spending into FY2026 and suggesting that demand for AI will continue to grow, even as some analysts warn of a bubble, a view echoed in part by OpenAI’s @SamAltman regarding rapid AI adoption.


4. TSMC to break ground on 1.4nm fab on 5 November | Electronics Weekly

@TSMC is set to break ground on a new #1.4nm fabrication complex in Taichung’s Central Taiwan Science Park on 5 November, signaling a bold push in advanced-node production. The project is expected to cost about $49bn, with mass production planned for H2 2028 and potential annual revenue up to $15.9bn, while employing 8,000–10,000 people. Originally the plan called for four fabs on the site with two #1.4nm lines initially and two more later for a #1nm process, but demand for the #1.4nm is so strong that TSMC may build all four fabs at once, each capable of running the 1.4nm process. In a broader context, industry competition such as Intel’s #18A progress and Samsung’s purchase of high-NA EUV machines is noted, yet TSMC will not use high-NA EUV in its #1.4nm process due to cost and process maturity, underscoring its lead in next-generation technology.


5. Grammarly rebrands to ‘Superhuman,’ launches a new AI assistant | TechCrunch

Grammarly renames itself to @Superhuman after acquiring the @Superhuman email client, and launches an AI assistant named Superhuman Go integrated into its Grammarly extension. While the Grammarly product remains branded as Grammarly, the company hints at rebranding other products such as #Coda, and the assistant can provide writing suggestions, email feedback, and connect to @Jira, @Gmail, @GoogleDrive, and @GoogleCalendar to gain context. Superhuman Go can fetch data from sources like CRMs and internal systems to suggest changes to emails, and users can try it by toggling in the Grammarly extension to connect it to different apps; an agent store includes a #plagiarism_checker and a #proofreader launched in August. All Grammarly users can try Superhuman Go now, with Pro at $12 per month (billed annually) and Business at $33 per month (billed annually) giving access to Superhuman Mail. The move positions Grammarly to better compete with @Notion, @ClickUp, and @GoogleWorkspace as an AI-powered productivity suite, while signaling broader AI ambitions for the @Coda document suite and related products.


6. Meta’s Q3 Pummeled By $16 Billion, One-Time Tax Charge   

Meta’s Q3 profits were dragged down by a $15.93B one-time non-cash income tax charge, even as revenue rose and underlying results were solid, a contrast highlighted by CEO @Mark Zuckerberg. Net income plunged 83% to $2.7B, while revenue grew 26% to $51.4B and average ad price rose 10% year over year. Family daily active people hit 3.54B on average in September 2025, Instagram reached 3B MAU, and Threads surpassed 150M users. The company raised its full-year capex outlook to $70-72B and expects spending to rise further in 2026, backing an AI arms race that includes a $27B JV with @BlueOwlCapital to build a Louisiana data center for #Llama4 and other AI initiatives. Zuckerberg described front-loading compute to prepare for potential superintelligence, while regulatory risk in the US and Europe and the big AI push together frame Meta’s earnings trajectory and investor sentiment going forward.


7. YouTube Will Use AI to Sharpen Lower-Resolution Videos on TVs

YouTube is deploying artificial intelligence technology to enhance the quality of lower-resolution videos viewed on TVs, aiming to improve the streaming experience for users. This AI-driven approach uses algorithms to upscale and sharpen images, making older or lower-resolution content appear clearer and more detailed on large screens. The technology addresses common issues faced by viewers when watching videos not natively designed for high definition on modern television sets. By integrating AI, YouTube intends to reduce blur and pixelation, delivering a more visually appealing output. This development aligns with broader trends of leveraging AI to optimize media quality and viewer satisfaction on digital platforms.


