CES 2026 was packed with flashy announcements, AI buzzwords, and concept devices competing for attention, making it hard to tell which products truly pushed boundaries and which simply followed trends. Amid that noise, one of the most unexpected standouts came from iKKO, a brand better known in the US audiophile community for its high-performance in-ear monitors and the award-winning ActiveBuds. With the MindOne Pro, iKKO steps into unfamiliar territory, introducing an ultra-compact Android smartphone that feels like something major phone makers would never risk building.  

Roughly the size of a credit card, the MindOne Pro blends built-in AI tools, free global internet access, and a dual operating system into a form factor that challenges the idea that smartphones need to be big to be powerful. 

iKKO’s MindOne Pro AI Smartphone Features 

The tiny MindOne Pro measures 86 x 72 mm (3.39 × 2.83 in) and is 8.9 mm (0.35 in) thick. It can easily fit in the palm of your hand or a small pocket. This fully functional Android 15 smartphone, features a sharp 4.02-inch AMOLED display, a rotating 50-MP Sony camera and a surprising amount of performance packed into its slim frame. 

Its 4.02-in square screen is protected by sapphire glass, a supremely scratch-resistant material that outperforms the Gorilla Glass covering most phone faces. The screen features an AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, which is a type of OLED technology commonly observed in larger and more advanced display systems. It delivers solid blacks and vibrant color without draining the battery. 

While the MindOne Pro has a fully functional touchscreen, users wanting more have the option of purchasing the extra Snap-In Expansion Case, which locks on a small keyboard below the phone. This magnetic accessory adds the QWERTY keyboard, as well as a DAC, 3.5-mm audio jack, and an extra battery, without dramatically increasing the size or weight of the phone. 

Its camera system, which features an impressive sensor, optical image stabilization (OIS) and wide f/1.88 aperture, looks strong on paper, though analysts are still waiting on real-world photo samples. 

Features of MindOne Pro 

While iKKO hasn’t revealed the display’s resolution, its AMOLED tech suggests it offers a crisp, bright display. It is ideal for reading and taking and viewing photos and video, with the screen easy to see in bright sunlight. The single-lens 50-MP camera is decent for high-resolution captures, sits flush against the unit, but can flip up to instantly to switch to selfie/vlogging mode. 

MindOne Pro Connectivity 

One of the standout features is NovaLink, which is iKKO’s custom vSIM (virtual SIM) system. It provides built-in, SIM-free global internet for AI functions in more than 60 countries. The company is yet to provide the list of the countries. This means, users can access tools like Google Maps or translation without a dedicated SIM or having to connect to Wi-Fi or signing up to a local plan. This becomes very handy, if you have ever tried to use Google Lens to translate signs only to find your eSIM has run out of data and there is no Wi-Fi around.  

For broader use, vSIM data top-ups are available in more than 140 countries, and there is also a nano-SIM slot for traditional mobile use. MindOne Pro also features 4G+ connectivity in order to preserve battery life and make real-world roaming more viable.  

Battery, Bluetooth, & Storage 

MindOne Pro houses a 2,200-mAh battery, which iKKO claims offers up to 16 hours of video playback and, with the Snap-In Expansion Case, users get an extra 500 mAh. The phone itself doesn’t have any in-built audio jacks besides the one provided by the extension case, wireless connectivity comes via Bluetooth 5.2, and there are built-in stereo speakers.  

Storage-wise, users will get 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage within the hardware, which is also equipped with a USB-C port for charging. 

Ikko MindOne Pro Crowdfunding 

While IKKO Mind One Pro has piqued the industry’s curiosity with its crowdfunding efforts. The Hong Kong based company has raised over HK$11.5 million on Kickstarter. Backers will be able to reserve a phone for $299 and up, and devices are expected to begin shipping “as early as October 2025,” according to the July 2025 report. 

One other thing to keep in mind though is that the Kickstarter price is said to include a 40% discount off the eventual retail price. So if you aren’t willing to shell out $299 for a quick and unproven smartphone from a company that specializes in audio products, then you may have to pay $499 or more to get your hands on one after crowdfunding ends. 

MindOne Pro Pricing 

Right now, the MindOne Pro is available in jet black, pearl white, sky blue or blush pink, in the range starting from $369 ($130, or 26%, off retail price). Users will also get phone and accessories (screen protector, charging cable, manual), a one-year warranty and an option to add the magnetic extension case, choose from five colors, for $79. 

Who Will Love MindOne Pro? 

Designed for users who want a functional smartphone without the overwhelm, MindOne offers a focused and minimalist experience. It has a capable unit without the constant pings, scrolls and distractions of the mini computers most of us have in our hands right now. 

One major highlight of the device is its dual operating system. The MindOne Pro runs both full Android, with all your usual apps and services. It supports iKKO custom-built, lightweight AI OS, a streamlined second operating system for tasks like translation, transcription, voice-to-text documenting, and summaries. In demos, it looks sleek and functional. It has some handy features like a text translator that appears to perform a whole lot better than Google Lens. 

Final Thoughts 

MindOne Pro is not a phone trying to compete with the latest Samsung or Apple devices. Instead, the MindOne Pro offers a focused, functional alternative for travelers, creatives, and anyone who wants to carry smart tools, rather than distractions. iKKO will be shipping worldwide, with an estimated delivery by December if all goes to plan. There’s free standard shipping for most regions. 

FAQs 

1. How small is the MindOne Pro compared to regular smartphones? 

It measures just 86 × 72 mm and is 8.9 mm thick, making it significantly smaller than even the smallest mainstream smartphones. 

2. What makes the MindOne Pro’s display unique? 

It features a 4.02-inch AMOLED screen protected by sapphire glass, offering high scratch resistance and vibrant visuals in a compact form. 

3. How does the global internet feature work? 

The NovaLink vSIM system provides built-in, SIM-free internet access for AI features in over 60 countries, with paid data available in more than 140. 

4. What camera features does the MindOne Pro offer? 

It uses a rotating 50-MP Sony camera with optical image stabilization, allowing quick switching between rear and selfie modes. 

5. Who is the MindOne Pro best suited for? 

It’s ideal for travelers, creatives, and users seeking a distraction-free smartphone focused on utility rather than constant notifications.

Reference:

This Tiny, Crowdfunded Smartphone Promises Free Internet Access For AI Tools

CES 2026 live: all the news, announcements, and innovations from the show floor and beyond

Microsoft 365 Copilot for Government Community Cloud (GCC) and GCC-HIGH now delivers specialized AI auditing tools.  

These include:  

  • Microsoft Purview integration and Co-Pilot audit features that help ensure transparency, data residency, and compliance with FEDRAMP, DFARS, and CJIS for US Government users.  
  • The system also provides robust access controls and audit logs to monitor AI activity.  

Key Features of Co-Pilot: GCC Disclosure and Auditing Tools: 

  • Auditing Capabilities: Co-Pilot Audit can cut manual evidence gathering up to 80%. It provides auditors with tools to review AI-driven actions and compliance with the Microsoft Marketplace.  
  • Client and Security: Built on GCC, the AI meets strict regulatory criteria, including FedRAMP High and CMMC, ensuring data remains within US data centers.  
  • Data Governance: The Co-Pilot control system offers tools to manage and monitor user and content access. It also enables audit records and AI usage reporting aligned with Microsoft adoption.  
  • Responsible AI: Co-Pilot for GCC includes safeguards against prompt injection with web grounding by default. It helps prevent sensitive data from leaving the compliant boundary, according to Microsoft 365 adoption and Microsoft Community Hub.  
  • Availability: Co-Pilot for GCC High is now accessible to eligible public sector customers, according to Microsoft’s Community Hub.  

