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Those eleven’s top taskbar and search box are getting an upgrade with the new AI agent integration.  

Microsoft announced that soon, the taskbar will let AI agents show up as app icons. These icons will give you quick information about automated tasks.  

Microsoft also revealed a new Windows 11 feature that will let users access AI agents directly from the taskbar whenever they need them.  

As Windows evolves into a base for AI, agents are deeply integrated across the OS, extending the same contracts that apps use today to new surfaces and scenarios, says Microsoft. With agents on the taskbar, agents will become as easy to use and common as applications on Windows.  

The company says the taskbar will show an icon when an agent is active. You can hover over the icon to quickly see details like progress and context, making it easier to keep track of what the agent is doing.  

You will be able to invoke, monitor, and manage Copilot and AI Agents directly from the Windows taskbar. This unified agent experience makes AI Agents more visible, accessible, and interactive across Windows.  

This feature matters for everyone worried about security risks from AI agents in Windows. Microsoft has warned that enabling these experimental Windows 11 features can pose risks, such as XPIA injection, where an agent might be tricked into installing malware.  

Besides showing agents and their progress on the taskbar, Microsoft is updating the Ask Pilot Co-Pilot search box. You’ll be able to use the @ symbol in the text box to call agents in Windows easily.  

• One-Click: You will be able to access Co-Pilot with one click from your taskbar. This opt-in feature lets you use Co-Pilot by voice or text, whichever you prefer. Commercial users can also use their work IQ as context in Co-Pilot chats and with Microsoft 365 AI Agents.  

• Agents: You will be able to invoke Agents directly from Ask Co-Pilot on the taskbar using the Tools button or typing the @.  

• The search experience is now faster and has a new look, making it easier to find your apps, files, and settings.  

Microsoft has revealed that agents will utilize a new agentic workspace feature that’s coming to Windows 11. Designed to securely contain agents in their own work desktop environment with access to your own apps and files, you will be able to instruct an AI to complete a task for you. You can either watch it as it works or get on with your own task to complete two goals at once. 

Source: Windows 11’s Taskbar and search box is about to get an agentic upgrade with AI agent integration

To meet its 2025 eco-friendly objectives, Samsung is expanding Galaxy for the Planet to cover a wider range of environmental issues, including water and biodiversity.  

Samsung Electronics announced progress on its Galaxy for the Planet sustainability commitments and shared new ecological targets for 2030. Since launching the program in 2021, Samsung has met all four of its Go 2025 goals, which focused on lowering environmental impact in product design, manufacturing, and operations  

Galaxy for the Planet is Samsung’s sustainability platform for its mobile experience business, guiding its long-term approach toward environmental responsibility. Since it began, the initiative has made steady progress in several areas, adapting as technology and materials improve.  

The progress we have made through Galaxy For The Planet reflects years of consistent effort across our teams and partners. Said TM Roh, CEO, President, and Head of the Device eXperience Dx Division at Samsung Electronics: “Sustainability is central to how we operate and innovate. It informs how we design products, manage resources, and create value beyond our devices as we work toward our 2030 goals. We are expanding our commitments beyond products and operations to add wider environmental impact as we work toward our 2030 goals.”  

Progress on Galaxy for the Planet 

Samsung has achieved all four of its 2025 eco-friendly goals for the Galaxy for the Planet initiative, which was designed to reduce the environmental impact of the company’s mobile products and operations.  

A main focus has been on increasing the use of recycled and responsibly sourced materials in Galaxy products. Samsung now uses 10 types of recycled materials across both exterior and interior parts, supported by current research, testing, and verification.  

Samsung has improved circularity by using innovative materials. The company uses recycled plastics from unwanted fishing nets. It continues to develop closed-loop systems, such as its circular battery supply chain, which covers and reuses materials from old Galaxy device batteries.  

Samsung also eliminated single-use plastics from its mobile packaging, transitioning to paper-based and recycled alternatives. At the same time, ongoing research and development in low-standby technology has reduced standby power consumption in Galaxy mobile phone chargers to near-zero levels, an innovation now applied across multiple charger wattages.  

Across manufacturing operations, Samsung has advanced landfill waste reduction by implementing Zero-waste-to-Landfill (ZWDL) methods worldwide. All ten qualifying mobile manufacturing sites have achieved the Platinum Design for ZWDL under the U.S. Solutions Standard, reflecting landfill diversion rates of 100%. Such waste handling procedures are also adapted to regional rules and infrastructure.  

