Later, an influencer marketing and social media management firm, is acquiring social influencer app Mavely for $250 million.Read More

Is Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man 4? Hes denied it before and hes just denied it on the record again, but this time with an acknowledgement that no-one believes a word that comes out of his mouth any more.The Amazing Spider-Man star told GQ magazine that he will not return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Spider-Man 4, which is set to begin filming this summer with Tom Holland once again in the leading role. This despite Garfield appearing as Spider-Man in 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home alongside original on-screen Spidey Tobey Maguire, and Holland.Ahead of the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Garfield repeatedly lied in interviews about his return. In a The Ellen DeGeneres Show interview, after his appearance in No Way Home was confirmed, Garfield said: "I lied to the internet for two years, and it felt great. It was fun to keep it secret! You know when youre planning a surprise birthday party for someone and theyre like, I hate surprises, tell me is the party happening... it felt like I was part of organising a surprise birthday party for a bunch of people who I knew would appreciate it."Garfield referenced this dishonesty in the GQ interview. Im gonna disappoint you, he replied when asked if hes in Spider-Man 4. Yeah, no. But I know no ones gonna trust anything I say from now on.How to Watch Sony's Spider-Man Universe in Chronological OrderGarfield said hed do another big franchise if it was the right thing, though: If it felt in line with my soul and was gonna be fun. Maybe I'm gonna have like five kids at some point, and I'm gonna need to start saving up for the school tuition or something.Spider-Man 4 comes out on July 24, 2026, helmed by Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton. 2026 is set to be huge for the MCU, with Spider-Man 4 due out just two months after Avengers: Doomsday. It's also a busy time for Tom Holland, who is set to star in Christopher Nolan's next movie, which is also releasing in July 2026.Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

iPhone sales in China fell for the fourth successive month, amidst a sharp decline across all non-Chinese brands.Official data revealed that shipments of foreign-branded smartphones were down 47% year-on-year, explaining Apples rare decision to discount the cost of current iPhone models in the country iPhone sales in ChinaiPhone sales in China have been under growing pressure in recent years, due to a combination of government pressure on consumers to buy Chinese brands, and the surprise re-emergence of Huawei as a premium smartphone competitor.Pressure on Chinese citizens has been growing for years, set in motion by a trade war with the US back in 2019.Using an iPhone in China is now seen as embarrassing by some consumers, says a local report. The combined impact of the Trump administrations trade war on China and export blacklisting of Huawei is further strengthening the Boycott Apple movement in the country.For a couple of years Apple was protected by a ban on the export of 5G chips to China, meaning that Huawei could no longer effectively compete with iPhones. However, the Chinese brand somehow managed to source 5G chips in 2023, allowing it to once again compete against Apple.Apple has been reluctant to respond with official discounts, preferring to quietly offer price drops to third-party resellers which are then passed on to consumers. However, the company began officially discounting iPhones back in 2022, and has done so on a number of occasions since then. The latest example is a new year promotion beginning tomorrow.Foreign smartphone sales continue to fallIts not just Apple: new government data cited by Reuters showed that sales of all non-Chinese smartphone brands continued to fall.Shipments to China of foreign-branded smartphones, including Apples iPhone, fell by 47.4% in November from a year earlier, according to data released on Friday from a government-affiliated research firm, down for the fourth month []The decline follows Octobers44.25% year-on-yeardrop in foreign smartphone shipments, extending a downward trend in the worlds largest smartphone market.Photo byRoad Trip with RajonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

The right to net neutrality has again been lost after a federal court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not have the power to ban a two-tier internet. The FCC had acted in response to calls from Apple and more than 40 other tech companies to safeguard equal treatment for all.This means that internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile carriers will again be free to accept payments from large websites and services to prioritize their traffic over the rest of the internet Net neutralityNet neutrality means that internet service providers had to treat all websites and Internet services equally. They couldnt take payment from some sites, speeding up their traffic, while slowing down traffic to the rest of the web.They also couldnt take money from one service to block traffic to a rival one.A series of court battles saw net neutrality lost and regained more than once, with the FCC restoring it last year under the Biden administration. Its future was already uncertain, with