The public sector is changing quickly as artificial intelligence drives new methods to innovate and work more efficiently. One of the leading tools in this space is Microsoft 365 Copilot GCC, an AI-powered solution designed for government organizations that features cutting-edge AI capabilities and robust security and compliance. Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC helps agencies modernize and streamline processes, improving how they serve citizens.  

Public sector leaders now need tools that help them make faster, evidence-based decisions. Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC works seamlessly with government data and existing workflows, providing agencies with useful insights to work more efficiently while keeping security and compliance top priorities. Automating standard tasks lets employees focus on more important work and delivers a practical AI-driven way to handle daily challenges.  

Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC helps departments work together more effectively, reduces manual work, and ensures people and public services keep up with what citizens need. Today, in this blog, we will look at how this tool is helping government agencies with digital transformation and why it is so valuable.  

What is Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC? 

Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC is an AI tool made for government agencies to help them work more efficiently, boost productivity, and provide better services to citizens. It’s built on Microsoft 365 and uses large language models (LLMs) with your organization’s data to enable smart automation, instant insights, and better teamwork.  

Microsoft 365 Copilot GCC is built to meet the strict needs of the public sector. Unlike many other AI tools, it runs on a secure government community cloud (GCC), so all data is protected in accordance with top privacy and regulatory standards. This makes it a great choice for agencies that want to use AI while still retaining full control over their sensitive data.  

Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC brings together AI and human expertise. It automates repetitive tasks and provides useful insights, but it’smeant to support, not replace, people. By helping government employees work faster and make better decisions, Co-Pilot leads to better results and greater efficiency.  

Key Features of Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC 

  • Power automation helps reduce manual work and lets teams focus on more important tasks.  
  • Data-Based Insights are built into familiar tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook, making it easier for agencies to get useful information.  
  • Smooth integration across Microsoft 365 Apps improves collaboration, helping teams work better together and make decisions faster.  

Key Benefits Of Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC For The Public Sector 

Upgraded Service Delivery for Citizens. 

  • The resolution of citizen requests: with AI-powered automation, Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot (GCC) helps government agencies handle citizen requests more quickly by automating administrative tasks and managing service requests through workflows. This means shorter wait times and faster solutions, leading to higher satisfaction.  
  • Customized service designed to community needs: Co-Pilot analyzes data from multiple sources to help agencies understand and anticipate citizens’ needs. This lets agencies respond more proactively and adjust quickly to new trends or issues in their communities.  
  • Data-informed insights for responsive governance: Co-Pilot uses live data to find useful insights from citizen feedback, surveys, and public records. Agencies can use information to improve outreach, allocate resources more effectively, and adjust services to better meet people’s needs.  

Streamlined Government Operations 

  • AI-powered automation of routine tasks: Many government employees spend a lot of time on repetitive tasks. Co-Pilot automates tasks such as data entry, report generation, document management, and scheduling so that employees can focus on more important work.  
  • Simplified, efficient workflows through departments: Co-Pilot provides departments with better visibility and integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft 365 suite. This helps break down barriers, making it easier to communicate insights, collaborate on projects, and improve workflows for greater efficiency.  
  • Informed, data-backed decision-making. Microsoft 365 Copilot provides decision-makers with AI-powered insights right within familiar tools like Word, Excel, and Teams. These understandings help leaders make decisions more quickly when solving problems or responding to changing needs.  

Increased Data Security And Compliance 

  • Solid Security and Compliance Structure: Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC runs in the government community cloud (GCC), which is built to meet government regulations and compliance needs. It follows important public sector standards, like FEDRAMP, CMMC, and CJIS to keep sensitive data safe.  
  • Enhanced information integrity and privacy: Co-Pilot uses AI to monitor and analyze for security risks, helping keep government data safe and private. Microsoft also ensures that all AI features comply with strict privacy rules that protect both public information and government interests.  
  • Advanced data security tools: Co-Pilot integrates with Microsoft Purview to provide security and compliance capabilities that help monitor and protect data across the organization. These tools prevent oversharing, ensure proper data retention, and use zero-trust principles to stop unauthorized access.  

Improved Collaboration Across Agencies 

  • Smooth Communication and Information Sharing: Microsoft 365 Copilot GCC helps government departments communicate more effectively by providing up-to-the-minute data and tools, such as Teams and SharePoint. Employees can collaborate, share critical information, and make decisions faster for citizens.  
  • Collective resource coordination and joint effort: by integrating workflows across multiple departments. Co-Pilot enables the government to improve coordination and allocate resources more effectively. Whether handling emergencies, public health crises, or community service needs, agencies can collaborate efficiently, guaranteeing timely responses to critical situations.  

Cost Savings and Resource Optimization 

  • The word operational expenses: Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC automates many administrative and operational tasks that used to take a lot of time. This reduces manual errors, optimizes workflows, and helps agencies save money, enabling them to use public funds more effectively and deliver greater value.  
  • Optimized allocation of resources: Co-Pilot gives agencies insights that help them use their people and budgets more efficiently by automating tasks and reassigning resources based on data. Co-Pilot helps public sector organizations do more with less and get the most from their teams and budgets.  

Enhanced AI Adoption And Future-Proofing Government Operations 

  • Co-Pilot’s AI tools help public sector organizations adapt artificial intelligence more quickly across their operations. This improves current processes and prepares agencies to take advantage of future AI advancements, helping them remain ahead in digital transformation.  
  • Co-Pilot works with employees by augmenting their existing skills with advanced AI. It automates routine tasks and provides useful insights so that government staff can focus on more important work. This boosts efficiency and employee contentment.  

The Benefits of Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot GCC 

Improved Service Delivery  

  • Resolve citizen requests faster by using automation.  
  • Make decisions proactively through analyzing trends and community feedback.  

Strengthened collaboration  

  • Communicate easily using Microsoft apps.  
  • Get intelligent insights that help you make informed and faster decisions.  

Increased productivity  

  • Automate regular tasks to save time.  
  • Simplify workflows to improve efficiency.  

Expandable Solutions  

  • Adapt to agencies of any size.  
  • Integrate easily with current systems.  

Data Security and Compliance  

  • Preserve data protection within the GCC.  
  • Meet regulatory criteria such as FEDRAMP, CMMC, and CJIS for safe data processing.  

Cost efficiency  

  • Reduce operating expenses by automating manual tasks.  
  • Minimize resource allocation to make better use of public funds.  

Conclusion: Empowering Public Sector Transformation  

The public sector can improve service delivery, encourage innovation, and work more efficiently by using AI tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot GCC. Although AI offers many benefits, it is important to work with a partner who has the right experience, strategy, and devotion to help you succeed.