These achievements show Samsung’s progress with Galaxy for the Planet and help drive the initiative forward. Now that the first targets have been met on time, Samsung is setting new green targets for 2030.  

Deepening Our Commitment To The Environment 

In its next phase, Galaxy for the Planet will go beyond product-focused efforts to examine the broader environmental and ecological impacts of Samsung’s global operations.  

The new 2030 Goals highlight three main areas:  

1. Circularity  

2. Water Stewardship  

3. Biodiversity  

Advancing Circularity 

Samsung plans to continue improving circularity in its mobile products by incorporating at least one recycled material into every part of its devices. This shows the company’s devotion to obtaining materials more responsibly and productively across the Galaxy ecosystem  

Strengthening Water Stewardship 

Samsung is strengthening its water stewardship in its mobile operations, striving to return 110% of the water it uses. The company is also working to achieve the highest level of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification for responsible water management.  

Conserving Ecosystems 

And so, it knows its operations affect nearby ecosystems. It aims to conserve areas equal to the footprint of its global mobile operations. The goal is to protect and restore natural environments and sustain biodiversity and ecological robustness across its global sites.  

As Samsung continues its sustainability efforts, Galaxy for the Planet underscores the company’s belief that caring for the environment is central to its innovation, operations, and long-term value creation. This reinforces Samsung’s devotion to making sustainability a core part of its business.  

You can watch a video about the Galaxy for the Planet journey at the link below.  

For more information about the Galaxy for the Planet, visit here. Additional details on Samsung’s Sustainability Metrics authentication procedures and progress are available on the Samsung Electronics Sustainability website. 

Source: Samsung Expands Its Journey: Galaxy for the Planet With New Goals Through 2030

Samsung has launched 3 new Galaxy S26 phones at this year’s first Galaxy Unpacked event:  

• The S26  

• The S26 Plus  

• The high-end S26 Ultra  

The S26 Ultra keeps up the company’s tradition of offering top features not found in other devices. This year, its prominent feature is the privacy display, which lets you control how visible your screen is to people nearby.  

Aside from that, the S26 Ultra’s other improvements are marginal:  

• Yes, it is now made out of aluminum, and the screen is a touch bigger.  

• A 16 GB RAM option is available.  

• The processor is improved.  

• The charging speeds are faster.  

The rest of the S26 Ultra’s features are similar to those of the S25 Ultra and the S24 Ultra. Even the price remains the same at $1,300.  

Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra stacks up against the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra.  

Design and Display 

The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s screen is a bit larger than those of the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra. The S24 Ultra and the S25 Ultra both have 6.8-inch AMOLED screens with 3120 x 1440 pixel resolution, while the S26 Ultra has a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with the same resolution. All three offer an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120.  

The S26 Ultra’s most impressive feature is its pixel-level privacy display. When you turn it on, you can see the screen clearly from the front, but it’s hard or impossible to see from the side. You can choose which apps use this feature or set it to work only for notifications while leaving the rest of the screen visible.  

The S26 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for its screen, while the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra use the classic Gorilla Glass Armor. The newer version is supposed to be more resistant to scratches and drops.  

The S26 Ultra is slightly bigger but also somewhat thinner than the earlier models, according to CNET senior reporter Abraar Al-Hiti. It feels thinner and lighter than previous Ultra models. Its dimensions are 6.4 by 7.3 by 0.31 inches, compared to 6.41 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches for the S25 Ultra and 6.4 by 3.11 by 0.34 inches for the S24 Ultra. The S26 Ultra also has an aluminum frame, unlike the titanium frames on the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra.  

Battery, Processor, and RAM 

All three Ultra models have a 5000 mAh battery, but their charging speeds are different.  

• The S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra offer 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.  

• The S26 Ultra boosts this to 60W wired and 25W wireless charging, like the S25 Ultra.  

• The S26 Ultra doesn’t have built-in magnets, but it can use magnetic charging accessories with a compatible case.  

Each new smartphone comes with a faster and more efficient processor. The S24 Ultra uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The S25 Ultra has the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, and the S26 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.  

All three Ultra phones are available with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage. Only the S26 Ultra offers 16 GB of RAM, available on the 512 GB and 1 TB models. The S24 Ultra and the S24 Ultra both have 12 GB of RAM.  

