Author: peterjang73

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3034256/big-ai-has-pc-users-furious-nvidia-and-microns-weird-emotional-appeals-make-it-worse.html

Corporations don’t have feelings. And yet, they want others to think they do—and that we’re being too rough on them.

Twice this past week, major tech companies appealed to empathy. One bid bubbled up in a Wccftech interview with Micron, when the memory producer was asked if it and other suppliers were abandoning consumers. The response: “Our viewpoint is that we are trying to help consumers around the world. We’re just doing it through different channels. […] What’s going on right now is that the TAM [ed: Total Addressable Market] and data center is growing just absolutely tremendously. And we want to make sure that, as a company, we help fulfill that TAM as well.”

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The other came from Nvidia, with CEO Jensen Huang calling gloomy views of AI “extremely hurtful” during a discussion on the No Priors podcast. Huang’s take: “I think we’ve done a lot of damage lately with very well-respected people who have painted a doomer narrative, end of the world narrative, science fiction narrative. […] It’s not helpful to people, it’s not helpful to the industry, it’s not helpful to society, it’s not helpful to the governments.” 

I was struck by the argument Huang went on to present in that same podcast segment, which suggests AI is going through growing pains while reaching the goal of functionality, and such negativity hinders and slows that progress—as well as that of the podcast hosts, who seeded the idea of self-interest as the motivator for regulatory action. That those seeking regulation may be trying to freeze out new startups, not save humanity.

Foundry

There’s a lesson here for those of us in the stands—everyone is looking out for their own interests, including consumers. And we should be smart about appeals to emotion, because they’re not always in the interest of the listener.

Micron reported a revenue of $37.38 billion for fiscal year 2025. Nvidia reported a revenue of $57 billion for just its latest quarter. AI is hot.

Meanwhile, inflation and interest rates continue to depress consumer spending power here in the U.S., which is reflected abroad as well. AI has also torched jobs—it’s fueled thousands of layoffs already.

Sure, in the grand scheme of things, the fevered pace of tech often has led to good outcomes in the end. But that doesn’t change the individual impact of incomes lost, plans destroyed, security evaporated. So when a company makes a play for my agreement through emotion, I always wonder: Who benefits from this vision?

In this case, consumers not being completely shut out isn’t the win Micron delicately posited. RAM now costs triple what it did just bare months ago—many will still be effectively shut out from upgrades and replacement PCs. For Nvidia’s part, the hints that zero regulation benefits progress ignores the human element: As the saying goes, regulations are often written in blood. How much regulation is warranted is a different conversation, and a reasonable one to have.

But you can’t have a reasonable discussion without some critique or outright criticism. When companies appeal to emotion, I wonder why it doesn’t cut both ways. I wonder who benefits. In the case of technology right now, certainly not individuals. This approach isn’t a fair tactic. None of us should accept it as such.

In this episode of The Full Nerd 

In this episode of The Full Nerd, Will Smith, Adam Patrick Murray, Alaina Yee, and Michael Crider give CES 2026 a final send-off with a look at the smaller things we liked at the show. I’m still considering building my own E-Ink picture display now. If technology can save me from my sad bachelor-esque habits, I’m for it. 

Also, Will did make me feel better that I’m not as bad as I thought, regarding home decor. I have a couch, sir. And even a coffee table!

I was not in the majority on my opinion of the show floor robots, though.

Willis Lai / Foundry

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This week’s quieter nerd news

I can’t say I’m mad about the slow flow of news this week—I guess everyone’s still wrung out from CES 2026…or just tired from counting all the mentions of AI from the keynotes. (I would like to note that Will and I got our count through pure, old-fashioned grit.) 

Still, there’s plenty to eye with speculation. Or outright suspicion. (I’m giving that supposed Steam Machine pricing some side-eye.)

kingston.com

• Digging deep into the archives: Apparently, Chinese DIY builders are now recommissioning DDR3 motherboards for use. I never thought I could justify my continued use of my Sandy Bridge system, but here we are.

• Necessity is the mother of invention: Or at least, the precipitator of modding laptop RAM to work as desktop RAM, because it works out to be cheaper.

• I am not all-in: Google Gemini can now connect with Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube to provide more personalized answers to an individual’s questions. It’s currently set as opt-out, and Google pinky-swears it’s not training the model on any accessible data…but the company also is reminding everyone that, you know, your data is living already on its servers. Yeah.

• On the inside: I like me a good factory tour. I was very pleased when I saw a notification for this Gamers Nexus video, which gives a cool peek into production of Intel Arc cards at Sparkle.

• Uh, congrats, Linux? Security researchers have uncovered a new, previously unknown—and more advanced—malware targeting Linux cloud servers. An unwanted (but I guess predictable) reminder that bad actors go after people, not platforms.

• ICYMI: Nvidia DLSS 4.5 (at least, the super resolution part) is live—if you have a compatible card, you can try it out right now.

