Short Reads

I opened ChatGPT 5 this morning to clear a gnarly to-do list—rewrite a press note, troubleshoot a flaky Python script, and summarize a 40-page PDF. Twenty minutes later, I’d checked off all three. The big shift isn’t a shiny logo; it’s how the model behaves under pressure: steadier reasoning, fewer detours, and answers that land closer to “useful draft” than “rough hint.” (more…)

Open-weight reasoning models just got real. Today, August 5, 2025, OpenAI unveiled two new open-weight language models that can run directly on your laptop—no data center required. I spent the morning downloading the smaller variant onto my personal machine, and within minutes I was querying complex mathematics and logic puzzles with virtually no lag. (more…)

I nearly spilled my morning coffee when I read that AI spending by the world’s tech giants is set to top a staggering $344 billion this year. As someone who tracks these numbers for a living, I can’t remember a more aggressive capex push—ever. From Microsoft and Amazon to Alphabet, Meta, and even Apple, every player is racing to build the fastest chips, the largest data centers, and the smartest AI platforms. Let me walk you through why this matters—and how it might reshape our digital future. (more…)

I nearly dropped my phone when I read that Amphenol deal is closing in on a roughly $10 billion agreement to buy CommScope’s broadband connectivity and cable solutions division. After weeks of speculation, the Wall Street Journal report finally confirmed what insiders have been whispering: Amphenol, best known for its rugged connectors on everything from aircraft wiring to fiber-optic networks, is about to make its biggest acquisition yet. (more…)

I nearly spilled my coffee when I saw the headline this morning: AI job losses topped 10,000 in July alone, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. As someone who’s been tracking tech trends for years, it felt like a gut punch—automation promised efficiency, but at what human cost? (more…)

This morning, OpenAI officially kicked off the GPT-5 Developer Preview, giving builders worldwide early access to its most versatile AI ever. If you’re a developer, entrepreneur, or tinkerer who’s ever dreamed of blending text, video, voice, and code into a single intelligent app, today’s news is your green light. I spent the afternoon diving into the documentation and running my first few prompts—here’s what stood out. (more…)

Today, July 30, 2025, the Valley is buzzing about a clandestine operation rumored to be the centerpiece of Meta’s next big push: a full-blown Meta AI startup tucked away behind the main campus gates. I first caught wind of it during an off-the-record chat with a few engineers who’d been quietly recruited—each with tales of nine-figure sign-on bonuses and workspace access so restricted that standard badges simply don’t open the doors. (more…)

Today, July 29, 2025, Meta officially unveiled the Meta Smart Glasses 2, marking a huge step forward in consumer AR wearables. I was at the packed launch event in San Francisco and couldn’t help but be wowed by how sleek and lightweight these feel—no more bulky frames or tethered cables. Slipping them on, I immediately noticed the crystal-clear waveguide display overlaying digital info onto the real world, and I was itching to test every feature.

The new Meta Smart Glasses 2 boast a dual-waveguide design that delivers a full-color, 60-degree field of view without fogging or glare. Unlike last year’s prototype, these glasses pack stereo speakers into the temples and dual-mics for noise-canceling voice commands. I asked the on-device AI assistant to “find nearby coffee shops open now,” and within a second I saw floating map pins right in my line of sight. That kind of instant overlay feels straight out of a sci-fi movie.

On-device AI is the real star here. Meta Smart Glasses 2 use a custom Tensor AR chip that handles voice queries, language translation, and object recognition locally—so your data stays private, and responses come through in under 200 milliseconds. I tested live translation by having a friend speak Japanese into my ear, and the glasses displayed English subtitles seamlessly. No more fumbling for your phone mid-conversation.

Social sharing got a turbo boost too. Thanks to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, you can stream your point of view directly to friends or save a 4K POV video clip with a simple wink gesture. I filmed a quick demo of my dog retrieving a frisbee, and the clip was ready to post in under ten seconds—complete with AI-generated captions and background music suggestions.

Battery life on the Meta Smart Glasses 2 saw a big lift: up to eight hours of mixed use on a single charge, and a slim magnetic charging case that gives you two full top-ups on the go. During the event, I dropped them into the case between demos and never once worried about a dying battery. For a day of back-to-back meetings or sightseeing, that reliability is a game-changer.

Privacy and safety are front and center. A small LED indicator lights up any time the camera or microphone is active, and you can disable both with a quick tap on the temple. Facial recognition data never leaves the device unless you opt in, and Meta’s new “Guardian Mode” automatically pauses overlays when you step into restricted areas like hospitals or schools.

Starting today, you can pre-order the Meta Smart Glasses 2 for \$299, with shipments beginning August 15 in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and select EU markets. A premium subscription at \$9.99/month unlocks advanced AI routines, customizable lenses, and early access to AR game demos. Given the hardware and software polish, I think most users will find the base price a steal for what you’re getting.

After spending a full afternoon with the Meta Smart Glasses 2, I’m convinced we’re looking at the first AR wearable that feels truly ready for everyday life. Whether you’re a commuter needing hands-free directions, a creator capturing POV content, or just someone curious about the next wave of computing, these glasses deliver in spades. As I strolled back to my car, I caught myself asking, “What did I ever do without them?”

Today, July 28, 2025, Qualcomm unveiled its most powerful smartphone processor to date: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Elite. I’ve been covering mobile silicon for years, and even I was surprised by the leaps this chip promises. With headline figures like 30% faster CPU performance, 40% uplift in graphics, and a claimed 50% boost in power efficiency, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Elite looks set to redefine what flagship Android phones can do. (more…)

Today, July 27, 2025, Microsoft officially rolled out Windows 12 Copilot, its first operating system built from the ground up around AI. As someone who’s upgraded countless PCs, I can tell you this feels like the biggest leap forward since the introduction of the Start menu. Windows 12 Copilot puts a real-time AI assistant at the core of everything you do—typing, browsing, organizing, even troubleshooting—without ever opening a separate app. (more…)