Now you can preorder the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB for $1,300 and get a $200 gift card. This means you save $400 and pay the same price as the 256GB version. Their phone was announced at Samsung Unpacked and will be released on March 11th, so this is a good opportunity to get a deal early.  

After unpacking, many people have talked about the new privacy display. This feature lets you keep your screen private without needing a separate protector, which is helpful for people who commute often.  

Our reviewer, Abraar Al-Heeti, tried out the Ultra and said: “With a slimmer, lighter build, the S26 Ultra comes across as less like a behemoth and more like a comfortable yet substantial large-screen phone.”

Source: This Galaxy S26 Ultra Deal Lets You Scroll in Peace and Saves You $400 on Preorder

Small businesses rely on small teams and fast decisions, so every hour matters. When you use a mix of separate apps and chatbots, things get complicated. Data gets scattered, security can be overlooked, and your team spends more time switching between tools than helping customers. What you really need is a solution that brings everything together so you can focus on growing your business instead of dealing with gaps.  

Microsoft is here to help businesses prepare for the future. Our productivity tools make work easier, and our secure, integrated AI helps you make better decisions and automate tasks. We also offer strong security, dependable data management, and an ERP system designed for small and mid-sized businesses. With Microsoft, SMBs can work smarter and succeed in a fast-changing world.  

Enterprise Quality AI SMB-Friendly Price. Microsoft Co-Pilot Business Is Now Available 

Microsoft already has a great lineup of products for small and mid-sized businesses. It’s getting even better this week. We are excited to announce the General Availability of Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot Business, a comprehensive, full-featured AI solution built for an SMB-friendly price point of just USD21 per user per month.  
 
Co-Pilot Business brings secure enterprise-grade AI into the Microsoft 365 apps SMBs use every day:  

• Word  

• Excel  

• PowerPoint  

• Outlook  

• Teams  

For a limited time until March 31, 2026, you can get even better pricing when you buy Co-Pilot Business with Microsoft 365 Business plans. This makes it easier to give your team the tools they need to work smarter and grow faster.  

Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot Is An AI Built For Work 

Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot is more than just another AI tool. It’s designed to support your business with work IQ. Co-Pilot learns how you and your team work so it can anticipate your needs, streamline routine tasks, and highlight what matters most. This indicates you spend less time on repetitive work and more time growing your business, helping customers, and planning.  

Work IQ 

Co-Pilot is built into Microsoft 365 apps and offers AI-powered help for activities such as:  

• Summarizing emails  

• Drafting documents  

• Analyzing data  

• Taking meeting notes  

All without interrupting your workflow. It works smoothly across Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while following your organization’s security and compliance rules, because it runs on Microsoft’s trusted cloud. Your data stays safe and private. This lets you make faster, smarter decisions and grow your business confidently without the risks of using many separate tools or consumer products.  

Co-Pilot goes beyond chat. It also delivers AI agents, specialized digital assistants that can handle entire workflows, not just single tasks. Need to automate onboarding, manage inventory, and improve customer resolution time. Agents can do that. They work behind the scenes to handle complexity, freeing you and your team to focus on what matters for your business.  

With Microsoft Co-Pilot Studio, any organization can create custom agents tailored to their business processes and needs with no coding required and with a simple control panel. To manage them, these agents put enterprise-grade automation within reach for SMBs.  

Security Built for SMBs. Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview 

With today’s security threats, protecting your business is more important than ever, especially when using AI. Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot works within your existing security and compliance rules, so sensitive data stays safe. Co-Pilot follows the permissions and policies set by Microsoft for each view, ensuring only the right people have access to the right information.  

Microsoft offers advanced protection for SMBs with solutions like Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview, now available in versions made for smaller organizations.  

Microsoft Defender provides strong protection against phishing and ransomware, with automated investigation and real-time defense. Without the complexity of using multiple tools, Microsoft Purview helps you manage and secure sensitive data across both cloud and on-premises environments, reducing risk and helping you stay compliant.  

When used with Co-Pilot, these solutions provide a secure foundation for output and innovation. They help you use AI without risking your data security or compliance.  

Prepared to Transform? Here Is How to Get Started 

The future of work isn’t about following every new app or trend. It’s about creating a system that works together, keeping your business secure, and supporting your needs. Microsoft offers this kind of solution, bringing together intelligence, integration, and trust to help small businesses succeed. If you want to simplify your work, boost productivity, and grow with confidence, Microsoft is ready to help you succeed.  