the upcoming Trump administration vowing to repeal protections, and an appeals court case rumbling on in the background.Net neutrality protections again lostThat court has now ruled, and its bad news. It decided that the FCC didnt have the power to impose net neutrality rules.Using the traditional tools of statutory construction, id., we hold that Broadband Internet Service Providers offer only an information service under 47 U.S.C. 153(24), and therefore, the FCC lacks the statutory authority to impose its desired net-neutrality policies through the telecommunications service provision of the Communications Act, id. 153(51).Nor does the Act permit the FCC to classify mobile broadbanda subset of broadband Internet servicesas a commercial mobile service under Title III of the Act (and then similarly impose net-neutrality restrictions on those services). Id. 332(c)(1)(A). We therefore grant the petitions for review and set aside the FCCs Safeguarding Order.Based on the Chevron rulingThe so-called Chevron deference ruling came out of a 1984 court case, in which it was ruled that if a federal agency declared that it had the right to do something, federal courts must defer to that declaration. So if the FCC says it has the right to restore net neutrality, a court couldnt decide that it didnt.However, that ruling was overturned last year, giving other courts the right to overrule agencies like the FCC. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has now done so, meaning that net neutrality protections no longer exist.9to5Macs TakeThis is bad news for both startups and consumers. It means that tech giants can pay ISPs to give them more bandwidth than their smaller competitors. That reduces competition, and leaves consumers worse off as a result.Its notable that many tech giants who would well afford to pay for priority treatment came out against it, and in favor of net neutrality. The list of good guys in this battle includes Apple, Amazon, Dropbox, eBay, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Reddit, Snap, and Spotify.Photo byTom ParkesonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

There are better and worse ways to approach private cloud, which some companies are learning the hard way. While its tempting to repatriate some things from public cloud to private cloud, its better to do it with applied cloud learning versus a traditional infrastructure mindset.Im seeing people increasingly wanting to find additional efficiency on premises. If I was to pick a word for 2025, it would be, optimization. Everyones under a lot of pressure. Theyre trying to bring in new compute capabilities to their data center, including GPUs to support AI and more storage to support the data activities related to AI and [analytics], says Hillery Hunter, CTO and GM of innovation at IBM and an IBM Fellow. [P]rivate cloud is often used as a vehicle to reset the efficiency of an environment.However, the on-premises environment may include many IT silos supporting different lines of business and equipment purchased for specific projects. When theres not a consistent control plane, the aggregate utilization of all the systems is lower than it needs to be because only certain applications or workloads run on configured environments. The goal now is to optimize that for better efficiency."[A] private cloud environment that is virtualized and offers container support can be used as a migration destination, still on premises, but then you have more people sharing a more consistent set of resources, says Hunter. Youre having people develop to a common set of templates in terms of the kind of system configuration. And while it takes work to get to that kind of environment, it can have huge payoffs in terms of the security [because] the configurations are much more consistent, the compliance overheads are lower and the speed to get new capacity added to the environment.Related:Following are some more private cloud trends in 2025.1. Repatriating workloadsA lot of organizations are repatriating workloads to private cloud from public cloud, but Rick Clark, global head of cloud advisory at digital transformation solutions company UST warns they arent giving it much forethought, like they did earlier when migrating to public clouds. As a result, theyre not getting the ROI they hope for.We havent still figured out what is appropriate for workloads. Im seeing companies wanting to move back the percentage of their workload to reduce cost without really understanding what the value is so theyre devaluing what they're doing, says Clark. If theyd given more forethought into what they were taking to the cloud and what to bebringing back, theyd be in a better place. [T]hey don't really understand what theyre moving back and theyre comparing apples and oranges.Related:A key factor is understanding the business value and being able to communicate that in business terms. All too often, organizations are randomly choosing what to put in private cloud as opposed to thinking critically about what workloads are where and why. In the worst cases, the organization has lost the operational skill to manage and operate things in their own data center, but they havent considered this issue.2. Hybrid environments will become even more popularTrevor Horwitz, CISO and founder at cybersecurity, consulting, and compliance services provider TrustNet believes private cloud strategies will evolve