In this file photo, Elon Musk presents about Tesla to an audienceNurPhoto via Getty ImagesIn Teslas 4Q24 Earnings call, which reported sales and profits below expectations, Elon Musk claimed that Tesla would launch an unsupervised robotaxi service in Austin, Texas by June of this year, and in every market by next year. Musk says 2025 may be the biggest year in Tesla history.Musks claim was met with extremely strong skepticism in online forums for self-driving. He has made predictions of the imminent arrival of such a capability every year for over 8 years, and not delivered. This 5-month prediction is, however, one of this most short-term predictions.The service will be offered, he states, through Tesla fleet-owned vehicles. Customers will receive FSD software the the same capability reasonably soon after. Cars will pick up riders with nobody in the vehicle in June. He admits it is a bold goal, and they will put their toe in the water gently at first but because the system does not require mapping it can spread quickly, and will be in many regions in the US by the end of the year. He believes the only thing that has held them back is an excess of caution and that the media are focusing unfairly on Tesla crashes.Next year, it will be in almost every market, limited by regulatory approval and that customers will be able to hire their own vehicles out via the Tesla fleet. Tesla said they will prove to regulators that Tesla FSD is unequivocally safer than regular driving mode, one crash for every 5.9 million miles driven, 8.5 times safer. (He may be referring to data from NHTSA which states human drivers have a police reported crash about every 600,000 miles. When Tesla reports crash numbers for Autopilot/FSD, it reports numbers for the much less frequent airbag deployments mostly on freeways--not police reported crashes on mixed streets--and for the supervised system.)AnalysisMusks claim is, to all available evidence, extreme to the point of being ridiculous, and it is indeed receiving much ridicule. While Tesla has not released signficant data on their supervised FSD system, their Q4 2024 data on Autopilot (which now uses the FSD software when on freeways) did claim a 5.9 million mile interval between accidents. This is for crashes which trigger an airbag, which is a small fraction of total crashes, and mostly on freeways, where crashes are much less frequent (though more severe.) This is for the supervised system, where the driver is nagged to constantly watch the road, and takes over if the system does anything to make the driver uncomfortable.MORE FOR YOUTesla Cybercab prototype on display. If the announced service launches in June, it will presumably ... [+] be with regular model Tesla cars.Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reservedOn the other hand, independent Tesla owners have been collecting data on how often they feel they are doing a critical disengagement, namely taking over when the feel the vehicle was about to do something serious, about every 400 miles with the new 13.2 release of Tesla FSD. Because they intervene, it is not determined whether an actual crash would have happened, this is based on fear. Constrast that with a recent study from Swiss Insurance underwriter SwissRe which examined the data on Waymo Robotaxis operating with nobody behind the wheel. They found those cars were engaged in a crash event which would have resulted in an insurance liability claim every 2.3 million miles. While the two numbers calculate something moderately different, the gulf is so immense as to make Musks claims entirely incredible. While Waymo is now beginning to scale their service, including in Austin, this is over 6 years after they first were able to put a car out on the roads with no safety driver.Thats a crucially important fact. As hard as it is to reach that level of safety, even arguably the best team in the business took 6 years to get from that to serious deployment. In spite of Musks claim of the importance of their reduced use of maps (they do use them in some places) the Waymo cars are not blocked in their expansion by mapping issues. Their cars drive off-map every day when the road changes; they just dont wish to do that regularly as they feel it reduces safety.Tesla recently showed off their Cybercabs giving rides on a closed movie set, and their cars driving themselves off the factory line to the loading area. This is a wise effort, but it is entirely unimpressive in 2025. Teams have been doing private-course driving since the 2000s.As the new Director of Government Efficiency, Musk may be able to remove regulatory hurdles from Teslas deployments. Texas already has an extremely light regulatory regime, which is why they are starting there. Tesla has not yet even applied for a test permit in California for an uncrewed vehicle, and the process there is very unlikely to be managed all the way to permits to provide service to the public in just a year. Thats true in a number of other states, which dont even have laws or experience with it yet.