Valve

• I’m dubious: Buried deep in a Czech retailer’s website were two possible indicators of the upcoming Steam Machine’s price, with both the entry-level and upgrade versions circling the $1,000 mark. Placeholder, or a sign of the times? My vote’s for the former.

• More chip tariffs inbound: These will focus on “advanced” processors, according to reports.

• Oooooh: Is AMD taking a page out of Nvidia’s playbook? Rumor has it that Team Red will drop its new Gorgon Point CPUs just days ahead of Panther Lake’s imminent launch. (Shhh, don’t tell Brad I’m spreading scuttlebutt.)

• Cool…but I don’t have a problem, Brad: Brad raved about this particular software demo among those he saw at CES 2026. I admit it’s interesting, but I want to stress I have no issues with how many tabs I keep open. I live a comfortable life.

• I winced: Those deep in the memory trenches predict years of RAM shortages, given the current climate—the best estimate came from Micron, with things beginning to ease in mid-2027. Yeah.

• Thanks, I hate it: Verizon made a deal to allow its users to unlock phones after 60 days. A new FCC ruling says it no longer has to. I guess it’s back to unlocked phones only for me…

Gosh, what a banger of a start to the new year. I thought I’d spend most of this week sneaking in complaints about crowded gyms. Yes, it’s absolutely other people’s fault I ate too much and drank a ton of Will’s excellent eggnog. (Thanks again for sharing that with us!)

Catch you all next week!

Alaina

This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld.

via PCWorld https://www.pcworld.com

January 16, 2026 at 07:09AM

https://gizmodo.com/china-wants-to-launch-200000-satellites-to-earth-orbit-outnumbering-all-other-constellations-2000710704

via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com/

January 16, 2026 at 08:49AM

https://www.autoblog.com/news/hyundai-wants-car-doors-to-work-like-subway-trains-and-it-actually-makes-sense

Hyundai Thinks Car Doors Are Due for a Rethink

Automakers have spent decades refining engines, suspensions, and software, but Hyundai is aiming at something far more basic: how people actually get in and out of cars. A newly published patent application shows the company experimenting with a double-sliding-door setup that feels less inspired by minivans and more by subways and commuter trains.

Published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in January 2026 (you can look it up yourself using patent no. 12523084), the filing outlines a door system where two panels meet in the middle and slide away from each other along a shared rail system. The goal appears simple but ambitious: create a wider, cleaner opening without the packaging compromises of a single large sliding door or the clearance issues of hinged doors.

Subway Logic Applied to Passenger Cars

The most striking thing about Hyundai’s idea is how familiar it feels if you’ve ever boarded a train. Instead of one door moving rearward, the opening splits at the center, with each door sliding outward in opposite directions. That symmetry could make entering and exiting faster and more intuitive, especially in crowded urban environments or curbside pickup scenarios.

From the patent illustrations, the mechanism lives largely in the roof structure, using synchronized motors and rails to keep movement smooth and controlled. This approach could reduce door weight per panel while still delivering a wide opening, which is ideal for families, rideshare passengers, or anyone dealing with child seats or bulky cargo. It’s easy to imagine this layout shining in autonomous shuttles or robotaxis, where passenger flow matters more than driver-focused design.

Big Ideas, With the Usual Patent Caveats

Of course, patents are not promises. Automakers routinely file applications to protect ideas long before, or even if, they reach production. Hyundai, like every major manufacturer, uses patents to stake out future possibilities rather than confirm upcoming models. Any trademarks or technologies referenced in the filing are not guaranteed to appear on a showroom vehicle.

Still, this application reveals something important about Hyundai’s mindset. As cars evolve into shared, semi-autonomous spaces, the act of getting in and out becomes part of the user experience. Whether or not these double sliding doors ever make it to production, the concept suggests there may be a smarter, more transit-inspired way to think about vehicle access, and Hyundai clearly wants to catch that train of thought.

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January 15, 2026 at 06:22AM

https://lifehacker.com/tech/find-free-movies-legally-with-wikiflix-a-database-of-films-in-the-public

I love movies, and especially when I can watch them for free: And while streaming the latest Hollywood blockbusters might come at a price (at least for those wanting to stay on the right side of the law), there’s an ever-growing collection of older films that you can get at online without paying a dime.

The site WikiFlix (as spotted by the fine folks at Gizmodo) lists movies available to stream that are now in the public domain. The way that copyright works in the U.S. basically means that copyright expires on films after a period of 95 years—so with every year that passes, a batch of new flicks become available to view by anyone, free of charge.

If you’re looking for something classic for your next movie night, it’s well worth a look.

There are plenty of categories to choose from.
Credit: Lifehacker

WikiFlix is straightforward to use, right from the homepage. It tracks films added to sites such as Wikimedia Commons, YouTube, and the Internet Archive, and whenever you click through on a movie, you can also see where it has come from. When you’ve made your pick, it streams right in your browser window.

The home page is split up into categories that you can browse through—including female directions, animations, and biographical films, the last time I checked—and there’s also a search button up in the top right corner if you know what you’re looking for. Next to the search button is an account button, which enables you to sign up for a MediaWiki account if you want to be able to contribute to the site too.