Now is a great time to modernize your business with Microsoft. You can bundle Co-Pilot Business with Microsoft 365 Business Plans and add Microsoft Purview through our partner network for the best value and effortless experience. 

Source: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business: The future of work for small businesses

GPT-5.2, released in December 2025, constitutes a big step forward from earlier five-series models. Its new reasoning benchmarks helped solve problems in theoretical physics and mathematics that have not been solved before. GPT-5.0 set up the five-series foundation, but GPT-5.2 added advanced reasoning and better non-context understanding, reaching human expert performance in complex empirical tasks.  

Main Improvements GPT-5.2 Compared to GPT-5.0 Series 

• Physics and mathematics breakthroughs: GPT-5.2 found new simple formulas for scattering amplitudes, especially for half-collinear Gluon momenta. Human physicists later confirmed these results, which helped solve long-standing mysteries inside quantum field theory.  

• Wing density and capability: GPT-5.2 makes 30% fewer errors than earlier file series models and does much better on complex multi-step reasoning challenges.  

• Latest Benchmarks: Cologne GPT-5.2 scored 100% on the AI/ME 2025 math computation without any tools and reached 52.9% on ARC AGI 2, showing a big improvement in Abstract Reasoning.  

• Proved long context Cologne GPT-5.2 can remain coherent for 256,000 tokens and extract information from long, complex documents with almost perfect accuracy, scoring 98% on four needle tests.  

Conceptual Physics Application 

GPT-5.2 Pro spent more than 12 hours examining complex manually formulated expressions up to N6 of particle interactions. The model then:  

• Found a pattern that human researchers had missed.  

• Yesterday’s formula that works for all  

• It also provided a formal proof that the formula is valid.  

Human researchers later confirmed these results, used the Berends-Giele recursion relation, and checked them against soft theorems.  

Key Performance Measures 

Metric	GPT-5.1 Thinking transcription (November 25)	Ppt 5.2 thinking/pro (December 25)
ARC-AGI-II (abstract reasoning)	17.6%	52.9% to 54.2%
Frontier Math (Expert math)	31.0% (Tears 1-3)	40.3%
GPQA diamond (science)	88.1%	92.4% to 93.2%
SWE Bench pro (coding)	50.8%	55.6%
Reasoning effort levels	Low/Medium/High	+ xhigh

GPT-5.2 is built to be an advanced scientific partner, not just a chatbot. This makes it highly effective for automating complex, multi-step, data-intensive research tasks.  

We have released a new preprint demonstrating that a type of particle engagement, previously considered unlikely by many physicists, can occur under certain conditions. Our research centers on gluons, the particles that mediate the strong nuclear force. The pre-print is available on ARXIV and is being submitted for publication. We welcome community feedback while it is under review.  

Reprint titled “Single minus Gluon Tree Amplitudes are Nonzero” was written by Alfredo Guevara (Institute for Advanced Study), Alex Lupsasca (Vanderbilt University and OpenAI), David Skinner (University of Cambridge), Andrew Strominger (Harvard University), and Kevin Weil (OpenAI), representing OpenAI.  

The pre-print explores a key idea in particle physics: the scattering amplitude. This is the value physicists use to calculate the chance that particles will interact in a certain way. For gluons, which carry the strong nuclear force, many of these amplitudes are surprisingly simple when calculated at a tree level, meaning only the simplest diagrams without quantum loops are considered. These simple results have regularly led to new insights into quantum field theory, which unifies special relativity and quantum mechanics.  

There is one solution that has usually been considered impossible, meaning it has zero amplitude if one glue-on has negative helicity, which is one of the two possible spin directions for a massless particle. The other n1 gluons have positive helicity. Standard textbook explanations say the tree-level amplitude should be zero because of this. Researchers have mostly ignored this case.  

Our pre-print shows that this earlier conclusion is too strong. The usual argument assumes that the particles’ directions and energies are not specially aligned. We identified a specific, well-defined situation, the half-collinear regime, in which this assumption does not hold. In this case, the gluon momenta follow an unusual but mathematically valid alignment. Here, the amplitude does not disappear, and we calculated it for this unique situation. This finding raises many questions for future research, including analogous calculations for gravitons and particles that carry the gravitational force.  