8. Lock Screen Ads Are Coming to Some Smartphones

Nothing’s Lock Glimpse will bring lock screen ads to select non-flagship devices to help keep mid-budget pricing affordable. When enabled, it shows rotating wallpapers with text links to ads, such as a strawberry sundae linking to a recipe, and Reddit discussions point to a connection with the Chinese ad firm BOYUAN. For now the feature is off by default, and @Nothing says users will have control over Lock Glimpse in the future. This move underscores razor-thin margins pressing @Nothing to pursue ad support and pre-installed partner apps to sustain lower prices. It mirrors earlier efforts such as @Motorola’s #Glance and @OnePlus’s #LockScreenMagazine, suggesting a broader shift toward ad-supported lock screens among mid-budget brands.


9. 1X Neo is a $20,000 home robot that will learn chores via teleoperation

The 1X Neo is a home robot priced at $20,000 designed to learn household chores by being guided through teleoperation. It uses remote human operators to teach the robot tasks, enabling it to adapt and perform chores in real home environments. This approach leverages the combination of human intuition and robotic efficiency to improve domestic automation. The robot’s ability to learn through teleoperation allows it to handle complex and varied tasks beyond pre-programmed instructions. Thus, the 1X Neo represents a novel step in integrating #AI and robotics for practical home assistance.


10. NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet Just Aced Its First Flight

The X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet completed its first subsonic test flight, marking a milestone in quiet-supersonic technology led by @LockheedMartin Skunk Works in partnership with @NASA. Piloted by Nils Larson, the mission launched from Palmdale at 8:14 am PT on Oct 28, climbed to 12,000 feet, and lasted 1 hour 7 minutes, with handling checks up to 250 knots as it circled Edwards AFB. Lockheed Martin said the X-59 performed as planned, confirming initial flying qualities and air data performance on the way to a safe landing at its new home. The aircraft’s needle nose, shockwave-smoothed fuselage, and top-mounted engine are designed to minimize sonic-boom intensity, enabling NASA to measure the sound signature and gauge community acceptance in future flights, as policy discussions move toward lifting the long-standing commercial supersonic ban over U.S. airspace via a presidential executive order (#commercial-supersonic-ban, #low-boom). The broader field includes Boom Supersonic pursuing the XB-1 and the Overture for 2027, Spike Aerospace with the S-512 Diplomat, while Aerion and Exosonic have shut down for funding reasons.


11. Meta Loses Bid to Block Internal Docs on Teen Mental Health (1)

A DC Superior Court ruling found Meta cannot block the DC attorney general from obtaining internal documents under attorney-client privilege because the crime-fraud exception applies to communications showing advice to amend research to limit liability. The judge noted Meta counsel advised researchers to ‘remove,’ ‘block,’ ‘button up,’ ‘limit,’ and ‘update’ their research, and ordered four documents from November 2022 to July 2023 produced within seven days. The decision could ripple into the related multidistrict litigation in California over teen addiction and mental health harms, where dozens of state attorneys general and private suits are involved, with first trials set for next year. Meta says the disclosures did not involve deleted findings and that the discussions were routine lawyer-client communications. This case highlights the tension between privilege protections and efforts to curb liability in high-stakes tech litigation. #crimeFraudException #attorneyClientPrivilege #discovery #MDL #DCAG


12. WordPress Security Plugin Exposes Private Data to Site Subscribers

A vulnerability in the WordPress plugin ‘WP User Manager’ allowed unauthorized access to private user data by site subscribers, posing a significant security risk to websites using this plugin. The flaw enabled subscribers to view data such as email addresses, user roles, and other personal details not intended for public or subscriber visibility. This issue was identified and reported by security researchers, prompting the plugin developers to release a patch to address the data exposure promptly. The exposure underscores the importance of regularly updating and auditing #WordPress plugins to prevent breaches of sensitive information. Website administrators are advised to immediately update to the latest version of ‘WP User Manager’ to mitigate the risk and protect user privacy.


13. Las Vegas Police’s First Tesla Cybertrucks Arrive, Set To Be Used In The Field

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has received its first Tesla Cybertruck units, making strides in integrating electric vehicles into their fleet. These Cybertrucks will be used for patrol and community engagement, showcasing the department’s commitment to sustainability and advanced technology. The vehicles’ durability and performance capabilities are expected to meet law enforcement requirements, including off-road and urban scenarios. This adoption reflects a broader trend where police departments are considering electric vehicles not only to reduce emissions but also to leverage innovative features for operational advantages. The move aligns Las Vegas police with other forward-thinking agencies utilizing #EVs for public safety, demonstrating a progressive approach to modern law enforcement needs.


