Households often see higher energy bills in winter due to "vampire power," where devices continue to use electricity even when turned off. Smart home technologies like smart plugs and thermostats can help reduce this extra energy use and save money. These devices allow homeowners to control and track their energy consumption more effectively.
Key Facts
"Vampire power" is when devices use electricity even when they appear to be off, and it can increase energy bills by up to 20%.
Smart plugs can remotely shut off power to devices or work on a schedule to save energy.
Power strips with smart features can control multiple devices at once, helpful for setups with many electronics.
Programmable and smart thermostats adjust home temperatures to save on heating costs.
LED light bulbs use less energy and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs; smart versions offer extra features like scheduling.
Simple insulating products can help keep heat in the home, reducing the need to crank up the thermostat.
Smart humidifiers can maintain comfortable humidity levels, decreasing the need for extra heating.
Tesla has reported its first-ever drop in annual revenue as it shifts focus from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence and robotics. The company plans to stop producing certain car models to focus on these new areas and has invested heavily in a new AI venture. Despite financial challenges, Tesla's stock saw a slight increase in after-hours trading.
Key Facts
Tesla's revenue fell by 3% in 2025, marking its first annual revenue drop.
Profits dropped by 61% in the last three months of 2025.
Tesla is ending production of its Model S and Model X cars to make humanoid robots.
Tesla invested $2 billion in Elon Musk's AI project called xAI.
There were more votes against than in favor of Tesla's investment in xAI during a shareholder vote.
Tesla's spending is expected to increase by about $20 billion in the next year.
The company's shares rose by about 2% in extended trading.
Tesla's shift coincides with changes in U.S. government subsidies for non-fossil fuel vehicles under President Trump.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said AI tools are improving rapidly, allowing fewer engineers to do what once required larger teams. He expects AI to significantly change work practices by 2026. Meta has already experienced layoffs but continues to invest heavily in AI development.
Key Facts
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, says AI improvements mean fewer engineers can do more work.
In a call with financial analysts, he predicted 2026 as a big year for AI in how we work.
Meta has cut many jobs recently to simplify its management and operations.
The company laid off hundreds of workers mainly in its Reality Labs division.
Meta invested $77 billion in AI and related infrastructure last year and plans to double it this year.
Meta's shares rose by about 7.5% in after-hours trading following the announcement.
Industry experts, like those from Cisco and Google, warn that there's a risk of an AI investment bubble.
Studies reveal that people tend to spend more money when using self-service terminals, like those found in fast-food chains, instead of traditional cashier stations. These machines, made by companies such as Evoke Creative, use behavioral science to encourage customers to make more purchases by removing social pressures and offering visual prompts for upselling.
Key Facts
Self-service terminals are increasingly used in places like fast-food restaurants.
These terminals often lead to higher spending compared to traditional cashiers.
Evoke Creative is a company that makes these terminals for various businesses.
Dean Ward from Evoke Creative says people feel less judged by machines, so they buy more.
Customers spend about 61% more at a terminal, according to Vita Mojo.
Technology by Evoke Creative is used by companies like McDonald's and JD Sports.
Upselling is more effective on terminals, as they offer more time and visual prompts for additional purchases.
Waymo, a company that makes driverless cars, plans to launch a taxi service in London by September. The UK government will change regulations by the end of 2026 to allow these driverless taxis. The service will eventually operate without a human driver once all safety conditions are met.
Key Facts
Waymo aims to start a robotaxi service in London as soon as September.
The UK government plans to update regulations for driverless taxis by the second half of 2026.
Waymo is owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google.
As a trial, Waymo is currently using safety drivers to map London streets.
The estimated economic impact of the autonomous vehicle industry could be £42 billion by 2035, creating nearly 40,000 jobs.
The robotaxis use advanced sensors and computers to navigate and will operate without a human driver eventually.
Waymo has partnered with Jaguar for its UK robotaxi service.
Uber and Lyft plan to introduce their own robotaxi services in the UK after the regulations change.
The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch 40 years ago, resulting in the death of all seven astronauts onboard. Geoff Bennett and Miles O’Brien talked about this event on the podcast "Settle In" and its impact on the nation.
Key Facts
The Challenger disaster happened 40 years ago.
The shuttle exploded 73 seconds after lift-off.
All seven astronauts on board died.
The event was broadcast live on television.
The tragedy deeply affected the nation.
Geoff Bennett and Miles O'Brien discussed the disaster on a podcast.
They talked about how the event changed the country.
A trial is starting where a woman claims social media companies made their platforms addictive to children, causing harm. This case is part of a larger group of lawsuits against major social media companies. The lawsuit argues these companies designed their apps to hook young users, similar to slot machines and cigarette marketing.
Key Facts
A California woman, K.G.M., claims social media apps caused her addiction and harm since childhood.
Her case is part of a larger group of lawsuits involving thousands of plaintiffs.
Major companies like Meta, ByteDance, Snap, and Google are named as defendants.
Snap and TikTok have settled their cases, but Meta and YouTube continue to face trial.
The lawsuit argues social media platforms are purposely designed to be addictive, especially to minors.