A key part of our work is the method we used. The final formula, shown as EQ in the pre-print, was first suggested by GPT-5.2 Pro. The human authors calculated the amplitudes for the whole numbers up to N6 by hand, which gave very complex results shown in EQs 29-32. These arise from a Feynman diagram expansion that becomes increasingly complicated as N increases. GPT-5.2 Pro was able to simplify these results, giving much easier forms in EQs 35-38. Using these examples, it then found a pattern and proposed a formula that works for all values of N.  

An internal version of GPT-5.2 then spent about 12 hours working through the problem, arriving at the same formula and creating formal proof that it is correct. The equation was then checked analytically to ensure it satisfied the standard Berends-Giele recursion relation. It is a standard way to build multi-particle tree amplitudes from smaller parts. It also tested against the soft theorem, which describes how amplitudes change when a particle becomes soft.  

GPT 5.2’s help with these amplitudes has already been extended from gluons to gravitons, and more generalizations are in progress. We will share these AI-assisted results and others in future reports.

Source:  GPT‑5.2 derives a new result in theoretical physics 

On Wednesday, Anthropic announced it has acquired Vercept, an AI startup closely connected to some of Seattle’s top tech figures. It follows Anthropic’s December purchase of Bunn, a coding agent engine, to help grow Claude Code.  

Vercept had created tools for more complex agentic tasks, including its product Vy, a cloud-based computer-use agent that could operate a remote Apple MacBook. Vercept is one of many startups working to reimagine the personal computer for the age of AI agents. As part of the deal, Anthropic is shuttering Vercept’s product on March 25th.  

The startup graduated from Seattle’s AI2 incubator, which the Allen Institute for AI founded. Vercept co-founders also previously worked as researchers at the Allen Union Institute. One co-founder, Matt Deitke, made headlines last year for negotiating a $250 million salary from Meta to join its super intelligence lab. On Wednesday, Deitke congratulated his former colleagues on X.  

Vercept was a well-known AI startup in the area. In a LinkedIn post about the Anthropic acquisition, CEO Kiana Ehsani said the company had raised $50 million in total. She named Seth Bannon, a board member from Fifty Years, as the lead investor. Last January, Vercept announced a $60 million seed round.  

The startup also attracted notable angel investors, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Google DeepMind chief scientist Jeff Dean, and Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, and Dropbox co-founder Arash Ferdowsi, according to GeekWire.  

Anthropic’s announcement named co-founders Ehsani, Luca Weihs, and Ross Gershick as part of the team joining Anthropic; however, not all of Vercept’s co-founders are joining the company behind Claude.  

Oren Etzioni, previously named as a Vercept co-founder and investor, is well known in Seattle as the founding leader of the Allen Institute for AI, like Deitke. He is not joining Anthropic and was openly unhappy about the acqui-hire, which he posted on LinkedIn after about a year. Vercept is throwing in the towel and giving its customers 30 days to get off the platform. Sad to see a fantastic team join Anthropic. I wish them the very best.  

In his LinkedIn post, Etzioni accused Bannon-Vercept’s lead investor of being partially responsible for not hiring the right business people. The two investors argued back and forth, with Bannon replying, “You disparaged the history, the heroic work, of the founders for achieving an outcome most would only have dreamed of.” They also accused each other of things like lying and making legal threats.  

Public arguments between investors may be entertaining, but they don’t mean much. What matters is the high stakes in building the next big AI company. Now, a bright startup with significant funding will become part of Anthropic.  

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Etzioni says he made a return on his investment. Anthropic clearly wanted these researchers, especially since one of them is now at Meta.  

Still, Etzioni told the choir he is disappointed. I am pleased to have gotten a positive return, but obviously disappointed that, after just a little over a year, with so much traction and such a fantastic team, we are basically throwing in the towel, he said.  

We could build independently and work toward the same vision as two separate versions, or join forces with an incredible team and accelerate that vision into reality. The decision to join Anthropic was easy, she said. 

Source: Anthropic acquires computer-use AI startup Vercept after Meta poached one of its founders 

Apple is expanding its factory operations in Houston, which means Mac Mini will be made in the US for the first time. The company will also increase production of AI servers and open a new training center to help people develop new skills.  

