Australia Prohibits Kaspersky Software in Government Over Serious Security Concerns

Australia’s just banned government officials from using Kaspersky software, calling it a security risk tied to Russian interference. They’ve got until April 1 to ditch it from all systems. This follows the U.S., Canada, and U.K.—all Five Eyes pals—cracking down too. Kaspersky’s already pulling out of the U.S. and U.K., and didn’t comment here. Yikes!

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Apple Unveils $500 Billion US Investment Boost

Apple’s betting big on the US, pledging over $500 billion in the next four years to create 20,000 jobs and dodge Trump’s tariffs—like the 10% on Chinese goods and a looming 25% on chips. Highlights include a new Houston server factory for Apple Intelligence, a doubled $10 billion manufacturing fund with a huge Arizona chip order, and a Detroit academy for AI training. Tim Cook’s stoked, calling it a bold move for American innovation—echoing past promises from 2018 and 2021.

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Vimeo CEO Bets on Privacy and AI to Outshine YouTube

Philip Moyer, Vimeo’s CEO, is jazzed about making Vimeo the top spot for private video hosting. From teachers to big companies, he’s pushing quality and control, with AI boosting creativity. Unlike YouTube’s algorithm chaos, Vimeo’s all about empowering creators and businesses to share videos their way.

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Norway’s 1X Unveils Humanoid Robot Designed for Home Use

Norwegian robotics company 1X just introduced Neo Gamma, a friendly humanoid robot designed for home tasks like making coffee and laundry. Unlike competitors focusing on warehouses, 1X aims for homes with this soft, safe prototype. Backed by OpenAI, Neo Gamma’s advanced AI and knitted nylon suit make it unique, though it’s still far from hitting the market.

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OpenAI Launches AI Agent Operator Across Multiple Nations

OpenAI is broadening access to its AI agent, Operator, for ChatGPT Pro subscribers in countries such as Australia, Brazil, and the U.K., while excluding the EU and a few other regions. Initially launched in the U.S. in January, Operator assists with tasks like booking tickets for subscribers who pay $200 per month through a dedicated webpage, competing with companies like Google, Anthropic, and Rabbit.

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Xbox Game Pass aimed to be the Netflix of gaming — where did it fall short?

Microsoft’s Xbox is facing challenges despite its shift to Game Pass in 2017, falling behind Sony’s PS5 and Nintendo’s Switch in terms of console sales. The industry continues to grapple with high game development costs and distribution hurdles, even after investing $100 billion in studio acquisitions. Game Pass hasn’t revolutionized gaming as anticipated, resulting in Xbox remaining in third place while competitors thrive with conventional sales strategies.

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Future Family’s IVF Insurance Guarantees a Baby or Refunds Your Investment

Future Family, a startup based in San Francisco, has introduced Orange Shield, an IVF insurance product backed by Munich Re Ventures, which includes a money-back guarantee. For an initial payment of $3,000 and monthly installments of $999 for five months, it provides coverage for up to $50,000 in IVF expenses. If couples do not achieve success after two cycles, they receive a refund, helping to alleviate the financial and emotional stress associated with IVF.

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Microsoft’s Majorana 1 Chip Pioneers a Bold New Era in Quantum Computing

Microsoft has introduced Majorana 1, the first quantum chip featuring a Topological Core. It utilizes a new state of matter known as topoconductors to develop stable and scalable qubits. This significant advancement, published in Nature, aims to scale up to a million qubits, offering potential solutions to complex challenges such as breaking down microplastics in years rather than decades, thereby transforming the landscape of quantum computing with enhanced digital control.

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Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti Release

On February 20, 2025, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, powered by the A18 chip, priced at $599. Meanwhile, Nvidia unveiled the RTX 5070 Ti for $750, and Google rolled out an upgrade to its AI with Gemini 2.0 Flash. Unfortunately, a significant cybersecurity breach affected thousands of individuals, but there was also some exciting news with a breakthrough in quantum computing. Interestingly, the iPhone’s elevated price seems to align with its cutting-edge features.

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Apple Launches AI-Enhanced iPhone 16e for $599 on February 28

Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, priced at $599, which serves as the successor to the SE but without that branding. This new model boasts Apple Intelligence, an A18 chip, and a fresh design incorporating Face ID and USB-C. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 48MP camera, and improved battery longevity. Pre-orders will kick off on February 21, with shipping set to start on February 28, as Apple aims to boost its market recovery in China and India.

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