Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/10/03. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 26 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.
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1. Perplexity’s Comet AI browser now free; Max users get new ‘background assistant’ | TechCrunch
Perplexity is making its Comet AI browser available worldwide for free to broaden its competition with incumbents like Google Chrome and other browsers, while still offering a premium Max plan with extra capabilities #AI #browser. Previously limited to Max subscribers at $200 per month, Comet has drawn millions from a waitlist and free access now includes the sidecar AI assistant that helps answer questions about the page, summarize content, manage web content and navigate pages, plus tools like #Discover #Spaces #Shopping #Travel #Finance #Sports for all users. Max users gain access to high-performing AI models and an email assistant that can draft replies, organize the inbox, schedule meetings and answer inbox questions, as well as early access to new products and features, including the new ‘background assistant’ announced by CEO @AravindSrinivas. The background assistant is described as a team of assistants you can manage from a central dashboard and is part of Perplexity’s broader push to prove tangible productivity gains amid competition from Google Chrome, The Browser Company’s Dia and OpenAI’s upcoming AI-powered browser.
2. Snapchat to charge users to store ‘Memories.’ Here’s how to download them for free.
@Snapchat will start charging users with more than 5GB of Memories and roll out #MemoriesStoragePlans, while the vast majority with under 5GB are not affected. The storage options include 100GB or 250GB via #SnapchatPlus and 5TB via #SnapchatPlatinum, with 12 months of temporary storage for excess Memories, and more than 1 trillion Memories saved since the feature launched in 2016. Pricing and the start date for billing are not yet announced, creating uncertainty for users who have large Memories. To avoid paying, users can download Memories directly to their devices by exporting selected Snaps or download their data via My Data, which is sent as a zip file after submission.
3. Samsung preps for TriFold launch this month as Galaxy Z Fold 7 popularity explodes
@Samsung is preparing to launch its #TriFold this month as the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s popularity drives stronger demand for foldables. According to Yonhap, the company may unveil the #TriFold at the #APEC summit in Gyeongju on Oct 31 to Nov 1, though whether this would be a full launch or a separate event remains unclear. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is selling well in the US, with nearly 30% of purchases coming from Galaxy S Ultra models, hinting that the S Pen may not be as essential as some fans think, and Fold 7 pre-orders are up about 50% over Fold 6. If demand stays strong, Samsung could broaden the TriFold rollout beyond South Korea and China, but a global decision has not yet been made.
4. This Xbox Generation Will Be Remembered for One Thing: Greed – IGN
Microsoft’s recent price increases for consoles, software, and Xbox Game Pass fly in the face of the player-first decisions Xbox has made under @Phil_Spencer. It recalls milestones like unbundling the Kinect, championing #BackwardsCompatibility, #FPSBoost, cross-play with Sony, native 4K with the #XboxOneX, and inclusive features such as the #AdaptiveController and accessibility in first-party games. Game Pass has been a tremendous value despite controversy over its economics, but the piece argues the latest moves threaten that appeal. Three day-one releases—Ninja Gaiden 4, Keeper, and The Outer Worlds 2—will land on #GamePass on day one, while prices rise: the day-one tier is now $30/month (a 50% jump) and PC Game Pass goes from $12 to $16.49. The author contends the biggest draw of #GamePass is day-one access to Xbox-published titles, and these increases risk undermining momentum and shifting focus from content to cost.
5. Apple Provides Fix for iMessage Activation Bug in iOS 26
Apple identifies an iOS 26 activation issue where iMessage cannot be activated with a phone number if an inactive SIM or eSIM shares that number with the active SIM. Affected users may see a ‘Not Delivered’ alert and messages may be sent via #RCS or #SMS with green bubbles, or iMessages might be sent using an email address. To fix, remove the inactive SIM in Settings > Cellular by deleting the inactive SIM if two with the same number are displayed; physically remove a physical SIM or delete the eSIM from the Cellular interface. After removal, reenable iMessage by going to #Messages, tapping #SendAndReceive, and selecting the displayed phone number. These steps restore iMessage activation by ensuring a single active line on the device, reflecting Apple’s troubleshooting approach for #iOS26 messaging issues.