Social media companies argue there is no clear definition or legal recognition of social media addiction.
The companies also challenge the claim that their products specifically caused any addiction.
The UK plans to expand the use of facial recognition technology, using software from a company linked to Israel's operations in Gaza. This decision has raised concerns about privacy and the accuracy of the technology. The UK will increase the number of facial recognition vans from 10 to over 50.
Key Facts
The UK will use AI facial recognition technology from the company Corsight AI.
Corsight AI is connected to Israeli operations in Gaza.
British police will increase the number of facial recognition vans nationwide from 10 to over 50.
Digital Barriers, a UK company, and Corsight AI have secured a £20 million ($27.6 million) contract for this rollout.
There are concerns about privacy and the technology's accuracy due to past issues experienced in Gaza.
Corsight AI's board includes former Israeli intelligence and security officers.
Israeli officials and civil liberties groups have expressed concerns about the technology's reliability and ethical implications.
A new AI model called AlphaGenome, developed by Google's DeepMind, helps scientists understand DNA better. It can predict how small changes in genetic code affect health and diseases. This tool is expected to assist in studying genetic diseases and developing new medicines.
Key Facts
AlphaGenome is an AI model from Google's DeepMind that analyzes DNA.
It helps scientists study the "dark genome," which makes up 98% of our DNA and is not well understood.
The model can predict where genes are and what effects the 'dark genome' has, such as on gene expression and splicing.
It can analyze one million letters of genetic code at a time.
The AI tool is used to identify mutations that could cause diseases like cancer or alter risks of conditions like obesity.
Over 3,000 scientists have used AlphaGenome since it became available for non-commercial use.
AlphaGenome could help in drug discovery by identifying important genetic variants.
The UK government is offering free and subsidized online courses to help adults learn about artificial intelligence (AI) for use at work. The goal is to reach 10 million workers by 2030, with courses covering basics like using chatbots. Tech companies like Amazon and Google helped create these courses, which aim to boost confidence in using AI at work.
Key Facts
The UK government has launched free and subsidized AI training courses online.
The goal is to train 10 million UK workers by 2030.
Courses include topics on using chatbots and aiding admin tasks.
Tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft contributed to the course design.
Participants who complete courses receive a virtual badge.
The program aims to boost confidence in using AI in the workplace.
Some organizations, like the NHS and the British Chambers of Commerce, support the initiative.
Courses vary in length, starting from 20 minutes to several hours.
Meta is blocking links to a website called ICE List that lists Department of Homeland Security employees. The website was started as a way to track immigration enforcement activities in the U.S. Meta states the block is to protect privacy, not for political reasons.
Key Facts
Meta has stopped users from sharing ICE List links on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
ICE List is a site that shares information on ICE agents and enforcement actions.
The site claims to have a leaked list of 4,500 DHS employees but uses publicly available data.
Meta says the block is due to privacy policy enforcement about sharing private data.
Meta's block has received criticism as limiting accountability for ICE activities.
The website states its information supports journalists and researchers.
Meta has enforced similar policies before to protect privacy.
A father in California received a warning email from his son's school about smart glasses that can record, take pictures, or play music. The school asked parents to ensure their children do not wear these glasses at school because they could be used to cheat or distract students. The father shared the email on social media, noting that such issues are expected in tech-heavy areas.
Key Facts
A California dad got an email warning from his son's school about smart glasses.
The email came from a private school in the Bay Area, near major tech companies.
The smart glasses can record, take pictures, and play music.
The school banned these glasses during school hours to prevent cheating and distractions.
The dad shared the email to highlight how tech can impact school environments.
The smart glasses were popular holiday gifts, according to the father.
The father works in technology and found the issue somewhat expected.
The school recommended that parents not let their kids bring these glasses to school.
A video shared on TikTok shows three horses in a woman's front yard early in the morning. The video gained a lot of attention and highlighted the growing use of home security cameras. Many people are using these systems to keep their homes safe and capture unexpected events.
Key Facts
A woman captured footage of three horses in her yard at 5 a.m. using a security camera.
The TikTok video of the incident received over 383,000 views and 47,000 likes.
Home security cameras are becoming more common, with 59% of surveyed people using at least one.
About 61% of homeowners check their security cameras several times a day.
The FBI reports that a home burglary happens every 25.7 seconds in the U.S.
Many homeowners think security systems should be mandatory in new homes.
35% of surveyed people had experienced a burglary or attempted break-in.
ASML, a major technology company, announced record orders for its chip-making machines, highlighting strong demand related to artificial intelligence (AI) growth. The company saw a sharp increase in orders and reported a rise in sales and profit for 2025, while forecasting further growth in 2026. In response to business needs, ASML plans to cut around 1,700 jobs to improve efficiency.
Key Facts
ASML reported orders worth 13.2 billion euros in the last quarter of 2025 for its chip-making equipment.
Over half of these orders were for ASML's advanced EUV lithography machines.
ASML's net sales in the last quarter were 9.7 billion euros, and total sales for 2025 were 32.7 billion euros.