as companies seek more control over data security, regulatory compliance, and operational flexibility.I expect to see more organizations embracing hybrid and multi-cloud environments and integrating private clouds with public cloud resources to keep data flexible yet secure, says Horwitz in an email interview This shift is driven by the need for resilience and vendor flexibility, and zero-trust frameworks make this possible by securing data across multiple environments. As the regulatory landscape tightens with laws like GDPR and CCPA, private clouds will become essential for companies handling sensitive data to ensure compliance and control over data sovereignty.Related:3. Real-time monitoring and machine learningRoy Benesh, chief technology officer and co-founder of eSIMple, an eSIM offering, believes private cloud will continue to be in high demand, especially in sectors like healthcare and finance that have stringent data protection regulations.I think businesses will depend more on real-time monitoring and machine learning to strengthen data protection as they use private clouds to satisfy security requirements, says Benesh in an email interview. In my experience, private clouds can have drawbacks, too, such as high upfront expenditures and the requirement for knowledgeable administration. Thiscanbe particularly difficult for smaller businesses to handle.4. AI and automationArtificial intelligence and automation are also set to play a crucial role in private cloud management. They enable businesses to handle growing complexity by automating resource optimization, enhancing threat detection, and managing costs.The ongoing talent shortage in cybersecurity makes [AI and automation] especially valuable. By reducing manual workloads, AI allows companies to do more with fewer resources, says Trevor Horwitz, CISO and founder at cybersecurity, consulting, and compliance services provider. My advice is to prioritize adaptability. Be prepared to shift your strategy as business needs evolve, especially as technology advances. Mastering the private cloud is about building an agile, secure, and sustainable infrastructure, meeting todays demands while preparing for whats next."5. Multilayer cybersecuritySecurity affects all aspects of a cloud journey, including the calculus of when and where to use private cloud environments. One significant challenge is making sure that all layers of the stack have detection and response capability.You have to protect each layer separately -- network, cloud, host, server, and application. They're not "defense in depth. Each component -- NDR, CDR, EDR, SDR, and ADR -- protects against a different set of threats, says Jeff Williams, founder and CTO at runtime application security company Contrast Security. The biggest code-to-cloud technology gap is the lack of application detection and responseand application security monitoring (ASM) to create visibility and protection for their biggest asset -- the application estate. In the last year, this area saw 100% growth in attack traffic, outpacing all other threats.If organizations have visibility into who is attacking their applications, what attack vectors they are using, which systems are being targeted and which attacks are successful, they can prioritize remediation efforts and compensating controls.Take a look at the new EU Product Liability Directive (PLD). It creates no-fault liability for any software defect, including vulnerabilities, just like any other product, says Williams. This means regardless of whether a company follows best practices, does all the right testing, meets compliance requirements, etc., they are completely liable if their users are harmed by a breach, says Williams.6. Data sovereignty and regulatory complianceRising concerns around data sovereignty and regulatory compliance will drive private cloud adoption in specific industries, such as financial services and healthcare, as companies seek more control over their data. Organizations are already diversifying their cloud footprints across different public clouds to optimize costs and increase resiliency.Efficiently operating a complex hybrid cloud environment requires both infrastructure and security teams to have the right set of skills and experience, says Loris Degioanni, founder and CTO at real-time cloud security firm, Sysdig. Enterprises will need to invest in personnel who know how to scale and secure a private cloud, challenges that are often more complicated than in public cloud deployments.Its important to understand when a private cloud is a good choice for deployments and when its not. Organizations should understand which cloud better serves their use cases and emphasize proficiency in shifting workloads between public and private clouds. Private cloud mastery also means gaining the ability to optimize costs and manage cloud infrastructure efficiently.7. VMware exodusRandy Armknecht, global cloud engineering practice lead at business consulting firm Protiviti, expects to see more organizations reevaluate their use of VMware given the 2024 licensing fiascos. The acquisition of VMware is the primary driver.RedHat OpenShift is a common topic of discussion among organizations considering new options, says Armknecht. Now is a great time to refresh the private/hybrid cloud strategy and ensure that the technology, the licensing and the overall alignment to business objectives is clear for all.

