A “smart” sleep mask purchased on AliExpress was found to broadcast raw EEG brainwave data from users to a publicly accessible MQTT broker on the internet without authentication or any mention in the app or documentation. After reverse‑engineering the Android app, the author discovered hardcoded MQTT credentials that allowed anyone to subscribe to topics streaming timestamped EEG values, device info, and user identifiers, exposing highly sensitive biometric data. Attempts to contact the manufacturer were unsuccessful, and the vendor dismissed the issue. The author describes the reverse‑engineering process, reflects on privacy and security risks of cheap IoT health gadgets, and warns users to be cautious about trusting biometric devices, especially when data flows and infrastructure are opaque.

Home security systems currently offer a blend of professional monitoring, DIY flexibility, and advanced automation to enhance residential safety. Top-tier providers like Vivint lead with integrated hardware and professional installation, while SimpliSafe remains a favorite for user-friendly, contract-free DIY setups. These systems have expanded their capabilities to include smart locks, video doorbells, and comprehensive environmental sensors for fire or floods. Integration with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit allows for seamless voice control and automated routines. Key innovations include AI-enhanced video analytics that distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles, reducing false alarms. Whether prioritizing low-cost equipment, high-end automation, or professional surveillance, consumers now have diverse options that provide both remote monitoring via mobile apps and physical security through durable hardware components.

Seedance 2.0, the newly released generative AI video model, has triggered significant backlash from Hollywood’s major studios and labor unions. Critics argue that the technology’s advanced capabilities in character rendering and cinematic movement threaten traditional production roles and pose a severe risk to intellectual property rights. The controversy centers on the massive datasets used to train the model, which reportedly include thousands of hours of copyrighted film and television content without proper licensing or compensation to original creators. While Seedance maintains that its platform empowers independent filmmakers by lowering costs, industry advocacy groups are calling for strict federal regulations and transparency in AI training methods. Legal experts anticipate a wave of litigation as copyright holders seek to protect their assets from being replicated by automation, highlighting the deepening rift between the tech industry’s rapid innovation and the creative sector’s established legal protections.

Alta, a styling app inspired by the movie “Clueless,” is partnering with fashion brand Public School to bring its virtual styling tools directly onto brand websites. The collaboration lets shoppers use Alta’s interface to receive AI-assisted outfit recommendations and interactive styling suggestions while browsing online, rather than only inside the mobile app. Public School will integrate Alta’s tools into select product pages and campaigns to help customers visualize looks and discover complementary pieces. The deal is an early example of Alta’s broader strategy to deploy its styling technology as embeddable web tools for fashion labels and e-commerce platforms, aiming to boost engagement, personalization and conversion for retail partners.

OpenAI has quietly disabled the original ChatGPT-4o model in favor of its newer GPT-4o and o3-mini variants, triggering a backlash from loyal users who say responses now feel slower, less accurate, and more constrained. Fans argue the old 4o was uniquely fast, capable, and conversational, and some claim their productivity and work quality have dropped since the change. This discontent has sparked a grassroots #keep4o campaign on social media, with users calling on OpenAI to restore the classic model as an option. The situation highlights growing frustration with opaque AI model updates and the tension between rapid iteration and user trust, as people realize how dependent they’ve become on specific AI behaviors.

Amazon's Presidents' Day sale features a diverse selection of high-quality tech and lifestyle products for under $50. Essential deals include Apple AirTags for $24.99 and the Blink Mini security camera for $19.99, offering affordable ways to enhance personal tracking and home safety. Streaming enthusiasts can grab the Fire TV Stick 4K at a significant discount, while hobbyists will find various Lego sets and Kasa smart plugs at reduced prices. These curated offers focus on practical, well-reviewed gadgets that provide genuine utility at a low entry point. Whether looking for smart home upgrades, portable chargers, or everyday essentials, this sales event represents a prime opportunity to acquire popular brand-name accessories at some of their lowest prices of the year.

Kate Barton's New York Fashion Week presentation showcases a strategic partnership with IBM and Fiducia AI, blending high-end fashion design with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. By leveraging IBM’s computing power and Fiducia AI’s specialized tools, Barton explores new frontiers in creative development and supply chain transparency. The collaboration utilizes generative AI to assist in textile patterns and garment construction, while ensuring the authenticity and ethical sourcing of materials through blockchain-integrated AI models. This initiative reflects a growing trend where traditional craftsmanship meets digital transformation, offering a glimpse into the future of the apparel industry. The presentation highlights how technology can enhance artistic vision without compromising personal style, setting a new benchmark for tech-driven runway events where data and design intersect seamlessly.

