Author: alex

Daily AI Brief — GPT‑5.1, NVIDIA Blackwell, Baidu multimodal & more (Nov 16, 2025) Here are the top AI developments from the last 24 hours, summarized so you can scan the landscape quickly. Sources include recent reporting and research summaries; follow the links for full articles. 1. OpenAI launches GPT‑5.1 (Instant & Thinking) OpenAI released a new GPT‑5.1 family including a fast “Instant” model and a higher‑reasoning “Thinking” variant. The updates reportedly improve instruction following and reasoning while increasing "intelligence per dollar" efficiency for many workloads. 2. NVIDIA’s Blackwell dominates MLPerf NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture reportedly swept the latest MLPerf Training benchmarks, demonstrating leading training speeds across a range of workloads — a reminder that hardware is a key competitive axis as models scale. 3. Baidu unveils a new multimodal model…

Apple may sideline the Mac Pro as M5 Ultra shifts to Mac Studio Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says Apple has dropped work on an M4 Ultra chip and is instead focusing its high‑end efforts on the M5 Ultra — but only for the Mac Studio. That shift suggests a refreshed Mac Pro is unlikely to appear in 2026, leaving the Mac Pro's future uncertain. The Mac Pro has long been Apple’s flagship desktop for professionals, but demand and Apple’s product priorities have changed. Recent Apple silicon Mac Studio models (and the M4 Ultra roadmap) appear to be absorbing the high‑end desktop role, which may push the Mac Pro into product purgatory or a longer lifecycle between updates. What Gurman reports Apple reportedly stopped development on an M4 Ultra intended for…

GoPro Hero 13 Black on sale: $310 for the camera, $349 bundle with extra batteries One of the top Black Friday action‑cam deals is the GoPro Hero 13 Black, now ringing in at $310 — a notable discount on a camera we ranked among the best action cameras. If you want more battery life and accessories, a bundle that includes a 64GB microSD card, three Enduro batteries, a dual battery charger and a case is currently about $349. The Hero 13 Black is GoPro’s most versatile Hero yet: it records up to 5.3K, supports 2× optical zoom with the new modular lens options, and benefits from a larger battery that delivers roughly 90 minutes of continuous 4K/30fps recording. The camera has a vivid full‑color front display, is waterproof to 10…

AirPods 4 drop to a record low: $85 — Black Friday deal primer Apple’s AirPods 4 have fallen to a new record-low price of $85 in early Black Friday sales, making them an attractive budget option for Apple users who want modern features without the premium cost. These buds include Apple’s H2 audio chip and deliver Personalized Spatial Audio, but the entry-level variant does not include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The AirPods 4 offer a redesigned shape for a more secure fit and a USB-C charging case that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time. On a single charge, the buds last about 5 hours. Controls are handled via a force sensor on the stem, and Siri access is available with a press-and-hold gesture. Key specs and features…

Save 50% on Monarch Money: one year for $50 with code MONARCHVIP Monarch Money is offering a Black Friday promo: use code MONARCHVIP at checkout on the web to get 50% off an annual plan. That drops the price from about $100 to $50 for 12 months. The offer is for new users only and can’t be combined with other discounts. Why consider Monarch? It’s one of our favorite budgeting apps thanks to deep customization, a clear net-worth dashboard and useful reporting (including a month‑in‑review). Monarch connects to banks and services like Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings to pull transactions, detect recurring payments and keep your financial snapshot up to date. What the deal includes and caveats Price: One year for $50 with code MONARCHVIP (web checkout only). Eligibility:…

Skinsight: a wearable patch that analyzes skin aging in real time Researchers at MIT and Korean beauty firm Amorepacific have developed Skinsight, a Bluetooth‑enabled sensor patch that sticks to the skin and monitors factors linked to skin aging. The patch measures skin tightness, UV exposure, temperature and moisture, sending data to a companion AI app that estimates how those factors contribute to aging and recommends tailored skincare products. Skinsight was named a CES 2026 Innovation Award Honoree and is designed to be breathable and sweat‑resistant so it can remain on the skin for extended periods. The research team says the AI app will combine multiple sensor readings to personalize advice — for example, suggesting UV protection or hydration‑focused products when appropriate. How it works Sensors: Measures skin tightness, UV exposure,…

Apple reportedly preparing to replace Tim Cook as early as next year Apple is reportedly preparing for a leadership transition that could see CEO Tim Cook step down as early as next year. According to the latest reporting, the company’s board and senior executives have stepped up succession planning, and John Ternus — Apple’s senior vice president of engineering — is widely viewed inside the company as the likely successor. Cook has led Apple since 2011, overseeing major product and services launches and helping grow the company’s market value into the trillions. If the timeline holds, Apple would aim to announce a change after its January earnings report to give the incoming leader time to transition into the role ahead of the company’s annual product events. Who is John Ternus?…

Black Friday LEGO deals: save up to 50% on Star Wars, Harry Potter, Disney and more Black Friday is here and LEGO discounts are appearing across retailers — expect at least 20% off many popular sets, and some discounts hitting 40–50% on select items. Deals are live at Amazon, Walmart and LEGO.com (where Insiders perks can add value), so compare prices and use a tracker to confirm historic lows. Here are some standout offers currently available: LEGO Grogu with Hover Pram (Star Wars 75403) — ~50% off (~$50) LEGO Disney & Harry Potter Advent Calendars 2025 — $31 (≈32% off) LEGO Millennium Falcon (A New Hope 25th Anniversary) — ~$68 (20% off) LEGO R2-D2 75379 — ~$80 (20% off) LEGO Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 — ~$136 (20% off) LEGO…

MacBook Air M4 drops to $749 — lowest price yet on Amazon The MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 chip is seeing a rare price cut: the 16GB RAM / 256GB storage model is down to $749 on Amazon — the lowest we’ve seen since its March release. The 512GB model is also at an all‑time low of $949, and the 15‑inch MacBook Air base model is heavily discounted as well. We named the MacBook Air M4 our favorite laptop thanks to its snappy M4 performance and long battery life. Users can expect around 18 hours of typical use on a charge, a bright P3‑wide display that reaches up to 500 nits, and the lightweight but sturdy design Apple is known for. Why this deal matters Best price yet: $749 for…

Amazon Black Friday deal: Fire TV Stick 4K Max down to $35 Amazon’s early Black Friday sale has the Fire TV Stick 4K Max marked down to $35 — about 41% off its $60 MSRP. This model packs 4K support, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, HDR10+, Wi‑Fi 6E support and the fastest processor Amazon offers in a Fire TV Stick. If you want a compact, affordable 4K streamer, this is one of the best values right now. The lower‑end Fire TV Stick HD is also on sale for around $18 and is a solid budget pick for 1080p TVs. If you have a 4K set and want better picture, audio and snappier navigation, the 4K Max is worth the extra cost. Why the 4K Max stands out Picture & audio:…