Time zones: EST (UTC -5), CST (UTC -6), MST (UTC -7), PST (UTC -8), ART (UTC -3), UTC -4, UTC -4:30, UTC -3, UTC -2, SBT (UTC +11), GMT (UTC +0), CET (UTC +1), EET (UTC +2), MSK (UTC +3), AST (UTC -4), FKST (UTC -3), NST (UTC -3:30)Are you a talented Senior Developer looking for a remote job that lets you show your skills and get decent compensation? Look no further than Lemon.io the marketplace that connects you with hand-picked startups in the US and Europe.Please, before completing the application, check the list of countries at the end of the job listing. We collaborate with applicants from various parts of the world, but there are some restrictions.What we offer:Earn $5k$10,4k monthly: the rate depends on your seniority level, skills and experience. We've already paid out over $11M to our engineers.No more hunting for clients or negotiating rates let us handle the business side of things so you can focus on what you do best.We'll manually find the best project for you according to your skills and preferences.Choose a schedule that works best for you. Its possible to communicate async or minimally overlap within team working hours.We respect your seniority so you can expect no micromanagement or screen trackers.Communicate directly with the clients. Most of them have technical backgrounds. Sounds good, yeah?We will support you from the time you submit the application throughout all cooperation stages.Most of our projects involve working in a fast-paced startup environment. We hope you like it as much as we do.Through our community, we will connect you with the best developers from more than 50 countries.Requirements:4+ years of software development experience.3+ years of commercial experience with React.js.3+ years of commercial experience with Python.3+ years of experience with AWS and TypeScript is a must.Hands-on experience with Next.js, PostgreSQL, Node.js would be a plus.Strong technical skills: as a Senior Developer, you are expected to be able to create projects from scratch and have a deep understanding of application architecture.Clear and effective communication in English advanced ability to discuss business tasks, justify decisions, and communicate issues. Good self-presentation is also essential for upcoming client calls.Strong self-organizational skills ability to work full-time remotely with no supervision.Reliability we want to trust you and expect that you wont let us and the client down.Adaptability and Flexibility the ability to onboard the project promptly after accepting it and start delivering results quickly.Sounds good for you? Apply now and join the Lemon.io community!NOT YOUR TECH STACK?We have different projects for Senior Developers, so if you have 4+ years of commercial experience in software development and you are fluent with React & Node.js, Andoid & iOS, Blockchain (Solidity/web3), AI Engineering, Angular&.NET we would be happy to communicate and provide you with a project that matches your experience. Just apply, and we will share more details with you.If your experience matches our requirements, be ready for the next steps:VideoAsk watch a short video about our startup, up to 10 minutesComplete your profile on our website30-minute screening callTechnical interviewFeedbackMagic Box (we are looking for the best project for you).P.S. We work with developers from 50+ countries in different regions: Europe, LATAM, Asia (ONLY the Philippines, Indonesia), Oceania (ONLY Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea), Canada, and the UK. However, we have some exceptions.At the moment, we dont have a legal basis to accept applicants from the following countries:European: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Kosovo, Belarus, Russia, and Serbia.Latin America: Cuba and NicaraguaMost Asian countries and Africa.We expand and shorten the list of exemptions regularly.Do you represent a company with engineers who match the description and want to collaborate with us through staff augmentation? Then register here.

