TechSwu

A new study from the European Union highlights a growing concern: the rapid increase of electronic waste, or e-waste, poses significant risks, particularly for pregnant women and children. The report reveals a staggering 78% surge in the amount of electronic equipment released per EU resident since 2015, resulting in nearly 26 pounds of e-waste per person in 2023.

This hazardous waste, which can leach up to 1,000 toxic substances, is becoming a top environmental threat. Surprisingly, less than one-quarter of e-waste is recycled, leaving a massive amount to fester in landfills and oceans.

Along with its environmental toll, the financial losses from discarded electronics are substantial, as many old devices could be resold or recycled. The study urges us to rethink our disposal habits, encouraging recycling and preowned purchases to mitigate this growing crisis.

Excitement is buzzing around Apple’s potential launch of a new, budget-friendly MacBook, rumored to debut early next year! This laptop is expected to be priced lower than the MacBook Air, making it the most affordable option in Apple’s lineup. Designed to attract cost-conscious consumers—like iPhone users leaning toward budget Chromebooks—the new MacBook will feature a vibrant 12.

9-inch display and an A18 Pro processor, promising great performance for everyday tasks at an estimated price of $599 to $699. In India, it could range between Rs 60,000 and Rs 80,000.

As Apple aims to seamlessly mesh macOS with iPhone features, this sleek, colorful laptop could open the door to many first-time Mac buyers.

Get ready to elevate your tech game! Costco has just rolled out an incredible lineup of new electronics for 2025, showcasing the latest from top brands like Nintendo, Apple, and LG. Whether you're hunting for a sleek gaming console, a stunning 4K TV, or a laptop that can tackle tasks with ease, this year’s offerings are hard to resist.



Highlights include the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, perfect for gamers with its exclusive titles, and the remarkable LG C5 OLED TV, ideal for cinematic experiences. Plus, snag the Intel-powered Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 or the versatile M4 MacBook Air at incredible prices!

Don’t miss the premium Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen2 headphones or the innovative Fi Series 3+ smart dog collar for your furry friend.

Searching for the perfect workout headphones to pump up your fitness routine in 2025? Look no further! Tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz shares his top picks that combine sound quality, comfort, and durability. Highlights include the Beats Powerbeats Fit, celebrated for their lightweight design and secure fit, ideal for intense workouts.

If you’re an iPhone lover, check out the Apple AirPods Pro 3 for their exceptional noise cancellation and heart rate monitoring capabilities. Android users won't be left out, as the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a snug fit and impressive battery life.

For those who prefer an open-ear design, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 provides great sound quality while keeping you aware of your surroundings.

As AI agents gain traction in higher education, universities are discovering their potential to revolutionize student services and support. These smart chatbots, like the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's UT Verse, help students navigate campus life—from accessing Wi-Fi to managing coursework—while also alleviating administrative burdens for faculty and staff.

Although fully autonomous AI agents remain on the horizon, these tools are already managing complex workflows and freeing up time across campuses. The benefits extend to HR, where tasks like drafting job descriptions can be automated, ultimately enhancing efficiency.

However, concerns about the reliability of AI underscore the need for clear governance and human oversight. The challenge lies in balancing the advantages of AI with the essential human touch it cannot replace.

As institutions forge ahead with sensible practices to integrate AI, the partnership between human expertise and AI potential is set to enhance learning experiences and decision-making across campus communities.

In a startling incident, China's first major robotaxi crash left two pedestrians critically injured in Zhuzhou. On December 6, a self-driving taxi operated by Hello collided with the victims shortly after passing a crosswalk, leading to one person being trapped under the vehicle.

Eyewitness footage revealed the injured victim, wearing a helmet and bleeding, as bystanders rushed to help. Both victims, a man and a woman, are now in intensive care.

In response, Hello has suspended its robotaxi services, marking this crash as a significant event in the country's autonomous vehicle history. Authorities are demanding all robotaxi operators submit detailed reports on their safety measures, hinting at a future of stricter regulations in the industry.

While Hello aimed to expand its fleet to over 50,000 robotaxis by 2027, this incident raises serious concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles on public roads.

In a bizarre twist of social media antics, a TikTok content creator from West Palm Beach has been accused of using AI to fabricate frightening videos, causing panic among strangers. Allegedly part of a series of bizarre incidents, this 22-year-old showed an AI-generated clip of someone being dragged away to a gas station clerk, igniting a heated confrontation.

He’s been linked to multiple unsettling encounters, including one where he intimidated a woman by displaying a fake video of her truck being stolen. Despite being arrested for resisting police, the man boasts about his antics, revealing a twisted drive for viral fame.

Experts caution that as AI technology evolves, its potential misuse can pose serious risks. With police warning the public to be skeptical of what they see, this case highlights the fine line between creativity and chaos in the age of artificial intelligence.