Author: alex

Apple's 'World Knowledge Answers': an AI search engine for Siri, Safari & Spotlight Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered search platform internally called World Knowledge Answers. The tool is expected to be integrated into Siri and rolled into Safari and Spotlight as part of a broader Siri relaunch targeted for early 2026. Key points Purpose: Deliver concise, multimodal answers (text, images, video, local results) to user queries across iOS devices. Integration: Planned for Siri, Safari and Spotlight to provide a unified AI answer experience. Timeline: Reports indicate a rollout aligned with the Siri relaunch in early 2026. Technology: Apple may use outside models (reports mention trials with Google’s Gemini) or mix internal and external models. Strategy: This marks a potential shift for Apple into search—an area the company has historically…

OpenAI brings Projects to free ChatGPT users OpenAI has rolled out the Projects feature to free ChatGPT users. Projects let you organize chats around specific topics, set custom instructions for how the assistant responds, and control what files and info the AI can reference. Key details Organize chats into Projects with custom instructions and limits on referenced files. File upload limits: Free users — 5 files; Plus subscribers — 25 files; Pro subscribers — 40 files. Customization: color and icon for each Project. Availability: Web and Android now; iOS rollout coming over the next few days. OpenAI has a history of gradually making previously paid features available to free users (e.g., Deep Research, ChatGPT Voice). Projects offers a valuable workflow improvement for power users while still encouraging upgrades via higher…

Paramount+ — 50% Off Annual Subscriptions (Limited Time) Paramount+ is offering a significant discount on annual subscriptions through September 18. This deal applies to both new and returning subscribers, but you must pay for the full year up front. Pricing Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported): $30/year (regularly $60) Paramount+ Premium (mostly ad-free): $60/year (regularly $120) These plans unlock Paramount+ originals, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks, RuPaul content, sports coverage, and (with Premium) access to Showtime titles like Yellowjackets and Dexter: Resurrection. Terms & Notes Offer valid on annual subscriptions purchased through September 18. Must pay full year in advance; month-to-month pricing remains unchanged. Both new and returning subscribers are eligible. Official Paramount+ site: https://www.paramountplus.com Which plan would you pick and what would you watch first? Share thoughts below.…

Roblox to Require Age Verification for Communication Features by End of 2025 Roblox plans to roll out age estimation and age verification for all users who want to access communication features (chat, voice, etc.) by the end of 2025. Verification options include a selfie analyzed by Roblox and its partner or submitting an accepted form of identification. The platform will also adopt new systems to limit communications between adults and minors unless they already know each other offline. Quick summary Goal: Full rollout of age estimation/verification for communication features by end of 2025. Methods: Selfie facial analysis and/or government ID verification; verified parental consent workflows for minors where applicable. Initial rollout: Age-estimation option started appearing on teen accounts in July 2025 for certain chat features. Safety measures: New systems will…

iOS 26 & iPhone 17: What to Expect — iOS 26 Public Beta Now Available Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 on Sept 9. iOS 26 — branded with the new "Liquid Glass" translucent design — is expected to arrive about a week later. The Apple event page has livestream details. Quick highlights Liquid Glass design across iPhone, iPad and Mac (new translucent UI and floating buttons) Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages Hold Assist — get notified when an agent answers while you’re on hold Visual Intelligence — search what’s in your screenshots/photos Polls in group chats and improved message filtering for unknown senders Photos tabs (Library/Collections) return New lock screen options, updated Camera and passcode animations AirPods: improved audio recording, camera remote controls and possible live translation/heart-rate…

Acer IFA 2025: Predator Helios 18P AI, 720Hz Predator Monitor & New Nitro Line — Full Rundown At IFA 2025 Acer refreshed both its premium Predator and mainstream Nitro gaming lines. Highlights include the enormous 18-inch Predator Helios 18P AI laptop, a 26.5" Predator OLED monitor capable of hitting 720Hz at 720p, and several Nitro laptops and monitors aimed at budget-conscious gamers. Key announcements Predator Helios 18P AI — 18" Mini‑LED 4K panel, Intel Core Ultra 9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU, up to 6TB SSD, advanced cooling (thin metal fans, liquid metal thermal grease, vector heat pipes). Available in North America at launch; price not announced. Predator X27U F8 Monitor — 26.5" OLED, 2560×1440, supports an extreme 720Hz refresh rate when running at 720p, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.…

iPhone 17 lineup: what to expect (Event: Sept 9, 2025) The iPhone 17 announcement is confirmed for Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Apple is expected to unveil a refreshed lineup (iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air) shipping with iOS 26. Top rumors at a glance Brighter displays on the 17 Pro models for better outdoor visibility. Base storage may increase to 256GB on some models, with small price adjustments possible. New ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air (possibly 6.6") with A19 chip, single camera and lighter frame; battery and camera may lag vs Pro. Possible all-aluminum chassis for some Pro models (lighter than current titanium) and a new full-width rear "camera island." New colors rumored (including orange for Pro models) and fresh case…

007 First Light — Release, Platforms, Gameplay & Cast IO Interactive's James Bond origin-action game 007: First Light is confirmed for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store). Pre-orders are open via IO Interactive's official page: IO Interactive — 007 First Light. What we saw The recent State of Play trailer and gameplay reveal showed a stealth-first mission where Bond tails a suspicious bellhop through a luxury hotel, breaks into a car to pursue a target and ends in an explosive shootout. The demo highlighted Bond's toolkit — distractions, gadgets, social engineering/sweet-talking NPCs, and multiple approaches to missions much like IOI's Hitman series. One standout moment showed Bond pushing an enemy off a ledge and using the enemy…

Best E‑Ink tablets for 2025 — summary I tested about a dozen E‑Ink tablets to see which deliver the best paper-like writing experience, reading comfort and overall value in 2025. Below is a condensed guide to what to expect and which models to consider. Quick TL;DR E‑Ink tablets = paper feel + digital convenience, great for focused note‑taking and long reading sessions. They’re pricier than basic e‑readers and less app-friendly than traditional tablets (noticeable refreshes, muted colors). Best picks: reMarkable (note focus), Onyx Boox (feature-rich, Android options), Kindle/Kobo (best e‑book ecosystems). Are E‑Ink tablets worth it? Worth it for a select group: people who want a distraction‑free, paper‑like writing/reading device. If you need frequent app use, multimedia or the richest colors and refresh responsiveness, a conventional tablet or iPad is…

007: First Light — Hands-on demo recap IO Interactive is bringing James Bond into a new origin story with 007: First Light, blending the studio’s stealth pedigree from Hitman with blockbuster Bond action. I attended a closed-door Gamescom demo and here’s a concise rundown of what I saw. Three gameplay pillars Sandbox/social stealth: Early sections play like a social-sandbox. Bond infiltrates a mansion, uses distractions, social interactions, and vertical traversal to access objectives without brute force. Action setpieces: The demo escalated into a cinematic car chase through a Swiss market — destructive, chaotic, and very Bond-like — then into an assault on a guarded airbase. Combat and gadgets: Gunplay mixes duck-and-cover tactics with environmental interactions (lots of explosive barrels). Bond’s Omega Q Watch acts as an elegant HUD and analysis…