Time zones: EST (UTC -5), CST (UTC -6), MST (UTC -7), PST (UTC -8), ART (UTC -3), UTC -4, UTC -4:30, UTC -3, UTC -2, SBT (UTC +11), GMT (UTC +0), CET (UTC +1), EET (UTC +2), MSK (UTC +3), AST (UTC -4), FKST (UTC -3), NST (UTC -3:30), JST (UTC +9), CST (UTC +8), CHAST (UTC +12:45), ACST (UTC +9:30), ACWST (UTC +8:45)Are you a talented Senior AI Engineer looking for a remote job that lets you show your skills and get decent compensation? Look no further than Lemon.io the marketplace that connects you with hand-picked startups in the US and Europe.What we offer:Earn $4.2k - $10.4k monthly: the rate depends on your skills and experience. We've already paid out over $11M to our engineers.No more hunting for clients or negotiating rates let us handle the business side of things so you can focus on what you do best.We'll manually find the best project for you according to your skills and preferences.Choose a schedule that works best for you. Its possible to communicate async or minimally overlap within team working hours.We respect your seniority so you can expect no micromanagement or screen trackers.Communicate directly with the clients. Most of them have technical backgrounds. Sounds good, yeah?We will support you from the time you submit the application throughout all cooperation stages.Most of our projects involve working in a fast-paced startup environment. We hope you like it as much as we do.Through our community, we will connect you with the best developers from more than 50 countries.Requirements:Minimum of 3 years of commercial experience in applying AI to practical technology solutionsSolid understanding of common programming languages used in AI, such as PythonExperience with AWS, GCP, or Azure is a mustAt least 2 years of commercial experience with OpenAIHands-on experience in machine learning, NLP, deep learning, or computer visionExperience with large language models (LLM)Experience working with large data sets and writing efficient code capable of processing large data streams at speedExperience with GPT-4 or similar AI modelsStrong analytical skills for designing and implementing machine learning models, analyzing data sets, and identifying patterns and trends.Experience with PyTorch or similar frameworks (TensorFlow, Caffe, Keras, Scikit Learn, Theano) - would be a plusExperience in chatbot development is a plusFamiliarity with Kafka for processing data streams is beneficialStrong technical skills: as a Senior AI Engineer, you are expected to be able to create projects from scratch and have a deep understanding of application architecture.Clear and effective communication in English advanced ability to discuss business tasks, justify decisions, and communicate issues. Good self-presentation is also essential for upcoming client calls.Strong self-organizational skills ability to work full-time remotely with no supervision.Reliability we want to trust you and expect that you wont let us and the client down.Adaptability and Flexibility the ability to onboard the project promptly after accepting it and start delivering results quickly.Sounds good for you? Apply now and join the Lemon.io community!NOT YOUR TECH STACK?We have different projects for Senior Full-Stack Developers, so if you have 4+ years of commercial experience in software development and you are fluent with React & Node.js, React & Python, Angular&.NET, we would be happy to communicate and provide you with a project that matches your experience. Just apply, and we will share more details with you.If your experience matches our requirements, be ready for the next steps:VideoAsk watch a short video about our startup, up to 10 minutesComplete your profile on our website30-minute screening callTechnical interviewFeedbackMagic Box (we are looking for the best project for you).P.S. We work with developers from 50+ countries in different regions: Europe, LATAM, Asia (Philippines, Indonesia), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea), Canada, and the UK. However, we have some exceptions.At the moment, we dont have a legal basis to accept applicants from the following countriesEuropean: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Kosovo, Belarus, Russia, and Serbia.Latin America: Cuba and NicaraguaMost Asian countries and Africa.We expand and shorten the list of exemptions regularly.Do you represent a company with engineers who match the description and want to collaborate with us through staff augmentation? Then register here.

