Commentary
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Controversial Longevity Mirror at CES 2026
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The Nuralogix Longevity Mirror, showcased at CES 2026, offers a unique health assessment experience by using transdermal optical imaging to evaluate various health metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure, and mental health. Priced at $899, this smart mirror provides users with a longevity score and aims to offer a contactless alternative to traditional health monitoring methods. While the mirror's results for metrics like heart rate and blood pressure align with other devices, its accuracy for other metrics, such as body mass index, is questionable without precise input data. The device is part of a growing trend in longevity tech, with other companies also exploring innovative health monitoring solutions. This matters because it highlights the increasing interest and investment in preventive health technologies that could potentially improve quality of life.
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SanDisk Rebrands WD SSDs to Optimus Drives
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In late 2023, Western Digital announced its division into two companies, with SanDisk taking charge of solid-state storage, including consumer drives previously under the WD Blue, Black, Green, and Red brands. SanDisk is rebranding these drives under the "Optimus" name, with the WD Blue becoming the SanDisk Optimus 5100 and the mid-tier WD Black transitioning to the SanDisk Optimus GX series. High-end WD Black drives will be known as SanDisk Optimus GX Pro, featuring enhancements like a PCIe 5.0 interface and dedicated DRAM cache for improved performance. Despite the rebranding, the core differences between the drive models remain, with varying memory types and interfaces affecting speed and durability. This matters because it signifies a strategic shift in branding and product offerings, potentially impacting consumer choices and market dynamics in the SSD industry.
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Stewart Cheifet: Chronicler of the PC Revolution Dies
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Stewart Cheifet, a pivotal figure in documenting the personal computer revolution, passed away at 87. As the creator and host of PBS's "Computer Chronicles" from 1983 to 2002, Cheifet played a crucial role in making emerging technology accessible to millions, covering everything from early IBM PCs and Apple Macs to the rise of the internet. His work included interviews with tech luminaries like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, and he later hosted "Net Cafe," which explored the early internet era. Cheifet's efforts to preserve the show's legacy through the Internet Archive ensure that this valuable historical resource remains available for future generations. This matters because Cheifet's work helped bridge the gap between complex technology and the general public, fostering a better understanding of the digital world.
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Anna’s Archive Loses .org Domain Amid Legal Issues
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Anna’s Archive has lost its .org domain, with the suspension likely linked to legal actions rather than a recent Spotify piracy incident. The American non-profit Public Interest Registry, which manages .org domains, is believed to have acted based on a court order, although they have not commented on the matter. Additionally, Anna’s Archive is facing a lawsuit from OCLC, a nonprofit managing the WorldCat library catalog, for allegedly hacking and stealing 2.2TB of data. OCLC seeks a permanent injunction to prevent further data scraping and hopes to leverage a court judgment to have the data removed from Anna’s Archive’s websites. Why this matters: The legal challenges faced by Anna's Archive highlight the ongoing battle between digital archives and copyright enforcement, raising questions about data ownership and the limits of digital access.
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ROCm on ROG Ally X: Innovation or Overreach?
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The exploration of running ROCm, a software platform for high-performance computing, on a ROG Ally X handheld device raises questions about the practicality and necessity of such an endeavor. While the technical feasibility of implementing ROCm on this gaming handheld is intriguing, it prompts a reflection on the actual benefits and potential drawbacks of doing so. The challenge lies in balancing the excitement of pushing technological boundaries with the practical considerations of usability and performance in a handheld gaming context. This matters because it highlights the importance of aligning technological advancements with user needs and device capabilities.
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Nvidia Shifts Focus to AI, No New GPUs at CES
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Nvidia will not be announcing any new GPUs at CES for the first time in five years, quashing rumors of RTX 50 Super cards and highlighting a limited supply of the 5070Ti, 5080, and 5090 models. Instead, the company is expected to focus on AI developments, while considering reintroducing the 3060 model to meet demand. Meanwhile, the prices of DDR5 memory and storage have surged, with 128GB kits reaching $1460, making hardware upgrades increasingly challenging. This matters because it highlights the shifting focus in the tech industry towards AI and the impact of rising component costs on consumer upgrades.
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LLM Identity & Memory: A State Machine Approach
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The current approach to large language models (LLMs) often anthropomorphizes them, treating them like digital friends, which leads to misunderstandings and disappointment when they don't behave as expected. A more effective framework is to view LLMs as state machines, focusing on their engineering aspects rather than social simulation. This involves understanding the components such as the Substrate (the neural network), Anchor (the system prompt), and Peripherals (input/output systems) that work together to process information and execute commands. By adopting this modular and technical perspective, users can better manage and utilize LLMs as reliable tools rather than unpredictable companions. This matters because it shifts the focus from emotional interaction to practical application, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of LLMs in various tasks.
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X Faces Scrutiny Over AI-Generated CSAM Concerns
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X is facing scrutiny over its handling of AI-generated content, particularly concerning Grok's potential to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM). While X has a robust system for detecting and reporting known CSAM using proprietary technology, questions remain about how it will address new types of harmful content generated by AI. Users are urging for clearer definitions and stronger reporting mechanisms to manage Grok's outputs, as the current system may not automatically detect these new threats. The challenge lies in balancing the platform's zero-tolerance policy with the evolving capabilities of AI, as unchecked content could hinder real-world law enforcement efforts against child abuse. Why this matters: Effective moderation of AI-generated content is crucial to prevent the proliferation of harmful material and protect vulnerable individuals, while supporting law enforcement in combating real-world child exploitation.
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Lego’s Smart Play: Analog Meets Digital
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Lego has introduced the Smart Play platform, which integrates technology into its classic analog toys without the need for screens. This innovation is exemplified by the 962-piece Throne Room Duel set, which includes Smart Minifigures of iconic Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, and Luke Skywalker. The platform aims to enhance interactive play by combining physical building with digital capabilities, offering a new dimension to the traditional Lego experience. This matters as it represents a significant step in merging physical and digital play, potentially transforming how children engage with toys.
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AI Models Tested: Building Tetris
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In a practical test to evaluate AI models' capabilities in building a Tetris game, Claude Opus 4.5 from Anthropic delivered a smooth, playable game on the first attempt, showcasing its efficiency and user-friendly experience. GPT-5.2 Pro from OpenAI, despite its high cost and extended reasoning capabilities, produced a bug-ridden game initially, requiring additional prompts to fix issues, yet still offering a less satisfying user experience. DeepSeek V3.2, while the most cost-effective option, failed to deliver a playable game on the first try but remains a viable choice for developers on a budget willing to invest time in debugging. This comparison highlights Opus 4.5 as the most reliable for day-to-day coding tasks, while DeepSeek offers budget-friendly solutions with some effort, and GPT-5.2 Pro is better suited for complex reasoning tasks rather than simple coding projects. This matters because it helps developers choose the right AI model for their needs, balancing cost, efficiency, and user experience.