TECHNOLOGY
Google may let select ‘Superfans’ test upcoming Pixel phones before launch
Google is inviting 15 members from its Pixel Superfans community to join a new “Trusted Tester Program” that allows them to try upcoming Pixel phones before launch. Testers must sign strict NDAs and prove their expertise, marking a rare move for Google to involve the public in its hardware development.
TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella got a massive salary hike in 2025: Here’s how much he earns now
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s total pay hits a record $96.5 million in 2025, including $2.5 million salary and mostly stock-based rewards, reflecting the company’s AI-driven growth.
TECHNOLOGY
Apple Maps may be tracking your visits – here’s how to disable it
iOS 26’s Apple Maps feature, Visited Places, tracks locations you visit by default. Users can turn off the feature in Settings and clear their history to maintain privacy.
TECHNOLOGY
Jon Prosser misses response deadline as Apple lawsuit moves forward without him
Jon Prosser has missed the deadline to respond to Apple’s lawsuit over iOS trade secret leaks. The court has allowed the case to proceed without his participation, while co-defendant Michael Ramacciotti continues to respond. Prosser may still petition to reverse the default, but a final judgment in Apple’s favour could be imminent.
TECHNOLOGY
WhatsApp updates Business API to ban general-purpose chatbots
WhatsApp will ban general-purpose AI chatbots on its Business API starting 15 January 2026. The move affects AI assistants from companies including OpenAI and Perplexity, while businesses using AI for customer support will remain unaffected. Meta cited API design, increased message volume, and monetisation concerns as reasons behind the policy change.
TECHNOLOGY
Claude Code arrives on iOS and web as a research preview
Anthropic has expanded Claude Code to iOS and the web as a research preview for Pro and Max subscribers. The tool enables developers to run coding tasks in isolated sessions, track progress in real time, and manage multiple repositories from a single interface, with mobile access now also available for on-the-go workflow management.
TECHNOLOGY
OpenAI tightens Sora safeguards after celebrity deepfake backlash
OpenAI has restricted Sora users from generating celebrity likenesses or voices, following deepfake concerns raised by Bryan Cranston and others.
TECHNOLOGY
Meta AI app usage surges after launch of this AI tool
Meta AI’s app has seen a surge in both downloads and active users after launching its new ‘Vibes’ AI video feed, which offers short-form AI-generated content. The feature rollout, combined with curiosity around OpenAI’s Sora, appears to have fuelled this growth.
TECHNOLOGY
Top OpenAI and Google brain researchers spark $300 million rush for new startup Periodic Labs
A surreal cityscape of Delhi blending realism and abstraction — the India Gate rendered in photographic realism, surrounded by Husain-style horses running through the sky, their bodies painted in blue and crimson. The streets shimmer in acrylic textures, capturing smog, light, and movement. Hints of modern architecture and a woman walking barefoot in a red sari give it a poetic touch.
TECHNOLOGY
"AI won’t replace humans…” Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says he’s hiring thousands of salespeople
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says “AI won’t replace humans” as the company hires thousands of new salespeople to strengthen its human-driven sales model.
TECHNOLOGY
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows may arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 as a Game-Key Card
Assassin’s Creed Shadows may be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 as a Game-Key Card, requiring an online download to play. The move follows earlier hints from Ubisoft and PEGI, and the game has already proven successful on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
TECHNOLOGY
Gemini Nano Banana: 5 prompts to use to transform your selfie into an AI-powered Diwali couple portrait
Gemini Nano Banana is enabling couples to create personalised AI-generated Diwali portraits, transforming selfies into festive artwork with photorealistic or artistic styles. With these five prompts, users can experiment with traditional, modern, fantasy, watercolour, and cinematic festive themes.
TECHNOLOGY
Amazon fires engineer over ‘threatening’ letter to CEO Andy Jassy
Amazon has fired software engineer Ahmed Shahrour after he criticised the company’s Project Nimbus contract on internal channels. The move has drawn accusations of retaliation, reflecting a broader pattern of tech companies disciplining employees involved in Israel-related protests.
TECHNOLOGY
Mozilla’s Firefox adds Perplexity AI as a new search option
Firefox now lets users switch their default search engine to the AI-powered Perplexity, offering direct answers with citations. The feature is globally available on desktop, with mobile support coming later, reflecting Mozilla’s push to integrate AI while maintaining user privacy.
TECHNOLOGY
Apple CEO Tim Cook receives custom Labubu during China visit
Tim Cook received a custom Labubu figure during his China visit, which coincides with the upcoming iPhone Air launch. The visit included meetings with Pop Mart and local creators, store visits, and a preview of Apple’s first eSIM-only iPhone in China.
TECHNOLOGY
Google’s Gemini AI can now schedule Google Calendar meetings directly from Gmail
Google has introduced a Gemini-powered scheduling tool that allows Gmail users to automatically find and propose meeting times using AI-driven context from emails and Google Calendar data. The feature marks a deeper integration of Gemini into Google Workspace, reinforcing Google’s push toward AI-first productivity tools.
TECHNOLOGY
Apple’s new language model can write long texts at lightning speed
Apple researchers, in collaboration with Ohio State University, have unveiled a breakthrough language model that can generate long-form text up to 128 times faster than existing systems.
TECHNOLOGY
Android Auto update breaks media and navigation ‘Quick Controls’ for some users
The latest Android Auto 15.2 update appears to have unintentionally broken the “Quick Controls” feature for certain users, affecting the ability to access media playback and navigation shortcuts from the taskbar.
TECHNOLOGY
Google Meet’s new AI feature applies makeup for you and could help cut your beauty costs
Google Meet’s new AI-powered makeup feature lets users apply virtual cosmetics — including foundation, blush, and lipstick — before joining a call. Designed for realism, it adapts to lighting and movement and offers 12 preset looks.
TECHNOLOGY
OpenAI could turn ChatGPT into a social app with built-in direct messaging feature
OpenAI may soon add direct messaging to ChatGPT, potentially turning it into a social-collaborative platform. The feature, codenamed “Calpico,” was discovered in beta testing for Android.
TECHNOLOGY
macOS 26.1 beta hints at Pro Display XDR 2 with Centre Stage camera
Apple’s latest macOS 26.1 beta suggests the company could soon unveil a new generation of its professional-grade monitor, the Pro Display XDR 2, featuring a built-in Centre Stage camera and support for Desk View.
TECHNOLOGY
Apple rumoured to launch M5-powered MacBook Pro, Air, Mac mini and Studio in early 2026
Apple is preparing a major upgrade to its Mac lineup, introducing devices powered by the next-generation M5 chip. The refresh will reportedly include the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini and Mac Studio, with launches expected to begin in late 2025 and continue through mid-2026.
TECHNOLOGY
Google’s Gemini Nano Banana Model now lets you create and edit images inside Search and Lens
Google is rolling out new AI image-generation and editing capabilities powered by its Gemini Nano Banana model across Search and Lens. The update brings playful yet professional image tools directly into Google apps, eliminating the need for third-party platforms.
TECHNOLOGY
Elon Musk’s xAI staff reportedly handled adult content for Grok AI under ‘Project Rabbit’
A recent report by Business Insider claims that Elon Musk’s xAI tasked employees with managing sexually explicit content for the Grok AI chatbot under an initiative internally called ‘Project Rabbit’. The project reportedly involved transcribing adult conversations and responding to NSFW prompts, raising ethical and safety concerns.