Presidents' Day sales provide significant discounts on a variety of smart glasses, catering to different needs from augmented reality to AI-driven assistance. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are a highlight, featuring integrated Meta AI that enables users to interact with their surroundings, take photos, and handle communication hands-free. For entertainment enthusiasts, Xreal’s Air 2 series offers substantial savings on AR glasses that project large virtual screens for gaming and video streaming. Additionally, the Solos AirGo 3 models incorporate ChatGPT for live translation and audio enhancements. These deals represent a major opportunity to acquire wearable tech from brands like Bose and Xreal at lower price points. Each device offers unique utility, whether it's the audio-focused design of Bose Frames or the productivity-enhancing features of AI-integrated eyewear, making this an ideal time for consumers to upgrade their wearable sets.

RayNeo Air 3S XR glasses offer a portable, immersive viewing experience by projecting a virtual 200-inch screen through dual 1080p Sony Micro OLED displays. These glasses feature a 120Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of peak brightness, ensuring vibrant colors and smooth motion for gaming and media consumption. Weighing only 75g, the device is designed for comfort during extended use and includes TUV Rheinland certification for eye protection. They connect via USB-C to various devices like smartphones, laptops, and handheld consoles like the Steam Deck. Key upgrades over previous models include better audio clarity and a more refined design. Currently priced competitively, they serve as a versatile secondary monitor for productivity or a private cinema for travelers, bridging the gap between traditional displays and fully immersive headsets.

Ars Technica retracted a news story after it was revealed that quotes attributed to a Matplotlib maintainer were entirely fabricated. The developer of the open-source visualization library clarified they had never spoken with the publication's staff, suggesting the content may have been generated through an unverified AI process or significant editorial failure. This incident has raised alarms across the cybersecurity and tech communities regarding the reliability of mainstream tech journalism and the dangers of using large language models to produce or augment news reports without human verification. The swift removal of the article highlights the transparency required in the digital age, yet it also serves as a stark reminder of how AI hallucinations can compromise journalistic integrity. Experts emphasize that such errors could damage professional reputations and erode trust in established media outlets.

Upcoming indie film *Killing Satoshi* imagines a world where Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator is found and extorted for access to his fortune, but it’s the movie’s production process that’s sparking debate. Writer-director Joseph Alexander is heavily relying on generative AI tools for concept art, script feedback, and marketing materials, arguing they allow smaller creators to compete with studios. Critics, including artists and some crypto users, say this undercuts human creativity, exploits training data, and conflicts with Bitcoin’s anti‑corporate ethos. The project’s embrace of AI reflects broader industry tensions over automation, labor, and ethics in creative work, especially as Hollywood unions and online communities push for stronger protections.

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers a high-value alternative to premium rugged smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, providing a massive 2,000-nit AMOLED display and exceptional battery life lasting up to 27 days. Despite its significantly lower price point, it includes high-end features such as dual-band GPS, offline maps, and specialized metrics for heart rate variability and readiness. The integration of Zepp Flow, a natural language voice assistant, and Zepp Coach for dynamic training guidance leverages AI to enhance the user experience for outdoor enthusiasts. While the watch lacks the vast third-party app ecosystem found in more expensive rivals, its durability, stainless steel bezel, and comprehensive health tracking suite offer professional-grade navigation and fitness insights without the flagship cost, representing a shift in expectations for mid-range sports watches.

Rumors suggest the Google Pixel 10 Pro will feature an industry-leading display, utilizing Samsung's advanced M15 OLED materials to potentially achieve a high 144Hz refresh rate. This hardware improvement aims to bridge the gap between Pixel devices and dedicated gaming phones. At the core of the upgrade is the Tensor G5 chip, Google's first fully custom processor manufactured by TSMC, which is expected to offer significantly better thermal efficiency and peak performance compared to previous iterations. These enhancements, combined with Google’s ongoing software optimizations and AI-driven features, could make the Pixel 10 Pro a top choice for high-end mobile gaming and intensive applications. While official confirmation is not expected until late 2025, the shift towards premium display technology and custom silicon represents a major strategic pivot for Google's hardware ecosystem, prioritizing power, efficiency, and visual performance.

