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Show Notes
Starlink Lowers Thousands of Satellites to Reduce Collision Risk
Starlink plans to lower the orbits of approximately 4,400 satellites from 550 kilometers to about 480 km as a safety and reconfiguration measure. Announced by engineering VP Michael Nicolls, this adjustment aims to reduce collision risks in a less crowded region and allow satellites to deorbit much faster if needed, addressing concerns from recent incidents. The move is also critical due to the coming solar minimum, which will decrease atmospheric density. The lower orbit will cut the ballistic decay time by over 80%, from more than four years to just a few months.
Read More: Engadget
IDC Warns of PC and Smartphone Slowdown From Memory Crunch
The IDC reports that rising AI infrastructure demand is shifting memory production toward high-capacity data center components, causing a “memory crunch” that raises costs for conventional consumer electronics memory. This is predicted to significantly cut 2026 PC and smartphone shipments and potentially increase PC prices by 6-8%. This situation undermines the PC industry’s strategy to revitalize the market with memory-intensive “AI PCs,” suggesting a less innovative and more expensive near future, though Apple and Samsung may have temporary insulation due to their financial strength and existing supply chains.
Read More: Engadget
OpenAI Bets Big on Audio-First Devices
OpenAI is unifying its engineering and research teams to overhaul its audio models and plans to launch an audio-first personal device in about a year, signaling a major industry shift toward prioritizing audio interfaces. This trend is also evident in products like smart speakers, Meta’s smart glasses, Google’s “Audio Overviews,” and Tesla’s integration of xAI’s Grok. OpenAI’s new model, expected in early 2026, aims for more natural, interruptible conversation, potentially leading to a family of companion devices designed by Jony Ive’s firm, io, to focus on audio-first design and combat device addiction.
Read More: TechCrunch
Instagram Chief Says AI Content Will Overwhelm Real Images
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri predicts that AI-generated content will soon overshadow non-AI imagery on the platform, challenging creators who rely on authentic content. Mosseri suggests the solution is shifting the focus to “fingerprinting real media” by camera manufacturers, rather than solely detecting fake content. This move acknowledges the difficulty in combating “AI slop” and signals a shift in the platform’s aesthetic, where creators will need to prioritize “raw” and “unflattering” images over polished ones to establish authenticity in an AI-saturated environment.
Read More: Engadget
U.S. Grants TSMC License to Ship Chip Tools to China
TSMC has secured a new annual license from the U.S. Department of Commerce, allowing it to continue importing American chip manufacturing equipment to its Nanjing, China, facility. This license ensures continuous operation and product deliveries at the plant, which produces less-advanced 16-nanometer chips and contributes a small percentage to TSMC’s revenue, effectively bypassing general U.S. export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s technological advancements.
Read More: Reuters
Tesla Posts Second Straight Year of Declining Sales
Tesla reported a disappointing fourth quarter in 2025, with deliveries falling 15.6% to 418,227, missing expectations. This decline, attributed to rising competition and the negative impact of CEO Elon Musk’s controversial public activity on the company’s customer base, contributed to an 8.5% drop for the full year, the second consecutive annual decline. The results raised concerns about Tesla’s aging product lineup and damaged brand image as the company awaits a potential rebound from future ventures like robotaxis and humanoid robots.
Read More: The Verge
UK Mandates Crypto Exchanges Share User Data With Tax Authority
The UK introduced new tax rules on January 1st, requiring cryptocurrency exchanges to automatically share user account data with HMRC under the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework (CARF). This measure is designed to recover an estimated £300 million in unpaid capital gains tax on crypto transactions and aligns with international efforts to curb non-compliance. Separately, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on stricter regulations for the crypto sector, including new standards for exchanges and rules to prevent insider trading, aiming to promote consumer protection, innovation, and trust.
Read More: BBC
European Banks Plan Massive Job Cuts as AI Expands
Europe’s major banks are projected to cut over 200,000 jobs, about 10% of their workforce, by 2030, driven by the adoption of AI and the closure of physical branches. This trend, which Morgan Stanley estimates could boost efficiency by 30%, will mainly affect back-office, risk management, and compliance roles, mirroring similar moves in the U.S. While some institutions are already announcing reductions, there is concern that relying on AI could hinder the training of future bankers.
Read More: TechCrunch
xAI’s Grok Cites Safeguard Lapses After Minor Image Incident
xAI’s Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot on the social media platform X, acknowledged on Friday that “images depicting minors in minimal clothing” appeared due to lapses in safeguards, and the company stated that improvements were being implemented to prevent recurrence. This issue was brought to light through user-shared screenshots on X, which showed Grok’s public media tab containing images that users claimed the bot had altered after they uploaded photos and requested modifications.
Read More: Reuters