News

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Honor Unveils Magic 8 Pro, Its First Self‑Evolving AI Smartphone

Honor has introduced the Magic 8 Pro, a flagship device it brands as the company’s first self‑evolving AI smartphone. The phone centers on the YOYO Agent, an AI assistant that can handle thousands of scenarios, from cleaning blurry photos to drafting business emails. An AI Button provides instant access to the agent and a YOYO Video Call feature. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the device offers 12 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, a 6.71‑inch OLED display with up to 120 Hz refresh and 6,000‑nit brightness, and a triple‑camera system that includes a 200 MP telephoto lens. The Magic 8 Pro ships in four colors, runs Magic OS 10, and is available for pre‑order in China with a broader European rollout planned.

10/15/2025

Spotify expands AI DJ with typing, prompts and new Spanish DJ

Spotify is adding several upgrades to its AI DJ feature for Premium subscribers. Users can now type music requests and choose from personalized prompts that suggest specific moods or genres. The update also brings a Spanish‑language DJ called Livi, extending the request function to non‑English users. While these additions aim to make DJ sessions more interactive, some listeners note that the AI still favors familiar tracks and that the newer audio‑mixing tool remains a favorite. The changes arrive as Spotify prepares for its year‑end Wrapped recap and a recent leadership transition.

10/15/2025

Japan Requests OpenAI to Halt Use of Anime and Manga in Sora Video Generator

Japan’s government has asked OpenAI to stop using copyrighted anime and manga in its Sora video‑generation tool, labeling the content “irreplaceable treasures.” The request was made by a cabinet minister overseeing AI and intellectual property after numerous Sora‑generated clips replicated well‑known Japanese franchises. OpenAI has previously offered studios a way to opt out of training on their material, but the Japanese authorities are seeking clearer enforcement to protect the nation’s cultural assets. The move highlights ongoing tensions between AI innovation and copyright protection.

10/15/2025

Qualcomm Unveils New Snapdragon Chips to Power AI Agents on Mobile and PC

Qualcomm announced a new generation of Snapdragon processors designed to enable AI agents on smartphones and laptops. The chips feature upgraded Oryon CPUs, higher token‑processing speeds, and increased AI TOPS performance, allowing on‑device large language models to run faster and more efficiently. Executives highlighted the potential for personalized assistants that can access local documents, images, and apps, improving productivity and accessibility. While the hardware advances remove a major barrier, Qualcomm emphasizes that manufacturers must still integrate the AI‑agent interfaces into their products.

10/15/2025

How to Spot AI-Generated Videos from OpenAI’s Sora 2

OpenAI’s upgraded text‑to‑video model, Sora 2, creates short clips that look increasingly realistic, making it harder to tell what is real. While the technology improves on earlier giveaways such as blurs and odd hand shapes, subtle flaws remain. Viewers can look for mismatched physics, strange background details, off‑kilter movement, compression artifacts, and inconsistencies in source accounts. Slowing down, checking emotions, and cross‑referencing with reputable outlets are recommended ways to verify authenticity. Developing these skills is essential as AI‑generated video becomes more convincing.

10/15/2025

New Advocacy Group SAVE‑US Pushes for Stricter Self‑Driving Car Regulations

A newly formed advocacy group called Safe Autonomous Vehicles Everywhere in the United States (SAVE‑US) is urging state lawmakers to adopt tougher regulations for autonomous vehicle technology. The group focuses on Tesla's vision‑only approach, calling for clearer disclosures, public crash reporting, and the use of multiple sensor types. Led by physicist Shua Sanchez and former Zoox engineer Bob Somers, SAVE‑US aims to influence legislation in large states such as Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. The effort comes amid a federal investigation of Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving software and broader concerns about safety standards across the industry.

10/15/2025

Microsoft Hints at Major Voice‑Driven Windows 11 Update

Microsoft’s official Windows account posted a cryptic message promising "something big" on Thursday, October 16, and hinted that it will give users’ hands a break. Executives David Weston and Pavan Davuluri have recently spoken about the future of Windows moving away from mouse and keyboard toward voice interaction. The tease aligns with existing Voice Access, voice dictation in Word, and AI‑powered features on Copilot+ PCs, suggesting a forthcoming major advancement in voice‑controlled Windows 11 functionality.

10/15/2025

How to Disable AI Features on Google Pixel Phones

A step‑by‑step guide shows Pixel owners how to mute, minimize or remove AI-driven functions across the device. It covers uninstalling or disabling AI‑centric apps, adjusting settings in Google Photos, Messages, Phone, and the Pixel launcher, and reverting from Gemini back to Google Assistant. The instructions help users retain control over their Pixel experience without the built‑in AI enhancements.

10/15/2025

Facial Recognition Systems Leave People with Facial Differences Behind

A growing number of individuals with facial differences report repeated failures when using AI‑driven facial verification tools. From DMV photo booths to credit‑score checks and government portals, the technology often cannot match their selfies to official IDs, leaving them locked out of essential services. Advocacy groups such as Face Equality International are urging companies and agencies to provide alternative verification methods and to improve training for staff handling these cases. While some agencies claim to offer fallback options, many users say the process remains stressful and dehumanizing.

10/15/2025

OpenAI Announces Customizable ChatGPT with New Adult Mode

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a forthcoming version of ChatGPT that will behave more like the earlier GPT‑4o model. The update will let users customize tone, personality and emoji usage, and will introduce an adult‑only mode that permits verified adults to generate erotica and other mature content. Altman said the changes aim to balance greater flexibility with stronger safeguards after a period of restrictive policies focused on mental‑health concerns. The move reflects OpenAI’s shift toward more personalized AI experiences while maintaining age‑gating tools to address safety and ethical considerations.

10/15/2025

Apple Intelligence Enables Priority Notifications on Select iPhones

Apple Intelligence-powered iPhones such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 lineup, and iPhone 17 lineup can now surface important alerts through Priority Notifications. Introduced with iOS 18.4, the feature places selected app notifications in a dedicated section on the lock screen, keeping them visible above routine updates. Users activate it via Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and choose which apps receive priority status. While the feature highlights key messages, users can still swipe up to view the full notification list. Priority Notifications currently work only on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone models.

10/15/2025

OpenAI Plans to Relax ChatGPT Restrictions and Introduce Age‑Gated Adult Content

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company will ease some of the mental‑health guardrails on ChatGPT after recent mitigation efforts. The changes include parental controls, teen‑friendly versions, and an upcoming age‑gated system that could allow erotic content for verified adult users. Altman also hinted at a new version of the chatbot with a more engaging personality. These moves come amid increasing regulatory scrutiny, new state laws targeting AI companions, and a federal investigation into AI companies.

10/15/2025