DIY ‘2 Billion FPS’ Camera Captures Light’s Motion — One Pixel at a Time YouTuber and engineer Brian Haidet (aka AlphaPhoenix) built a camera rig that can visualize a laser beam moving at the speed of light by effectively recording at around 2 billion frames per second. The catch: it captures one pixel at a time and then stitches those samples into a full video, trading spatial capture for extreme temporal resolution. How it works One-pixel scanning: The system records a single pixel sequentially across the scene, then tiles those pixel “videos” to reconstruct a full frame. Garage-friendly hardware: A gimbal-mounted mirror, two tubes, a simple lens, a light sensor, and Python code orchestrate the scan and capture. Frame scale: In the demo, light advances roughly ~6 inches (15 cm)…

Zuckerberg, Mosseri, and Spiegel Ordered to Testify in January Trial on Social Media Addiction and Youth Safety A Los Angeles judge has ruled that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel must testify in a trial set to begin in January. The case focuses on social media safety, alleged addictive design, and potential harms to young users. Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl wrote that a CEO’s testimony can be “uniquely relevant,” noting that knowledge of harms—and failures to mitigate them—could establish negligence or ratification of negligent conduct. Lawyers for Meta and Snap had argued the executives should be spared; the court rejected those arguments. Key points Who must testify: Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Adam Mosseri (Instagram), Evan Spiegel (Snap). When/where: Trial begins in January in Los…

Zuckerberg, Mosseri, and Spiegel ordered to testify in January trial on social media addiction and youth safety A Los Angeles judge has ruled that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel must testify in a trial set to begin in January. The closely watched case centers on social media safety, alleged addictive design features, and harms to young users. Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl wrote that a CEO’s testimony can be “uniquely relevant,” noting that knowledge of harms—and failures to mitigate them—could establish negligence or ratification of negligent conduct. Lawyers for Meta and Snap argued the executives should be spared from testifying, but the court disagreed. Key points Who must testify: Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Adam Mosseri (Instagram), Evan Spiegel (Snap). When/where: Trial begins in January…

Court orders Zuckerberg, Mosseri, and Spiegel to testify in January social media addiction trial A Los Angeles judge has ruled that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel must testify in a trial set to begin in January. The case centers on social media safety, alleged addictive design, and potential harms to young users. Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl wrote that a CEO’s testimony can be “uniquely relevant,” noting that knowledge of harms — and failures to mitigate them — could establish negligence or ratification of negligent conduct. Lawyers for Meta and Snap had argued the executives should be spared, warning it could set a precedent for future cases. Key points Who must testify: Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Adam Mosseri (Instagram), Evan Spiegel (Snap). When/where: Trial…

Zuckerberg, Mosseri, and Spiegel Ordered to Testify in January Trial on Social Media Addiction and Safety A Los Angeles judge has ruled that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel must testify in a trial set for January. The case centers on social media safety and whether the platforms are addictive, with a focus on alleged harms to young users. Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl wrote that “the testimony of a CEO is uniquely relevant, as that officer’s knowledge of harms, and failure to take available steps to avoid such harms could establish negligence or ratification of negligent conduct.” The January proceeding is expected to be closely watched as one of the first major trials among many lawsuits alleging youth harms from social platforms. Key…

Microsoft raises Xbox dev kit price to $2,000 (+33%) amid broader Xbox price hikes Microsoft has increased the price of the Xbox Development Kit from $1,500 to $2,000, a 33 percent jump that takes effect immediately. In an email to developers, the company cited “macroeconomic developments” for the change. Reports note this appears to be a blanket adjustment that will impact developers beyond the US as well. What’s changing New price: $2,000 per Xbox Development Kit (up from $1,500). Effective: Immediately, per communications to Xbox developers. Rationale: Microsoft points to macroeconomic developments; observers cite import tariffs and cost pressures. Context: a trend of rising costs in the Xbox ecosystem Game Pass: Recent increases pushed Ultimate to $30/month in some markets. Hardware: Microsoft reportedly raised Xbox console prices twice in 2025…

Netflix is adapting Catan into TV shows and films Netflix is partnering with game publisher Asmodee to develop multiple screen adaptations of the hit board game Catan. Projects include both animated and live-action formats, with several concepts already in development. The move broadens Netflix’s push beyond video game IP to well-known tabletop franchises. What’s being planned Multiple projects: Netflix says animated and live-action adaptations are on the table; formats could range from narrative series/films to competition-style concepts. Producers attached: Darren Kyman (Asmodee), Pete Fenlon (Catan Studio), and Guido and Benjamin Teuber, sons of Catan creator Klaus Teuber. Status: Early development; no release dates announced. Why Catan? Catan (originally Settlers of Catan) tasks players with gathering resources, building settlements and roads, and negotiating with rivals to dominate a remote island. Its…

GM ends BrightDrop electric van production amid demand slowdown and lapsed incentives GM is ending production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans after the commercial EV market developed far more slowly than expected. The decision, discussed on a recent earnings call, follows reports of hundreds of vans sitting on dealer lots and shifting economics after incentives changed. Key points Slowing demand: GM CEO Mary Barra said the commercial electric van market has been much slower than expected, prompting the shutdown despite the impact on employees. Incentive headwinds: The disappearance of federal EV incentives removed up to $15,000 in combined credits/rebates that had helped lower effective prices. Pricing pressure: BrightDrop vans started around $74,000. Without incentives, rivals like Ford’s E‑Transit (from $51,600) look more attractive to cost‑sensitive fleets. Launched in 2021:…

YouTube rolls out likeness detection to combat deepfakes (YPP-only, face focus) YouTube has begun rolling out a likeness detection tool aimed at helping people find and remove AI-generated deepfakes that use their faces without consent. The initial launch targets members of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), with broader availability not yet announced. How the tool works Verification: Eligible users submit a government ID and a brief video selfie to confirm identity and provide reference data. Scanning: YouTube scans uploaded videos for potential AI-altered faces, similar in spirit to how Content ID detects copyrighted material. Review & action: Matches are surfaced for review. Affected individuals can flag videos for removal when they depict unauthorized, AI-modified likenesses. Key limitations and scope Face focus only (for now): The system targets visual likeness (face)…

Apple vs. EU DMA: Court challenge, feature delays claim, and the EU’s pushback Apple has taken its criticism of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) to the General Court in Luxembourg, calling the regulation “hugely onerous and intrusive.” The hearing coincides with the European Commission’s first formal review of the law. Apple argues the DMA harms consumer privacy and product quality and has even claimed it delayed features like AirPods Live Translation, iPhone Mirroring in macOS, and Visited Places / Preferred Routes in Maps. What Apple is challenging Interoperability with rival hardware: Apple says forcing iPhone compatibility with third-party earbuds and wearables is a security risk. App Store obligations: The company objects to the App Store’s inclusion under DMA gatekeeper rules (e.g., alternative app stores and anti-steering requirements). iMessage probe:…