Source: How Microsoft 365 Copilot GCC is Driving Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

OMB Memorandum M-25-03, Implementation Guidance for the Federal Data Center Enforcement Act, was released on January 14, 2025. It gives federal agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE), direction on improving the reliability, security, and resiliency of data centers.  

Below are the main points about OMB Memorandum M-25-03: 

  • Purpose: To put the Federal Data Center Enhancement Act (FDCEA) of 2023 into action, replacing the earlier Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI).  
  • The memorandum tells agencies to go beyond consolidating data centers and focus on cybersecurity, resiliency, availability, and environmental impact (such as energy and water use).  

Key Requirements: 

  • Centralized management: Agencies need to put data center acquisitions and management under their Chief Information Officer (CIO).  
  • Sustainability: Agencies should review how much energy and water their data centers use and consider efficiency when designing or upgrading facilities.  
  • Security: Agencies are required to follow Interagency Security Committee (ISC) standards for physical security and FISMA rules for information security.  

Application & Timeline: The Policy covers both Agency Run and Contract Run Data Centers, but some Cloud Services are excluded. New Data Centers must meet these requirements within one year of the Memorandum’s release by January 14.  

The rules in this memorandum will end on September 30, 2026.  

Related DOE actions (for February 2026 and 2025): 

In February 2026, the DOE is working on procurement, including a class deviation (PF 2026-03) on a revolutionary FAR overhaul to improve acquisition processes.  

  • AI is still the main factor shaping data industry trends in 2026.  
  • The industry is growing faster, but power, water, and land are becoming harder to secure.  
  • Efforts to improve sustainability are increasing as the environmental impact of data centers grows.  
  • Efficiency is now measured by more than just PUE, with greater attention to the amount of computing power delivered per unit of energy.  
  • Edge and modular data centers are becoming more common to handle the demands of AI workloads.  
  • Cooling strategies are moving towards liquid cooling using AI to manage temperatures and reusing heat.  

No matter how long you’ve worked in data centers, you’ve likely noticed how quickly things change as we get ready for another year of progress. Let’s look at the latest technology trends and new priorities that will shape data centers in 2026.  

AI Is Still The Driving Force Forming The Data Center Industry 

Last year, we called AI the most disruptive force in the data center industry. That prediction came true as AI affected nearly every part of the data center, increasing performance demands and putting more pressure on energy efficiency, IT systems, and cooling.  

In 2026, the pace will only speed up the trends we see now. They build directly on last year, but with more focus and bigger challenges. Leading data centers won’t just have the most equipment; they will have the smartest, most efficient, and sustainable setups created for large-scale AI.  

The growth of AI infrastructure raises three important questions for the year ahead:  

What macro trends are shaping data center operations in 2026?  

Which deployment models are gaining ground to support AI growth?  

How far has cooling technology advanced to meet AI-driven thermal demands?  

How Must Cooling Adapt: 3 Key Data Center Cooling Trends 

The rise of AI is prompting data center operators to rethink how they cool their facilities, especially since cooling already accounts for about 40% of total energy use. The cooling innovations that began in 2025 will continue to advance in 2026, with operators focusing more on scalable, efficient, and sustainable solutions.  

Here are three of the latest trends in data center cooling technologies:  

Liquid Cooling Becomes Mainstream 

Liquid cooling meets almost all the cooling needs of AI data centers. It transfers heat better, making it more effective for high-density GPU workloads, and usually uses less energy than air cooling. This helps with sustainability and lowers costs.  

Because of these benefits, liquid cooling must become much more common in 2026. This includes direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, and CDU-based systems that efficiently distribute coolant at a large scale.  

AI Steps In To Cool AI 

Traditional cooling methods can’t keep up with the heat produced by AI environments. However, using AI to manage cooling is changing the landscape, and more AI-focused data centers are emerging in 2026.  

Cooling systems that use AI can constantly monitor workloads and automatically adjust cooling as needed. This makes cooling flexible so it fits the real thermal needs of AI computing, leading to:  

  • Reduced energy waste.  
  • Higher overall efficiency.  
  • Less need for on-site intervention.  
  • Proactive maintenance enabled by predictive analytics.  
  • Extended system longevity.  

Heat Recovery Becomes A Strategic Priority 

With sustainability now a key performance indicator, heat reuse is becoming a practical way to lower environmental impact rather than releasing waste heat into the air. Most operators are capturing it and using it for district heating, agriculture, industrial processes, and heating nearby buildings.  

By 2026, more AI data centers will likely include heat recovery systems in their new facilities when paired with liquid cooling. This makes it easier to capture heat. This approach helps cut emissions, improve ESG performance, and turns AI computing waste heat into something useful.  

Strengthen Your Cooling Strategy For 2026 

Today, AI is changing every part of the data center, and its influence on the industry will continue to grow. This means operators will need to adapt even faster to stay ahead.  

As these trends change, the data center industry is leading the way in cooling innovation. Our solutions are designed for high-density AI-powered environments. Check out our PowerOne products for HPC data centers and contractors to see how we can help with your cooling plans for 2026 and beyond.

Source: Data Center Trends & Cooling Strategies to Watch in 2026

In January 2026, Apple launched a privacy feature in iOS 26.3 called Limit Precise Location (also featured as the Carrier Stealth toggle). This tool stops cellular carriers from tracking the exact location of iPhones. Instead of sharing detailed cell tower data, it only provides a general neighborhood area, making it harder for carriers to sell or share precise movement data with others.  

Essential Points About The Feature: 

  • Purpose: This feature stops mobile network providers from using cell tower data to track your exact location.  
  • Functionality: When you turn it on, your phone stops sharing detailed location data with your carrier.  
  • Availability: As of late January 2026, this feature is available only on certain Apple devices with Apple’s C1 or C1X modems, such as iPhone Air models.  
  • Support: You need both the iOS 26.3 update and a carrier that supports this feature.  

Other Privacy Features in Apple’s Ecosystem 

  • Mac Stealth Mode: This firewall setting (found in System Settings > Network > Firewall Options) makes your Mac invisible on a network by not responding to pings or connection attempts, helping prevent hackers from finding it.  
  • Email Privacy Protection: This feature hides your IP address and keeps email senders from knowing if you opened their messages.  
  • App Tracking Transparency (ATT): This lets you block apps from tracking your activity across other apps and websites.  
  • Locked and hidden apps: Recent iOS versions let you lock apps with Face ID or Touch ID or hide them completely from your home screen.  

In January, Apple silently added a new feature to the iOS 26.3 beta, but most users overlooked the small settings option called Limit Precise Location. This toggle offers stronger privacy at the carrier level without changing app permissions. As a result, security experts are now looking into what this feature does, where it works, and why it matters. Regulators see it as another move in Apple’s privacy strategy.  

Field engineers who use iPhones often work in regulated industries. For developers, understanding how certain carriers handle location data was optional before, but now network architects need to consider how less precise tower data affects analytics, billing, and legal access. Device procurement managers will also want to know which models and carriers support this feature.  

This analysis supplies the facts, professional opinions, and practical steps for enterprise readers, so you can decide if early adoption is right for your organization.  

iOS 26.3 Update Scope 

Apple released a support document on January 26, 2026, confirming the new feature in iOS 26.3. Public beta versions show the toggle in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. After you turn it on, the phone needs to restart before the network changes take effect. App-level location services are unaffected, so your current permissions settings remain the same. The feature is focused but important because it gives users control over something they couldn’t manage before. By focusing on the carrier, Apple is expanding privacy controls beyond what earlier versions offered. These basics explain what the new switch does.  