In context: Microsoft has been working for a while to improve interoperability between Windows PCs and smartphones, with modest success. The latest updates have integrated the Phone Link app into the Start Menu, and most recently, this functionality has extended to iPhone users. However, Microsoft's efforts still fall far short of the iPhone connectivity features available on Apple's macOS. A new Windows Insider build includes changes to Microsoft's Phone Link function for Android and iPhone users. The update streamlines desktop access to mobile features, but the implementation remains extremely limited.Preview Build 4805, Beta Channel version 26120.3000, and Phone Link version 1.24121.30.0 move the Phone Link screen to a pane next to the Start Menu so users can reach it from the desktop with one click. Although the feature has mostly favored Android devices so far, the update brings iPhone support to parity, introducing features Android users received last year.Android and iPhone users can now access calls, notifications, texts, music, the battery indicator, and shared files from the Start Menu.New users can start using Phone Link by simultaneously opening the Windows and mobile apps. After choosing between Android and iPhone, use the phone's camera to scan the QR code displayed in the Windows app and ensure Bluetooth is enabled. Then, enable permissions for syncing contacts, notifications, and messages under the smartphone's Bluetooth settings.To enable or disable Phone Link, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start. Users can submit feedback to Microsoft via the Feedback Hub under Apps > Phone Link.iPhone mirroring for comparisonDespite Microsoft's progress, Phone Link will likely never resemble Apple's iPhone screen mirroring in the foreseeable future. Akin to a remote desktop, iPhone screen mirroring allows macOS users to unlock nearby iPhones and access files, apps, and other features without physically interacting with the phone. // Related StoriesTo Microsoft's credit, seamless interoperability is easier to achieve when devices are built by the same manufacturer. Microsoft has been largely absent from the mobile space since the failure of Windows Phone, and Apple is unlikely to grant Microsoft the level of access required for full screen mirroring on Windows. As a result, Windows users will have to settle for a more limited set of connectivity features for now although Android is not much better either.Microsoft previously attempted to make compatibility with Android apps a cornerstone of Windows 11, but the company's ambitions never progressed beyond preview builds. Windows Insiders can still download certain apps from Amazon's Android app store, but only until the preview ends on March 5.However, Tencent is giving the initiative another chance by providing Windows Insiders in China access to approximately 1,500 apps from its MyApp storefront, including PUBG Mobile and REDnote. Whether these apps will become available to all Windows users either in China or globally remains uncertain.

Reviewers LikedPerformance is greatPowerful AI featuresExcellent camerasSharp, anti-reflective screenBetter ergonomics than previous UltrasLong software support windowReviewers Didn't LikeExpensiveSpeakers got a minor upgrade, but we wanted moreLess S Pen functionality than previous generationThe AI upsell just isn't as comprehensive as could beCompetitors and Related Products Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets. Expert reviews and ratings 90 The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the ultimate Android handset with top-of-the-line power, terrific cameras, a built-in stylus, and the most innovative AI features we've seen in a phone to date. By PCMag on January 29, 2025 80 The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a bit of a letdown. Yes, it's a great Android phone, it has all the bells and whistles, and it will probably be pretty popular throughout 2025. But, if you were looking for some meaningful upgrades over the S24 Ultra you won't find them here. Even Samsung had trouble trying to stir up excitement for the S25 series, presenting AI features on-stage like they were the best thing since sliced bread... while they are mostly "Enhanced search". By PhoneArena on January 28, 2025 100 The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is an exercise in refinement, showcasing the best-of-best Android has to offer in 2025. The now iconic design has been upgraded with more screen thanks to less bezel, the new rounded corners bring enhanced comfort, while the camera gets a much-needed wide-angle boost. However, while the handsets new AI features are a promising start, especially with Gemini integration for voice, they arent as world-changing as proposed yet. Overall, the S25 Ultra represents a highly accomplished flagship that's going to be one tough phone to beat in 2025. By T3 on January 28, 2025 100 Without making any major changes, the S25 Ultra builds on its predecessor in sensible, user-friendly ways, including a much more thoughtful AI assistant and new 50MP Ultrawide lens. Oh, and it looks beautiful in Titanium Black. By Mark Ellis Reviews on January 28, 2025 80 An underwhelming year-on-year upgrade that makes software the star. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is still compelling, and a class leader in several areas, but doesnt excite like previous generations. By Stuff TV on January 28, 2025 Samsung Galaxy S24 owners can probably skip this generation since the overall package is pretty close (unless you really need log video capture). If someone is holding on to an S21 or S22, though, this might be a good time to trade up for what will be a noticeably improved experience. By PetaPixel on January 29, 2025 It's understandable that early adopters and tech enthusiasts might feel underwhelmed by the S25 Ultra. But when I consider consumers who are coming from an S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even an older iPhone, Samsung's new flagship handset checks almost every box you can think of. And you may even score a generous trade-in deal through your local carrier or retailer. By ZDNet on January 29, 2025Hands on: My last thought for now is that I really like the idea of the Now Bar on the lock screen that shows live updates to background apps. But unlike the iPhone and its Live Activities on the lock screen, it's very limited at the moment. I see the potential and I hope this is something Samsung can get more third-party developers to take advantage of. By cnet on January 25, 2025Load More Reviews

Table of ContentsTable of Contents10. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (2016)9. Splash (1984)8. Jim Henson Idea Man (2024)7. Parenthood (1989)6. Backdraft (1991)5. Frost/Nixon (2008)4. The Paper (1994)3. Cinderella Man (2005)2. A Beautiful Mind (2001)1. Apollo 13 (1995)Having started as a young actor on productions like The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, and American Graffiti, Ron Howard jumped to the directors chair and helmed some of the most beloved narrative films and documentaries in modern history. He may not have delivered many hit films in his later years, but Howard continues to direct, with his next A-list thriller, Eden, expected to release later this year. For now, here are the rankings for Howards best movies.Hulu / HuluOne of the multiple documentaries directed by Howard, Eight Days A Week traces the rise and evolution of The Beatles as they toured the globe, analyzing how the band changed the world and touched the lives of so many people, and vice versa.Recommended VideosHoward succeeds in bringing the Beatles to life with archival photos and videos, conveying the humble origins and childlike bond between the four friends. It also succeeds in re-invoking the musical chaos unleashed by fans as they screamed their heads off at the height of Beatlemania.Touchstone Films / Touchstone FilmsThis rom-com follows a lonely man (Tom Hanks) who falls in love with a mermaid (Daryl Hannah) who is hunted by a bumbling scientist (Eugene Levy). Please keep in mind that this film came out long before The Little Mermaid.Splash may not have broken any new ground. Yet Howard presents a hysterical and heartfelt love story elevated by the chemistry between Hanks and Hannah and the casts performances.Disney+ / Disney+This heartfelt Disney+ documentary analyzes the extraordinary life of Jim Henson, the beloved creator of The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal, as well as the relationship he had with his wife Jane and his partner in puppetry, Frank Oz.The films vibrant visuals and editing reflect Hensons wild imagination and energetic personality. But as the film explores Hensons creative mind and his passion for entertainment, audiences are reminded of what made him so special and the impact he and his creations had on the world.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesReminiscent ofModern Family and Arrested Development, this family comedy follows four adult siblings struggling to raise their kids. Featuring stars like Steve Martin, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, and Dianne Wiest, Parenthooddisplays many wacky but relatable visions of parenthood in the modern age, exploring the ups and downs of having a family in a hilarious and tender manner.This film even spawned a six-season series on NBC years later, proving the timelessness of a topic like parenthood.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesIn this version of Top Gun with firefighters, Backdraft follows two brothers (Kurt Russell and William Baldwin) as they try to stop a string of flames started by a serial arsonist. The story may not be all its cracked up to be, but it is still a humorous and heartful classic with its tale of brotherly love persevering as they try to contain these destructive flames.The film also boasts a slew of incredible cast performances and stunning visual effects used to bring its blazing action to life. Unsurprisingly, Backdraft was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Visual Effects, making it amongst Howards most recognized pictures.Imagine Entertainment / Imagine EntertainmentNominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, Frost/Nixon chronicles the making of the television interviews between journalist David Frost (Michael Sheen) and Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) after the infamous Watergate scandal and Nixons resignation as U.S. President. Despite the creative liberties taken, Frost/Nixon presents an incredible verbal jousting match as Frost tries to extract the truth from the former president.Not only does Frost/Nixon analyze one of the biggest scandals in American history, but it presents an intriguing study of two men and the lengths they go to for what they think is right.Universal / UniversalThis film follows the day in the lives of a tabloid newspaper as its members investigate the mysterious murder of two businessmen pinned on two Black teenagers. Helmed by an incredible performance by Michael Keaton, this satirical, fast-paced film captures the spiraling chaos frequently found in the media.Though the film was released thirty years ago, and the newspaper industry has all but faded, The Paper remains relevant with its grounded character drama and depiction of heightened racial tensions.