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China regulator alleges NVIDIA breached antitrust rules in Mellanox acquisition

China regulator alleges NVIDIA breached antitrust rules in Mellanox acquisition

China's State Administration for Market Regulation has opened an investigation into NVIDIA's $6.9 billion purchase of Mellanox, asserting that the deal violated national antitrust laws and the conditions China set when it approved the takeover. While no penalties have been announced, the regulator’s preliminary findings were kept confidential until now, coinciding with U.S.–China trade talks in Madrid. The original acquisition was announced in 2019 and approved by Chinese authorities the following year on the basis that NVIDIA would continue supplying GPUs and interconnect products under “fair, reasonable, and non‑discriminatory” terms.

Ecovacs Unveils Deebot X11 OmniCyclone with Agentic AI Assistant Yiko

Ecovacs Unveils Deebot X11 OmniCyclone with Agentic AI Assistant Yiko

Ecovacs introduced its flagship robot vacuum, the Deebot X11 OmniCyclone, featuring a new agentic AI voice assistant called Agent Yiko. The system learns users' habits, offers proactive cleaning recommendations, and provides real‑time troubleshooting guidance. Highlights include automatic setup, AI‑driven setting suggestions based on floor type and mess level, and a top‑up charging feature. Ecovacs notes that 80% of users repeat the same voice commands daily and often under‑utilize voice controls. The Deebot X11 OmniCyclone launched in the U.S. and Canada with a list price of $1,499.99.

Eight Innovative AI Tools Worth Trying

Eight Innovative AI Tools Worth Trying

A recent roundup highlights eight lesser‑known AI applications that go beyond chatbots. From Merlin, which identifies birds from photos or calls, to Goblin.Tools, a suite designed for neurodivergent users, each tool addresses a specific need. OpusClip automates video clipping for social media, while Rewind.ai records and indexes everything on a Mac for easy retrieval. Be My AI assists blind or low‑vision users by describing surroundings in real time. Character.AI lets users converse with fictional or historical personalities, Gamma generates polished presentation slides, and SciSpace Agent serves as a research assistant for scholars. Together, they illustrate how AI is expanding into practical, niche domains.

Gearbox CEO Blames Old PC Hardware for Borderlands 4 Performance Problems

Gearbox CEO Blames Old PC Hardware for Borderlands 4 Performance Problems

Gearbox Software chief Randy Pitchford asserted that the poor performance of Borderlands 4 on PCs is due to outdated hardware rather than game optimization. He described the title as a “premium game” for “premium gamers” and suggested that users with older systems should not expect high frame rates. The comments have drawn criticism from the gaming community, which points out that the game struggles even on top‑end GPUs such as the RTX 5090, and that many players are using mid‑range cards like the RTX 4060. The backlash highlights ongoing tensions over game optimization and hardware expectations.

Google's Gemini Leads iPhone App Store as AI Image Model 'Nano Banana' Boosts Popularity

Google's Gemini Leads iPhone App Store as AI Image Model 'Nano Banana' Boosts Popularity

Google's Gemini iOS app has risen to the No. 1 spot among free iPhone apps, propelled by the launch of its new AI image model, Nano Banana (officially 2.5 Flash Image). Users praised the model’s ability to edit photos and add elements seamlessly, generating over 200 million AI images and attracting more than 10 million new sign‑ups. The surge underscores growing consumer interest in standalone AI products and positions Gemini as a strong challenger to industry leader ChatGPT.

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Ahead of Hawaii Snapdragon Summit

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Ahead of Hawaii Snapdragon Summit

Qualcomm announced the upcoming launch of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii. The new chip, positioned as the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite that powers 2025 flagship devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra and OnePlus 13, incorporates the Oryon CPU and continues the “Elite” branding while aligning with the series' fifth‑generation naming. Qualcomm explained the naming shift in a recent blog post, emphasizing the performance boost and industry‑leading status of the Elite label. The company will showcase the chip’s capabilities at the summit next week.

