#BrainUp Daily Tech News – (Friday, March 13ᵗʰ)
Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2026/03/13. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 28 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.
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1. Apple cuts China App Store commission fees after government pressure
Apple has reduced commission fees on its China App Store following regulatory pressure from the Chinese government. This adjustment responds to increasing scrutiny and demands for fairer practices towards app developers, particularly smaller companies facing high fees. By lowering these commissions, Apple aims to comply with China’s regulatory environment while maintaining a competitive platform for digital content distribution. The change reflects broader efforts by #Apple to align its business operations with the legal and economic frameworks of important international markets. Ultimately, this fee reduction could influence the app ecosystem in China by enabling developers to retain more revenue, fostering innovation and growth within the local market.
2. Google invests in AI animation studio to make YouTube videos for kids – Dexerto
@Google is investing in Animaj Studio to help produce higher quality AI-made kids videos on @YouTube, while acknowledging that “AI slop” is a growing problem on the platform. A @Bloomberg report says Google put $1 million into Animaj via the #AI Futures Fund, giving the studio early access to newer versions of #Veo, #Gemini, and #Imagen, and Animaj co-founder @Sixte de Vauplane said Google recognizes few kids media players have proven they can use AI well. Vauplane claimed Animaj channels generated 22 billion views last year, and Google described “getting this right for the next generation” as a major priority. The move comes alongside YouTube’s broader effort to crack down on low-quality AI content, including banning and demonetizing channels and acting after a @New York Times investigation into “bizarre” AI kids content, while stating creators must disclose AI use for realistic content that could be mistaken as real.
3. China’s OpenClaw users paid to install viral AI. Now they spend to remove it
China’s #OpenClaw boom has flipped, with users now paying for services to remove the viral #AI agent after previously paying to install it. On Alibaba’s Xianyu marketplace, “uninstall OpenClaw” trended, and listings showed providers in major cities offering uninstall services, including a Shanghai seller charging 299 yuan and completing more than 10 transactions. The reversal comes as authorities, security experts and universities raise concerns after consumers and #BigTech companies rushed to adopt the agent. The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology under the #MIIT announced an initiative to develop standards for “Claw” agents to address opaque decision-making, focusing on quality control, behavioural reliability, manageable user permissions and transparent execution processes. The move signals a broader push to rein in risks tied to rapidly deployed #intelligent assistant agents as public sentiment shifts from adoption to remediation.
4. Centaur-style wearable robot adds 2 legs to cut walking effort by 35%
A centaur-style #wearable robot that adds two legs behind a person is designed to reduce the effort of walking, especially while carrying heavy loads. The article states the system cuts walking effort by 35% and describes it as adding two robotic legs to the human user. This suggests the device functions as an assistive mobility and load-carrying aid by sharing or redirecting some of the mechanical work of locomotion. The focus is on improving walking efficiency under burden through an added-limb robotic design. https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/centaur-robot-legs-cut-walking-effort
5. One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, Snapchat after social media ban
Despite the Australian government’s ban on several social media platforms, one-fifth of Australian teens continue to use apps like TikTok and Snapchat. Research indicates that restrictions have not fully deterred young users, who find ways to access these platforms through VPNs or other methods. This persistence highlights the challenges of regulating digital platforms among younger demographics reliant on social media for communication and entertainment. The findings suggest the ban may require additional enforcement mechanisms or alternative approaches to effectively influence teen online behavior. The case underscores broader global difficulties in restricting access to popular social media apps among youth.
A former Social Security employee, nicknamed the ‘Doge Bro’, allegedly stole a thumb drive containing the personal data of 500 million Americans and expected a pardon if apprehended. This massive data breach exposes sensitive information including names, Social Security numbers, and other private details, raising severe privacy and security concerns for millions. The incident highlights significant vulnerabilities within government data protection protocols and the risks posed by insider threats. The expectation of a pardon further complicates the matter, suggesting potential political or legal entanglements. Overall, this case underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards to prevent unauthorized data access and theft in federal agencies.
