Gadgets
Key Takeaways: * Samsung and Netflix are offering an exclusive Stranger Things theme and five wallpapers for Galaxy phones via the Galaxy Store. * The pack is free for users who download or launch the Netflix app and is available Jan. 12–Feb. 22, 2026 in 186 countries. * The theme reflects Season
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * Leaks point to Samsung using the ISOCELL HP6 sensor on the Galaxy S27 Ultra, possibly in early 2027. * Reports describe the change as evolutionary: refined image processing and low-light gains rather than a radical hardware overhaul. * Expect improvements in dynamic range, autofocus and noise reduction driven by sensor
Gadgets
• Dell debuts its largest UltraSharp: a 51.5" Thunderbolt 4 monitor aimed at professionals. • Lenovo shows a tall 16:18 ThinkCentre X AIO Aura Edition tailored for creators and data work. • OLED panel makers return to RGB-stripe and V-stripe layouts to reduce text fringing. • Samsung expands glasses-free 3D to
AI
* Deep neural networks such as PredNet can be fooled by motion illusions, supporting predictive-coding explanations of perception. * Key differences remain: AI models often lack attention mechanisms and perceive scenes differently from humans. * Quantum-inspired networks can reproduce bistable switches (Necker cube, Rubin vase) with human-like timing. * These AI experiments offer a
Chips
• Key Takeaways: * A Galaxy S26 running Samsung’s Exynos 2600 has appeared on Geekbench, marking the chipset’s first public benchmark on a retail device. * The listing and related tests show GPU performance close to the Snapdragon-powered S26, suggesting parity across platforms. * US models will still use the overclocked Snapdragon
Gadgets
* Micro RGB panels can hit 100% of the BT.2020 HDR color standard, improving color fidelity over quantum-dot sets. * Samsung’s first Micro RGB TV reached full BT.2020 but cost nearly $30,000 for a 115-inch model. * Micro RGB uses individual red, green and blue backlights, avoiding the filters
AI
* Key Takeaways: * Linus Torvalds published AudioNoise, a GPLv2-licensed open-source project for random digital audio effects. * Parts of the project — notably a Python audio visualizer — were produced using "vibe coding" with Google Antigravity. * AudioNoise grew out of Torvalds' holiday hobby work on guitar pedals and is hosted at
Reviews
* Key Takeaways: * CachyOS quickly got a desktop running for daily work, gaming, and printing with minimal tinkering. * Nvidia GPU drivers installed without major headaches; one gaming mouse had a quirky, game-only behavior. * The goal was to test whether Linux can be a "wingable" alternative to Windows without heavy
AI
* AI Inbox turns Gmail’s message list into AI-generated summaries and action items. * The feature is an early preview available only to trusted testers and consumer Gmail accounts. * It may help users overwhelmed by email, but offers little change for strict inbox-zero workflows. * Google is still iterating; behavior and availability
Chips
* Key Takeaways: * Early benchmark reports indicate the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H ("Panther Lake") integrated GPU can deliver roughly twice the frame rate of AMD's "Strix Point" iGPU in Cyberpunk 2077. * Tests cited focus on Cyberpunk 2077 and may reflect specific drivers, power limits,
Software
* Budgie 10.10 is officially released and marks the desktop's migration from X11 to Wayland. * The release note on GitHub declares the move and signals the team will now focus on Budgie 11. * A preview shipped in November; the final release is available on the BuddiesOfBudgie GitHub releases
Software
* IT admins can now remove Microsoft Copilot on managed Windows 11 devices using a new policy. * The RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy is rolling out to Dev and Beta Insiders in Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046). * The policy applies when Copilot wasn’t user-installed and hasn't been launched in 28 days; users