14. EA employees are reportedly frustrated by a mandate to use AI, mocking the policy in Slack and suspecting it’s being used as justification for layoffs

EA’s leadership at @EA has pressed nearly 15,000 employees to use #generativeAI for almost everything, including AI training, an internal chatbot #ReefGPT, and broader task automation. An anonymous former senior QA worker at @RespawnEntertainment said AI was able to perform a key part of his job—reviewing and summarizing feedback from hundreds of play testers—and he was laid off in April, fueling suspicion that AI integration was connected. The tools themselves have flaws, with #ReefGPT prone to hallucinations and buggy code that needed fixes, a problem underscored by a Slack channel meme mocking the AI push. Across the industry, Upwork found 77% of workers reported that AI tools added to their workload, while investors say 87% of game developers are already using generative AI. The article frames the AI push as a potential justification for layoffs amid broad adoption, highlighting a tension between rapid AI deployment and concerns about efficiency, workload, and job security in game development.


15. Microsoft takes $3.1 billion hit from OpenAI investment

In its fiscal first-quarter earnings, Microsoft booked a $3.1 billion hit to net income from its OpenAI investment, an equity-method accounting change that reduced earnings per share by 41 cents. Microsoft has invested a total of $13 billion in OpenAI, with $11.6 billion funded as of the end of September. Under the new OpenAI structure, the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation holds a 26% stake in the for-profit, with 47% held by current and former employees and investors, while Microsoft’s stake is valued at about $135 billion on an as-converted diluted basis, roughly 27% of the company. OpenAI has contracted to purchase an incremental $250 billion of Azure services, and Microsoft will no longer have the right of first refusal as a compute provider. Although the deal anchored a deep, long-running partnership, the two entities are increasingly competing in AI, as seen in Microsoft’s own testing of homegrown models and OpenAI’s ongoing financial and governance shifts; CEO @Satya Nadella described the relationship as one of the most successful partnerships and investments our industry has seen, while @Sam Altman joined by video to reinforce the joint growth.


16. Mexican Government To Tax Violent Video Games It Says Make Kids Violent

Mexico’s plan to tax violent #video_games, framed as a way to curb harm to kids, is examined with skepticism about blaming games for violence and a stance that parents, not the industry or government, should shield children. The piece argues that such a tax won’t stop a supposed social contagion and may drive people to black markets, noting that governments have historically taxed risky products like tobacco, alcohol, sugar, and vaping for revenue. It questions the strength of evidence linking violent #video_games to aggression and even contemplates the inverse possibility that aggression-prone youths gravitate toward more violent games, suggesting that expanding outlets like skateparks could reduce crime. It also references @Jack_Thompson to signal that the debate often centers on personalities rather than solid data, and it urges broader consideration of social factors beyond targeting games.


17. OpenAI loses bid to dismiss part of U.S. authors’ copyright lawsuit

OpenAI failed to dismiss part of a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by U.S. authors who allege the company unlawfully used their works to train its AI models. The court ruled some of the authors’ claims are valid enough to proceed, rejecting OpenAI’s argument that the training qualifies as fair use. This decision highlights ongoing tensions over AI training data and copyright law as the technology advances rapidly. The case emphasizes legal risks tech firms face when leveraging copyrighted content without clear permission. This ruling could impact future AI development and copyright enforcement, underscoring the need for clearer regulations around data use.