7. Pentagon praises Palantir tech for battlefield strike speed
At Palantir’s AIPCON, Pentagon speakers said Palantir’s #MavenSmartSystem is speeding how the US Department of Defense identifies, decides on, and strikes targets during Operation #EpicFury against Iran by collapsing the #killChain into one tool. DoD chief digital and AI officer Cameron Stanley said the process moved from eight or nine separate systems, with humans manually moving detections between them, to a single visualization and workflow that takes a target from detection to a course of action to actioning the target. Palantir’s Ted Mabrey said the company is supporting Epic Fury, and Palantir architect Chad Wahlquist claimed the shift reduces the manpower needed for targeting, citing an example where 2,000 intelligence officers became about 20 operating in rapid succession. Speakers also traced Maven’s origins to the 2016 push for a “third offset,” described as faster and more accurate commander decision making, and noted Google’s early involvement before exiting in 2018 after employee protests. Overall, the claims frame #Maven as orchestrating data, logic, and action to enable faster decision cycles and fewer people involved in target prosecution during current operations.
8. China’s ByteDance gets access to top Nvidia AI chips in Malaysia, WSJ reports
@ByteDance is building significant #AI computing capacity outside China by deploying top @Nvidia chips in Malaysia, according to a @WallStreetJournal report. The report says ByteDance is working with Aolani Cloud to deploy about 500 #Nvidia #Blackwell computing systems totaling roughly 36,000 #B200 chips, with Aolani acquiring the servers from Aivres, a firm that assembles servers using Nvidia chips. If completed, the hardware could cost more than US$2.5 billion, while an Aolani spokesman said the company is currently operating with about US$100 million in hardware. ByteDance reportedly plans to use this capacity for AI research and development outside China and to meet growing global customer demand for AI, though @Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report and Nvidia, ByteDance, and Aolani did not respond to comment requests. The article links the development to prior reporting that the US may allow ByteDance to buy #H200 chips, although Nvidia had not agreed to proposed conditions for their use.
9. The who, what, and why of the attack that has shut down Stryker’s Windows network
Stryker confirmed a cyberattack that caused a global disruption to its #Microsoft environment, following warnings of destructive retaliation after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, and an Iran-aligned group called Handala Hack claimed responsibility. Reports and social media posts attributed to employees and family members said phones and computers were wiped, and an Irish Examiner report cited sources who said wiped devices showed a Handala Hack logo on login pages. Stryker said responders have no indication that #ransomware or #malware were involved, believe the incident is contained to the internal Microsoft environment, and reported that Lifepak, Lifenet, and Mako medical devices are functioning normally, while it has no timeline for restoring normal operations per an SEC filing. The initial breach method is not publicly known, but evidence cited by KrebsOnSecurity and others suggests wiping may have been executed via #Intune rather than classic wiper malware, aligning with Check Point reporting that the group, tracked as “Void Manticore,” uses a mix of tools and hands-on techniques and may obtain access through underground criminal services. Overall, the incident appears to be a destructive campaign focused on Stryker’s Windows management plane, with attribution claims pointing to an Iran-aligned actor while key technical details remain unresolved.
10. ‘Medical nightmare’: What the Stryker cyberattack means for millions of Americans?
Stryker’s Iran-linked cyberattack is described as a long-lasting medical supply shock that could disrupt US healthcare for years, even if systems are restored with help from #Microsoft. Because the US healthcare system depends on a #just-in-time supply chain, the shutdown of Stryker’s 61-country network, including major hubs in Michigan and Cork, has severed logistics and halted the flow of critical medical hardware into the United States. The disruption threatens orthopedic care because Stryker’s proprietary titanium implants and instruments are required for many hip and knee replacements, and it could also sideline the #Mako SmartRobotics platform due to software, disposable attachments, and connectivity needs. Beyond elective procedures, the outage risks delays in trauma and neurosurgical care as emergency reserves of spinal implants, drills, and hemorrhage-control devices could be depleted if restocking fails. Recovery is further complicated because the Handala hackers allegedly destroyed parts of the digital infrastructure by wiping thousands of employees’ mobile phones and work profiles, leaving the workforce unable to coordinate repairs and supply chain restoration.
