Saturday, April 25, 2026

Researchers say we’re talking less than ever

A study by researchers at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Arizona reveals that the average number of words spoken daily has plummeted by nearly 28 percent from 2005 to 2019, dropping from 16,632 to just 11,900. This decline is likely exacerbated by the pandemic and the rise of digital communication methods, leading to concerns about the impact on conversational skills and mental health.

India’s Snabbit seeks fresh funding at a $400M valuation, sources say

Snabbit, a Bengaluru-based startup providing on-demand domestic help, is nearing a new funding round that could value the company at approximately $400 million. The round, led by Susquehanna Venture Capital, aims to raise around $50 million, with potential for an increase due to strong investor interest. Founded in 2024, Snabbit has already completed over one million jobs in March 2026, reflecting the rising demand for such services among India's urban workforce.

For car, phone, even tractor owners, a populist wave is rising to end the 'captive' repair economy

The right-to-repair movement is gaining traction in the U.S., with states like California and New York enacting laws that empower consumers to repair their own electronics and vehicles. This bipartisan effort has united political candidates across party lines, as they advocate for consumer rights against major corporations like Apple and John Deere, which have historically controlled repair processes. Recent legal actions, including a $99 million settlement by Deere, highlight the growing pressure on these companies to comply with consumer demands for repair access.

AI talent war: Software industry is a new target as top executives jump ship to OpenAI

In a significant shift within the software industry, several high-profile executives from Salesforce, Snowflake, and Palantir have recently transitioned to OpenAI, driven by the allure of larger compensation packages and the impact of AI on traditional business models. This trend reflects the growing importance of enterprise relationships in the AI sector, as OpenAI aims to boost its enterprise customer base from 40% to 50% by year-end, amidst a backdrop of declining stock performance for software companies due to AI disruption.

Robert Kiyosaki claims ‘biggest bubble in history’ will wipe out boomers' savings. How to protect your wealth today

Robert Kiyosaki, author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' has issued a stark warning that the impending market crash could obliterate the savings of baby boomers, who he describes as the first generation to retire without guaranteed income. He criticizes modern retirement plans as 'flimsy' and suggests that diversifying investments into gold and Bitcoin may be essential for protecting wealth against economic downturns.

US programmer job growth nearly halved since ChatGPT launched, Fed study finds

A Federal Reserve study reveals that US programmer job growth has nearly halved since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, dropping from nearly 5% to about 2% annually. This decline, affecting sectors heavily reliant on programming, suggests companies are intentionally reducing the number of programmers in their workforce, with an estimated 500,000 jobs likely lost over three years due to the impact of generative AI.

We tried out xAI's Grok chatbot while driving a Tesla in NYC. Here's what happened.

Mike Nelson, a Tesla owner, has been using xAI's Grok chatbot in his Model Y while driving in New York City, finding it both entertaining and potentially dangerous. While Grok assists with navigation and answers various questions, experts warn that it can distract drivers, especially when combined with Tesla's Full Self-Driving system, which requires active supervision. The chatbot's beta status and features, including a controversial NSFW mode, raise significant safety and ethical concerns.

The UAE wants half its government run by autonomous AI agents within two years

The United Arab Emirates is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to integrate autonomous AI agents into its government, aiming for 50 percent of all services and processes to be AI-driven within two years. Announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this ambitious plan positions the UAE as a potential global leader in government AI implementation, with the goal of enhancing service efficiency and decision-making speed. However, the initiative raises concerns about the risks associated with AI, including biases in decision-making and the lack of oversight in a non-democratic context.

Artemis II broke Fred Haise's distance record, but he is happy to pass it on

The Artemis II mission has set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, reaching 252,756 miles. This milestone surpasses the previous record held by Apollo 13, which was 248,655 miles. Fred Haise, the last surviving Apollo 13 astronaut, expressed his happiness in passing the record to the Artemis II crew, highlighting the importance of continued lunar exploration as NASA aims to establish a base on the Moon.

China Says US Export Bills Risk Disrupting Chip Supply Chains

China has expressed concern over US legislative efforts to impose export controls on semiconductors, warning that such measures could disrupt global supply chains. The Ministry of Commerce criticized the US for broadening national security justifications to impose trade restrictions, asserting that this misuse of export controls would harm the international economic order and negatively impact the global chip industry.

Lotus Technology (LOT) Reports Q4 revenue of $163M

Lotus Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:LOT) reported a Q4 revenue of $163 million, a notable decrease from $272 million in the same period last year. Despite this decline, CEO Qingfeng Feng emphasized the company's commitment to advancing technology and maintaining competitiveness, highlighted by the recent launch of their new SUV, Eletre X, and the achievement of UN R171.01 certification.