6. Microsoft’s ultra compact Windows 11 25H2 update is here – get it in a single restart
Microsoft has released Windows 11 25H2 as a compact update that installs with a single restart and updates only the files that need changing, making it faster and more reliable than prior annual releases. The update is rolling out gradually to individuals and organizations and shares a code base with 24H2, with certain features disabled in 24H2 and enabled in 25H2. In addition to speed, 25H2 includes security improvements such as enhanced build and runtime vulnerability detection and AI-assisted secure coding, per @John Cable, VP of Product Management for Windows Servicing and Delivery, aligned with a robust #SDL policy. Features gradually introduced to 24H2, like #WiFi7 support, #QuickMachineRecovery, and tweaks to the #Taskbar, #FileExplorer, and #TaskManager, will be ready in 25H2, and Microsoft says this version should be more stable and extend the support window to October 2027.
7. HP’s new 49-inch curved ultrawide monitor has a pop-up webcam
The @HP Series 5 Pro 49-inch Conferencing Monitor is a productivity‑oriented jumbo ultrawide that hides a 5‑MP Windows Hello webcam that pops up from the top. It uses a #VA panel with 5120×1440 resolution, a 165 Hz refresh rate, and an 1800R curvature, effectively equivalent to two #27-inch displays side by side. The display can act as two or three virtual monitors via software, and it offers #HDMI2.1, #DisplayPort1.4, Ethernet, USB ports, and a built‑in #KVM switch. However, with 5 ms response time and 8-bit color depth and 99% sRGB coverage, it’s less suitable for gaming or color‑critical work, and pricing will be announced closer to its November launch; an update notes Windows Hello support and a correction that the panel is #VA, not IPS. The monitor emphasizes conferencing and office productivity rather than gaming, with the webcam feature and multi‑display capabilities likely appealing to enterprise buyers.
8. Tesla’s quarterly deliveries beat analysts’ estimates
Tesla reported better-than-expected vehicle deliveries for the third quarter, exceeding analysts’ estimates as the electric vehicle maker continues to ramp up production. The company delivered approximately 497,099 vehicles, driven by higher output from its factories and strong demand for models like the Model 3 and Model Y. This performance highlights Tesla’s ability to navigate supply chain challenges and maintain growth momentum in a competitive market. Tesla’s results reinforce its leadership position in the #EV market and support its longer-term growth trajectory as demand for electric vehicles accelerates globally. Tesla deliveries boosted by U.S. tax credit expiry. Company delivers record number of cars in a quarter. Deliveries of 497,099 vehicles in Q3 exceed estimates
9. After nine years of grinding, Replit finally found its market. Can it keep it?
Replit, after nine years of development, has successfully found its market niche as an accessible cloud coding platform for developers ranging from novices to professionals. The platform’s growth accelerated by providing an integrated, browser-based IDE that supports real-time collaboration and easy deployment, which attracted a diverse user base including educators and hobbyists. Replit’s subscription model and user engagement strategies have allowed it to monetize effectively while continuing to enhance its features, positioning it as a key player in cloud development tools. The company’s ability to adapt to changing user needs and maintain vibrant community interactions underpins its sustained relevance in the competitive coding platform space. This success story highlights how persistent innovation and user-centric design can cultivate a strong foothold in the tech ecosystem.
Microsoft has committed around $33 billion in partnerships with “neocloud” GPU-as-a-service providers, with the biggest single deal, a $19.4 billion agreement with Nebius, granting access to over 100,000 Nvidia GB300 chips for Microsoft’s internal AI teams. The deal helps Microsoft offload GPU capacity demands to external data centers while reserving its own infrastructure for external customers. The remaining $13+ billion of its neocloud spending has gone to firms like CoreWeave, Nscale, and Lambda. Nebius will provide GPU compute through its new Vineland, New Jersey data center, and the deal is structured to support Microsoft’s internal projects like #CopilotPlus and LLM development. The move reflects a broader trend of hyperscalers outsourcing AI compute to third-party experts to manage scale, cost, and flexibility constraints.