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesCinderella Man depicts the true story of boxing champ James Braddock (Russell Crowe), who literally fights for his life as he struggles to financially support his family in the wake of the Great Depression. As its title implies, this film presents a riveting Cinderella story embodying the American dream.Braddock starts from the bottom and rises to become champion in and out of the ring. And with heavy-hitting performances from Crowe, Renee Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti, the film ranks among classic boxing movies like Rocky and Raging Bull.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesThis dazzling and layered film adapts the true story of John Nash (Russell Crowe), the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician who becomes a cryptographer for the U.S. government, only to begin questioning his reality as he confronts a grand conspiracy and his declining mental health. While it may have dropped the ball in depicting Nashs schizophrenia, A Beautiful Mind still presents a compelling and heart-wrenching portrayal of a brilliant man struggling to connect with the people around him.It is also worth recognizing Jennifer Connellys spellbinding performance as Nashs supportive but struggling wife, Alisha. And having won Howard the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, A Beautiful Mind remains one of his most successful films.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesHouston, we have a problem. This biopic presents the lives of the astronauts who embarked on the titular journey and their struggle to return to Earth alive. The way the movie simulates the weightlessness of space alone makes it a realistic and innovative picture.But Apollo 13and the gripping performances of its cast bring viewers to the edge of their seats through this immersive and heart-pounding depiction of one of the biggest crises in the history of space travel. And with nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Apollo 13 arguably remains Howards greatest contribution to cinema.

Tesla is aiming to put its first robotaxis on public roads in June, the automakers CEO, Elon Musk, said on Wednesday.Speaking during a call with investors following the release of Teslas latest financial results, Musk said the plan is to begin with a paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June, using vehicles with a version of Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. He added that a paid ridesharing service using unsupervised autonomous Teslas would expand to other U.S. cities by the end of this year, with launches in the first overseas markets coming some time in 2026, though he cautioned that regulatory constraints in locations like the EU and China could result in delays.Recommended VideosMusk mentioned plans for a robotaxi service last fall during the glitzy unveiling of the companys first Cybercab autonomous taxi prototype, suggesting that Tesla would begin by using Model Y and Model 3 vehicles rather than the Cybercab, which does away with a steering wheel and pedals.Please enable Javascript to view this contentRegarding the immediate plan for Austin, Musk said the service would start with a fleet of Tesla-operated vehicles, adding that next year hed like to have a system where any Tesla owner would be able to offer their vehicle for autonomous ridesharing trips when theyre not using it.Musk said that Tesla sees the Austin launch as putting a toe in the water [to] make sure everythings OK, adding that the safety of the general public and those in the car [is] our top priority.Indeed, Teslas first robotaxis will be closely watched as they begin carrying paying passengers around the streets of the Texas city. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a number of investigations into the safety of Teslas Autopilot and FSD technologies, while critics claim that Tesla safety reports lack details, making it difficult to make comparisons with national averages or to draw meaningful conclusions about real-world safety.In a mark of the safety challenges facing such autonomous-car initiatives, General Motors recently ended funding for robotaxi firm Cruise following a number of troubling incidents, including one where an autonomous Cruise car ran over a woman in San Francisco.A Bloomberg report in December said that Tesla had been in touch with Austins autonomous vehicle task force to establish safety expectations for the incoming Tesla robotaxis.In Wednesdays call with investors, Musk said that thousands of [Tesla] cars every day are driving with no one in them at our Fremont factory in California. Tesla released a video (below) on Wednesday showing the empty cars in action, commenting that its one step closer to large-scale unsupervised FSD.Teslas now drive themselves from their birthplace at the factory to their designated loading dock lanes without human interventionOne step closer to large-scale unsupervised FSD pic.twitter.com/Aj6dHsLaRO Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) January 29, 2025Editors Recommendations