The update merely reduces the detail carriers can see, while apps are not affected. Because of this, companies need to review how much network data is exposed. Next, we will look at how carrier location data becomes less precise.  

Carrier Location Precision Limits 

Mobile networks usually find devices by using cell identifiers and timing measurements. More sophisticated systems can use time differences to pinpoint a device’s location to a street corner when the new setting is turned on. Carriers can only see your general neighborhood. Emergency calls are not affected, so response precision stays the same. Apple’s support note says you can limit some information that cellular networks may use to determine your location. For investigators, less precise data means more work when matching tower records. Early field testers report that the new accuracy is about 500 meters. This rounding makes it harder to match locations across nearby towers. These changes update what carriers can know about your location.  

This feature limits radio-based tracking to prevent the exposure of street-level location details and improves privacy. At the same time, it maintains emergency call accuracy. Who benefits depends on where and how the feature is available.  

Hardware and Carrier Availability 

Right now, only devices with Apple’s C1 or C1X modems are supported, which means the iPhone Air, iPhone 16E, and the cellular iPad Pro with M5 are included. Boost Mobile is the main US carrier at launch, while EE BT, Telecom, AIS, and True are available internationally. Major US carriers are not yet participating, which limits the availability of Enterprise pilot programs. Apple has not shared when support will expand or whether older devices will be included due to their new hardware. The procurement teams should check their device fleets against carrier plans before delivering new protections to employees. Some companies may also require certain location protections before approving devices.  

At the moment, only a limited number of devices and carriers support this privacy feature. Support is expected to grow as more Apple modems are used. Regulatory pressure could also speed up this process.  

Regulatory and Market Context 

This update includes other changes required by the DMA to make iOS more open. Still, Apple says the carrier feature is not tied to European rules. Analysts think Apple uses its own chips to stand out in security and business strategy. Android makers rely on third-party basebands, which makes it harder to implement similar features. Privacy advocates point to more law enforcement requests for cell-site records as a reason for these changes. Civil liberties groups say any reduction in data is good, but they still want systems to be auditable. They are requesting published data on how long carriers retain records. As a result, Apple improves its reputation and may avoid future rules on carrier data.  

This situation shows that Apple’s privacy policy changes and product features are working together. Stakeholders should watch for new regulations about carrier data correctness. Now the focus is on what benefits users will see.  

Benefits for End Users 

The toggle lets people control their carrier metadata, which is not common. Companies with sensitive field work can also hide their movement patterns from analytics. Resellers with less detailed data and commercial tracking tools that use tower data become less effective. Research also shows that less precise tower pings can make triangulation attacks harder.  

  • Carrier logs now show only general cell locations instead of exact street addresses.  
  • Analytics vendors receive less detailed tracking data, limiting their ability to build commercial profiles.  
  • Legal teams can point to stronger protections when they negotiate data-sharing agreements.  

Professionals can build their skills with the AI Cloud Practitioner certification to help design compliant systems. Still, real security needs several layers, such as managing app permissions and using network segmentation. Better privacy can also help meet new contract requirements.  

Barrier dilution lowers risk in a meaningful way, but only partly. Organizations should include this feature as part of their overall mobile strategy. It is also important to pay attention to its limits.  

Roadmap and Next Steps 

Experts expect that future iPhones will come with Apple modems as standard, as network software updates are released, more carriers are likely to enable reduced precision. Apple has not shared a timeline despite requests from several news outlets. Testing will help measure how the location radius increases in real-world use. In the meantime, companies should test the feature with small groups and document any effects on legal discovery. Organizations can also reach out to independent researchers studying cellular tracking accuracy for guidance on implementing these changes.  

Ongoing monitoring will reveal the trade-offs associated with these changes. Early adopters will collect useful data to help improve their policies. Here are the final recommendations.  

Apple’s work with carriers shows careful progress that balances security and business needs because only some devices and carriers support the feature. Pilot projects are important. Privacy experts support this change but warn against becoming too relaxed. Companies could take the toggle along with strong app controls, threat modeling, and ongoing monitoring. Teams that test these changes now will help set future buying standards. Regulators may also refer to this step when creating data. Minimization Rules. Professionals who want to lead in this area can earn the AI Cloud Practitioner credential to boost their influence. In summary, testing early and communicating clearly can turn privacy improvements into a real business advantage.

Source: Apple iOS 26.3 Elevates Carrier Privacy With Location Limits

On February 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX, Anthropic launched its first major advertising campaign called “A Time and A Place.” The goal was to present its cloud chatbot as a trustworthy, ad-free option compared to OpenAI’s changing business model.  

The Strategy: Ad-Free vs. Ad-Supported 

Anthropic’s main goal with this campaign is to challenge OpenAI’s recent decision to add ads to its AI chat interfaces.  

  • The Jab: Anthropic’s funny ads (like the one called “Betrayal”) feature AI-human conversations interrupted by unrelated or annoying commercials. For example, A serious family question is cut off by a dating site ad.  
  • The promise: the campaign makes it clear that conversations with Claude will always be ad-free and free of commercial interruptions.  
  • The rivalry: The marketing push led to a public dispute. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly responded with a long critique of the ads, while Anthropic supporters called it an insider debate that most consumers might not be following yet.  

Investment And Audience Reach 

In past years (2024-2025), a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost about $7 million for Super Bowl LX in 2026; prices went up sharply.  

  • Ad pricing: In 2026, a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost between $8M and $10M, setting a new record.  
  • Total campaign spend with production agencies like Mother LA, plus additional broadcast/digital placements. Anthropic’s total investment is estimated to be well above the base $8 million airtime fee.  
  • Reach: The ads reached about 120-130 million viewers, underscoring how AI is moving from a niche tech tool to a mainstream product.  

OpenAI’s Counter Strategy 

While Anthropic focused on a trust-centric and ad-free message, OpenAI used its 60-second Super Bowl ad to promote its Codex app. Their approach aimed to make AIs seem more human by showing people building things by hand, in an effort to ease concerns that AIs would take over human jobs.  

AI Companies Are Publicly Arguing 

Anthropic is spending millions to run commercials during the National Football League Championship game, criticizing rival OpenAI for planning to sell ads on its ChatGPT chatbot. This is one of the most public disputes between major AI companies.  

A 30-second commercial from Anthropic set to air on NBC during Super Bowl LX takes a clear shot at OpenAI’s plan to add ads to its ChatGPT chatbot.  

The ad shows a thin young man doing pull-ups in a park and asking a muscular bystander for tips on getting six-pack abs.  

The Bystander answers in a robotic voice, hinting that he is a chatbot, and offers a personalized strength training plan.  

However, before giving advice, he promotes shoe inserts that help short kings stand taller, leaving the young man confused.  

The punchline is that ads are coming to AI, but not to Claude, which is Anthropic’s chatbot.  

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, was not pleased and called the Anthropic ad “deceptive” in a post on X.  

We are not stupid, said Yeatman in an interview with the TBPN podcast.  