An AI-generated video spoof pretends @Sam Altman is caught stealing a GPU from Target, using a clip that circulated on X to lampoon the hardware shortages OpenAI has faced. The clip shows a digital Altman taking a white box off a store shelf, facing a security guard, and insisting that he needs the GPU for #Sora inference, a nod to OpenAI’s new model and its Sora 2 rollout. Reportedly produced by an OpenAI employee, the video ties the joke to OpenAI’s broader hardware ambitions, recalling past GPU shortages that delayed GPT-4.5 and noting plans to secure millions of GPUs through 2025 as part of a shift toward a for-profit model with major tech partners like Nvidia. While humorous, the clip highlights concerns about the authenticity of AI-generated media and the ease with which realistic, security camera style footage can blur fact and fiction, underscoring calls for stronger video provenance and metadata to help viewers verify what they watch. The episode captures a tension at the frontier of AI: impressive generative capabilities paired with ongoing debates over transparency, verification, and the long-term viability of a rapidly expanding, hardware-heavy field.
12. Type A blood converted into universal donor blood with help of bacterial enzymes
Scientists have developed a method to convert type A blood into universal donor blood using enzymes derived from bacteria. The research demonstrated that these bacterial enzymes can efficiently remove specific sugar antigens from type B red blood cells, making them compatible for transfusion to recipients of any blood type. This enzymatic conversion could address blood supply shortages and simplify transfusion logistics by expanding the availability of universal donor blood. The study highlights the potential of #biotechnology to modify blood types, reducing risks and improving transfusion outcomes. This advancement could revolutionize blood banking and transfusion medicine by providing accessible universal blood products.
13. Stroke Damage Reversed as Stem Cells Regrow the Brain
Recent research shows that #stemcells can reverse stroke damage by regrowing brain tissue and restoring function. Scientists transplanted neural precursor cells into animal stroke models, leading to significant recovery in motor skills and brain activity through the replacement of lost neurons and brain networks. This approach highlights the regenerative potential of stem cells, not just preventing damage but actively repairing brain areas affected by stroke. The findings suggest a promising new therapeutic avenue for stroke survivors aiming to regain lost capabilities. This study advances our understanding of brain repair and offers hope for more effective stroke treatments using #neuralstemcelltherapy.
14. New Defense Against Bacterial Superbugs: Taking Fish Oil May Reduce Antibiotic Resistance
Regular fish oil consumption may help antibiotics work more effectively by making resistant bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii more vulnerable. Australian scientists at Flinders University, publishing in mBio, found that fish oil fatty acids become part of the bacterial membrane, rendering it more permeable and the bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics. The study suggests a simple, safe dietary supplement could be taken with antibiotics to improve infection treatment and help curb the rise of multidrug resistance. Researchers note that bacteria do not distinguish host fatty acids and will uptake omega-3 lipids during infection, weakening a major antibiotic resistance mechanism. This finding points to a potential role for #omega3 in managing infections and underscores the need for further research, with collaboration across institutions including @Bart_Eijkelkamp and @Megan_O_Mara.
Ford employees faced a policy requiring four days in the office, and at least one group used the internal meeting-room screens at the Dearborn headquarters to protest #RTO/#ReturnToOffice. The hacked displays overlay a ‘F**ck RTO’ message atop a photo of @JimFarley with a No symbol, signaling widespread discontent as Ford moves leadership and design staff into a new world headquarters later this year—a move the company says will boost efficiency and product development. An anonymous Ford employee described mixed feelings, noting how remote work allowed people to build lives around it, such as housing decisions and family time, and saying the about-face has real negative consequences. Reddit discussions mention that multiple sites, including Ford Racing and Roush, were affected by the hack, with reports that ‘all panels in the building’ were impacted. The piece suggests in-person time has value for hardware-heavy work, but argues many roles could work from home parts of the week, and proposes that three days in the office might suffice for many engineers.