@Adobe CEO @Shantanu Narayen said he will step down after 18 years once a successor is appointed, while remaining board chair, as the company faces rising expectations to prove its #AI strategy amid investor concerns about how #agenticAI could reshape software demand and pricing. The announcement came alongside fiscal Q1 2026 results that beat estimates, with EPS of $6.06 on $6.4 billion in revenue, up 12.1% year over year, and Narayen said annualized revenue from AI-first products more than tripled. CFO Dan Durn cited 13% subscription revenue growth and record quarterly cash flow of $2.96 billion, and the company guided Q2 adjusted EPS of $5.80 to $5.85 on $6.43 to $6.48 billion in revenue, modestly above Wall Street forecasts. Despite the beat, the stock slipped about 1.43% after hours as guidance only slightly topped expectations and the leadership transition added uncertainty. Narayen, who joined in 1998 and has been CEO since 2007, highlighted Adobe’s long growth trajectory, and @Satya Nadella publicly praised his impact, while the board begins the search for a successor without a stated timeline.
12. Meta Delays Rollout of New AI Model: NYT Reports
Meta has postponed the launch of its new AI model, according to a report by the New York Times. The decision came amid ongoing concerns about the potential risks and implications of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. Meta’s hesitation reflects broader industry caution as companies weigh innovation against ethical and safety considerations. This delay underscores the complexity of deploying #AI responsibly in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The move highlights Meta’s approach to balancing advancement with the need for thorough evaluation and risk management.
13. AI error jails innocent grandmother for months in North Dakota fraud case
Tennessee grandmother Angela Lipps says she was wrongfully arrested and jailed for nearly six months after Fargo police used #AI facial recognition to identify her as a suspect in an organized bank fraud case. Court documents and records described in the article say detectives used facial recognition on surveillance footage of a woman using a fake U.S. Army military ID to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars, then compared the result to Lipps, reviewed her social media and Tennessee driver’s license, and sought extradition. Lipps was arrested by U.S. Marshals on July 14 at her Tennessee home, held as a fugitive without bail for nearly four months, flown to North Dakota to face charges of unauthorized use of personal identifying information and theft, and later had the case dismissed when records showed she was in Tennessee and had never been to North Dakota. She reports the ordeal cost her her home, car, and dog, and she is now trying to rebuild her life, highlighting how reliance on #facialRecognition can lead to severe consequences when it misidentifies an innocent person.
QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan helium complex has remained offline for nine days after Iranian drone strikes, removing about 30% of global helium supply and putting semiconductor supply chains on a roughly two-week timeline before disruptions deepen. QatarEnergy declared force majeure on March 4, and Gasworld reported March 7 that no imminent restart is planned, while consultant Phil Kornbluth warned that outages beyond about two weeks could force industrial gas distributors to relocate cryogenic equipment and revalidate suppliers, a process that can take months. South Korea is particularly exposed because it imported 64.7% of its helium from Qatar in 2025 and uses helium to cool silicon wafers in fabrication with no viable substitute, prompting its Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to investigate supply and demand across 14 semiconductor materials and equipment types with high Middle East dependence. SK hynix says it has diversified helium supplies and secured sufficient inventory, and @TSMC says it does not currently anticipate a notable impact but is monitoring the situation. The episode mirrors the 2022 helium and neon shortage after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reinforcing the need for #supply-diversification of critical #semiconductor gases used in #chipmaking and #lithography.
15. Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has verified account on X, Elon Musk’s platform
Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has launched a “verified” account on @ElonMusk’s X and used it on its first active day to post extensively about the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran and Iran’s response. Posting as @Rahbarenghelab_, he urged “effective and regret-inducing defense,” said the leverage of blocking the Strait of Hormuz should continue, promised vengeance for “the blood of your martyrs,” and called on regional neighbors to clarify their stance, including pressuring countries hosting U.S. bases to shut them down. The article says Mojtaba Khamenei was selected earlier this week to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a strike on Feb. 28, the first day of the war. @KatiePaul of the Tech Transparency Project criticized X for allowing a blue check account for a sanctioned leader, arguing X has profited from premium subscriptions for U.S. sanctioned entities and that this raises apparent #USSanctions compliance concerns amid an active conflict. The article notes X owner SpaceX, which also owns xAI, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
16. Palantir’s technology gives the West a critical edge in Middle East, CEO Alex Karp says
@Alex Karp said #AI is giving the U.S. and its allies a critical edge in the escalating conflict in Iran and across the Middle East, arguing that America’s advantage is both its “lethal capabilities” and that the #AI revolution is “uniquely American.” He said @Palantir’s platform can link and coordinate combat data among U.S. and regional partners after attacks, calling it the only product that can provide that kind of security coordination. Karp declined to comment on whether Palantir’s #ProjectMaven was used in a reported joint U.S.-Israel operation that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader @AyatollahAliKhamenei, while noting reports that Maven is a “core backbone” for U.S. efforts and that use among Middle East allies is expanding. He pointed to Iran’s bombing of three @Amazon data centers as evidence that modern war is moving beyond traditional military assets and treating data centers and digital infrastructure as national security targets. Karp added that adversaries are targeting capabilities they cannot produce, even as Palantir’s commercial business grows, with U.S. commercial revenue up 137% in the fourth quarter to $507 million.
17. Anthropic Identifies the Jobs Most Exposed to AI Risks—Is Your Occupation Affected?
An @Anthropic study using real-world usage of its #Claude model finds that #AI automation risk is currently highest for well-paid, well-educated #knowledge work rather than low-wage roles. Based on an “observed exposure” measure of work-related tasks Claude is actually performing, computer programmers rank highest with AI covering about 74.5% of their tasks, followed by customer service representatives (70.1%), data entry keyers (67.1%), medical records specialists (66.7%), and financial and investment analysts (57.2%). The most exposed occupations earn about 47% more than zero-exposure jobs, have higher graduate-degree attainment (17.4% vs. 4.5%), and are more likely to be female by 16 percentage points, reflecting AI’s strength in writing and analysis. While the study notes there has not yet been a surge in unemployment among high-exposure workers, hiring of 22 to 25 year olds into AI-exposed roles has fallen about 14% since #ChatGPT launched. The takeaway is that if your work involves programming, finance, customer service, or data, AI is already handling a meaningful share of similar tasks, potentially reshaping entry pathways even if roles do not vanish outright.
18. Why Moltbook and OpenClaw are the fool’s gold in our AI boom
The article argues that Meta’s acquisition of Moltbook and OpenAI’s hiring of @Peter Steinberger, creator of the open-source agent framework OpenClaw, are overpriced moves in an AI market driven by hype because both products are described as “horribly insecure” or lacking meaningful security. It cites reporting that Moltbook, a Reddit-style social platform for AI agents, relied heavily on humans role-playing or scripting “agents,” and that its claimed 1.4 million users may be inflated, with Wiz’s Gal Nagli saying he could register 500,000 users himself via the site’s #REST-API and estimating about 17,000 real users. The piece adds that Nagli found a misconfigured #Supabase database allowing full read and write access to all platform data, discovered through routine browsing rather than advanced hacking. It concludes that Meta is largely riding the AI hype train, framing Moltbook as a viral but unexceptional idea that already has alternatives such as The Colony, Clawstr, and 4Claw, while questioning whether users actually want to interact with AI agents instead of friends across social platforms.
