Startups
* Space Forge has activated a microwave-sized ‘factory’ in low Earth orbit and run its furnace to about 1,000°C, producing glowing plasma images beamed back to mission control in Cardiff. * The company says in-space conditions can yield semiconductors up to 4,000× purer than Earth-made equivalents, improving electronics from
AI
* Instagram head Adam Mosseri warns AI-generated “infinite synthetic content” makes photos and videos unreliable. * Mosseri says platforms must add labels, creator verification and credibility signals while improving tools for original creators. * He expects a long shift from default visual trust to starting with skepticism and paying attention to who shares
Games
* Patch goes live January 1, 2026 at 09:00 UTC with no server downtime. * Chrono-Rush event runs Jan 1–16, 2026: earn unlimited Chrono Tokens to catch up on the Luxury Battle Pass. * New store bundles (Lady Loki, Human Torch Jack of Hearts, emotes) available Jan 2; Van Dyne and
Gadgets
* Apple will launch a foldable iPhone and iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026, powered by a new A20 chip built on a 2nm node. * An early-2026 iPhone 17e offers a refreshed, lower-cost entry with design tweaks and possible MagSafe compatibility. * A20 may use WL‑MCM packaging for tighter RAM
AI
* Key takeaways: * Analysts and models are calling Apple an “AI outlier,” assigning a $315 price target for 2026 based on services momentum and AI initiatives. * Apple’s services business (App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, subscriptions) is expected to offset slowing hardware unit growth and support higher margins. * The company’s
Gadgets
• A17 Pro may power the next Apple TV 4K, boosting CPU, GPU and Neural Engine performance. • Apple could increase RAM to 8GB to support Apple Intelligence and smoother multitasking. • Apple’s N1 wireless modem might bring Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and enhanced Thread connectivity. • New hardware could unlock advanced
Games
• PS Plus Essential members can claim Need for Speed Unbound, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper from Jan. 6–Feb. 2. • Need for Speed Unbound (EA) brings street racing and a Heat system; Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is THQ Nordic’s 2024 remaster; Core Keeper offers cozy-survival mining and crafting. • December’
Software
* Apple Fitness+ posted an Instagram Reel promising “something big” arriving in 2026. * The teaser shows fictional newspapers with headlines hinting at new content and a January reveal. * The post follows Apple’s Fitness+ market expansion with AI dubbing and reports the service was under review. What the teaser shows Apple’
Software
* Reading Mode in Chrome for Android has been rebuilt for easier access and persistent customization. * The redesign appears in Chrome version 143 and was first reported by 9to5Google. * New controls live in the three-dot menu; you can change fonts, sizes, and colors and keep those settings across pages. * The feature
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * AirPods Pro 3 include a built-in heart rate sensor that logs data to the iPhone Health app and can close Activity rings without an Apple Watch. * Enable the feature in iPhone Settings by selecting your AirPods Pro 3 and toggling “Heart Rate.” * Accuracy improves with a proper fit,
Software
* Show Reading mode is moving to the three-dot menu for manual activation. * New bottom-sheet Reading mode keeps the Omnibox and uses Material 3 styling. * Customization includes fonts (Sans/Serif/Mono), text size up to 250%, and Light/Sepia/Dark backgrounds. * Feature is appearing in Chrome 143 stable on some devices;
Gadgets
* Available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, LG’s new Gallery TV aims to compete directly with Samsung’s The Frame. * Flush-mount design, magnetic customizable frames, and built-in art display functionality mirror The Frame’s aesthetic approach. * Hardware includes MiniLED panels, the α (Alpha) 7 AI Processor, and AI Sound Pro