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. How poop could help feed the planet A new industrial facility in suburban Seattle is giving off a whiff of futuristic technology. It can safely treat fecal waste from people and livestock while recycling nutrients that are crucial for agriculture but in increasingly short supply across the nations farmlands. Making fertilizer from the nutrients that we and other animals excrete has a long and colorful history; for generations it helped Indigenous cultures around the world create exceptionally fertile soil. These systems fell out of favor in Western culture. But, if researchers and engineers across several companies get their way, that could be about to change. Read the full story.Bryn Nelson This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6its all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies. If youre interested in poops wider scientific potential, check out the latest entry in our Jobs of the Future series: stool bank manager. Pediatric gastroenterologist Nikhil Pai is helping to treat children with a common bacterial infection of the large intestine by transplanting healthy stool into a patients guta highly effective, albeit unconventional, treatment. Read the full story. Here are MIT Technology Reviews best-performing stories of 2024 MIT Technology Review published hundreds of stories in 2024, covering everything from AI, climate tech, and biotech, to robotics, space, and more. As the new year begins, take a look at a small selection of the stories that resonated most with you, our readers. Read the full story. Abby Ivory-Ganja Unveiling the 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025 Each year, MIT Technology Review selects the top ten breakthrough technologies that will have the greatest impact on how we live and work in the future. In the past, we've selected breakthrough technologies such as weight-loss drugs, a malaria vaccine, and GPT-3 (the precursor to ChatGPT). Amy Nordrum, our executive editor, will join our news editor Charlotte Jee to unveil the new list live during an exclusive Roundtable discussion for subscribers at 12.30pm ET today. Register here to be among the first to know.The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 A US appeals court has struck down net neutrality rules Its the end of a nearly two-decade effort to regulate broadband providers. (NYT $)+ Net neutrality has been in danger for a while, truthfully. (The Verge)+ Its bad news for the Biden administration as it prepares to hand over to Trump. (WP $)2 Car rental app Turo is under scrutinyBut concerns over the apps safety practices are nothing new. (WSJ $) + The app was used to book vehicles used in both the New Orleans attack and Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion. (NYT $)+ Turo staff have been pulled off vacation to respond to the aftermath. (Bloomberg $)3 Nick Clegg is leaving Meta The former British deputy prime minister is making way for prominent Republican Joel Kaplan. (Semafor)+ Its part of the companys desire to align itself with the incoming Trump administration. (WSJ $)+ How tech is turning MAGA. (Economist $)4 Yandex has been ordered to hide maps of a Russian oil refinery In response to repeated attacks from Ukrainian drones. (Reuters)+ The Ryazan refinery was hit four times last year alone. (Bloomberg $)+ The uneasy coexistence of Yandex and the Kremlin. (MIT Technology Review)5 Apple has agreed to settle a $95 million class-action lawsuit Over claims the company violated user privacy by sharing Siri recordings. (WP $)6 Several Californian AI laws have gone into effectA new year means new regulations. (The Information $) + There are more than 120 AI bills in Congress right now. (MIT Technology Review)7 Our understanding of genetic diseases is changingCell mutations suggest were far more genetically varied than we previously realized. (The Atlantic $) + DeepMind is using AI to pinpoint the causes of genetic disease. (MIT Technology Review)8 African content creators are struggling to make money But it appears as though the tide may be slowly turning. (The Guardian)+ What Africa needs to do to become a major AI player. (MIT Technology Review) 9 Get the new year off to a starry start Theres a meteor shower due tonight! (Wired $)10 How to build a more sustainable refrigerator A new kind of heat-absorbing crystal could hold the key. (New Scientist $)+ The future of urban housing is energy-efficient refrigerators. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the day He is quite clearly the right person for the right job at the right time! Nick Clegg, Metas outgoing chief policy executive, wishes his replacement Joel Kaplan the best in a post on X. The big story Is it possible to really understand someone elses mind? November 2023 Technically speaking, neuroscientists have been able to read your mind for decades. Its not easy, mind you. First, you must lie motionless within a fMRI scanner, perhaps for hours, while you watch films or listen to audiobooks. If you do elect to endure claustrophobic hours in the scanner, the software will learn to generate a bespoke reconstruction of what you were seeing or listening to, just by analyzing how blood moves through your brain. More recently, researchers have deployed generative AI tools, like Stable Diffusion and GPT, to create far more realistic, if not entirely accurate, reconstructions of films and podcasts based on neural activity. So how close are we to genuine mind reading? Read the full story. Grace Huckins We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + Of course The Cures Robert Smith is an iPod fanatic.