18. Italy’s Bending Spoon Acquires AOL From Apollo

Milan-based app developer @Bending Spoons is acquiring @AOL from @Apollo, a landmark deal that represents its biggest acquisition to date and is being financed with about $2.8 billion in debt. The deal will hand @AOL’s email platform and homepage to the buyer, assets that helped define the early internet, while AOL reportedly generates about $400 million in annual revenue and attracts around 8 million daily users. Reuters has reported the acquisition valued @AOL at over $1.4 billion, and the move fits a broader buying spree in which @Bending Spoons has snapped up Evernote, Meetup and Brightcove. The financing aims to scale to about 300 million monthly users and push revenue toward roughly $1.2 billion this year, aided by other large bets such as a $1.38 billion deal to take Vimeo private. CEO @Luca Ferrari said AOL Mail is good but could be faster and more intuitive, signaling investments in AOL’s underlying technology as part of a strategy to blend a legacy internet property with @Bending Spoons’ growing app ecosystem.


19. Donald Trump Is the First AI Slop President

President @Donald Trump is depicted as America’s first generative AI president, with AI-generated videos posted on his official account rather than created by him. A standout clip shows him in Top Gun gear with a crown, delivering a bombardment of insults toward fictional No Kings protesters in Times Square, alongside other AI depictions such as a racist image of @Hakeem Jeffries and a #TrumpGaza piece, illustrating a pattern of AI slop content. A senior White House official says Trump sometimes saves videos he finds amusing to his camera roll and posts them, while staffers often identify clips and obtain approval to post on the president’s main account; two aides, @Dan Scavino and @Natalie Harp, are described as increasingly influential in shaping what appears online, with @Laura Loomer claiming about 95% of posts are executed by Scavino or Harp. Long before this era, Trump recognized the value of a managed social media presence, founding Truth Social in 2021, and in the Truth Social era content is usually delegated to two aides rather than the president, who still relies on dictation and printed notes. The piece notes the unknowns—who makes AI videos the president doesn’t encounter and what service is used—highlighting concerns about accountability, influence, and the evolving role of staff in curating AI content on #TruthSocial and other platforms #AI #GenerativeAI #NoKings.


20. Adobe Previews Corrective AI and Sneak Peeks for MAX 2025

Adobe is preparing to showcase new #CorrectiveAI technologies at Adobe MAX 2025, which aim to streamline and automate tedious creative tasks. These AI tools will enhance the workflow of content creators by intelligently recommending fixes and adjustments while maintaining artistic control. Demonstrations indicate that Corrective AI can significantly reduce manual editing time, allowing more focus on creativity and innovation. This approach reflects Adobe’s commitment to integrating advanced AI to augment human expertise rather than replace it. As a result, Adobe MAX 2025 is positioned to highlight the evolving synergy between #AI and creative professionals.


21. Adobe MAX conference highlights AI’s transformative role in creative workflows

At the Adobe MAX conference, the company showcased advancements in #AI-driven creative tools designed to enhance productivity and creativity for users. Adobe introduced features like AI-powered automatic video editing and intelligent image generation, which leverage machine learning to streamline content creation. The integration of AI aims to reduce manual efforts while enabling artists and designers to experiment with new ideas and produce high-quality work efficiently. Adobe’s strategic focus on AI reflects a broader industry trend toward embedding intelligent automation in digital media workflows. These updates underscore Adobe’s commitment to empowering creatives with cutting-edge technology to stay competitive and innovative.


22. Deepfake videos are more realistic than ever: How can you spot if a video is real or Sora AI?

Deepfake videos have reached unprecedented levels of realism due to advancements in #AI and machine learning, making it increasingly difficult to discern real footage from fakes. These videos often manipulate facial expressions, voice, and gestures to create convincing yet fabricated content that can deceive viewers, potentially influencing public opinion or spreading misinformation. Experts recommend scrutinizing subtle inconsistencies such as unnatural blinking, irregular lighting, or audio mismatches as clues to identify deepfakes. Additionally, specialized detection tools and digital forensics are becoming crucial in verifying video authenticity as deepfake technology evolves. Understanding these challenges highlights the importance of media literacy and technological vigilance in the digital age.


