Apple is set to introduce a new, budget-friendly MacBook model later this year, with an anticipated starting price of $599. This development was initially reported by industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in late June, indicating that the new 13-inch MacBook is designed to compete with Chromebook offerings and enhance overall MacBook sales. The forthcoming MacBook will utilize the A18 Pro chip, which was first seen in last year's iPhone 16 Pro, marking a significant shift as it will be the first Mac to incorporate an iPhone chip. Previously, all Mac models utilized M-series chips, known for their higher core counts and increased memory capabilities.

OpenAI's latest AI model, GPT-5, praised by CEO Sam Altman as a significant advancement in artificial intelligence, has faced a mixed reception since its release. Altman characterized GPT-5 as a leap forward, stating that "GPT-3 feels like you're talking to a high school student. GPT-4 feels like a college student. GPT-5 feels like you've got a PhD in your pocket for the first time." Despite these claims, many users have reported that GPT-5 exhibits instability and confusion in its responses. For example, when asked the number of "b"s in "blueberry," GPT-5 initially provided an incorrect answer of "three," which it later corrected only after prompting.

A Significant Uncovered Theft in the Cryptocurrency Industry: Over 127,000 Bitcoins Stolen Recent investigations by blockchain intelligence firm Arkham Intelligence have revealed a troubling incident within the cryptocurrency sector: over 127,000 Bitcoins, currently valued at approximately $14.5 billion, were stolen from the LuBian mining pool in 2020. Surprisingly, this theft went undetected for nearly five years. This incident is now recognized as the largest theft in cryptocurrency history, eclipsing the notorious Mt.

OpenAI has announced that its latest AI model, GPT-5, will be available to the public at no cost. While this has generated significant excitement, it's important to understand the conditions that come with its free access. While users can interact with GPT-5 without any charges, “free” services in the tech world often imply certain limitations or act as an entry point to paid offerings.

Samsung has announced a new feature to combat voice phishing scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated with the advancement of AI technology. This feature will be part of One UI 8 and aims to protect users from scams where the voice of a family member could be imitated by AI. The new capability, named "Voice Phishing Suspected Call Alert," will be integrated into the stable version of One UI 8 and is seen as an enhancement over the existing Smart Call feature. As detailed by Android Authority, the system will issue a warning when users make calls to unknown numbers that are not saved in their contact lists.

xAI has recently launched its latest artificial intelligence (AI) product, Grok 4, developed by Elon Musk, now available for free to all users. This release follows a brief period during which the model was accessible to SuperGrok and Premium+ users, occurring just after the debut of GPT-5. Grok 4 can be accessed through the grok.com web platform as well as mobile applications. It showcases significant enhancements in speed and performance compared to earlier versions, utilizing reinforcement learning technology alongside integration with web search engines to deliver more accurate responses. Users are required to manually select their desired model from the available options to utilize the new features.

OpenAI Addresses Community Concerns Following GPT-5 Launch In light of the recent launch of the GPT-5 model, OpenAI has acknowledged several challenges that arose during the rollout. Following a wave of criticism from users, particularly those subscribed to the ChatGPT Plus package, OpenAI has announced significant changes to ChatGPT to address community feedback. Key Changes Announced by OpenAI: Increased Usage Limits: Effective this weekend, message limits for Plus and Team users will be doubled, allowing for more interactions with the model. Reintroduction of GPT-4o: The previously popular GPT-4o model will return, and Team users can enable it via the 'Show legacy models' option on the web interface.

A recent lawsuit has emerged as Microsoft approaches the end of support for Windows 10, which is set to conclude in just over two months. According to a report by Tom's Hardware, the lawsuit points to potential concerns regarding Microsoft's decision to phase out Windows 10 and suggests that this move may be part of a strategy to compel users to upgrade their hardware, ultimately aiming to dominate the burgeoning AI market. The case was brought forth by Lawrence Klein, a resident of California, who filed the lawsuit in the San Diego Superior Court.

Modern artificial intelligence (AI) models have streamlined user interactions by allowing individuals to communicate through natural language rather than complex coding. While this advancement enhances accessibility, it also raises concerns regarding the potential exploitation of these systems. A notable example was identified by security researchers investigating Google’s Gemini AI. They discovered a vulnerability that allowed users to embed commands in Google Calendar invitations, which prompted the Gemini model to execute unintended actions. Specifically, in one instance, the model disabled lights and activated the boiler simply in response to a user saying "thank you." The researchers exploited this behavior by providing specific phrases that prompted the AI to memorize and carry out designated tasks.

Zhejiang University in China has recently achieved a significant milestone by developing the world's largest artificial brain simulation supercomputer, named Darwin Monkey. This advanced supercomputer features more than 2 billion neurons and 100 billion synaptic connections, mirroring the neural architecture of a macaque brain. As a result, it is capable of performing complex cognitive functions, including visual and auditory processing, language comprehension, and mathematical reasoning. According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the Darwin Monkey supercomputer is equipped with 960 specialized neuromorphic chips known as Darwin 3. A representative from the laboratory stated that this innovative computer system is a substantial step toward realizing advanced intelligence that resembles human brain function.

OpenAI has recently launched GPT-5, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, making it available to all ChatGPT users and developers. CEO Sam Altman likened the launch of GPT-5 to the introduction of the first iPhone with Retina display, highlighting its significance. GPT-5 brings notable enhancements in reasoning, accuracy, and speed, facilitating more human-like interactions that resemble engaging with a well-trained expert.

