Chips
* Key Takeaways: * Engineers built an electrically injected surface acoustic wave (SAW) phonon laser on a single chip, producing vibrations at ~1 GHz and scalable to tens or hundreds of GHz. * The device combines silicon, lithium niobate and indium gallium arsenide to convert electrical current into amplified surface vibrations. * A single-chip
Games
* Free 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons available to download now (arrived Jan. 14). * Switch 2 edition of New Horizons went live Jan. 15; upgrade costs $5, full Switch 2 purchase $65. * 3.0 adds a resort hotel on the pier, new items, QoL improvements and the Slumber
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * Apple’s iPhone 17e will add the Dynamic Island but keep a 6.1-inch OLED display capped at 60Hz. * The device is expected to use an A19 chip (likely downclocked in some builds) based on TSMC N3P. * Other upgrades may include a MagSafe-compatible magnetic ring, retained 12MP front
Security
* Key Takeaways: * WhisperPair is a Fast Pair vulnerability that can let attackers hijack Bluetooth audio devices to play audio, track location, or access microphones. * KU Leuven researchers say more than a dozen models from 10 manufacturers (including Google, Sony, Nothing, JBL, OnePlus) are affected. * The median takeover time is about
Chips
* ASUS confirms RTX 5070 Ti production has stopped and the card is listed as EOL. * NVIDIA is reallocating RTX 50 series supply toward specific 8GB SKUs and higher-tier 16GB models because of a global memory (VRAM) shortage. * Retailers in some regions (Australia reported) cannot secure RTX 5070 Ti stock; disruptions
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * HP’s EliteBoard places a complete Windows 11 PC inside a slim USB-C keyboard, powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processor and Radeon 800M graphics. * The device is a 2026 CES Innovation Awards honoree, weighs about 750 g, measures 12 mm thick, and is designed for portability
Security
* Key Takeaways: * Researchers at KU Leuven found vulnerabilities in 17 Fast Pair-compatible audio models that let attackers silently pair and hijack devices. * Exploits can enable eavesdropping, audio injection, and, for some models, high-resolution tracking via Google’s Find Hub. * Google and several vendors have released firmware updates, but many users
Games
* Key takeaways: * Sid Meier's Civilization VII will join Apple Arcade on February 5, 2026. * The game will be playable on Mac, iPhone and iPad through Apple Arcade subscription. * Reviews have been mixed: visuals are widely praised, but players criticize era-transition mechanics. * The Apple Arcade edition follows an earlier
Gadgets
* Xreal 1S and Even Realities G2 bring sharper personal displays at under $600. * DuRoBo Krono is a smartphone-sized e-reader with a physical dial and Android 15. * Ohsnap Mcon delivers Nintendo Switch-like controls for phones at $145. * Anker Nano 45W adds a charging display and smart care mode; ships Jan 20.
Policy
* Elon Musk and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly pledged to “make Star Trek real” during an event at SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas campus. * The phrase “Arsenal of Freedom” invoked a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode about a self‑improving AI weapons system that destroys its creators. * Hegseth announced a
AI
* Apple is avoiding an open AI arms race and prioritizing on‑device intelligence and privacy. * Rather than racing to release large foundational models, Apple is positioning its platform to select which AI services get deep integration. * Control of Siri, Safari, Spotlight and the App Store gives Apple leverage to shape
Games
* Key Takeaways: * Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft reaffirm a joint pledge first announced in 2020 to improve player safety across Switch, PlayStation and Xbox. * The companies emphasize three shared principles: Prevention, Partnership and Responsibility to protect players, with extra focus on children. * Industry collaboration includes work with ESRB, PEGI,