23. How to get the new Windows Start menu now

Microsoft’s refreshed #Windows11 Start menu offers three ways to view all installed apps without clicking the All button, delivering a more convenient layout. You can disable the Recommended section by right-clicking the menu, selecting Settings, and turning off Show recently added apps, Show recommended files, and Show recommendations for tips, after which a full list of apps appears directly below your pinned shortcuts. The app list can be shown as a grid, a list, or grouped by category, with the grid view being the most information-dense. To get it, you must be on build 26100.7019 or 26200.7019 or newer; check for updates in Settings -> Windows Update or run winver to verify your build number. If it hasn’t appeared, enable it with ViveTool by downloading to C:\vive and running vivetool /enable /id:57048231,47205210,56328729,48433719; after a restart the Start button will show the new Start menu, which reduces clicks and lets you tailor how you access all apps within @Microsoft #Windows11.


24. MediaTek’s new Chromebook chip promises better battery life, fanless laptops in 2026

MediaTek’s Kompanio 540 for Chromebooks aims to deliver longer battery life and the option for fanless laptops, with a debut planned for early 2026. The octa-core chip features two Arm Cortex-A78 CPUs, a dual-core graphics engine, and support for premium LPDDR5 memory and UFS 3.1 storage, enabling smooth multitasking and responsive everyday use. MediaTek claims about 35% longer battery life and quiet operation on thin, ultra-portable Chromebooks point to a platform designed for student-focused devices that stay cool and light throughout the day. This release reinforces MediaTek’s ongoing role in shaping Chromebook performance and portability as education laptops move toward quieter, more efficient hardware, as reported by @BenSchoon.


25. Early access for Gemini Home voice assistant is now available. Here’s how to get it

Gemini for Home is now in early access, bringing an AI-enhanced voice assistant to Google Nest speakers and aiming for more natural, back-and-forth interactions #GeminiLive. The full Gemini Live experience is on Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Audio, Nest Mini (2nd gen), and Nest Hub Max, while other models support most features without Live. Upgrading means you can’t downgrade back to Assistant on those devices, underscoring Google’s commitment to the Gemini platform. To join, use the Google Home app > Home Settings > Early Access, watch for a notification in the app, or find the setup banner under Home settings if dismissed. Gemini Live requires Google Home Premium; standard is $10/mo or $100/yr, advanced at $20/mo or $200/yr, the difference being a camera history search feature, with both tiers unlocking Gemini Live for faster Q&A and topics explained simply, plus examples like top basketball scorers or dietary queries, all building toward a more capable, assistant-like AI on the shelf #GeminiForHome @Google @ChatGPT.


26. Please stop using AI browsers

AI-enabled browsers promise to act as personal assistants that can search, summarize pages, and automate tasks, but they also introduce serious security and privacy risks in #agentic_browsing. Examples such as @Perplexity’s Comet, @OpenAI’s Atlas, and @Brave’s Leo, along with Opera Neon, show how LLMs are embedded to chain workflows from finding a restaurant to booking a table and emailing confirmations, with the omnibox serving as a ChatGPT prompt bar. Because these AI browsers access authenticated sessions and personal data, they alter the browser’s security model and can enable #prompt_injection, #data_leakage, and #LLM_misuse, with real incidents already reported. Securing these browsers is an extremely difficult challenge and there is not a lot you can do to protect yourself. Given these risks, the piece urges readers to rethink using #AI_browsers and to consider alternative approaches.


27. 10 gravitational-wave events hint at a new generation of black holes

Scientists have detected 10 new gravitational-wave events featuring merging black holes of unusual masses, suggesting a new generation of black holes. These black holes fall within the upper mass gap, a range previously considered unlikely due to theoretical stellar evolution limits, indicating complex formation processes. The observations were made using data from LIGO and Virgo observatories, revealing details about black hole masses and spins that challenge existing astrophysical models. This finding enhances understanding of black hole populations and the dynamic environments where they form and merge. It signifies a critical step in exploring the diversity and origins of black holes in the cosmos.


That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/10/30! We picked, and processed 27 Articles. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.

Thanks, Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi, for curating the links

See you in the next one! 🚀