Apple announced today that it will expand its factory operations in Houston, bringing Mac mini production to the US for the first time. The company will also boost AI Server manufacturing at the site and start hands-on training at a new Advanced Manufacturing Center later this year. These efforts are expected to create thousands of jobs in Houston.  

Apple is strongly committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we are proud to expand our footprint in Houston significantly. Said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and we are excited to accelerate that work even further.  

For over 20 years, people worldwide have used the Mac Mini for its powerful performance in a small design. Its cutting-edge AI features make it an important tool for students, creators, and small business owners. Starting later this year, Mac Mini will be made at a new factory in Houston, which will double the size of Apple’s campus there.  

Apple started making advanced AI servers in Houston in 2025, and production is already ahead of schedule. The servers built in Houston, including on-site-manufactured logic boards, are used in Apple data centers across the country.  

People are also investing in people, in the people who will determine the future of American manufacturing. Later this year, the company will open a 20,000 sq ft advanced manufacturing center in Houston. This new facility, now being built, will offer hands-on training in advanced manufacturing to students, supplier employees, and businesses of all sizes. Apple experts will teach the same processes used to make Apple products, helping American manufacturers improve their skills.  

Since Apple announced its $600 million pledge to the US last year, the company and its American Manufacturing Program partners have already achieved several milestones:  

• Apple surpassed its goal by sourcing over 20 billion U.S.-made chips from 24 factories in 12 states, working with partners such as TSMC, Broadcom, and Texas Instruments.  

• Global Wafers has started making bare silicon wafers at its new $4 billion facility in Sherman, Texas. Following Apple’s guidance, these wafers will be used by Apple’s chip manufacturing partners in the US, including TSMC and Texas Instruments.  

• With Apple’s investment, Amkor has begun construction of a new $7 billion advanced semiconductor packaging and testing facility in Peoria, Arizona. Apple will be the first and largest customer at this site.  

• Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky, facility now makes only Cover Glass for iPhones and Apple Watches shipped worldwide. By the end of this year, every new iPhone and Apple Watch will have Cover Glass made in Kentucky.  

• In 2026, Apple expects to buy well over 100 million advanced chips made by TSMC at its Arizona facility. This is a big increase compared to 2025.  

• Apple iPhone, with the manufacturing academy in Detroit, which already helps over 130 small and medium-sized American businesses with hands-on training in AI automation and smart manufacturing. The academy recently added new online programs so businesses across the country can access the curriculum created by Apple experts and Michigan State University faculty whenever they need it.  

The plans to move some Mac Mini production from Asia to the US later this year. Production will start at Foxconn’s Houston facility to eventually meet local demand for the Mac Mini.  

Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan, announced the news in a video interview with The Wall Street Journal. We are very excited to tell you that later this year, we will begin Mac Mini manufacturing right here in this space, Khan said. Over time, we want to scale Mac Mini here to serve our customers in this area.  

According to the Journal, this step is part of Apple’s 600 billion plan to increase manufacturing in the U.S. Right now, Apple produces thousands of Mac Minis in Asia each week, but only a small number will be made in the U.S. at first.  

This is not the first time Mac computers have been made in the US. Apple started making Mac Pros at its Austin facility in 2013 and still does, but only in small numbers. Khan said production there has stayed limited because demand for the Mac Pro is low.  

The video also shows Apple chip manufacturing at Global Wafers Facility in Sherman, Texas, and at TSMC and ASML sites in Phoenix. Apple says it does not build these factories but encourages its suppliers to use them.

Source: Apple today announced a significant expansion of factory operations in Houston

 Apple Will Move Some of Its Mac Mini Production to the US Later This Year  

The FTC issues a COPPA policy statement to incentivize the use of age-verification technologies to protect children online.  

The Policy Statement explains how the FTC will enforce rules governing the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data to determine a user’s age.  

Today, the Federal Trade Commission announced it will not take enforcement action under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA rule) against certain websites and online services that collect, use, or share posted information only to verify a user’s age using age verification technologies.  

The COPPA rule requires operators of commercial websites and online services directed to children under 13, and operators with actual knowledge, to comply. They are collecting personal information from a child to provide notice of their information practices to parents and to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information collected from a child under 13.  

Age verification technologies are important tools for parents who want to monitor their children’s online activities. Since the passage of COPPA in 1998, children’s use of Internet-connected devices has grown rapidly. To help parents manage these problems, some states now require certain websites and online services to use age authentication procedures. However, as discussed at the FTC’s recent workshop, some of these technologies may need to collect personal information from children, raising questions about whether this could violate COPPA.  

