Software

OpenAI's latest o3-mini large language model is faster and smarter than the o1-mini predecessor. The model is available for free use by all ChatGPT account holders.

AMD's open source RADV Vulkan driver for Linux has already been updated to support the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT GPUs, although there will be a few minor features missing at launch — a massive improvement over previous GPU launches, which generally only received support on Linux weeks or even months after launch.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series brings a handful of small changes, and with One UI 7, there are many software enhancements. New camera features are among them, which could make their way to the older flagships with the One UI 7.1 update.

Vision Pro can now be used as a gaming platform without needing the computing power of the VR headset itself. Thousands of video games and even demanding titles are supported.

Microsoft is quick to jump on DeepSeek R1 integration for developers as it is bringing a distilled version of the AI to Snapdragon X powered systems. This will allow developers to more effectively create AI-powered applications that run on device.

GoPro has announced that the "smallest and lightest" of its action camera line-up is now also capable of its widest-angle recording thanks to a new software update that confers a potentially vital crop setting on its 4K video menu. Furthermore, an additional SuperView Digital Lens setting is backed to make the same footage even more dynamic and dramatic with further aspect-ratio toggling.

Garmin has begun issuing a new round of updates across recent Forerunner smartwatches. While the new firmware mainly focuses on addressing outstanding bugs, it is also said to improve custom workouts in a specific area.

Garmin has released a new update for the Fenix 8, as well as its cheaper Enduro 3 and Fenix E smartwatches. Rolling out now on its Beta Program, the update makes almost a dozen changes, five of which are new features.

NordVPN announced a new VPN protocol today. Dubbed NordWhisper, NordVPN claims the new protocol can better mimic standard internet traffic, circumventing measures that attempt to identify and block Internet activity funneled through a VPN.

Just off the cusp of Deepseek's release, Alibaba's latest version of Qwen 2.5 Max has provided better test results than all other AI models, claiming the throne from the fledgling Deepseek.

iPhones of the 6 series or older are destined to lose support for WhatsApp later in 2025, according to a new report. The popular messaging app's latest beta apparently activates an alert telling those who still use these older devices that it will stop working by then. The discontinuation is also slated to affect business customers.

OnePlus has pushed another update to the global versions of the OnePlus 13. Not only does the latest OxygenOS update add 'AI-powered' live translation features, but it is also said to further enhance camera and system performance in various areas.

Sony has now started rolling out Android 15 to the Xperia 10 V. Arriving for the device's XQ-DC54 variant, the update is slated to be last for all Xperia 10 V models.

Garmin may have acted swiftly to resolve the return of the 'triangle of death' across many of its modern cycling computers and smartwatches. Official resolutions presented could result in irretreveable data loss for some devices, though.

Facebook's parent company, Meta, has blocked posts mentioning Linux, citing cybersecurity concerns. Meta confirmed after manual review that Linux is on the list of cybersecurity-related topics, and it will seemingly remain so until further notice.

This means that data centers around the world could save several terawatt-hours of energy with just 30 lines of code.

HyperOS 2.1 is the latest version of Xiaomi's software for its smartphones, based on Android 15 and backed to deliver a superior AI experience on compatible handsets. Now, it might finally be ready to roll out to devices located outside China, starting with the OEM's current Leica-branded flagship.

Garmin has acknowledged that the 'triangle of death' has returned across many of its currently supported smartwatches. Allegedly caused by a recent update to a GPE.bin file, the only apparent solution is for Garmin to roll out a fix for the affected file.

The Steam Deck supports AMD FSR 3.1, but many games lack native support. However, with the Decky Framegen plugin, the gaming handheld can run many of such titles with AMD's frame generation tech in place.

Popular YouTuber, Marques Brownlee, got to use Samsung's Project Moohan XR headset ahead of its release, and his video reveals several new details about the headset. What's interesting is that Google seems to have hit the ball out of the park with Android XR.

Launched in 1925, the Leica I celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The world’s first mass-produced 35 mm camera has now made its way onto the Apple iPhone. With the update to version 1.4, the Leica LUX app receives a filter that simulates the look of the camera paired with a 50 mm f/3.5 Leica Elmar lens.

The Home Assistant 2025.1.4 patch release is here. It follows the wider 2025.1 release, which arrived at the start of the month with an overhauled backup system and several new integrations. This latest update makes small changes relating to a smart irrigation system and other integrations.

Apple just dropped watchOS 11.3 and in order to honor the Black History Month, the company also added a special Black Unity loop and a Unity Rhythm watch face. It’s available for Series 6 and newer, Apple Watch Ultra, and SE 2.

There hasn't been a new Pebble smartwatch since 2016's Pebble 2, but that is about to change soon. The former CEO of the company has announced a new Pebble-like watch is coming and it will run the same OS which Google has made open source.

