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:…

ChatGPT will now respect "no em‑dashes" custom instructions — a small but revealing update OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT will finally follow custom instructions that ask the model not to use em dashes. Previously, users reported that the assistant ignored this preference and continued inserting em dashes frequently. Altman called the change a “small‑but‑happy win,” reflecting a tweak to how the model honors formatting guidance. Why does this matter? Many people have come to treat heavy em‑dash use as a quick heuristic for AI‑generated prose. While em dashes alone aren’t definitive proof of machine writing, their recurrent appearance in generative outputs made the punctuation a common "tell" among observers and journalists. Why LLMs might overuse em dashes Training data: Large models learn from diverse sources — books, articles…

X launches Chat: end-to-end encrypted messaging with calls, file sharing and more X has rolled out "Chat," a major upgrade that replaces its basic DMs with a full messaging suite. Chat adds voice and video calling, file sharing, message editing/deleting, disappearing messages, screenshot notifications and end‑to‑end encryption. The update is available now on iOS and the web; Android support is coming soon. The company says group messages and media can now be encrypted — an improvement over earlier test builds — and it’s working on a voice‑memo feature for quick audio exchanges. Chat also includes privacy‑focused controls like blocking screenshots and notifying users when a capture is attempted. Key features End‑to‑end encrypted chats (including groups and media) — messages and attachments can be protected in transit and at rest on…

Daily AI Brief — Nov 14, 2025: Anthropic, Google, Microsoft & Regulation Here are the top AI headlines for Nov 14, 2025, with concise summaries and sources for further reading. Highlights: an AI‑assisted cyber espionage campaign was disrupted, big tech expands research partnerships, and regulators move to curb AI misuse. 1) Anthropic disrupts AI‑driven hacking campaign Date: Nov 14, 2025 Anthropic says it helped disrupt a cyber espionage campaign that used AI to automate parts of hacking workflows, targeting individuals across tech, finance and government. The incident underscores how AI can both enable novel threats and be used defensively. Source: ABC News 2) Google expands AI partnership with Purdue University Date: Nov 14, 2025 Google announced a strategic expansion of its AI collaboration with Purdue focused on joint research and…

Daily AI Brief — Nov 14, 2025: Anthropic, Google, Microsoft & Regulation Here are the top AI headlines for Nov 14, 2025, summarized from recent reporting. Each item includes a short summary and a source link for further reading. Anthropic — disrupted an AI‑assisted hacking campaign Anthropic reported it helped disrupt a cyber‑espionage campaign that used AI to automate parts of hacking workflows, targeting individuals across tech, finance and government. The incident highlights how AI can both enable and help defend against sophisticated cyber threats. Source: ABC News Google / DeepMind — expands AI partnership with Purdue Google announced an expanded strategic AI collaboration with Purdue University focused on joint research and talent development. The partnership aims to accelerate applied AI research and build academic pipelines into industry projects. Source:…

Daily AI Brief — Nov 14, 2025: Anthropic, Google, Microsoft & Regulation Here are the top AI headlines for Nov 14, 2025, gathered from recent reporting. Each item includes a concise summary and a source link if you want to read more. Anthropic — disrupted an AI‑assisted hacking campaign Date: Nov 14, 2025 Anthropic says it helped disrupt a cyber espionage campaign that used AI to automate portions of hacking workflows. The campaign reportedly targeted individuals across tech, finance and government sectors, highlighting growing security risks tied to AI misuse. Source: ABC News Google / DeepMind — expands AI partnership with Purdue Date: Nov 14, 2025 Google announced an expanded strategic AI collaboration with Purdue University focused on joint research and talent development. The partnership is part of Google’s broader…

Daily AI Brief — Nov 14, 2025: Anthropic, Google, Microsoft & Regulation Here are the top AI headlines for Nov 14, 2025, summarized from recent reporting. Each item includes a brief summary and a source link for more detail. 1) Anthropic — AI‑driven hacking campaign disrupted Date: Nov 14, 2025 Anthropic reported it helped disrupt an AI‑assisted cyber espionage campaign linked to actors in China. The operation reportedly automated portions of hacking workflows and targeted individuals across tech, finance and government, though the campaign had limited success. Source: ABC News 2) Google / DeepMind — expanded AI partnership with Purdue Date: Nov 14, 2025 Google announced a strategic expansion of its AI collaboration with Purdue University focused on joint research and talent development. The partnership supports Google’s broader push to…

Philips Fabric Shaver — a simple gadget to remove pilling, now just $13 If lint balls and pilling are making your favorite sweaters and blankets look tired, a fabric shaver can bring them back to life. The Philips Fabric Shaver is on sale for just $13 in early Black Friday deals — a record‑low price for a handy, inexpensive tool that makes de‑pilling quick and easy. The shaver is battery powered (2x AA), has a removable lint collector, and offers multiple sized shaving holes to tackle different fabric types. It’s small, simple to use and ideal for anyone who prefers refreshing garments over replacing them. Why this is useful Restores appearance of sweaters, joggers, blankets and upholstery. Runs on common AA batteries — no messy cords or charging required. Simple…

WhatsApp opens interoperable chats with BirdyChat and Haiket in the EU WhatsApp will soon support interoperability with third‑party messaging apps in the European Union. Meta says BirdyChat and Haiket are the first services to be integrated, allowing users to send messages, images, voice notes, videos and files between the platforms once the feature rolls out across Europe. The move implements requirements from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that large messaging platforms provide technical interfaces so users can reach contacts on other services. Meta has been testing small integrations since 2023 and will expand support to more partners over time. How it will work Users will be able to exchange texts, media and attachments between WhatsApp and participating third‑party apps on Android and iOS. Third‑party services must support…

Best tech toys for kids in 2025 — top picks under $100 The holiday season brings a fresh batch of affordable, tech‑forward toys that blend fun with learning. Engadget’s roundup highlights 13 standout picks under $100 for 2025 — from coding robots and smart building kits to AR games and interactive plush toys that keep kids entertained for months. These selections are ideal for parents and gift‑givers who want thoughtful presents that promote creativity and STEAM skills without breaking the bank. Below are quick highlights, what to look for, and buying tips to help you choose the right tech toy for different ages. Highlights and categories Coding toys: Beginner robots and programmable kits that teach sequencing, logic and problem‑solving. Interactive plush & companions: Toys that respond to touch or voice…