Hidden iOS 26 Features That Enhance Everyday Use

Hidden iOS 26 Features That Enhance Everyday Use

Apple's iOS 26 brings a suite of subtle yet impactful enhancements that go beyond the headline changes. Users can now customize alarm snooze lengths, create custom ringtones without a computer, copy selected text from messages, and view visited places in Maps. Battery charging estimates appear on the lock screen, and Adaptive Power Mode adjusts performance on the fly. New visual tools let photos become spatial scenes, screenshots be searched, and lyrics be translated in real time. Additional conveniences include AirPods as a remote shutter, conversation backgrounds in Messages, and on‑device PDF editing, all designed to make daily iPhone interactions smoother and more personal.

ChatGPT’s AI Agent Helps Users Plan Affordable Fall Adventures

ChatGPT’s AI Agent Helps Users Plan Affordable Fall Adventures

A recent personal experiment shows how ChatGPT’s new AI Agent mode can research and suggest budget‑friendly fall activities. The user, based in Montclair, NJ, asked the Agent to find free or low‑cost outings such as hikes, small‑town trips, and seasonal events. The AI returned options like a local jazz festival, a nearby hike, and even a suggestion to watch the New York Marathon. The experience highlights the tool’s ability to browse the web in real time, while also noting the need for users to verify sources and tailor prompts for the best results.

Top AI Image Generators of 2025 Reviewed

Top AI Image Generators of 2025 Reviewed

A comprehensive look at the leading AI image generators of 2025, including DALL·E 3, Leonardo AI, Canva, Adobe Firefly, and Stable Diffusion. The review highlights each tool's strengths, privacy policies, pricing options, and suitability for beginners and professionals. DALL·E 3 earns CNET’s Editor’s Choice for its conversational workflow and complex prompt handling, while Leonardo AI and Canva offer robust free plans. Adobe Firefly integrates directly with Creative Cloud, and Stable Diffusion provides open‑source flexibility. The analysis helps users choose the right service based on creative needs and budget.

Writing a Good AI Image Prompt Isn't Hard, but You Need These Essential Elements

Writing a Good AI Image Prompt Isn't Hard, but You Need These Essential Elements

Creating effective prompts for AI image generators requires a clear description of subjects, setting, dimensions, style, and mood. Testing across platforms such as Google’s model, Midjourney, DALL‑E, Adobe Firefly, Leonardo, and Canva shows that a well‑structured prompt reduces unwanted artifacts and improves output quality. Prompt engineering involves specifying characters, location, aspect ratio, color palette, aesthetic, and emotional tone while avoiding exclusionary language that may be ignored. When results are unsatisfactory, tweaking the prompt or resetting settings can help, but the tools remain aids rather than replacements for human creativity.

Amazon to Unveil Refreshed Home and Entertainment Devices at Upcoming Hardware Event

Amazon to Unveil Refreshed Home and Entertainment Devices at Upcoming Hardware Event

Amazon announced that it will hold its annual fall hardware event later this month in New York City, where it is expected to showcase a range of refreshed products across its portfolio, including Kindles, Echo smart speakers, Ring security devices and Fire TV products. The company will highlight the latest upgrades to its Alexa assistant, emphasizing new AI‑driven conversational skills. Industry observers note that the launch comes as competition intensifies in the smart‑home market, with rivals such as Apple reportedly planning their own home‑device offerings.

Robots May Ease Children’s Reading Anxiety, Study Finds

Robots May Ease Children’s Reading Anxiety, Study Finds

A recent study involving elementary‑aged children discovered that reading aloud to a social robot reduced physiological signs of anxiety compared with reading alone or to a human adult. The experiment measured voice steadiness, heart rate and facial temperature, finding calmer responses when the robot was the audience. Comprehension scores remained unchanged, suggesting the robot’s presence lowered stress without affecting learning outcomes. Researchers propose that social robots could serve as low‑pressure listeners in classroom settings, helping students build confidence in public speaking tasks.