Verification technologies are some of the most child protective technologies to emerge in decades, said Christopher Muffarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Our statement incentivizes operators to use these cutting-edge tools, empowering parents to protect their children online.  

The Policy Statement says the Commission will not take enforcement action under the COPPA rule against operators of general audience or mixed audience sites and services that collect/use, or share personal information solely to determine a user’s age without first obtaining verifiable parental consent, as long as they meet certain conditions. These conditions include:  

• Do not use or disclose information collected for age verification purposes for any purpose except to determine a user’s age.  

• Do not retain this information longer than necessary to fulfill the age verification purposes and delete such data promptly thereafter.  

• Disclosed information collected for age verification purposes only to those third parties the operator has taken responsible steps to determine are capable of protecting the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the information, including by obtaining certain written assurances from third parties.  

• Provide clear notice to parents and children about the information collected for age verification.  

• Employ reasonable security safeguards for information connected to age verification purposes and  

• Take reasonable steps to determine that any product, service, method, or third party used for age verification is likely to provide reasonably accurate age results for the user.  

The policy statement notes that the Commission plans to review the COPPA rule to address age authentication techniques. This policy will stay in effect until the Commission publishes the final rule changes in the Federal Register or decides to withdraw it.  

The Commission voted 2:0 to issue the Policy Statement.  

Manmeet Dhindsa from the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is the lead staff member on this issue.  

The Federal Trade Commission promotes competition, protects consumers, and educates consumers. The FTC will never ask for money, threaten you, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. To learn more about consumer topics, visit consumer.ftc.gov. You can also report fraud scans and bad business practices at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media. Read about Consumer Alerts and the Business Blog and sign up for the latest FTC news and alerts.

Source: FTC Issues COPPA Policy Statement to Incentivize the Use of Age Verification Technologies to Protect Children Online 

Rohde & Schwarz is working with NVIDIA to push AI RAN innovation for 5G advanced and 6G at MWC Barcelona. They will present a new testbed that combines ray tracing, channel emulation, and the NVIDIA Sionna research kit. This setup permits digital twin-based hardware-in-the-loop testing to be done directly, entirely in the lab.  

At MWC Barcelona, Rohde & Schwarz will present a new step forward in AI-based wireless system testing. Built with NVIDIA, the testbed uses hardware-in-the-loop site-specific channel emulation and the NVIDIA Sionna research kit. This lets users test AI-driven applications under realistic network conditions. The demo shows the ongoing partnership between Rohde & Schwarz and NVIDIA, focusing on developing and validating new AI RAN solutions with advanced testing tools.  

Building on earlier proofs of concept in Neural Receiver Design, such as custom constellations for pilotless communication, the new testbed moves from link-level validation to system-level verification with the full 5G NR protocol stack.  

The NVIDIA Sionna research kit, running on a single NVIDIA DGX Spark, operates a software-defined 5G RAN using OpenAirInterface. It also supports AI inference workloads that meet the real-time demands of wireless systems. Just how flexible is the platform? A new AI- and machine-learning-based link adaptation algorithm has been added to the system. The algorithm automatically adjusts the downlink modulation and coding scheme to improve both spectral efficiency and link reliability. The AI-driven link adaptation algorithm can learn about site-specific propagation and user equipment behavior in real time, showing why end-to-end testbeds are important for capturing these effects.  

The Testbed uses the RM&S SMW200A Vector Signal Generator, which has adaptive channel emulation along with the FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer. Together, these tools can emulate complex site-specific radio channels and work directly with the NVIDIA Sionna RT ray tracing software. This feedback-controlled system lets researchers and developers test new AI-driven RAN features inside dynamic site-specific RF conditions, all within the lab.  

Gerard Tietscher, Vice President of Signal Generators, Power Supplies, and Meters at Rohde & Schwarz, said, “We are excited to continue our collaboration with NVIDIA with this latest proof of concept testing for testing AI-enhanced base stations for both 5G Advanced and 6G under realistic propagation conditions.” By applying digital twin technology and ray tracing, this approach aims to bridge the gap between AI-driven wireless simulations and real-world deployment, enabling more efficient and accurate testing of next-generation receiver architectures.  

