Author: alex

Daily AI Roundup: OpenAI expands ChatGPT Go; BBVA scales OpenAI in banking OpenAI rolled out a notable update: ChatGPT Go has expanded its availability to a total of 98 countries, adding several European markets. The company also introduced Pulse, an asynchronous research assistant, and published safety classification models as open source — moves that strengthen its product offering and safety tooling. Separately, BBVA announced it is scaling OpenAI across the bank’s workflows, embedding models into customer channels and internal tools. BBVA’s example shows how large enterprises are moving beyond pilots to production use with governance and human oversight. Key highlights ChatGPT Go expansion: Coverage now reaches 98 countries, including recent additions in Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). New features: Pulse research assistant, enhanced message…

Meta smart glasses add Quick Connect: one-touch calls, texts and media without saying “Hey Meta” Meta is rolling out a software update (19.2) for its smart glasses that reduces dependence on voice commands. The new Quick Connect feature lets users assign a favorite contact and app, then press-and-hold the right touchpad to call, text or instantly share photos and videos — without saying “Hey Meta.” Quick Connect supports multiple messaging paths, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and native phone calls or SMS. The shortcut can also send media you just captured on the glasses directly through your chosen app, making quick sharing more discreet in public settings. How it works (quick) Assign a contact: Pick a contact and choose which app to use for communication. One-touch shortcut: Press-and-hold the right-side touchpad…

CRKD teases a drum controller for rhythm games with a Q1 2026 reveal Accessory maker CRKD has teased a drum kit controller aimed at rhythm‑game fans. The short reveal suggests a controller with four colored pads, a pedal and cymbals — covering the basics that classic Rock Band and Guitar Hero drums delivered. CRKD says it will apply lessons learned from previous guitar controllers and customer feedback to the new drum hardware, which the company expects to introduce formally in Q1 2026. The accessory is designed with compatibility for modern rhythm experiences like Fortnite Festival and community projects such as Clone Hero in mind. What the teaser indicates Design basics: Four separate colored pads, a pedal and cymbals — familiar controls for rhythm‑game drumming. Release window: Formal introduction planned for…

Report: Meta may be earning billions from scam ads — enforcement and accountability questions A recent report details how scam and illicit ads on Meta’s platforms — including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — could account for a sizable share of the company’s revenue. Internal estimates highlighted by the report suggest scam ads might represent as much as 10% of revenue (roughly $16 billion), though Meta disputes that figure and calls it "overly‑inclusive." The coverage raises concerns about how effectively Meta polices bad actors and whether business priorities limit enforcement. Reportedly, small advertisers aren’t blocked until multiple strikes, and bigger spenders have sometimes accrued hundreds of strikes before removal. Executives have discussed avoiding actions that could meaningfully cut ad revenue, illustrating the tension between growth and safety. Key facts at a…

Official LEGO USS Enterprise‑D set launches Nov 28 — 3,600 pieces, $400 LEGO has revealed an official Star Trek: The Next Generation USS Enterprise‑D set arriving on November 28, priced at $400. The large 3,600‑piece model includes nine minifigures, detachable saucer section, opening shuttle bay with two shuttlepods and a display stand. The minifigure roster includes Captain Picard, Guinan, Worf, Riker (with trombone), Data (with his cat Spot), Wesley Crusher and Ensign Ro Laren among others. The set recreates many fan‑favorite details and measures roughly 10.5 inches tall, 23.5 inches long and 18.5 inches wide. Key details Piece count: 3,600 pieces Price: $400 (available Nov 28 — Black Friday) Minifigures: 9 included (main bridge crew and notable characters) Features: Detachable saucer section, shuttle bay door, two shuttlepods, display stand Dimensions:…

Prizmo 5 and Prizmo Remix arrive on Mac with a redesigned interface and macOS 14 Tahoe support Creaceed has released Prizmo 5 alongside a new companion app, Prizmo Remix, for macOS. Both apps ship with a fully overhauled user interface that the developer says is optimized for macOS 14 Tahoe and introduces updated interaction concepts designed to streamline document scanning on the Mac. Prizmo 5 continues the product’s focus on document scanning workflows for freelancers, small offices and home users, while Prizmo Remix is aimed specifically at people who rely on traditional flatbed scanners. The Remix app provides a tailored workflow for those devices, making it easier to digitize and manage scanned documents. Key highlights Redesigned UI: Both apps feature a refreshed interface built for macOS 14 Tahoe, with modern…

MacBook Air M4 (13") hits all-time low: $749 — is it time to buy? Amazon has the 13‑inch MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 chip at a record‑low price of $749 — about 25% off. The deal applies across several color options and represents one of the best discounts we’ve seen on this model ahead of Black Friday. The M4 MacBook Air earned top marks for its combination of performance and portability. The M4 delivers noticeably snappy responsiveness, and Apple rates the battery life at around 18 hours under typical use — enough to get through a full day and then some. Why this deal is compelling Performance: The M4 chip offers strong day‑to‑day performance for productivity, media and light creative work. Battery: Up to roughly 18 hours on a charge…

Peloton recalls 833,000 original Bike+ units after seat-post failures Peloton is recalling approximately 833,000 units of its original Bike+ after reports that the seat post can break during use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says Peloton received three reports of seat-post failures, including two injuries caused by falls. The company urges affected owners to stop using their Bike+ immediately and contact Peloton for a free replacement seat post. The recall applies to original Bike+ units sold in the United States. Peloton manufactured the Bike+ between 2019 and 2022 and continued selling the model until April 2025. Peloton reported no seat-post break incidents among the roughly 44,800 units sold in Canada. How to check if your Bike+ is affected Open the front fork area (behind the front fork or behind…

Black Friday tech picks to watch in 2025 — focus on essentials, not impulses Black Friday season is stretching into a month‑long shopping period, and 2025’s landscape looks different: tighter budgets and a focus on essentials mean you don’t need to chase headline gadgets to get value. The best buys this year are often practical upgrades — items you use daily that last and improve your routine. Rather than splurging on a new phone or laptop, consider smaller high‑impact purchases: better audio for calls, a fast SSD to revive an older machine, a mesh Wi‑Fi kit to fix dead zones, or an ergonomic keyboard for daily comfort. These buys often go on sale and deliver immediate quality‑of‑life improvements. Categories worth prioritizing Audio: Noise‑cancelling headphones or earbuds for work and travel.…

Gemini’s Deep Research can now use your Gmail, Drive, Docs & Chat to build personalized reports Google has expanded Gemini’s Deep Research tool so it can reference your personal Google data — including Gmail, Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, PDFs) and Chat — when generating in‑depth reports. The feature aims to let Gemini produce more tailored, actionable outputs by combining your private notes and communications with public sources. Deep Research can now cross‑reference your emails, documents and chat history with web results to create things like marketing analyses, competitor comparison spreadsheets or synthesis reports that reflect your team’s internal work. Google says the update was highly requested and will be available to free and paid users. How it works & controls Selective access: You control which services Gemini may use. In…