We respect our users. We understand that if we did something like what those ads depict, people would rightfully stop using our product.  

OpenAI also plans to use the Super Bowl to promote its software coding product Codex.  

This is the first Super Bowl campaign for Anthropic’s Claude. About 120 million viewers are expected to watch the Seattle Seahawks play the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California.  

Mark Marshall, NBCUniversal’s chairman of global advertising, said a 30-second ad costs about $8 million on average, with some selling for over $10 million.  

Comcast owns NBCUniversal 

These Super Bowl ads are the most public sign of rivalry between the two major AI labs — neither of which is profitable — as they try to attract consumers and compete for market share.  

The companies are also competing for business customers, as both aim to go public as early as this year, putting them in direct competition for investors.  

Sam Singer, president of Singer Associates Public Relations, said the dispute shows that even AI companies can’t resist the very human urge to argue in public.  

The dispute between OpenAI and Anthropic makes the Super Bowl more interesting, said Singer.  

The compelling battle between two companies with similar products will prompt people to consider Claude or ChatGPT, which will benefit both parties.  

The industry experts say Anthropic and OpenAI can use the year’s biggest TV audience to address negative views of all people in the right tone, said Sean Wright, chief analysis and analytics officer at the ad-tracking firm Guideline.  

Today, only 17% of US adults think AI will have a positive impact on the US in the next 20 years.  

So it’s about achieving the right balance that doesn’t exclude a general audience, many of whom may never have used AI.  

Sean Muller, founder and CEO of TV ad measurement company iSpot, said OpenAI has used commercials to raise awareness of ChatGPT, presenting it as a tool for everyday life.  

The latest commercial shows three runners motivating each other to keep going in the cold. It ends with scrolling text of ChatGPT’s answer to ” How do I make sure I don’t quit running? The response suggests running with friends to stay accountable.  

It wasn’t an ad that people liked, said Muller, adding that OpenAI is still trying to find its way with storytelling and narrative.  

A spokesman for the ad measurement firm said the Anthropic ad also got negative reactions in consumer testing.

Source: Anthropic buys Super Bowl ads to slap OpenAI for selling ads in ChatGPT 

In early 2026, the competition between Intel 18A and TSMC Arizona focuses on Intel’s efforts to ramp up high-volume manufacturing with back-side power, while TSMC relies on its own proven 2NM node. Intel 18A is achieving yields of 60% to 75%, which are competitive for 2NM but still trail TSMC’s mature yields of over 90%.  

Intel-18A (Arizona Fab 52 and 62): 

  • Status: now in high-volume manufacturing for Panther Lake to reach over 50% yield by mid-2026.  
  • Advantages: Column uses backside power delivery, PowerVia, and RibbonFET GAA transistors, which are expected to improve performance and effectiveness.  
  • This: lower early yields lead to higher costs per chip, which affects profit margins in early 2026.  
  • Yields: Early production is showing yields of up to 65-75%. This is considered good for a new complex node but still below TSMC’s mature high-volume yields.  

TSMC (Arizona FAB): 

  • Status: TSMC is currently focused on 4nm and 3nm production in Arizona; 2nm production is expected to ramp up, but the most advanced nodes are still available in Taiwan.  
  • Advantage: TSMC has proven yield maturity of over 90% and benefits from a large, established ecosystem.  
  • Challenges: TSMC faces geopolitical risks and depends heavily on advanced manufacturing outside the US.  

The Yield War in 2026: 

  • Performance vs. Maturity: 18A delivers 2nm-level performance, but Intel still faces trust issues due to past delays.  
  • Cost factor: Lower early yields for 18A mean higher costs for chips made in America. TSMC is likely to remain the top choice for maximum yield per wafer until Intel’s 18A yields improve.  
  • Outlook: If 18-year yields reach their targets by late 2026, Intel could challenge TSMC’s dominance in the 2NM market, especially for US-based secure and specialized AI chips.  

Intel used to be the world’s largest semiconductor company. Still, its market value dropped sharply in recent years as it fell behind Taiwan’s Superconductor Manufacturing Company and spent billions trying to recover.  

Now Intel has started making large quantities of its new 18A chip node, which it believes will help the company recover.  

Another major chipmaker has entrusted Intel with manufacturing on the new node. Right now, Intel is its own main customer. Its long-awaited Core Ultra Series 3 PC processor, called Panther Lake, will be the first major product made with 18A and will launch in PCs in January.  

Let’s become an internal node for now, said Daniel Newman, CEO of Futurum Group. So many companies have made massive investments in TSMC to ensure yield and capacity, so they just will not make the switch just yet.  

Intel hopes to attract new customers with its new factory, Fab52, in Chandler, Arizona, which CNBC toured in November. About 50 miles from Phoenix, TSMC has also set up a new factory to make chips using 4-nanometer technology. TSMC’s most advanced 2NM chips are still only made in Taiwan.  

Intel’s 18A chip is similar to TSMC’s 2nm node in some respects, such as transistor density. However, as Intel fixes issues from past delays, some 18A wafers have defects, which lowers the number of usable chips per wafer, a measure known as Yield.  

Yields are always an issue at the advanced node. This is not an uncommon problem, said Harvard Business School professor David Yoffie, who served on Intel’s board from 1989 to 2018. He pointed to early yield issues with Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs at TSMC, which were quickly resolved.  

Intel again began focusing on making chips for other companies when Pat Gelsinger became CEO in 2021. Gelsinger left the company last December and was replaced by Lip-Bu Tan in March.  

For the past several years, the company has invested too much, too soon, without adequate demand, Tan wrote in a July memo.  

While Intel waits for a major outside customer, the US government invested in the company in August, taking a 10% stake with $8.9 billion. Most of this money comes from grants under the CHIPS Act, which President Biden signed in 2022.  

A few days before Softbank invested $2B in Intel. In September, Nvidia invested $5B and agreed to use some Intel technology but did not commit to using Intel’s foundry.  

Here’s a look inside Intel’s new chip factory, where the company hopes to attract major foundry customers and regain its standing.  

Fall of a Giant 

Founded in 1968 by Silicon Valley chip pioneers Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and legendary investor Arthur Rock, Intel brought the world’s first commercially available microprocessor to market just three years later.  

From the late 1970s to the early 2000s, Intel quickly introduced more advanced process nodes, leading to the term Moore’s Law, which states that the number of components on a chip doubles approximately every 2 years.  

However, Intel missed out on the mobile revolution, including turning down a deal to make Apple’s processors for the first iPhone. It also struggled to keep up with AI.  

In 2024, Intel had its worst year ever, losing about 60% of its value. This drop followed years of delays for its 10nm and 7nm chip nodes. Some analysts think these delays happened because Intel chose not to use ASML’s expensive ultraviolet lithography machines earlier.  

We lost the discipline of cycle time, said Jim Johnson, head of client computing, who joined Intel over 30 years ago. Cycle time requires you to commit and deliver, and we started telling ourselves we could have longer cycle times and try to do more.  

As it hustles to get back on track, Intel told CNBC there will be at least 15 EUV machines in Fab 52.  

In 2021, TSMC led the industry in chip technology, and Intel started outsourcing some advanced chip production to the Taiwanese company. At the same time, Apple switched Macs from Intel chips to its own M-series chips, which are also made mainly by TSMC.  

