Author: alex

Daily AI roundup: Nvidia & OpenAI, OpenAI’s Atlas browser, Anthropic agents and Gemini robotics Today’s AI headlines show an accelerating push across compute, agentic tools and robotics. Major stories include reports of a large Nvidia investment in OpenAI, OpenAI’s new AI‑enabled browser Atlas, Anthropic’s agent extensions, and Google/DeepMind’s robotics model updates. Top takeaways Nvidia → OpenAI (reports): Unconfirmed reports say Nvidia plans a very large investment into OpenAI, deepening ties between a top chipmaker and a leading model developer and potentially improving OpenAI’s access to advanced hardware. OpenAI — Atlas: OpenAI announced an AI‑integrated browser called Atlas that embeds generative features into browsing workflows, signaling a move to bring AI directly into everyday web use. Anthropic — agent extension: Anthropic released a Claude agent Chrome extension that can interact with…

Daily AI roundup: Nvidia investment rumors, OpenAI’s Atlas browser, Anthropic agents and Gemini robotics Key AI developments today indicate an intensifying competition for compute, models and real‑world applications. Top headlines include reports of a major Nvidia investment in OpenAI, OpenAI’s new AI‑integrated browser Atlas, Anthropic’s agent extensions, and Google/DeepMind’s advances in robotics models. Here are the main takeaways, condensed for readers who want the essentials. Top headlines Nvidia → OpenAI: Reports say Nvidia plans a very large investment in OpenAI, which would deepen hardware‑model ties and potentially secure OpenAI priority access to advanced chips. OpenAI — Atlas: OpenAI announced an AI‑powered web browser named Atlas that embeds generative capabilities into browsing workflows. Anthropic — Agent extension: Anthropic released a Claude agent Chrome extension to let models interact with webpages and…

Daily AI roundup: Nvidia invests in OpenAI, OpenAI launches Atlas, Anthropic and Google push agentic AI The AI industry saw several major developments today: reports indicate Nvidia will make a very large investment in OpenAI, OpenAI announced an AI‑powered browser called Atlas, and competitors including Anthropic, Google/DeepMind and Microsoft rolled out notable updates in agents, robotics and foundation models. These moves underscore accelerating competition for models, compute and real‑world applications. Key headlines (concise) Nvidia ↔ OpenAI: Reports say Nvidia plans a multi‑billion investment into OpenAI, deepening ties between the leading AI chipmaker and the model developer and potentially improving OpenAI’s access to cutting‑edge hardware. (Report summary: MBHB) OpenAI — Atlas: OpenAI launched an AI‑integrated web browser called Atlas, aiming to embed advanced generative capabilities directly into browsing workflows. (Coverage: Crescendo…

Valve: Steam Machine pricing to match PC market, no subsidy Valve has signaled that the upcoming Steam Machine will be competitively priced — but not subsidized. In an interview, Valve engineer Pierre‑Loup Griffais said the company aims to price the device in the same range as a PC you’d build from parts with comparable performance, while offering integrated features that are difficult to replicate in a DIY rig. Griffais didn’t provide exact numbers, noting the price depends on fluctuating component costs and that Valve is still early in the process. Importantly, he said Valve won’t sell the Steam Machine at a loss like some console makers sometimes do; instead, pricing will be aligned with the broader PC market. Key takeaways No subsidy: Valve says it won’t undercut market pricing —…

Echo Spot on sale for $50 — compact Alexa smart display and alarm Amazon has the Echo Spot on sale for $50 as part of Black Friday promotions — a $30 discount off its usual price. The Echo Spot is a small smart speaker with a circular display that works great as a bedside clock, quick controller for smart home devices, and a compact media interface. It pairs with Alexa and supports the newer Alexa+ conversational features for smarter voice interactions. The device doesn’t include a camera, which makes it a better fit for privacy-conscious users who still want a screen for weather, song titles, timers and smart‑home dashboards. Key features Compact design: Small footprint perfect for nightstands and small spaces. Customizable display: Multiple clock faces, weather, media info and…

iOS 27 reportedly focuses on performance improvements and AI upgrades Apple is reportedly dialing back on major visible overhauls for its next iOS release and instead concentrating on quality: trimming bloat, fixing bugs and boosting overall performance. According to reporting tied to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, iOS 27 will prioritize refinement and engineering cleanup, while also expanding Apple’s AI capabilities. This approach echoes Apple’s 2009 strategy with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which emphasized stability and efficiency over new consumer-facing features. After iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design and a series of incremental AI additions, the company appears ready to consolidate those changes and improve reliability across its operating system. What to expect Performance & stability: Engineering teams are said to be hunting for "bloat to cut" and bugs to…

Samsung Odyssey G8 hits $950 for Black Friday — top OLED gaming monitor deal Samsung’s 32‑inch Odyssey G8 is on sale for $950 this Black Friday — a substantial $350 discount off its regular price. The G8 pairs a 4K OLED panel with fast gaming specs, making it one of the best choices for gamers who want stunning picture quality and ultra‑smooth performance. The Odyssey G8 earned praise for combining deep OLED contrast with gaming horsepower: a native 240Hz refresh rate, an astonishing 0.03ms response time, and broad color coverage (about 99% DCI‑P3). It also supports HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB‑C connectivity, and includes AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for tear‑free gameplay. Key specs at a glance 32" 4K OLED panel with deep blacks and wide color volume (≈99% DCI‑P3)…

iPad A16 drops to $279 — Best budget iPad deal for Black Friday The iPad A16 (11-inch) is on sale for $279 this Black Friday — a record‑low price for Apple’s newest budget tablet. With the A16 chipset (the same family used in recent iPhones), the tablet delivers smooth performance for streaming, note‑taking, light creative work and general everyday use. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display (2360 x 1640) offers sharp detail and vivid color up to roughly 500 nits of brightness, making it a solid pick for media and casual drawing with the Apple Pencil (USB‑C). The iPad also includes a 12MP rear camera, a 12MP Center Stage front camera positioned along the landscape edge, Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB‑C and Touch ID in the top button. Why $279 is…

8Bitdo Ultimate Controller Black Friday deal: $40 with charging dock — record low The 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller with its charging dock is on sale for $40 (about 43% off), down from $70 — a new all-time low price for the white model. That makes it a standout Black Friday pick for gamers who want a versatile, well-built controller without paying flagship prices. This original Ultimate model offers around 22 hours of battery life per charge, comes with a convenient charging dock, and works across multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2), Steam Deck and PC. The deal applies to the white colorway only, so check stock and retailer listings before buying. Why it’s a good buy Cross-platform compatibility: Use it with Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck, Windows…

Black Friday 2025: Best tech deals you can shop now Black Friday season is in full swing and brings steep discounts across headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, smart home gear and kitchen appliances. You don't always have to wait until Thanksgiving weekend — many retailers have early deals through November, with the biggest price drops often arriving the week before Black Friday (Nov 28, 2025). Engadget's roundup highlights standout offers across categories. Examples include Apple AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch SE 3 at $200, PS5 price cuts, Switch 2 bundles with Mario Kart or Pokémon, Sony WH-1000XM5 at record lows, Dyson robot vacuums, and bargains on microSD Express cards for Switch 2. Top categories & notable picks Headphones & audio: Sony WH-1000XM5 (~$248) and Beats Studio Pro (~$170) deliver strong…