Garmin has released a new beta update for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro that should resolve a frustrating bug on some affected smartwatches. Available now globally, Beta Version 20.13 is one of many v20.xx updates that Garmin has been testing of late ahead of a future stable rollout.

Available with several desktop choices, including Budgie and Xfce, the rolling release distro Solus returns with version 4.7 Endurance. Only available for 64-bit hardware, Solus 4.7 includes multiple package updates, a new software center with out-of-the-box Flatpak support, as well as improved video card compatibility.

OnePlus has rolled out a new software update to the OnePlus 12R, enabling the device to make calls even without a cellular connection. This feature could be useful in not only rural areas but also crowded places.

Google has augmented its suite of device security features with Identity Check. It is rated to prevent the extraction of a user's personal and sensitive data from a stolen smartphone by locking them behind biometric authentication under certain conditions. Devices of the Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S25 series are first in line for the new feature.

Garmin has rolled out a new update for the Fenix 8 and its peers. Restricted to its Beta Program for the time being, the new update introduces roughly a dozen bug fixes while also adding new features ahead of a future stable rollout.

A developer by the name of Patrick Gillespie has developed what may be the smallest version of the classic game Snake ever made. Rather than displaying simple graphics, Gillespie's version of the game uses the individual subpixels of an LCD display.

Besides bringing some hardware changes, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series introduces many new features with One UI 7. Macworld argues that "over a dozen" of these have been copied from the iPhone.

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 Insider Build that brings small but significant changes to how battery information is displayed on PCs. These changes include colored battery icons that make it easier to know what is going on with a PC's battery.

The ever-growing pool of apps rated to help the user manage their mental health and/or related conditions is now predicted to represent an industry that will be worth nearly $18 billion by the start of the 2030s. The 'solutions' are backed as the latest and greatest way to access help and treatment, although they have their drawbacks.

Retroid has now published an Android 13 update for the Pocket Mini. Although the device theoretically now runs the same software as the larger Pocket 5, early reports point to a myriad of issues.

In a bid to develop Android XR, Google has acquired a part of HTC Vive. The acquisition also includes a transfer of employees from HTC to Google, and a partnership between both companies.

Samsung has been offering industry-leading software support across its smartphone portfolio for some time. The advent of the Galaxy S25 series now brings a more secure update process to the company's flagship product stack, too.

Google announced that ChromeOS 132 would bring a variety of education-focused tools, including the ability to control the operating system with facial gestures, the software that turns a smart board into a full ChromeOS device, and some AI and LLM tools for the classroom.

Samsung and Google have partnered on a Galaxy Watch 7 software experience designed for kids. The special mode will allow parents to keep in touch with their kids by equipping them with a Galaxy Watch 7 LTE instead of a smartphone.

Samsung is preparing to showcase more than a fleet of new flagship smartphones tomorrow. The company has also confirmed that the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the first smartphones to launch with One UI 7 before it reaches others later this year.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is set to take the stage tomorrow at the first 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event. Right ahead of this January 22 launch event, the company has confirmed the imminent rollout of One UI 7 to compatible last-gen devices.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order blocking the enforcement of the TikTok ban by the United States for a period of 75 days.

Garmin has issued a new update for its suite of Forerunner smartwatches. Rolling out now globally on the company's Beta Program, the update primarily improves HR zone functionality for all currently supported models. The new update promises to refine notification glance functionality on the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965, too.

A new leak has revealed early details about Garmin's next major update for dozens of cycling computers and smartwatches. The leak reveals when these new features should begin rolling out by too.

Garmin has introduced a new set of beta builds for its Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro smartwatches. In keeping with recent firmware, the new updates focus on resolving outstanding bugs rather than adding additional features or functionality.

Motorola has announced that its latest foldable smartphone now has a AI voice assistant courtesy of Google. Gemini Live is rated to help its users with their tasks, plans and quests for information in the form of real-time conversations. It joins other features such as hands-free Spotify controls and navigation on the Razr 2024 series.

The US Supreme Court upheld a law signed into power in March 2024, requiring TikTok sell its US operations to an American buyer or leave the US market. Millions of US TikTok users potentially face a blackout on Sunday, January 19. Update: TikTok has been shut down.

A new leak reveals a potential redesign of the Camera app in iOS 19. The redesigned app appears to draw inspiration from the design language of VisionOS.

The death knell is finally ringing for Google's Nest app. With Google Home now supporting the Nest Protect smoke alarm, no more devices are exclusive to the Nest app. The app still works, but now has no tangible reason to exist.

Nothing Phone (1), the company’s first smartphone, has started receiving the Nothing OS 3.0 update based on Android 15. The update brings various improvements and new features.

Microsoft is adding some AI features to its Microsoft 365 service, which includes access to the online versions of Microsoft Office. However, the company is raising prices 33-42% for subscribers across the board for those that want the feature.