19. US firm Deep Fission develops 6,000 ft well for geothermal energy
Deep Fission, a US startup, is pioneering a new geothermal energy approach by drilling 6,000 ft wells, which is a significant innovation in accessing Earth’s heat for power. This method leverages deep geological formations to harness sustainable and clean energy, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The key technology involves advanced drilling and heat exchange systems that increase efficiency and economic viability in geothermal power production. Deep Fission’s efforts align with global trends emphasizing renewable energy sources to meet growing energy demands while mitigating climate change impacts. Their innovation signifies a critical step towards expanding the role of #geothermalenergy in the renewable energy mix.
20. Anthropic’s Claude can now draw interactive charts and diagrams
@Anthropic has added a new capability to #Claude that lets it generate interactive charts, diagrams, and other visualizations inline during a conversation. The article states that this feature enables Claude to create these interactive visual elements directly in the chat experience. This positions Claude as a tool not only for text responses but also for producing interactive visual outputs as part of an ongoing dialogue. The update is presented as a new feature for conversational use, emphasizing inline, interactive visualization generation.
21. How we’re reimagining Maps with Gemini
Google Maps is adding new #Gemini-powered experiences to turn exploration into a conversation and make navigation more intuitive. The article introduces Ask Maps, a conversational feature that answers complex real world questions like where to charge a dying phone without long waits, or finding public tennis courts with lights, and returns a customized map to visualize options. It also describes trip planning help, such as suggesting stops on a route and providing directions, ETAs, and community sourced tips, based on analysis of information from over 300 million places and reviews contributed by a community of more than 500 million contributors, with personalization influenced by what you have searched for or saved. After recommendations, Ask Maps helps you act by enabling actions like booking restaurant reservations, saving places to lists, sharing with friends, and getting directions. The piece frames these updates as part of a major Maps change that pairs the world’s freshest map with Google’s most capable #Gemini models to improve both discovery and driving.
@Amazon is adding a new adults-only “Sassy” personality style to #Alexa+, expanding the assistant’s selectable tones beyond options like Brief, Chill, and Sweet. To enable it, users must pass extra security checks in the Alexa app, such as Face ID on iOS, and the mode is unavailable when Amazon Kids is turned on, because it can use explicit language and may include “mature subject matter.” Despite the edgier tone, the assistant says it will not engage in explicit sexual content, hate speech, illegal activities, personal attacks, or content that could cause harm. The Sassy voice is positioned as “help first, judge always,” delivering answers with wit and roasts while still prioritizing assistance. The update reflects Amazon’s broader effort to make #Alexa+ more customizable as it revamps the assistant for the #generativeAI era and follows a wider industry trend of experimenting with assistant personas and styles.
23. Apple’s MacBook Neo makes repairs easier and cheaper than other MacBooks
@Apple’s new MacBook Neo targets the sub-$1,000 market with a $599 starting price and a more modular internal design that makes repairs simpler than other modern MacBooks. Based on @Apple’s newly published repair documentation, many parts, including the battery, require fewer steps and tools to replace than in the M5 MacBook Air, and the battery is less dependent on screws and adhesive. The biggest shift is a separate, replaceable keyboard instead of the integrated “top case” design that has historically made keyboard repairs difficult and expensive, with examples like a $220 top case for an M1 MacBook Air and a $440 top case-plus-battery bundle for a 14-inch MacBook Pro. Repair pricing also suggests lower costs for Neo owners, including a $149 out-of-warranty battery replacement and $49 #AppleCare+ fees for accidental screen or enclosure damage, compared with higher prices for other MacBooks. The Neo’s #repairability changes mirror @Apple’s recent efforts to make iPhones easier to fix, and the article argues these concessions could be a model for future MacBook Air and Pro redesigns.