A security vulnerability has exposed thousands of private ChatGPT conversations to the public via Google Search, raising significant concerns about user privacy. According to a report by TechSpot, a glitch related to an OpenAI feature unintentionally made it possible for these sensitive chats to be easily searchable online. Many users were alarmed to find that their private discussions, which included personal topics such as family issues, anxiety, and addiction, had become accessible to anyone on the internet.

Analysts have raised concerns about Apple’s ability to maintain its competitive edge in artificial intelligence (AI) without making significant strategic moves, such as acquiring a platform like Perplexity. In its recent financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, which concluded on June 28, Apple reported revenue of $94 billion, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. Earnings per share (EPS) also saw an uptick of 12%, reaching $1.57.

When OpenAI introduced ChatGPT in November 2022, it quickly gained popularity as one of the most widely used AI chatbots globally. While it boasts impressive capabilities in areas such as answering questions, summarizing content, translating languages, and assisting with programming tasks, users need to recognize some significant limitations. One of the primary concerns is that ChatGPT has the potential to generate "hallucinations," meaning it may provide inaccurate or misleading information.

PayPal has recently made a significant announcement regarding its entry into the cryptocurrency market by launching a new payment gateway called "Pay with Crypto." This platform allows merchants to accept payments in over 100 different cryptocurrencies, boasting transaction fees that may be up to 90% lower than traditional credit card fees. As reported by TechRadar, this initiative marks a strategic move for PayPal to reach the rapidly growing cryptocurrency market, which is valued in the trillions.

Apple has officially launched iOS 18.6 following an extensive month of beta testing. This update marks the final significant release for iOS 18 before the anticipated launch of iOS 26 later this fall. While an iOS 18.7 update may be forthcoming in the next few months, it is expected to concentrate primarily on bug fixes and security enhancements, similar to what iOS 18.6…

EA Sports has introduced a notable update in EA Sports FC 26 by implementing two distinct gameplay styles: Competitive Gameplay and Authentic Gameplay. This change is designed to cater to different player preferences, creating a clear distinction between online and offline modes, each modified with specific adjustments to player dynamics, physics, and behavior on the field. In online modes such as Ultimate Team, Clubs, Online Seasons, and Online Friendlies, Competitive Gameplay will serve as the default setting.

This week, EA Sports announced significant updates to the PlayStyles and FC IQ systems for FC 26, aiming to enhance gameplay balance and realism. These changes are in direct response to feedback from the FC 25 community, which pointed out issues with player performance, particularly concerning players who lacked PlayStyles yet had high attributes but underperformed in fundamental game mechanics.

A significant milestone in the cryptocurrency industry has been reached with the absorption of 80,000 Bitcoins from the Satoshi era, valued at approximately $9 billion. This transaction stands out as one of the largest in cryptocurrency history. According to blockchain data, an early Bitcoin investor successfully sold 80,000 BTC through Galaxy Digital, a company specializing in large-volume cryptocurrency transactions. In a public statement, Galaxy Digital emphasized the importance of this transaction, although the identity of the seller remains undisclosed.

Researchers at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) in Russia have made significant advancements in the field of electric vehicle batteries. Their recent study, published in the Journal of Energy Storage, aims to develop solutions that make electric vehicle batteries both more affordable and environmentally friendly. A key focus of their research is the development of anode materials, which are critical components in batteries found in electric vehicles and other electronic devices.

Recent reports indicate that Apple is developing a foldable iPhone, which is expected to be named the iPhone Fold. Unlike its competitors, such as Samsung, Apple appears to be taking a distinct approach by not participating in the trend of larger devices. The anticipated foldable iPhone is said to feature a compact design, with a 7.7-inch main display and a 5.5-inch secondary screen, according to information from reputable leaker Digital Chat Station.

In a notable turn of events, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Tesla have reflected on their involvement in Bitcoin, experiencing both regret about late purchasing and hasty selling decisions. Recent financial reports indicate that Tesla is currently holding $1.24 billion in Bitcoin. This figure comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market has reached impressive heights, yet it also highlights the significant opportunity Tesla missed, amounting to nearly $4 billion in potential profits due to an early sale of its holdings.

At the recent AWS Summit New York, Amazon Web Services (AWS) unveiled a series of significant innovations aimed at assisting organizations in the secure and scalable deployment of AI agents. Key highlights from the announcement include the introduction of Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, new AI agents and tools available on the AWS Marketplace, and enhanced customization features within SageMaker AI. AWS has established a set of standards focusing on security, reliability, and data privacy for cloud computing, which are now being applied to Agentic AI.

Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) has recently identified a new form of backdoor malware known as GhostContainer, which is constructed using open-source tools. This sophisticated malware is unprecedented and was uncovered during an incident response involving government systems utilizing Microsoft Exchange. GhostContainer is believed to be associated with a persistent threat (APT) campaign targeting key organizations across the Asia region, including significant technology firms.

Xiaomi is making significant advancements in mobile photography with the anticipated launch of the Xiaomi 16 Ultra. Recent reports suggest that this device may introduce groundbreaking features to the premium smartphone segment. According to a leak from the Weibo user Digital Chat Station, the Xiaomi 16 Ultra is expected to be equipped with a periscope telephoto camera utilizing a 200 MP S5KHPE sensor, a first for smartphones on a global scale.