Soma Velayutham, Global Industry Business Development Lead and Telecommunications at NVIDIA, said that synthetic data generation is changing how we train and validate AI-RAN systems by ensuring accuracy, scalability, and privacy, especially in settings with sparse data. Rohde & Schwarz, using the NVIDIA Ciona research kit, demonstrates how industry-leading expertise and inventive technology can come together to accelerate progress in this essential domain.  

At MWC Barcelona 2026, visitors can see live hardware-in-the-loop validation of new AI/RAN features and talk with experts from Rohde & Schwarz and NVIDIA at booth 5A/80 in Hall 5 from March 2 to 5, 2026.

Microsoft rolls out important security updates on the second Tuesday of each month, known as Patch Tuesday. This month, the updates address 59 Microsoft CVEs, including 6 zero-day vulnerabilities.  

Here is a quick overview of the six zero-day vulnerabilities that are currently being exploited.  

Windows Shell Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability 

CVE-2026-21510 (CVSS score 8.8 out of 10) is a security feature bypass in Windows Shell. If an attacker convinces someone to open a malicious link or shortcut file, they can trigger Windows Smart Screen and similar security prompts.  

This vulnerability can be exploited over the network, but it still requires user action. The attacker tricks the victim into opening a harmful shortcut or link. If successful, the attacker can hide the usual iOS security warnings, making it easier to deliver and run more malicious files without the user noticing.  

MSHTML Framework Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability 

CVE-2026-21513, (CVSS score: 8.8/10) Affects the MSHTML framework, which is used for web rendering in Internet Explorer. This flaw is a failure of a network protection mechanism that allows attackers to circumvent network security features.  

To exploit this, the attacker needs the victim to open a malicious HTML file or a typically crafted shortcut that uses MSHTML. Once opened, the attacker can bypass some security checks in MSHTML, potentially weakening browser or Office protections, and enabling further attacks or phishing.  

Microsoft Word: Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability 

CVE2026-21519 (CVSS score 7.8 out of 10) is a local elevation of privilege/vulnerability in Windows Desktop/Window Manager. It is caused by type confusion in which the system mistakenly treats one type of data as another, leading to unanticipated behavior.  

An attacker who is already locked in with low privileges can exploit this issue without needing the user to do anything. They must run a program or exploit on the target system. If successful, the attacker could gain system-level privileges.  

Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Denial of Service Vulnerability 

CVE-2025-21525 (CVSS score 6.2 out of 10) is a denial-of-service vulnerability in the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager (RasMan) service.  

A local attacker who is not logged in can easily exploit this flaw. It can crash the service or even the whole system, but it does not allow the attacker to gain additional privileges or run malicious code.  

Windows Remote Desktop Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability 

CVE-2026-21533 (CVSS Score: 7.8 out of 10) is an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in Windows Remote Desktop Services. It is caused by improper management of user privileges.  

An attacker with low-privilege credentials can exploit this flaw without user assistance. They can run their own code on a system and remote desktop services and use the vulnerability to gain system privileges, fully compromising the system.  

Azure users should also be aware of two serious vulnerabilities, each with a CVSS score of 9.8.  

• CVE-2026-21531 affecting Azure SDK  

• CVE-2026-24300 affecting Azure Front Door  

How to apply fixes and check these updates 

These updates fix security issues and help keep your Windows PC safe. Here is how you can check that your system is up to date.  

Open the settings. Click on the Start button, which is the Windows logo at the bottom left of your screen.  

Click on settings, which looks like a small gear icon.  

Go to the Windows Update.  

In the settings window, choose Windows Update. You will usually find it at the bottom of the menu on the left.  

Look for updates.  

Click the “Search for updates” button.  

Windows will now look for the latest Patch Tuesday updates.  

If you turned on Windows updates before, you might see this in your update library.  

Or you might see a message saying “Restart Required”. If so, reboot your computer to complete the update!  

If you don’t see that, keep following the steps below.  

Download and install.  

If updates are available, they will start downloading automatically. When they are done, you will see a button that says “Install” or “Restart now.”  

Install if needed. Follow any instructions. Your computer will likely need to restart to finish the update. If so, click Restart now.  

Verify you are up to date.  

After restarting, return to Windows Update and verify again. If it says you are up to date, you are good to go.

Source: February 2026 Patch Tuesday includes six actively exploited zero-days