<strong>Private-Sector Sleuthing Becomes Big Business for US Tech Startup  </strong>

Strider, co-founded by Greg and Eric Levesque, is transforming the private-sector investigation landscape by leveraging artificial intelligence to identify and navigate complex geopolitical and nation-state risks. Recently, Utah’s Department of Public Safety sought Strider's expertise to resolve a perplexing ownership mystery involving a motorsports park located about 40 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.

Why Tokyo is the most important tech destination of 2026

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 is set to redefine the tech landscape with its focused approach on four key domains: AI, robotics, resilience, and entertainment. The event, running from April 27-29, will feature live demonstrations and sessions led by industry leaders, including Howard Wright from Nvidia and Eva Chen from Trend Micro. Additionally, remote participants can engage interactively, and a summit on urban climate resilience will convene city leaders from around the globe.

Apps to distract you from the endless cycle of doomscrolling

Doomscrolling has become a widespread issue, with 64% of Americans admitting to excessive social media consumption that negatively impacts their mental health. To combat this, various apps like Dudel Draw, which promotes creativity, and Radio Garden, which connects users to global radio stations, provide engaging alternatives that help break the cycle of mindless scrolling.

The Govee smart lamp brightened up my room, and then my life

Sheena Vasani shares how the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp transformed her cluttered bedroom into a calming space, aiding her mental health while caring for her mother with Parkinson's disease. The lamp's easy setup and smart features allowed her to regain control over her environment, fostering a sense of relaxation and emotional connection.

AI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings

The artificial intelligence boom has dramatically reshaped global equity markets, with Taiwan and South Korea advancing past several European nations. Taiwan's stock market, now valued at nearly $4.3 trillion, recently surpassed the UK's, while South Korea is close behind, just $140 billion away from achieving the same milestone. This shift highlights the growing dominance of tech-heavy Asian markets in the global financial landscape.

Xbox’s weirdest studio is on a roll

Double Fine, known for its quirky games, has released Kiln, a multiplayer brawler where players control cute spirits that inhabit custom-crafted pottery. The objective is to gather water and extinguish the opposing team's kiln in chaotic, fast-paced matches. This release follows their previous title, Keeper, and showcases the studio's signature blend of creativity and fun gameplay mechanics.

$300 bags, $150 earrings, $60 hats: Mid-priced products are a status symbol for young shoppers

A growing trend among Gen Z and millennial shoppers is the shift towards mid-priced retail products, which are seen as attainable status symbols. Brands like Freja, offering bags priced between $258 and $398, cater to young professionals seeking stylish yet affordable options. This shift reflects a desire for frequent indulgence without the financial burden of luxury items.

Qwen3.6-27B beats much larger predecessor on most coding benchmarks

Alibaba has introduced Qwen3.6-27B, a new open-source AI model with 27 billion parameters that outperforms its larger predecessor, Qwen3.5-397B-A17B, on nearly all coding benchmarks. Notably, it scored 77.2 on SWE-bench Verified, surpassing the previous model's score of 76.2, and it also excels in multimodal reasoning tasks. Qwen3.6-27B is designed for developers seeking efficient coding performance without the overhead of larger models.

Big Four accounting chooses AI over humans, cuts benefits & hiring

The Big Four accounting firms are pivoting towards artificial intelligence, significantly reducing their workforce and benefits as they seek efficiency. Amid a declining interest in accounting careers, firms like KPMG and Deloitte are cutting jobs and benefits, with KPMG announcing a 10% layoff of U.S. audit partners due to AI integration, while Deloitte reduces Paid Time Off and Paid Family Leave.

The next iPad could sport a new naming scheme, thanks to new interview insight

Apple is expected to rename its next iPad to iPad Neo as part of a broader strategy to clarify product identities, moving away from previous vague naming conventions. This follows the recent introduction of the MacBook Neo, which aimed to provide a distinct identity for the product. While the new iPad will feature the A18 chip, its design will largely remain unchanged from the 2022 model.

Three reasons why DeepSeek’s new model matters

DeepSeek has launched V4, its latest AI model, which can process significantly longer prompts than its predecessor, R1. This open-source model is designed to be more efficient, allowing developers to access advanced AI capabilities at a lower cost. Notably, V4 is also the first model optimized for domestic Chinese chips, signaling a strategic move to reduce reliance on Nvidia amidst increasing scrutiny from both US and Chinese governments.

The 10th Google Store is opening in May

Google is set to open its 10th retail location in the U.S. at Fashion Valley in San Diego on May 8, 2026. This new store will be the third in California, complementing existing locations in Mountain View and Santa Monica, and will feature a range of products including Pixel phones and smart home devices, along with on-site repair services.

Apple @ Work: Is Safari the biggest shadow IT blind spot in your enterprise?

A recent Omdia report highlights that Safari may be a significant blind spot in enterprise IT management, with only 46% of organizations formally supporting the browser compared to 88% for Google Chrome. As browser-based security incidents rise—reported by 68% of organizations—IT teams must actively manage Safari to mitigate risks, especially since 55% of surveyed organizations experienced attacks in the past year.