OpenAI has urged the court to dismiss a trade secret lawsuit filed by xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, arguing the claims are baseless. OpenAI contends that the allegations lack merit because the information in question is not proprietary or misappropriated. This disagreement highlights the growing competition and legal complexities surrounding proprietary technology in the AI industry. The case underscores tensions between leading AI developers over intellectual property and trade secrets. Overall, the legal challenge reflects broader issues regarding innovation, competition, and protection of AI advancements.
17. Dutch court orders Meta to change Facebook, Instagram timeline settings
A Dutch court has ordered @Meta to modify the timeline settings on Facebook and Instagram by 2025 to better protect young users’ privacy. The ruling focuses on preventing automatic default settings that display posts in chronological order, which can encourage prolonged use. Evidence from privacy and child protection activists influenced the decision, emphasizing the impact of social media algorithms on youth mental health. The court’s directive aims to ensure default settings prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics. This mandate highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of #socialmedia platforms regarding their responsibility for user safety, especially for minors.
18. Apple removes Iceblock from App Store, citing policy violations
Apple has removed the Iceblock app from its App Store due to violations of its policies, specifically around user-generated content moderation and content guidelines. The developers were informed that the app lacked sufficient mechanisms to moderate inappropriate content, which conflicted with Apple’s standards for app safety and user experience. This action highlights #Apple’s strict enforcement of its policies to maintain a secure and reliable platform for users and developers. The removal follows a pattern of increasing scrutiny on apps that do not adequately control harmful content. This incident underscores the tension between app developers and platform owners in balancing innovation with compliance and user protection.
19. ICEBlock Owner After Apple Removes App: ‘We Are Determined to Fight This’
The developer behind ICEBlock, an app for crowdsourcing sightings of U.S. immigration enforcement agents, stated they will challenge Apple’s removal of the app from the App Store, which was reportedly done under pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice led by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The developer, Joshua Aaron, criticized Apple for “capitulating to an authoritarian regime,” likening ICEBlock to speed-trap apps that map police locations and invoking First Amendment protections. Apple reportedly removed similar apps too. The episode raises concerns about how government influence may reshape platform moderation, free speech, and civic tech tools.
20. Amazon to resume drone delivery following crash in Arizona | TechCrunch
Amazon will restart its Prime Air drone delivery in Arizona’s West Valley starting Friday after a crash earlier this week, even as @NTSB and @FAA investigations continue. Two Prime Air drones collided with a crane boom near Tolleson, sending them crashing to the ground and leading to a suspension of operations in the West Valley. Amazon says its internal review found no issue with the drones or the technology, but it has introduced enhanced visual landscape inspections to better monitor moving obstructions such as cranes. The program has faced setbacks and leadership changes, but FAA approval in May 2024 had already enabled longer-distance flights and expansion plans to markets including Texas, Detroit, and Kansas City. Safety remains the top priority, and ongoing agency reviews will guide future steps for #PrimeAir #droneDelivery in #Arizona.
21. OpenAI is the world’s most valuable private company after private stock sale
OpenAI has become the world’s most valuable private company following a private stock sale that elevated its valuation significantly reaching over $500 billion. The artificial intelligence firm, known for breakthrough advancements in #AI and language models, attracted considerable investment reflecting strong confidence in its future prospects. This valuation surge underscores the growing importance and potential of AI technology in various industries. As the company advances, its increased financial backing may accelerate innovation and expansion efforts. OpenAI’s status highlights the broader trend of AI’s expanding influence in the tech sector and beyond.