24. AI Chatbots Are Making People All Think the Same, Study Says
An opinion paper in Trends in Cognitive Sciences argues that widespread use of #LLMs such as #ChatGPT could homogenize how people think, write, and reason, reducing the cognitive diversity that supports creativity and collective problem-solving. @Zhivar Sourati of the University of Southern California says the same few chatbots are now used by hundreds of millions of people, and their outputs tend to vary less than human writing, effectively giving users a “finished way of thinking” at massive scale. The article cites rapid adoption data, including Pew Research reporting about one-third of Americans used ChatGPT last year and Stanford reporting 78% of organizations used AI in 2024, as context for the potential reach of this effect. The authors link homogenization to training data that emphasizes statistical regularities and can overrepresent dominant languages and ideologies, and they warn this may narrow perspectives, weaken pluralism, and even redefine what counts as credible speech or good reasoning, including via social pressure on nonusers. Overall, the piece frames heavy reliance on shared #AI chatbots as a new kind of cognitive influence that could flatten individuality and reduce adaptability by shrinking the range of perspectives in society.
Tinder unveiled a major product revamp aimed at reengaging its user base and attracting younger Gen Z daters by blending #IRL experiences, virtual speed dating, and #AI-driven matching and safety improvements. Following Match Group’s $50 million investment in product development, Tinder announced an Events tab launching in beta in Los Angeles in late May or early June, letting users discover curated local outings and then view profiles of event attendees afterward to like and swipe, echoing “Missed Connections.” It is also piloting a video speed dating test in Los Angeles with scheduled three-minute chats, optional extensions, and a requirement that profile photos be verified, positioning it as a pre-meet “vibe check” despite past video fatigue and the discontinuation of its pandemic-era Face-to-Face feature. On the AI front, Tinder is rolling out “Chemistry” in the U.S. and Canada after tests in Australia and New Zealand, using questions and, with permission, camera rolls to curate daily matches and reduce swipe fatigue. Together, these updates reflect Tinder’s attempt to shift from endless swiping toward a more social, community-first experience that bridges online discovery with offline connection.
26. New iPhone Fold details include rumored RAM, storage, and pricing – 9to5Mac
@Apple’s first foldable iPhone, dubbed #iPhone Fold, is rumored to launch this September alongside iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with new leaks focusing on memory, storage options, and pricing. A report from The Bell claims it will match Apple’s Pro models with 12GB RAM, using #LPDDR5X reportedly supplied by @Samsung. Leaker Instant Digital says storage will come in three tiers, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, mirroring iPhone 17 Pro but lacking the 2TB option found on iPhone 17 Pro Max. Instant Digital also lists expected prices of 15,999, 17,999, and 19,999 yuan, which Macworld suggests could translate to about $1,999, $2,199, and $2,399 in the US. If accurate, the configuration and pricing place the iPhone Fold well above current flagship iPhones but consistent with prior rumors of a $2,000 to $2,400 range for the device.
27. Gemini can now order your lunch as Android app control rolls out on Galaxy S26 [Gallery]
#Gemini #task automation, also called #screen automation, is rolling out on the @Samsung Galaxy S26 series, letting the AI take control of certain Android apps to perform tasks on a user’s behalf. In tests on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, Gemini could start an Uber Eats order from a voice request, add items to the cart, skip add-on pages, and then stop before checkout, sending a notification with a strong vibration to return control for the final confirmation. The feature is not necessarily faster than doing it manually, but it can handle repetitive steps in the background, such as cart building or setting rideshare locations. Currently supported apps include Lyft, Uber, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Starbucks, with compatibility shown in Gemini settings based on installed apps and the possibility of more apps later. Google is also set to bring it to Pixel 10 devices, but it did not appear to be live yet, and one test encountered a bug that trapped the phone in a fullscreen automation preview until a forced reboot.
28. Microsoft is reportedly adding an Xbox Mode to Windows 11 for an enhanced gaming experience
Microsoft is introducing an Xbox Mode to Windows 11 to improve gaming performance and integration. This mode aims to optimize system resources, reduce background activity, and enhance game responsiveness, providing a better experience for gamers. Reports indicate that Xbox Mode will allow seamless access to Xbox Game Pass titles and tighter integration with Xbox services. By focusing system power on gaming tasks, this feature demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to making Windows 11 a more gamer-friendly platform. This development aligns with the expanding role of #cloudgaming and #streaming services in PC gaming.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2026/03/13! We picked, and processed 28 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! 🚀