Hover over the main WikiFlix heading at the top of the page and a quick link to Movies by year pops up. This is a useful way of finding the most recent flicks added to WikiFlix, and digging back into the archive—not all of the movies here are in the public domain because their copyright has expired, and you will find more recent titles too.

Click through on any thumbnail to get more information about each movie. You can typically get information on the director, cast, and running time, and a plot summary is included too. Some of the entries come with trailers (although you can also search for these separately on sites like YouTube).

Each movie comes with a cast list.
Credit: Lifehacker

Start streaming a movie, and the usual playback controls appear, though the interface does depend to some extent on the site that’s hosting the movie. For films hosted on YouTube, for example, you can typically adjust the playback quality and speed. Some movies come with subtitles too.

Obviously a site like this is going to skew towards older, classic movies, but there’s plenty to explore here: Metropolis, It’s a Wonderful Life, All Quiet on the Western Front, Nosferatu, Charlie Chaplin comedy The Gold Rush, and lots more.

Free movie repositories aren’t quite as rare online as you might think. We’ve written before about the best free and legal streaming services for movies and TV, featuring ad-supported streaming platforms such as Tubi and PlutoTV. Again, the emphasis is on older films, but there’s a huge amount on offer at no charge.

via Lifehacker https://ift.tt/ipeoTqM

January 13, 2026 at 08:25AM

https://gizmodo.com/alphabets-wing-adds-150-walmart-stores-to-drone-delivery-program-2000709294

via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com/

January 12, 2026 at 02:14PM

https://gizmodo.com/scientists-watched-viruses-attack-bacteria-in-space-things-got-weird-2000709619

via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com/

January 13, 2026 at 01:01PM

https://www.droid-life.com/2026/01/13/verizon-convinces-fcc-to-kill-its-60-day-phone-unlocking-rule-and-thats-bad/

Verizon no longer has to automatically unlock your phone after 60 days and their new unlock policy could be anything, thanks to a new waiver by the FCC.

During the height of its struggles to keep postpaid customers around in May of 2025, Verizon asked the FCC to get rid of a requirement that forced them to unlock phones after being on their network for 60 days. This 60-day unlock, which was the shortest in the industry, had become some sort of a burden on Verizon because, well, mostly because they just didn’t think it was fair that no one else had this same requirement.

Last year, they sent a filing to the current FCC, which is as anti-consumer and anti-free speech as it gets, complaining that they couldn’t compete with proper subsidies on phones, that eliminating this rule was the perfect example of a rule that should be eliminated by all of the deregulation and government cutting going on, and that this rule was “propping up international criminal organizations that profit from fraud, including device trafficking of subsidized devices from the United States.”

The rule they are talking about is the one that Verizon had to commit to back in 2008 after buying a bunch of spectrum. The rule was later extended in 2021 after they bought Tracfone. The rule from the FCC forced Verizon to automatically unlock devices after 60 days, whether or not a customer had paid off their phone or fulfilled contract requirements.

This week, the FCC ruled on their filing (here) and has given a waiver to Verizon, releasing them from the 60-day unlock policy they were previously enforcing.

In the note from the FCC, they essentially admitted that they were waiving Verizon from this requirement because they want Verizon to have the same unlocking freedom as the other carriers in the US. They then attempted to add to the story with talk typically reserved for online conspiracy theorists and extremists who don’t believe in reality. Just read this quote from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and tell me if any of this sounds believable:

“Sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC’s handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including transnational handset trafficking schemes and facilitating broader criminal enterprises like drug running and human smuggling. By waiving a regulation that incentivized bad actors to target one particular carrier’s handsets for theft, we now have a uniform industry standard that can help stem the flow of handsets into the black market.”

Bro, get off Twitter.

Anyways, the thing you need to know is that the FCC is cool with Verizon now being under the CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service and deciding on an unlock policy from that. Unfortunately for you, the consumer, the CTIA’s unlocking policy sucks. Specifically, their postpaid unlocking policy just gives the power to the carrier to decide whatever the hell they want.

Here’s what it states on postpaid (which is the type of plan you’d pay for at Verizon and receive a device payment plan or discount on a phone):

Postpaid Unlocking Policy. Carriers upon request will unlock mobile wireless devices or provide the necessary information to unlock devices for their customers and former customers in good standing and individual owners of eligible devices after the fulfillment of the applicable postpaid service contract, device financing plan, or payment of an applicable early termination fee.

In short, that policy simply states that carriers will unlock as long as you are “in good standing” and that your contract is fulfilled. In other words, Verizon could easily go from a 60-day unlock policy to a 3-year policy, since they now lock customers in on 3-year device payment plan contracts.

Oh, the FCC also said this is all to “benefit consumers.” Someone tell me how it does because they didn’t.

Read the original post: Verizon Convinces FCC to Kill Its 60-Day Phone Unlocking Rule and That’s Bad

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January 13, 2026 at 01:04PM