TechSwu

Bill Ackman is quietly backing an overlooked, indirect AI play poised for huge growth. The company, Brookfield, benefits from its extensive infrastructure portfolio—operating data centers, fiber optics, and telecom sites—making it vital for AI data centers that consume massive electricity.

With major power supply agreements to tech giants like Microsoft and Google, and plans to finance large-scale AI infrastructure projects alongside giants like Nvidia, Brookfield stands at the forefront of AI’s backbone. While the market focuses on high-flying AI stocks, Ackman recognizes this lesser-known gem’s potential to capitalize on the AI explosion, which could revolutionize the global economy and be worth trillions.

This strategic position offers investors a chance to tap into AI’s massive future without the hype-driven risks of more popular stocks—highlighting an exciting, overlooked opportunity everyone else is ignoring.

Siri, Apple's iconic voice assistant launched in 2011, is increasingly becoming obsolete in a world brimming with advanced AI tools. With rivals like Google Gemini, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft’s ChatGPT dominating the scene, Siri struggles to keep up, especially after Apple’s recent partnership with Gemini.

Unlike these smarter, more versatile assistants that handle everything from smart home control to complex queries effortlessly, Siri often falls short—mishearing commands, lagging in responses, and lacking the capabilities users now expect. Despite recent upgrades, many users have already switched to more efficient AI options for their smartphones and daily tasks.

As AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, Siri’s limitations highlight that it’s no longer essential—and perhaps, it's finally time to say goodbye to the once-revolutionary assistant. The future belongs to smarter, more adaptable AI tools that work across multiple platforms and devices.

In 2026, Americans are increasingly turning to refurbished tech, driven by soaring new device prices and ongoing tariff pressures. Once seen as a budget option, certified refurbished gadgets—like iPhones and gaming consoles—are now a savvy, sought-after choice for quality and savings.

Thanks to improved warranties, grading systems, and trust in certified programs, consumers feel confident buying pre-owned electronics that can rival new ones. The market, worth over $68 billion last year, is booming as people recognize that well-maintained, recent models offer excellent performance without the hefty price tag.

Major brands like Apple and Samsung are expanding certified programs, signaling a shift in how Americans view secondhand devices. Whether for budget-conscious buyers or those craving flagship quality at a discount, refurbished tech is quickly becoming the smart, sustainable choice in 2026.

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The EU’s bold 2027 battery mandate is shaking up tech giants like Apple and Samsung, pushing them to rethink their sleek, sealed smartphones. Starting February 2027, devices sold in Europe must feature easily removable batteries—no glues, heat, or tools beyond a kitchen drawer.

This aims to curb planned obsolescence, saving consumers billions and reducing electronic waste. Major brands are already adjusting, designing new internal architectures to meet the rules without sacrificing water resistance or slim profiles.

The regulation also bans software lock-ins that prevent independent repairs, empowering consumers and repair shops alike. While high-end models may not feature overtly removable batteries, they’ll likely be engineered to comply overall.

Plus, new labels will rate devices on repairability and energy efficiency. Ultimately, this EU move could ripple worldwide, forcing global manufacturers to rethink how they build and sell smartphones—favoring durability over disposability in a consumer-driven green revolution.

During a weekend testing AI-enabled Ray-Ban glasses in Paris, I discovered both their impressive and flawed sides. While they offered handy features like navigation, translation, and quick facts about landmarks, they weren't always reliable—erroneous height answers and vague object recognition raised doubts.

More concerning were privacy fears: reports of surreptitious recordings and data handling practices cast shadows over their use. The most striking revelation? These smart glasses, designed to simplify exploration, can inadvertently lessen genuine human connection, as travelers rely more on tech than engaging with their surroundings.

Though they excel in making certain tasks easier—like translating menus or guiding visits—they may undermine the serendipity and authenticity that make travel memorable. Ultimately, the experience made me question whether convenience should come at the cost of authentic discovery, especially when technology might subtly distance us from the very worlds we seek to explore.

New York is pioneering bold legislation to combat the rise of 3D-printed guns—untraceable weapons often called “ghost guns.” Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a groundbreaking plan requiring safety standards for 3D printers, designed to prevent the production of firearms and key components.

The law also targets digital instructions for making guns, bans sharing such blueprints, and mandates reporting recovered 3D-printed guns to law enforcement. As technology makes homemade guns easier to produce, concerns over public safety and criminal activity grow, with ghost guns surging by 1,600% since 2017.

This legislation marks a shift from focusing solely on buyers to regulating the technology itself, potentially setting a national precedent. While aimed at safeguarding communities, critics question how well regulations can keep pace with rapid tech advances.

Overall, New York’s move highlights a critical debate on balancing innovation with safety in the digital age.

As AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bing AI become part of kids’ lives, lawmakers race to create rules without stifling innovation. These digital confidants are used for homework and socializing, raising urgent questions about safety, privacy, and free speech.

Florida’s recent lawsuit against OpenAI highlights concerns over hidden risks and child protection. With AI rapidly integrating into childhood, policymakers grapple with balancing protection and access.

This evolving landscape sees tech giants, courts, and Congress all trying to keep up, making the fight to keep children safe from AI’s double-edged potential both critical and complex.