ASML's net profit in 2025 was 9.6 billion euros, up from 7.6 billion euros in 2024.
ASML forecasts 2026 net sales to be between 34 billion and 39 billion euros.
The company plans to cut about 1,700 jobs, mostly in leadership roles, to improve work processes.
ASML has a dominant position in the production of machines used by major companies like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel for AI chip production.
ASML's stock price increased nearly 6 percent following the announcement of record orders.
Google has introduced an updated AI guide for U.S. city leaders, called the "Mayors AI Playbook." The initiative aims to help cities implement AI in local government services. Google and other tech companies are eager to secure government contracts as cities invest more in technology.
Key Facts
Google released a new version of the "Mayors AI Playbook" with the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
The playbook provides guidance on using AI in city government operations.
Cities are investing more in technology but often lack the expertise to use AI effectively.
Google aims to help cities by offering AI-related services like cloud storage and cybersecurity.
Tech companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are also competing to provide AI solutions to cities.
A study found that almost half of surveyed local government officials considered AI a low priority.
Google shared examples of AI use in cities like New York City and Miami, which use AI to tackle tasks such as cybersecurity and zoning verification.
TikTok has avoided a U.S. ban through a deal allowing American ownership of data security, while its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, keeps control over the app's core technology. President Donald Trump approved the $14 billion arrangement but concerns linger about China's potential influence over TikTok's content. The U.S. joint venture, TikTok USDS, holds a license to operate the platform.
Key Facts
President Trump approved a $14 billion deal for TikTok's new U.S. ownership in September to prevent a U.S. ban.
TikTok USDS, an American-led joint venture, will manage the platform's data security.
ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, maintains ownership of the app’s algorithm.
There is worry about the Chinese government using TikTok to push its views in the U.S.
TikTok has approximately 200 million users in the U.S. and 2 billion globally.
President Trump met with TikTok's CEO and offered multiple deadline extensions for the deal.
The new agreement involves Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX as managing investors, holding a 15% share in TikTok USDS.
Critics are concerned ByteDance might still influence TikTok's content in America.
Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, sent a memo to Apple employees about unrest in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting by an ICE officer. Cook mentioned a conversation with President Trump and called for calm. The memo followed a controversial screening of a documentary at the White House attended by Cook and other tech leaders.
Key Facts
Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple.
Cook addressed the unrest in Minneapolis in a memo to Apple employees.
An ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis.
The shooting occurred the same day as a private screening of a Melania Trump documentary.
Cook attended the screening with President Trump and other tech CEOs.
Cook spoke with President Trump about the events and emphasized respect and dignity.
The shooting sparked responses from various tech industry leaders.
President Trump commented on the shootings, calling them "terrible."
An iPhone user noticed that the delete button designs are not consistent across Apple apps. They shared this on Reddit, and many users agreed, saying similar design issues exist in the new iOS 26 update. Despite these comments, Apple has not changed its new design, leaving some users hoping for improvements in future updates.
Key Facts
An iPhone user highlighted inconsistent delete button designs across Apple apps.
The user shared a screenshot on Reddit, receiving over 3,000 upvotes.
Many Reddit users commented, agreeing that iOS 26 has several design inconsistencies.
The "Liquid Glass" design in iOS 26 has been unpopular for being visually confusing.
The new design changes have led to lower adoption rates of iOS 26, despite important security updates.
Apple has not provided an option to switch back to the previous design.
Users are hoping for changes or a redesign in the next iOS update, iOS 27.
A columnist for The Washington Post tested ChatGPT's ability to analyze Apple Watch health data and received incorrect and inconsistent results. The chatbot's health assessments conflicted with a doctor's real-life evaluation, raising concerns about relying on AI for medical advice.
Key Facts
A columnist used ChatGPT to analyze health data from an Apple Watch.
ChatGPT initially graded the columnist's cardiovascular health as an "F," which later changed to a "C" and sometimes a "B."
The columnist's doctor disagreed with ChatGPT's assessment, saying the columnist had a low risk for heart issues.
Another doctor called the chatbot's mistakes "totally unacceptable."
ChatGPT uses metrics like VO2 max and heart-rate variability, which can be unreliable.
Critics warn users not to rely on AI over medical professionals for health evaluations.
AI companies plan to keep developing health products but acknowledge they aren't replacements for clinical care.
Amazon mistakenly sent an email confirming layoffs to employees. The email, part of a calendar invite, mentioned further layoffs in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica as part of ongoing efforts to streamline the company. Amazon has been reducing its workforce as part of a larger industry trend, impacting tens of thousands of workers across major tech companies.
Key Facts
Amazon sent an incorrect email confirming layoffs to some employees.
The email was written by a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services and sent accidentally via a calendar invite.
It mentioned layoffs in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica.
The email described the layoffs as part of an effort to strengthen the company.
Amazon had previously announced 14,000 job cuts and plans to cut more positions by May.
In recent years, the tech industry has seen widespread layoffs, with an estimated 700,000 jobs lost.
Amazon's new CEO, Andy Jassy, is implementing stricter work measures, including mandatory in-office work.