Consumers often get caught in a cycle of waiting for the next big leap in technology, but the iPhone 17 series is set to provide enough innovation to make the two-year wait for the iPhone 18 unnecessary. Significant leaks point toward a major redesign with a potential "iPhone 17 Air," a thinner form factor that could redefine the lineup's aesthetic. Additionally, improvements in display technology and camera sensors will likely be centerpieces of the 2025 release. While future-gazing suggests the iPhone 18 might eventually debut 2nm processor technology, the iPhone 17 will already be fully optimized for Apple Intelligence features. For most users, the performance gains and design shifts in the upcoming series represent a perfect upgrade point, offering modern AI capabilities and hardware longevity without waiting for distant, speculative hardware milestones.

Bias in AI systems is not just an ethical or reputational issue; it is a major, hidden financial drain on AI projects. Organizations often start with unbalanced or poor-quality data, which leads to skewed models requiring repeated retraining, remediation, and costly manual interventions. This inflates compute, labor, and compliance costs, while also causing inaccurate outputs that damage business decisions and customer trust. The article argues that proactive data governance, diverse and representative training sets, and robust model monitoring are far cheaper than fixing biased systems after deployment. It urges companies to integrate bias detection and mitigation into the entire AI lifecycle to protect both budgets and brand value.

CNET compares current Samsung Galaxy phones to help buyers choose the right model based on budget, camera, performance, and features. It highlights flagships like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S24/S24 Plus for top performance, displays and cameras, along with midrange A-series models that balance cost and capability. Foldables such as the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip are recommended for those wanting flexible screens and multitasking, with notes on durability and price trade-offs. The guide explains key specs to consider, including battery life, storage options, and software support lifespan, and suggests which phones fit photographers, gamers, value‑seekers, and power users.

Apple HomeKit provides a secure and integrated way to manage smart home electronics via Siri and the Home app. Essential devices for this ecosystem include the HomePod Mini and HomePod (2nd Gen), which serve as crucial hubs and voice controllers. Top-rated products include the Schlage Encode Plus for its Apple Home Key support and the Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting for its unmatched reliability. For enhanced comfort, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium integrates Siri directly into the hardware. Security is bolstered by devices like the Logitech Circle View and Eve Outdoor Cam, which utilize HomeKit Secure Video to encrypt footage within iCloud. With the advent of the Matter standard, compatibility across different ecosystems is increasing, making it easier than ever to build a cohesive, automated household synchronized across all Apple platforms.

Silicon-carbon (Si/C) batteries represent a significant shift in mobile technology, offering higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion and allowing for thinner devices with longer battery life. Moving toward portless designs would enhance water resistance and structural integrity by relying entirely on wireless charging and data solutions. Integrating advanced satellite connectivity across more devices would ensure reliable communication in remote areas, expanding beyond basic emergency features. Under-display camera technology needs further refinement to eliminate screen obstructions while using AI-powered image processing to maintain high visual quality. Finally, extending long-term software support from premium flagships to mid-range and budget Android devices would drastically improve longevity and sustainability across the mobile ecosystem. These targeted innovations aim to redefine the hardware landscape and improve the overall user experience in the competitive smartphone market.

Amazon-owned Ring has terminated a planned data-sharing partnership with Flock Safety following backlash to Flock’s Super Bowl commercial, which depicted its automated license plate readers aiding police pursuits. Critics argued the ad glorified surveillance technology and expanded policing powers, raising civil liberties and privacy concerns. The deal would have allowed Ring to integrate with Flock’s network so users could share footage and license plate data with law enforcement more easily. Privacy advocates have long warned about Ring’s close ties with police via its Neighbors app and partnerships. The uproar reflects growing public unease over pervasive surveillance, corporate–police collaborations, and the use of advanced tracking tools in neighborhoods. Ring’s move suggests companies are becoming more sensitive to reputational risks when expanding law enforcement–focused products and integrations.

Achieving cinematic audio at home no longer requires a complex multi-speaker setup, thanks to the evolution of smart soundbars that blend high-end driver arrays with intelligent software. The Sonos Arc continues to lead the market with its expansive spatial audio and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem, while the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar offers exceptional dialogue clarity through advanced AI-driven processing. For those with limited space, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) provides a powerful punch with virtual Dolby Atmos, while budget-friendly options like the Roku Streambar integrate streaming capabilities directly into the audio hardware. Most modern units feature built-in voice assistants, eARC for lossless audio transmission, and automated room calibration to optimize sound based on the specific acoustics of a living space. These devices provide a versatile solution for music streaming and immersive movie watching, accessible via simple mobile apps and voice commands.