+ Japan may be associated with tasteful minimalism, but theres always room for a bit of clutter.+ Meet the people who release 3,000 pounds of confetti into New Yorks Times Square by hand every New Years Evethen clear it all up.+ How to start a healthy habit, and, crucially, stick to it. ($)

WHO Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity WHEN Now Googles introduction of AI Overviews, powered by its Gemini language model, will alter how billions of people search the internet. And generative search may be the first step toward an AI agent that handles any question you have or task you need done. Rather than returning a list of links, AI Overviews offer concise answers to your queries. This makes it easier to get quick insights without scrolling and clicking through to multiple sources. After a rocky start with high-profile nonsense results following its US release in May 2024, Google limited its use of answers that draw on user-generated content or satire and humor sites. Explore the full 2025 list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. The rise of generative search isnt limited to Google. Microsoft and OpenAI both rolled out versions in 2024 as well. Meanwhile, in more places, on our computers and other gadgets, AI-assisted searches are now analyzing images, audio, and video to return custom answers to our queries. But Googles global search dominance makes it the most important player, and the company has already rolled out AI Overviews to more than a billion people worldwide. The result is searches that feel more like conversations. Google and OpenAI both report that people interact differently with generative searchthey ask longer questions and pose more follow-ups. This new application of AI has serious implications for online advertising and (gulp) media. Because these search products often summarize information from online news stories and articles in their responses, concerns abound that generative search results will leave little reason for people to click through to the original sources, depriving those websites of potential ad revenue. A number of publishers and artists have sued over the use of their content to train AI models; now, generative search will be another battleground between media and Big Tech.

WHO Gilead Sciences, GSK, ViiV Healthcare WHEN 1 to 3 years In June 2024, results from a trial of a new medicine to prevent HIV were announcedand they were jaw-dropping. Lenacapavir, a treatment injected once every six months, protected over 5,000 girls and women in Uganda and South Africa from getting HIV. And it was 100% effective. Explore the full 2025 list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. The drug, which is produced by Gilead, has other advantages. Weve had effective pre-exposure prophylactic (PrEP) drugs for HIV since 2012, but these must be taken either daily or in advance of each time a person is exposed to the virus. Thats a big ask for healthy people. And because these medicines also treat infections, theres stigma attached to taking them. For some, the drugs are expensive or hard to access. In the lenacapavir trial,researchers found that injections of the new drug were more effective than a daily PrEP pill, probably because participants didnt manage to take the pills every day. In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved another long-acting injectable drug that protects against HIV. That drug, cabotegravir, is manufactured by ViiV Healthcare (which is largely owned by GSK) and needs to be injected every two months. But despite huge demand, rollout has been slow. Scientists and activists hope that the story will be different for lenacapavir. So far, the FDA has approved the drug only for people who already have HIV thats resistant to other treatments. But Gilead has signed licensing agreements with manufacturers to produce generic versions for HIV prevention in 120 low-income countries. In October, Gilead announced more trial results for lenacapavir, finding it 96% effective at preventing HIV infection in just over 3,200 cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men, as well as transgender men, transgender women, and nonbinary people who have sex with people assigned male at birth. The United Nations has set a goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Its ambitious, to say the least: We still see over 1 million new HIV infections globally every year. But we now have the medicines to get us there. What we need is access.