In his earlier stint at Intel, more than a decade before joining as CEO, Gelsinger was given the responsibility to build a GPU to compete with NVIDIA, Yoffie said. Unfortunately, the project failed, and that ultimately meant we did not play an important role in the AI revolution, he said.  

Intel is said to be considering buying the custom AI chip design start-up SambaNova for $1.6B, but the company has not commented on the possible deal.  

Changing our Culture 

During Gelsinger’s time as CEO, Intel focused heavily on chip manufacturing. His ambitious plan aimed to help Intel catch up to TSMC by launching five new chip nodes in four years.  

Now Tan serves as CEO, and Naga Chandrasekaran leads the Foundry Division.  

We are improving yield and reducing bug density month over month and hitting our goals, Chandrasekaran told CNBC in an interview in November. So we have turned the corner.  

Chandrasekharan joined Intel last year after spending 20 years at Micron, a top memory maker. His main goal now is to attract new foundry customers.  

I have to become part of their team and convince them that they can trust Intel, ” Chandrasekaran said—that’snumber 1, and to do that, we are changing our culture. We are bringing a huge execution focus internally to Intel Foundry.  

San Jose Current told CNBC that Fab 52 can handle over 10,000 18A wafer starts each week in Arizona. Intel has more than a million square feet of clean room space, with five factories linked by 30 miles of overhead tracks that move wafers between them. A sixth factory should be ready around 2028.  

The 18A process uses Intel’s RibbonFET, a get-all-around design that improves power control by surrounding the transistor. Earlier designs only touched the top and sides. Naga Chandrasekaran said 18A delivers more than a 15% performance-per-watt improvement compared to Intel 3.  

One of Intel’s main strengths is advanced packaging, which entails assembling and connecting chips to use in actual systems.  

CNBC visited Intel’s Advanced Packaging Lab in Chandler to observe operations such as sealing chips with a polymer and using a liquid to detect defects. Yoffe said Intel’s advanced packaging can help mitigate some power consumption problems.  

One of the biggest problems today for everyone making chips for data centers is the power they consume, Yoffie said.  

Chandrasekaran said the Arizona factory runs on nearly 100% renewable energy. In 2024, Intel’s Arizona sites used over 3 billion gallons of water and returned 2.4 billion gallons to the local supply through an on-site recycling plant.  

No Blank Checks 

Tan has made it clear to employees that there will be no more blank checks for future foundry projects. The company needs to secure customers.  

Intel’s large new chip factory in Ohio is now delayed until at least 2030. TAN has also cut costs by reducing the workforce by 15% in July and cancelling projects in Germany and Poland.  

That’s what the company needed, said Newman of Futurum. It needed to be faster, leaner, and more focused. It needed someone who could be more shrewd.  

Intel is waiting to see how demand develops before sharing more details about Intel’s new chip node 14A. Chandrasekaran told CNBC that 14A will first be developed in Oregon with large-scale production starting in 2028. Customers for 18A won’t be easy to find. Unlike TSMC, which only makes chips for outside clients, Intel also makes devices powered by its chips, casting it as a competitor to some of the customers it hopes to win.  

If I were an NVIDIA, AMD, Qualcomm, or Broadcom, would you really want to put your secret sauce into a manufacturing operation where you are giving Intel access to it? Yoffie said.  

He suggests that Intel should spin off its foundry business into a separate company.  

You actually separated the two. I think you’d give Intel a much better shot at being successful. Yoffie said. And you’d also give the United States a much stronger position as the home of a major semiconductor manufacturing organization. For now, Intel hopes Panther Lake will serve as strong evidence of its progress when it launches in pieces from major brands like Samsung, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer in January. The company’s next data center chip, the Xeon 6+, is also built on 18A.  

If you are a major company that wants to bet on a process node, you are going to feel a lot more comfortable if you see Intel ramping the heart of their client product line to high volume on that process node, Johnson said.  

Microsoft and Amazon signed early deals last year, committing to use Intel’s Foundry for some of their in-house custom chips.  

It’s a good sign, but of course their volumes are very small relative to Nvidia and other major chip companies, Yoffie said.  

Recent reports indicate that AMD is thinking about manufacturing chips at Intel, and one analyst predicts Apple might make some Mac chips at Intel again by 2027.  

Meanwhile, Intel received a boost when the US government took a 10% stake in the company.  

It shows the U.S. government’s confidence in Intel and the belief that we need leading-edge R&D and manufacturing on U.S. soil, Chandrasekaran said.  

Government investment came days after President Donald Trump called TAN to resign, then reversed course.  

Worry sometimes about the scope creep here and how the US could decide to take stakes in all kinds of things, Neumann said. But you have industries we have let leave the US to an extent that puts us at an indefensible risk, and we need to bring them back.  

Some 92% of the world’s most advanced chips are made in Taiwan, following decades of decline in US chip production.  

The stakes are incredibly high for Intel for the US and for the world. Yoffe said: “The whole idea that the world’s most advanced products are dependent on a single location on an island a few miles off the Chinese coast is a terrible situation for the whole world to have to deal with.”  

Chandrasekaran, for his part, is devoted to turning Intel into a manufacturer of advanced chips.  

As a satellite conductor community, we have to enable this solution for the world to move forward with AI. He said there’s no other option than to be successful.

Source: Inside Intel’s new Arizona fab, where the chipmaker’s fate hangs in the balance

Meta announced on October 24, 2024, that it is testing a standalone Vibes app. By moving Vibes out of the Meta AI ecosystem, Meta aims to compete directly with OpenAI’s Sora. This marks Meta’s biggest step so far into the fast-growing world.  

Meta Vibes App Evolution: From Integrated Feature to Standalone Competitor 

Vibes first appeared in September 2023 as a feature in the Meta AI app. It lets users make and share short AI-generated videos and browse a feed of synthetic content. The platform worked like an AI-only version of TikTok or TikTok Reels. Generating all videos with algorithms rather than people, turning Vibes into its own app shows that Meta is making a major strategic shift.  

Meta told Bitcoin World that this change follows strong early interest in Vibes within the Meta AI app. The company says user participation has grown steadily since launch, especially in creating, discovering, and sharing videos. Meta believes this growth supports the launch of a separate app to give AI video fans a more focused and engaging experience.  

The Competitive landscape: Vibes vs Sora 

Meta’s move comes soon after OpenAI launched Sora, its own AI video and social app. By making Vibes a separate app, Meta sets it up as a direct rival in the AI video social space. Now users can choose between two dedicated platforms instead of comparing a built-in feature to a standalone product.  

There are several main differences between the platforms:  

  • Form Integration: Vibes maintains seamless connections to Instagram and Facebook stories, plus Reels  
  • Creation workflow: Users can generate videos from scratch or remix existing content from their feed.  
  • Editing capabilities: pre-publication tools allow visual editions, music layering, and style adjustments  
  • Distribution options:  
  • Content can be posted directly to Vibes Feed.  
  • DM to others  
  • Cross-posted to Meta’s established platforms  

User Patterns and Platform Strategy 

Meta’s internal data shows interesting behavioral patterns that informed this tactical shift. The company notes that while Meta’s internal data helps shape this decision, people interact with different content in the Meta AI app. In contrast, a separate app provides a more focused space for creating and engaging with videos. This approach aligns with a broader trend in which single-purpose apps often outperform all-in-one platforms for creative work, pattern-matching, established behaviors, and more. Meta is currently working on YouTube Shorts, suggesting that users employ similar sharing habits for machine-generated content as they do for traditional video. The company interprets this as validation that AI video creation is transitioning from novelty to mainstream social activity.  