We can fix that Stem cells used to partially repair damaged hearts Patches of stem-cell-derived heart muscle improve damaged hearts. John Timmer Jan 29, 2025 5:27 pm | 9 Credit: Douglas B. Cowan and James D. McCully Credit: Douglas B. Cowan and James D. McCully Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreWhen we developed the ability to convert various cells into a stem cell, it held the promise of an entirely new type of therapy. Rather than getting the body to try to fix itself with its cells or deal with the complications of organ transplants, we could convert a few adult cells to stem cells and induce them to form any tissue in the body. We could potentially repair or replace tissues with an effectively infinite supply of a patient's own cells.However, the Nobel Prize for induced stem cells was handed out over a decade ago, and the therapies have been slow to follow. But a group of German researchers is now describing tests in primates of a method of repairing the heart using new muscle generated from stem cells. The results are promising, if not yet providing everything that we might hope for. But they've been enough to start clinical trials, and similar results are being seen in humans.Heart problemsThe heart contains a lot of specialized tissues, including those that form blood vessels or specialize in conducting electrical signals. But the key to the heart is a form of specialized muscle cell, called a cardiomyocyte. Once the heart matures, the cardiomyocytes stop dividing, meaning that you end up with a fixed population. Any damage to the heart due to injury or infection does not get repaired, meaning damage will be cumulative.This is especially problematic in cases of blocked blood vessels, which can repeatedly starve large areas of the heart of oxygen and nutrients, killing the cardiomyocytes there. This leads to a reduction in cardiac function and can ultimately result in death.It turns out, however, that it's relatively easy to convert induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC, with pluripotent meaning they can form any cell type). So researchers tried injecting these stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes into damaged hearts in experimental animals, in the hope that they would be incorporated into the damaged tissue. But these experiments didn't always provide clear benefits to the animals.The group in Germany tried a somewhat different approach. Rather than disperse loose cells, they grew a sheet of cardiomyocytes, and a separate sheet of what's called stromaa mixed population of cells that form the connective tissue and blood vessels that help support cardiomyocytes in mature hearts. These two sheets of cells were combined into a single patch that could be attached to the heart's exterior.In experiments with mice, this worked to improve heart function. So the team went to a German research ethics body to check which large animal they should use for further testing before starting human trials. The answer that came back? Macaques.Positive signsThe paper released on Wednesday describes the results from the macaque work, along with a single human heart from the ensuing clinical trial. The patient the heart belonged to later received a transplant, allowing his stem-cell-treated heart to be analyzed. And in the macaques, the researchers had a mix of animals treated with different-sized cell patches, along with controls.Most of the work involves a basic characterization of the fates of the patches after they're implanted, addressing many of the potential concerns associated with putting a large amount of stem-cell-derived tissues into an adult animal.The good news is that there are a couple of significant worries that don't seem to be issues at all. One is that immature stem cells may still be lurking among the mature cardiomyocytes, and they could go on to form tumors after implants. That wasn't seen in this case. Another worry is that the added tissue wouldn't be able to integrate into the hearts functionally. Cardiomyocytes in culture start contracting on their own, and people were concerned that they would continue to beat to their own rhythm rather than working in concert with the heart. But there were no signs of arrhythmias in any of the transplanted animals, suggesting the implanted sheets of cells had integrated with their surroundings.That said, the implants were not problem-free. For one, some of them ended up with cells belonging to the cartilage/bone lineage, suggesting that there were still a few stem cells in the sheets that were not committed to a mature state.Another problem is that one animal generated an immune response to the implanted cells despite the fact that the animals were given immunosuppressive drugs. This is a somewhat surprising problem, as it was hoped that using stem cells derived from the same animal would avoid any immune response. This is obviously something that will need to be examined further.All that said, the grafts seemed to work. The grafts led to increased heart wall thickness and contraction, and grafted hearts moved larger amounts of blood around.Still some questionsThat said, the implants don't seem to be the equivalent of the heart tissues they are meant to replace. While the cardiomyocytes of the implant sheets were mature, they didn't grow to the same size as the ones in the mature heart. That may be related to another issue: The implants didn't fully integrate into the blood supply of the heart. There are potential ways of handling thiswe've identified a number of signaling molecules that boost the formation of blood vessels. However, testing them will require additional work in animals, which may also allow us to test whether a better blood supply improves the cardiomyocyte size.Meanwhile, the single human heart that was available for analysis produced results that were consistent with those generated in the macaques. But we'll have a clearer picture of whether that's the typical result once the full data from the trial becomes available. At that point, we'll be in a better position to evaluate whether stem cells are really ready to live up to their potential.Nature, 20225. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08463-0 (About DOIs).John TimmerSenior Science EditorJohn TimmerSenior Science Editor John is Ars Technica's science editor. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. When physically separated from his keyboard, he tends to seek out a bicycle, or a scenic location for communing with his hiking boots. 9 Comments

Robert F Kennedy Jr testifying during his confirmation hearing on 29 JanuaryWin McNamee/Getty ImagesRobert F Kennedy Jr has been a controversial figure in US politics for years, and his nomination as President Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has raised considerable concern. If he is confirmed for the position, he will be taking over at a time of chaos across US public health agencies.Trump plunged the countrys public health infrastructure into disarray in his first week

Illustration of an asteroid near Earth2022 Hamara/ShutterstockAn asteroid up to 100 metres wide has a 1-in-83 chance of impacting Earth on 22 December 2032. That risk of impact is enough to have triggered global planetary defence response procedures for the first time.This is a historic moment, says Richard Moissl at the European Space Agency (ESA).The asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, was first detected on 27 December 2024 by an automated telescope in Chile that scans for asteroids. It is now at the top of ESA and

Mark Zuckerberg says it's too soon to gauge DeepSeek's impact on Meta's AI spending.DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, says it can build powerful models at a fraction of US costs.Zuckerberg calls for an open-source AI standard that is "American."Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, says it's too soon to tell what kind of impact DeepSeek will have on the company's AI spending.During Meta's earnings call on Wednesday, Zuckerberg was asked by an analyst how DeepSeek the Chinese AI startup that sent Silicon Valley into a tailspin by building powerful models at a reported fraction of the cost will impact Meta's own investments in AI."They have advances that we will hope to implement in our systems, and that's part of the nature of how this works, whether it's a Chinese competitor or not," Zuckerberg said, adding DeepSeek had done "a number of novel things" that Meta is "still digesting."But he said that probably won't change how Meta is investing in AI, at least for now."It's probably too early to really have a strong opinion on what this means for the trajectory around infrastructure and capex and things like that," Zuckerberg said.Zuck says major AI infrastructure will still be neededMeta and other US tech companies have recently faced questions on when their heavy investments on AI would start paying off. That scrutiny hit new levels this month when DeepSeek said it trained its AI models for a fraction of the cost that its US rivals spent, causing some tech stocks to tumble.Last week, Zuckerberg said Meta planned to spend between $60 billion to $65 billion in capital investments in 2025.During the earnings call on Wednesday, he defended those investments, saying that while the use of Meta's AI computing infrastructure could change, the need for it will not disappear."If anything, some of the recent news has only strengthened our conviction that this is the right thing for us to be focused on," he said, adding: "At this point, I would bet that the ability to build out that kind of infrastructure is going to be a major advantage for both the quality of the service and being able to serve the scale that we want to."Open source, but AmericanOn the earnings call, Zuckerberg also reaffirmed his commitment to open-source AI with a notable caveat: It should follow American standards."There's going to be an open-source standard globally, and I think for our own national advantage, it's important that it's an American standard," Zuckerberg said. "We take that seriously, and we want to build the AI system that people around the world are using."Earlier in the call, he highlighted a shift in the relationship between Big Tech and Washington, pointing to a more supportive US administration that backs American companies in the global AI race."We now have a US administration that is proud of our leading companies, prioritizes American technology winning, and that will defend our values and interests abroad," he said. "I am optimistic about the progress and innovation that this can unlock."Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist, previously said that the lesson to take away from DeepSeek's success wasn't that China's AI is "surpassing the US," but rather that "open source models are surpassing proprietary ones."

