MTA uses Google Pixel smartphones and AI to detect subway track defects
The subway in NYC has received a huge upgrade, but it’s probably not at all what you’d expect. No, it is not coming in the form of new trains or renovations to stations (even though that would be great). Actually, the MTA is testing a system that effectively transforms Google Pixel Android smartphones into powerful diagnostic tools for tracking rail defects!
The project, called “TrackInspect,” attaches Google Pixel phones to subway cars. Then, by using the Android devices’ built-in microphones and motion sensors, it detects vibrations and sound patterns. These sounds can indicate areas of track that may need maintenance. How cool is that?
OpenAI launches GPT-4.5 AI model and Elon Musk should be very worried
OpenAI has just announced GPT-4.5! While the company says the model is its most advanced AI yet, there’s definitely more to this release than meets the eye. Version 4.5 is a clear warning for anyone betting against OpenAI, including Elon Musk.
GPT-4.5 is being labeled a “research preview,” meaning OpenAI is still testing its strengths and weaknesses. With that said, it is apparently smarter, more natural in conversations, and better at avoiding mistakes than previous models. That could signal big trouble for xAI’s Grok, which Musk has been pushing as an alternative to OpenAI’s models.
Cricut Explore 4 and Maker 4 launch with faster speeds and lower prices -- perfect for stay-at-home moms
If you are a fan of crafts, you definitely have reason to be excited today. You see, Cricut is back with two new cutting machines designed to make crafting easier, faster, and even more affordable!
The Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 will be available starting tomorrow. These machines will appeal to stay-at-home moms (or stay-at-home dads for that matter) looking for a creative hobby or even a potential side hustle. With the ability to cut materials twice as fast as before, users can churn out custom vinyl decals, t-shirts, greeting cards, and more in record time. You'll be amazed by all the cool things you can make with it.
Study finds that Instagram is beneficial to the wellbeing of queer youth
There is much said about the negative impact of social media on mental health and general welfare, but a new study suggests that there are benefits too -- especially for minority and marginalized groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community.
In particular, Instagram has been found to be a boost to the wellbeing of queer young people. Surveys of Instagram users in the United States and Poland showed that access to supportive online communities brought about a range of psychological benefits.
TP-Link Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 gaming router brings 11Gbps speeds and low latency for pro gamers
TP-Link is one of my favorite networking brands thanks to its high quality and affordable prices. Today, that company launches the Archer GE650 -- an absolutely gorgeous Wi-Fi 7 gaming router.
The Archer GE650 delivers up to 11Gbps across three bands, including 5764Mbps on 6GHz, 4323Mbps on 5GHz, and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz. The router features one 5Gbps WAN port, one 5Gbps LAN port, and three 2.5Gbps LAN ports. Yeah, this router is absolutely loaded with multi-gig ports, making Gigabit seem downright ancient.
Changes to compliance requirements leave professionals struggling to keep up
The rise of AI and increasing global regulations have raised the stakes for businesses, as they navigate complex requirements to protect sensitive data and ensure ethical practices.
A new survey from trust management platform Drata reveals that 48 percent of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) professionals struggle to keep pace with updates to existing compliance frameworks and identifying areas needing attention.
Third-party risk is biggest cybersecurity blind spot
Third-party risk has emerged as a dominant driver of cyber insurance claims and material losses in 2024, according to new data from leading cyber risk solutions company Resilience.
Cyber insurance claims data shows that third-party risk, including ransomware and outages affecting vendors, accounted for 31 percent of all claims in 2024. Even more startling, third-party risk led to claims with incurred losses for the first time ever, making up nearly a quarter (23 percent) of incurred claims in 2024 (compared to none in 2023).
BlueAnt X5i Party Speaker packs 120W sound and dynamic LED lights
BlueAnt has launched the X5i Party Speaker. This speaker offers 120W peak power, seven LED modes, two wireless microphones, and solid, long-lasting battery life. Whether it’s a party, karaoke night, or casual listening session, the X5i should be more than up for the task.