Monetization And Future Development Plans 

Meta also shared new plans to monetize Vibes during talks with Bitcoin World last week. The app has been free so far, but Meta plans to add freemium options. This will likely mean subscription levels that give users more opportunities to create videos each month. Like paid subscriptions being tested on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.  

Meta says it will start testing these subscriptions in the coming months. This method of making money is common as AI creative tools grow, and more people use them. By trying out paid features, Meta shows it believes in Vibes’ value and expects users to stick around.  

Vibes Development Timeline and Key Features 

Date Milestone Significance 
September 2023  Vibes launch within Meta AI app  Initial integration as a feature rather than a standalone product  
Early 2024  User engagement shows consistent growth  Validates market interest in AI-generated video social platform  
October 2024  Standalone app testing confirmed  Strategic shift to directly compete with OpenAI’s Sora  
Coming months  Freemium subscription tests planned  Monetization strategy and implementation begins  

Industry Context and Technical Considerations 

The shift to stand-alone AI video apps is part of a bigger trend: Synthetic media tools are becoming more specialized and easier to use. In the past, making AI videos required technical skills, but now anyone can use simple interfaces like Vibes and Sora.  

Technical progress in several areas has enabled this transition:  

  • Bundle efficiency: lowered computational requirements for video generation  
  • Interface design: streamlined controls that abstract complex technical parameters  
  • Smartphone optimization: adaptation of generation models for smartphone deployment  
  • Social integration: Smooth sharing pathways to established platforms  

These changes make it easier for people without technical backgrounds to create AI videos. As a result, services like Vibes can reach a wider audience than older AI tools that mostly serve experts or professionals.  

Market Status and Business Implications 

Meta’s decision to test Vibes as its own app has significant implications for social media and AI. It shows that AI-produced content deserves its own platform, not just a side feature. It also means Meta is serious about competing in new synthetic media markets instead of letting specialized AI companies take the lead.  

Meta’s existing social network gives Vibes a clear advantage as it can leverage Sora’s connections to build from the ground up. Being able to share content across Instagram and Facebook helps Vibes grow in ways that new startups can’t match. This could take attention away from Meta’s other platforms, so the company will need to balance its priorities.  

Conclusion 

Meta’s test of a standalone Vibes app is an important step for AI video platforms. By making Vibes its own app, Meta is taking on OpenAI’s Sora and meeting user demand for dedicated creative spaces. The planned freemium subscriptions show Meta’s belief in Vibes’ business potential. As AI-generated video moves from a technical novelty to a common social activity, how Vibes performs will offer key lessons about the future of synthetic media in social interactions and content creation.

Source: Meta Vibes App: The Bold Standalone Move Challenging OpenAI’s Sora Dominance

Samsung Electronics has launched the 13-inch color e-paper (model EM13DX) worldwide. It is the first display in the industry to use Air Housing made from 10% Bio Resin from Phytoplankton and 45% Recycled plastic. This thin, eco-friendly digital sign uses very little power and requires no energy to keep static images on the screen.  

Below are some of its main features: 

  • Eco-friendly construction: The display’s housing uses bio resin derived from phytoplankton instead of petroleum-based plastics, reducing carbon emissions by more than 40% during manufacturing.  
  • Energy Efficiency: The display uses very little power and consumes no energy to maintain a static image, making it a good choice for sustainable digital signage.  
  • This 13-inch display is thin, light, and colorful, and is designed to replace traditional paper posters.  
  • Functionality: The device comes with a rechargeable battery, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and works with Samsung VXT’s cloud-based content management system.  
  • Sustainability: The packaging is made entirely from paper.  
  • Availability: This product launch is part of Samsung’s effort to offer sustainable, high-impact display technology. It is designed for retail, office, and public spaces, aiming to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing display functionality.  

Samsung Electronics has launched the 13-inch Samsung Color e-paper (EMI-13DX model) worldwide, adding to its Color e-paper range. This is the first display to use a bio-resin housing made from photo-phytoplankton. The thin display uses digital ink technology and consumes very little power, giving businesses a practical alternative to traditional printed signs.  

Businesses need more flexible and efficient ways to communicate, and Samsung Color E paper changes how digital signage is used every day. Said Hyoung Jae Kim, executive vice president of the visual display business at Samsung Electronics. By adopting new technologies like phytoplankton-based bio-resin, we demonstrate our commitment to advancing both display technology and the materials we use. Our color paper and e-paper products are made to replace paper with low power use and slim, lightweight designs.  

Paper-Like Color And Clarity For Modern Digital Displays 

The new 13-inch Samsung Color E-paper is the smallest in the lineup and gives businesses a compact display for shelves, counters, tables, and doors where paper signs are common. It is about the size of A4 paper and has a 1600 x 1200 resolution with a 4:3 aspect ratio.  

The display features a rechargeable battery, USB Type-C support, and flexible mounting options, so it does not require a permanent power cable. It is only 17.9 mm thick and weighs 0.9 kg with the battery, making it easy to move and install as needed.  

Samsung’s color imaging algorithm improves color precision and readability, giving the display a paper-like look by smoothing color changes and sharpening edges. It creates visuals that look like traditional posters, helping businesses switch from printed materials to digital signs.  

Pioneering Lower-Impact Signage With Bio-Based Materials 

Samsung’s 13-inch Color e-paper is the first commercial display to use bio resin made from phytoplankton in its housing. The housing has been checked by UL, a global safety and sustainability group, and is made of 45% recycled plastic and 10% phytoplankton-based bio resin. The new material replaces regular petroleum-based plastics and can cut manufacturing carbon emissions by over 40%.  

Every part of the display, from the housing to the packaging, is created with sustainability in mind. All packaging, including the box, cushion, and accessory box, is made entirely from paper.  

The display is also efficient in daily use. It keeps static images on the screen without using any power, which saves energy and maintains reliability. When content changes, it still uses much less energy than regular digital signs, helping to reduce operating costs over time.  

Easy Content Control With Samsung E-Paper App And Samsung VXT 

The 13-inch Samsung Color e-paper makes it easy to control content both locally and remotely. Staff can use the Samsung e-paper app on Android or iOS to update and manage content from their own devices without needing a separate remote control.  

The display also works with Samsung VXT, a cloud-based platform for remotely managing content and devices. Teams can adjust hardware settings, fix problems, and create or send out content with little training. For Color E-Paper, Samsung VXT offers special features to improve content legibility and a preview tool to verify color accuracy before content goes live. Samsung will unveil a 20-inch model for the first time at ISE 2026, a world-renowned audiovisual system integration tech show held in Barcelona from February 3 to 6. With this expansion of the Color E-Paper lineup beyond the existing 32-inch model offering, the Color E-Paper portfolio is increasingly designed to support a wide range of business needs.  

