Researchers investigating how memory is formed and stored in the human brain are using NVIDIA graphics processors, artificial intelligence tools and virtual reality software to analyze large-scale neural data, according to a press release from NVIDIA. The work is being carried out by scientists from New York University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Their research centers on the hippocampus, a brain structure critical to memory, with the goal of understanding how experiences alter neural pathways at a molecular level. See also: Robot Bartender Powered by Nvidia Technology Debuts at Las Vegas…
Author: Lalu Jazidi
TikTok Shop has launched digital gift cards in the United States, giving users a new way to send prepaid balances to friends and family as the company expands its e-commerce offerings during the holiday shopping season. The gift cards can be loaded with amounts ranging from $10 to $500 and are delivered by email. Once redeemed, the value is added to the recipient’s TikTok Balance, which can be used to purchase items from the platform’s marketplace. Users are also able to customize cards with animated designs suited to occasions such as birthdays, weddings and thank-you messages. See also: TikTok Adds…
Waymo temporarily halted its robotaxi operations in San Francisco over the weekend after a widespread power outage disrupted traffic signals and caused a number of its self-driving vehicles to stop on public roads, underscoring the vulnerability of autonomous systems to large-scale infrastructure failures. Images and videos circulating on social media on Saturday showed Waymo vehicles stalled at intersections and along busy streets, with human drivers forced to wait behind them or navigate around the stationary cars. The Alphabet-owned company confirmed it suspended service that evening before gradually resuming operations late Sunday. See also: Waymo Partners with DoorDash to Launch Driverless…
Samsung Electronics said it will unveil a refreshed lineup of kitchen appliances at CES 2026, featuring updated versions of its Bespoke AI refrigerator, over-the-range microwave and slide-in range, as it deepens its use of vision-based artificial intelligence in the home. The South Korean electronics maker said the new products will integrate enhanced AI capabilities developed with Google Gemini and supported by Google Cloud, aiming to simplify everyday kitchen tasks and deliver more personalised user experiences. Samsung plans to demonstrate how computer vision and cloud-based AI can automate food management and appliance interaction. See also: Samsung’s AI Energy Feature Passes First…
Samsung Electronics said its SmartThings smart home platform will now support Matter 1.5, becoming the first platform to enable compatibility with Matter-certified cameras as the global standard for connected devices continues to expand. The update, which is set to roll out later this month, extends SmartThings’ existing Matter support beyond devices such as lights, door locks, switches and sensors to include cameras. Samsung said the move will give SmartThings the broadest support for Matter devices among major smart home platforms. See also: Samsung Teases Expanded Micro RGB TV Lineup Ahead of CES 2026 Matter 1.5, announced by the Connectivity Standards…
Apple said it will introduce significant changes to how iOS apps are distributed and paid for in Japan, as it moves to comply with the country’s Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), opening the door to alternative app marketplaces and non-Apple payment systems. Under the changes, developers in Japan will be able to distribute iOS apps through authorized third-party app marketplaces in addition to the App Store, and offer alternative payment methods or link users to external websites for digital purchases. Apple said the new options are being rolled out with iOS 26.2 and are available to developers immediately. See also:…
OpenAI and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore closer cooperation on artificial intelligence and advanced computing, aiming to accelerate scientific research across areas ranging from energy to national security, the organizations said on Thursday. The agreement establishes a framework for information sharing and coordination between OpenAI and the DOE, including its national laboratory system, and is intended to support federal initiatives such as the Genesis Mission, which brings together government, industry and research institutions to speed up scientific discovery through advanced computing and AI. See also: OpenAI Opens ChatGPT Platform to Third-party…
OpenAI said it has begun accepting submissions from developers seeking to publish third-party apps directly inside ChatGPT, expanding the chatbot’s capabilities beyond conversation to include real-world actions such as shopping, content creation and information lookup. The company said the new apps can be triggered within conversations when selected from the tools menu or referenced by name, allowing users to move seamlessly from dialogue to task completion. OpenAI described the initiative as part of a broader effort to turn ChatGPT into an action-oriented platform, stating, “This is just the beginning,” as it looks to build a wider ecosystem around in-chat apps.…
Samsung Electronics said the carbon reduction impact of its AI Energy Mode for selected washing machines has been verified by Carbon Trust Assurance, marking the first time a product feature has been assessed under the Decarbonizing the Use-Phase of Connected Devices (DUCD) specification. The verification evaluates greenhouse gas reductions achieved during actual consumer use, rather than during manufacturing. Samsung said the assessment compared emissions generated when AI Energy Mode was enabled with those produced when the feature was not used, highlighting the role of connected technologies in lowering energy consumption during daily operation. See also: Samsung and KT Test AI-RAN…
OpenAI has released a new version of ChatGPT Images, introducing a flagship image generation model designed to produce images more quickly while offering finer control over edits, as the company steps up competition in generative artificial intelligence. The update, powered by the new GPT Image 1.5 model, is being rolled out globally to all ChatGPT users and is also available through OpenAI’s application programming interface. OpenAI said the model can generate images up to four times faster than previous versions and is better at preserving details such as lighting, composition and the appearance of people across multiple edits. See also:…