22. China’s oyster-inspired ‘bone glue’ bonds fractures in minutes
A team of Chinese researchers has created Bone-02, an oyster-inspired medical adhesive that can repair broken bones quickly without metal plates, screws, or major surgery. The adhesive can be injected directly into a fracture site and bonds bone fragments in 2–3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, according to @Lin Xianfeng, the team leader and associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University. It mimics the oyster’s bio-cement mechanism to achieve fixation in moist conditions, addressing a key challenge for adhesives in wet anatomical environments. This #bone_glue approach could reduce reliance on metal hardware in surgery and speed up bone repair, signaling a potential shift in orthopedic treatment.
23. Inside Intel: Employees and the Famous Culture of Innovation
Intel’s strong corporate culture has been a key factor in its success and innovation within the tech industry. Employees at Intel emphasize the importance of collaboration and continuous learning, supported by the company’s investment in professional development programs. The culture is also characterized by a high level of accountability and a commitment to excellence, which drives employees to push technological boundaries. This environment fosters creativity and enables Intel to maintain its position as a leader in #semiconductors and #microprocessors. The company’s cultural values ensure that innovation remains central to its mission and strategy.
24. “None of Us Consented”: Team Trump Changed People’s Shutdown Emails
@DonaldTrump’s team reportedly edited thousands of federal employees’ out-of-office replies during the recent shutdown to insert partisan language blaming Democrats, and at least five civil servants told @NBCNews their automatic messages were changed while they were furloughed and without their consent. Employees say the edits were written in the first person, creating the false impression the workers themselves were making the political claims, and some who restored neutral messages found the partisan text reinserted. The changes were distributed via executive agency channels and affected multiple agencies including Education, Treasury, VA, HHS, and SSA, raising serious questions about violations of the #HatchAct and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for executive branch employees. The article highlights workers’ anger and legal worry, the administration’s broader push to push ideological messaging into agency communications, polling showing public blame is split with many blaming Republicans, and how a seemingly small IT change created outsized reputational and legal risk for agencies and individuals.
Meta is building a 4-million-square-foot AI data center in rural Louisiana, promising 500 new jobs and a goal to be water-positive by 2030, while residents near a similar facility in Georgia report a dwindling and discolored water supply since construction began in 2018. Beverly and Jeff Morris, who live about 1,000 feet from the Georgia center, say water-related appliances have failed multiple times and that sediment has built up, leaving them with only one working bathroom for their household. Their neighbor Chris Wilson notes long-standing low water pressure and more frequent filter changes as construction continues, with water sometimes appearing brown. Meta maintains that an independent study found the Georgia center does not use groundwater and that construction water is sourced from more than 10 miles away. The piece frames this as part of a broader pattern of tech infrastructure encroachment on local resources in rural areas, raising questions about governance and accountability, and it situates the story with references to @Mark Zuckerberg and #water-positive.
26. In a Sea of Tech Talent, Companies Can’t Find the Workers They Want
Despite a large pool of technology professionals, many companies face challenges in hiring the specific tech talent they seek due to skills mismatches and evolving technological needs. The rapid pace of innovation, including advancements in areas like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, demands specialized skills that many available workers do not possess. Employers often struggle to align job requirements with candidate capabilities, highlighting gaps in education and training systems. This mismatch slows digital transformation efforts and forces companies to reconsider recruitment and talent development strategies. Addressing these workforce challenges is critical for sustaining competitive advantage in the technology sector.
Salhi note: You may check my related article here: Your #resume is NOT a #prompt.
27. Florida Makes Deepfake AI Porn a Felony as Teen Victim Shares Her Story
Florida has passed a new law making it a felony to create or distribute #deepfake AI pornography without consent, effective October 1, 2025. This law aims to address the growing issue of non-consensual explicit content generated by artificial intelligence, which can harm victims’ reputations and mental health. A South Florida teen victim shared her experience to highlight the emotional trauma caused by deepfake pornography and the difficulty in seeking justice prior to this legislation. By criminalizing these actions, Florida is joining other states in regulating #AI technologies that can be weaponized against individuals. This initiative reflects a broader effort to protect privacy and promote accountability in the digital age.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/10/03! We picked, and processed 26 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! 🚀