Samsung remains the global leader in digital signage, holding a 36.2% market share by volume in Q3 2025. This builds on its 17 years as the top commercial display provider.

Source: Samsung Debuts 13-Inch Color E-Paper, a World-First Display Built With Bio-Resin Derived From Phytoplankton 

Apple is adding Agentic code to Xcode. The company announced on Tuesday that Xcode 26.3 will let developers use Agentic tools like Anthropos’s Claude Agent and OpenAI’s Codex Write in Apple’s official app development suite.  

Apple developers can download the Xcode 26.3 release candidate from the developer website today. It will be available at the App Store soon.  

This update follows last year’s Xcode 26 release, which added support for ChatGPT and Claude in Apple’s integrated development environment for building apps on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watch and other Apple devices.  

With Agentic coding tools, AI models can leverage more Xcode features to perform tasks and automate more complex processes.  

The models will also allow access to Apple’s latest developer documentation, so they can use up-to-date APIs and follow best practices while building. At launch, the agents can help developers explore their projects, understand their structure and metadata, build their projects, run tests, and fix any errors they find.  

Apple said it worked closely with Anthropic and OpenAI to design this new experience. The company focused on optimizing token language and tool calls to ensure agents run efficiently in Xcode.  

Xcode uses MCP to share its features with the agents and connect them to its tools. This lets Xcode work with any MCP-compatible agent for functions like project discovery, making changes, managing files, previews, code snippets, and accessing the latest documentation.  

To try Agentic coding, developers should download the agents they want from Xcode’s settings. They can connect their accounts with the AI providers by signing in or adding an API key. A drop-down menu in the app lets developers choose which model version, such as GPT-5.2 Codex or GPT-5.1 Mini.  

Developers can use a prompt box on the left side of the screen to tell the agent what kind of project they want to build or what code changes they want, using natural language. For example, they might ask Xcode to add a feature to their app using one of Apple’s frameworks and describe how it should look and work.  

When the Agent starts working, it breaks tasks into smaller steps, making it easy to follow what’s happening and how the code changes. It checks the documentation it needs before coding. Code changes are highlighted, and a project transcript on the side of the screen shows developers what’s happening behind the scenes.  

Apple believes this candidness will help new developers who are learning to code. To support this, the company is hosting a Code Along workshop on Thursday on its developer site, where users can watch and learn how to use Agentic coding tools while coding in real-time with their own copy of Xcode.  

At the end, the AI agent checks that the code it created works as expected. Based on the test results, the agent can keep working on the project to fix any errors or issues. Apple also noted that asking the agent to plan before writing code can sometimes improve the process since it encourages pre-planning.  

If developers are not satisfied with the results, they can easily return their code to its original state at any time since Xcode creates milestones whenever the agent makes a change.

Source: Download Xcode 26.3 RC with native Claude & OpenAI Codex agents. Automate app builds, fixes, and visual previews using the new Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools.

NVIDIA introduced the Jetson T4000 in January 2026, bringing the powerful Blackwell architecture to edge devices. This module is designed to accelerate AI inference for robotics, autonomous machines, and industrial automation. Up to 1,200 FP4 TFLOPS of AI compute with four times the energy consumption and performance of earlier models, all in a configurable 40-watt to 70-watt power range.  

The main features of the Jetson T4000 are:  

  • Architecture: Built on the Blackwell architecture. It supports the Transformer engine and Multi-Instance GPU (MIG) technology.  
  • Compute Power delivers 1200 FP4 TFLOPS, powering complex real-time AI tasks, such as Generative AI and Visual Language Models (VLMs).  
  • Memory & I/O: Includes 64GB of memory and a 12-core ARM Neoverse v3aE CPU, three 25GB E-Network ports, and advanced I/O for sensor fusion.  
  • Video capability: Features one NVENC and one NVDEC hardware video codec engine for fast 4K video processing.  
  • Form factor: Shares the same form factor and pin layout as the Jetson T5000, making it easy for developers to switch between performance models.  

Applications and Ecosystem:  

The Jetson T-4000 is designed for mobile robots, quadrupeds, drones, and industrial automation, advancing physical AI. It uses the Jetpack 7.1 software stack, which includes Tensor RT Edge LLM for efficient local inference. Many partners, including AAEON, Advantech, Atena, and ForeCR, offer carrier boards for this module.  

This module is part of the Jetson-Thor series and is available to developers building next-generation intelligent machines.  

NVIDIA has introduced the Jetson T-4000 Edge AI module to meet the increasing demand of system integrators, equipment manufacturers, and enterprise customers for balanced performance, power efficiency, and deployment flexibility, boasting robust inference capabilities and a lightweight design. The Jetson T-4000 enables the swift implementation of practical physical AI applications.  

The Jetson T-4000, based on NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, supports Transformer Engine Multi-Instance GPU technologies. It incorporates a 12-core ARM Novas V3 AE CPU, 25 GBe Network interfaces, and diverse I/O options, rendering it suitable for low-latency multi-sensor and real-time computing. The module also includes a 3rd-generation programmable Vision Accelerator, dual encoders and decoders, and an optical flow accelerator. These dedicated hardware components provide stable AI inference even with limited compute and power resources, making the platform suitable for mid-range models and real-time edge applications.  

The modular architecture of the Jetson T4000, together with NVIDIA’s established software ecosystem, enables system integrators to integrate vision sensing and control systems rapidly. This approach reduces development and validation cycles and improves project delivery efficiency, particularly for multi-site scalable edge AI deployments.  

The compact form factor and low-power design of the Jetson 3000/T4000 enable equipment manufacturers to integrate it into a wide range of end devices, including sophisticated robotics, industrial equipment, smart terminals, machine vision systems, and edge controllers. These features enable the integration of stable AI inference into products with limited space and power, thereby accelerating intelligent product upgrades.  

Enterprise users may deploy the Jetson T4000 in multiple scenarios, including:  

  • Smart factories  
  • Smart retail  
  • Security  
  • Edge sensor data processing  

Performing inference and data preprocessing at the Edge reduces system latency, reduces cloud workloads, and increases overall process efficiency while maintaining system stability and deployment flexibility.  

For robotics and automation applications, the Jetson 3400’s low-power consumption, high-speed I/O, and compact footprint make it suitable for small mobile robots, educational robots, and autonomous inspection systems. These attributes enable efficient, reliable AI computing across diverse automation use cases.  

The Nvidia Jetson product lineup includes both lightweight and high-performance modules, such as the Jetson T4000 and the T5000, to address a range of requirements from compact edge devices and industrial control systems to high-performance inference applications. N-Media’s comprehensive AI development tools and SDKs enable developers to efficiently port models, optimize inference performance, and integrate AI capabilities into existing system architectures.  

In addition to supplying Jetson T-4000 models, NVIDIA utilizes its broad partner ecosystem in chips, modules, system integration, and application development. The conglomerate offers end-to-end help tailored to the development stages and requirements of system integrators, equipment manufacturers, and enterprise customers, including early-stage planning, technical consulting, and ecosystem enablement. By sharing expertise and practical experience, the company assists both established customers and new entrants in building application capabilities and deploying edge AI solutions, tailored to real-world use cases.

Source: EDOM Unveils NVIDIA Jetson T4000, Powering Lightweight and Stable Edge AI