I took my twin sons and their chosen companions on a three-week trip across the US and Mexico.We used collaborative planning and a group chat to give teens ownership of the adventure.The experience taught me valuable lessons about traveling with teens.Planning an international trip for six people is challenging; doing it with four teenagers requires extra preparation. When my twin sons graduated from high school in Australia, we celebrated with a three-week adventure across the US and Mexico.Each son could bring a companion to make the trip even more special. Charlie chose his girlfriend, Jessie, while Thomas brought his best friend, Brad. As someone who's explored 109 countries, I thought I had everything figured out but traveling with teens quickly proved to be its own unique adventure.A group chat became our planning hub, overcoming generational differencesI created a group chat for our six travelers eight months before departure. The chat served multiple purposes: It built excitement, answered questions, and helped my wife and me connect with our younger travel companions. This was especially valuable for Brad, who had never traveled internationally before.While I informed parents about essential details, I intentionally let the teens handle most of the communication with their families. This approach gave them ownership of the adventure and built their confidence in traveling.The challenge became finding the right balance. We quickly learned to save the group chat for crucial updates too many messages from us "boomers" were ignored.Letting teens help plan created unexpected choicesRather than presenting a pre-planned itinerary, I created a PowerPoint showcasing different destination options. I admit this approach sounds incredibly dorky, but it increased their enthusiasm. Their choices surprised me they chose to explore Joshua Tree National Park over visiting Disneyland and a week in wintery Chicago over warmer destinations.This collaborative planning transformed what could have felt like a parent-imposed trip into a true group adventure. Everyone gave input, and then the group voted on where to go.The group showed remarkable flexibility for each other's interestsOne of our biggest wins was how everyone embraced each other's interests. Brad and Thomas love basketball, so we all watched a Chicago Bulls game. Jessie wanted to go ice skating, so we made time for a special session at Chicago's Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon. The whole group embraced my wife's love for architecture with tours in Palm Springs and Chicago. No one complained about these individual activities; the group enthusiastically supported each other's interests.We expected frequent requests for "parent-free" time, but the teens joined almost every activity. They only slept in occasionally while my wife and I grabbed coffee or split up briefly, like when we explored Chicago's Art Institute while they used their City Passes at other attractions.We enjoyed alcoholic drinks togetherOur time in Mexico created some of our most memorable moments. Since the legal drinking age is 18, we could share new experiences. We took turns choosing cocktails by the pool, tried different margarita flavors, and explored local bars. As parents, being included in these moments felt special, and we loved watching our kids and their friends transition into young adults.These experiences were so enjoyable that we're planning a reunion next month to recreate some of our favorite Mexican cocktails and relive those memories.Capturing memories became an essential part of the tripEach evening, we gathered to share our daily highlights, which I wrote in my Notes app. This simple ritual became part of our routine, and on the last night, I compiled these moments into a summary for everyone. We also maintained a shared photo album that started with just my uploads but soon filled with everyone's snaps. It felt like the age difference became less noticeable as the trip progressed.The trip worked because we found a balance between structure and freedom. The teens felt involved but not overwhelmed. Throughout the trip, they had privacy when needed but joined most activities.Perhaps the most unexpected measure of success was that Brad and Jessie accepted my Instagram friend request, an unexpected victory in the world of teen social media.