CEO Taisen Maddern describes the X5i as an all-in-one audio experience. “It’s been engineered for all audio forms; from punk to pop, from metal to melodic, we’ve ensured audio is the king with the X5i,” he said. “The experience across the board, from the lighting to the battery, makes this the one-stop speaker for all occasions. With amazing bass, even at low volume levels, it makes the music feel live and helps create life’s memorable moments.”
Security, privacy and AI code reliability are the biggest development challenges
The latest Reveal survey from Infragistics into development concerns shows security (51 percent), AI code reliability (45 percent), and data privacy (41 percent) among their biggest software development challenges for 2025.
AI continues to be a major focus, with 73 percent of tech leaders citing expanding the use of AI within organizations as their top priority for 2025.
New Firefox terms of use could push users to Google Chrome
Mozilla has long positioned itself as a champion of privacy and open-source software, but its latest move really makes me worry that the organization could be drifting away from those values. You see, Mozilla has introduced Terms of Use for Firefox for the first time ever. Additionally, there is an updated Privacy Notice. And while Mozilla frames this as a move toward transparency, the actual terms are raising some major red flags for me.
Mozilla claims these new terms are necessary due to a changing “technology landscape,” yet the fine print tells a far different story. One of the most troubling aspects is that users must grant Mozilla all rights necessary to operate Firefox, including a “nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license” to use information entered through the browser. Mozilla insists this is meant to help users navigate the web, but the vague wording leaves a dangerous amount of room for interpretation. Could this include personal data, saved passwords, or browsing history? Mozilla simply fails to say.
VINGUYS Smart Bird Feeder V-Feeder Bamboo with AI camera now available
Imagine for just a moment an advanced bird feeder that feels like a piece of nature itself, carved from eco-friendly bamboo. However, this IP66 waterproof feeder is also equipped with Wi-Fi, solar charging, and an AI camera to bring birdwatching into modern times. There is no need to imagine this product, as it is a reality!
The “VINGUYS Smart Bird Feeder V-Feeder Bamboo” is more than just a pretty perch -- it’s got a 2.5K UHD camera that captures both photos and videos. It connects to your home Wi-Fi, albeit 2.4Ghz only, so you can watch the camera on your smartphone.
Install the KB5052093 update for Windows 11 to gain taskbar file sharing, Explorer improvements, and endless bug fixes
It's that time of the month when Microsoft releases preview versions of next month’s updates for Windows. For the eager -- and brave -- they provide a way to get early access to new features and options as well as fixes for problems.
Windows 11 users now have the KB5052093 update to download and install if they want to jump in ahead of Patch Tuesday, and this is a nice little update that not only patches a bunch of bugs, but adds a tasty selection of new bits and pieces. A highlight is the ability to use a single webcam in multiple apps.
Googled yourself and found something you don't like? Google has made it easier to remove search results containing info about you
There is a high chance that there is information about you online -- there can be very few people for whom this is not true. While it is hard to avoid having an online presence, having personal information appearing in search results can be disturbing, even dangerous.
This is precisely why Google’s “Results about you” tool exists. Since 2022, it has been possible to request the removal of personal information from search results using this tool. Now a major redesign makes this process even easier, and lets you request the removal of outdated results too.
Enterprises set to waste billions due to lack of cloud cost awareness among developers
A disconnect between FinOps and development teams is leading to wasted spend on cloud infrastructure costs according to 52 percent of engineering leaders.
Research from software delivery platform Harness finds developers have limited insight into cloud waste. Fewer than half of respondents say they have access to real time data on idle cloud resources (43 percent), unused or orphaned resources (39 percent), and over or under-provisioned workloads (33 percent).
AI code assistants speed up development but add to risks
New research from Apiiro shows that while AI code assistants are accelerating development times they're also increasing risks.
AI code assistants have seen rapid adoption since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Microsoft reports that more than 150 million developers now use GitHub Copilot, up 50 percent over the past two years.
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