Author: Frank Salvato

Big tech companies and space startups are actively exploring the deployment of artificial-intelligence data centers in Earth orbit as a way to circumvent terrestrial energy, space, and regulatory constraints on compute growth. Proponents argue that orbiting facilities powered by constant solar energy could drastically reduce environmental impacts and power limitations that plague ground-based centers, with projects and startups — including Google’s experimental Project Suncatcher and Starcloud’s satellite compute deployments — targeting prototype missions as soon as 2027. However, technical hurdles such as launch costs, radiation shielding, and long-term hardware maintenance still loom large, and experts are divided on whether space…

Researchers have uncovered a surprising connection between descriptive set theory—a branch of mathematics focused on infinite sets—and concrete algorithmic problems in computer science. Mathematician Anton Bernshteyn demonstrated that questions about certain infinite sets can be reformulated as problems about how networks of computers communicate, bridging logical concepts of infinity with algorithmic language and finite computation. This breakthrough, initially published in Quanta Magazine and discussed widely in academic circles, has experts exploring new interdisciplinary methods that use algorithmic insights to solve classic infinite-set problems and, conversely, leverage set theoretic structures to deepen understanding of computation. Experts say this equivalence defies traditional…

The long-anticipated Aliro smart lock standard — a universal protocol for NFC tap-to-unlock and ultra-wideband (UWB) hands-free smart lock access — is now confirmed to launch in early 2026, backed by major tech and lock industry players including Apple, Google, Samsung, Assa Abloy, Qualcomm, and Schlage. Designed to unify how smartphones and wearables act as digital keys across brands and ecosystems, Aliro aims to eliminate app dependencies and cloud access by enabling secure, direct device-to-lock communication using asymmetric encryption even offline. The standard’s adoption could significantly expand interoperable digital door access beyond Apple’s Home Key, bringing Home Key-like convenience to…

A DIY builder in Massachusetts has engineered what’s being billed as a one-of-a-kind Power over Ethernet (PoE)-powered driveway gate installation that uses low-voltage PoE wiring to run not just the gate itself but multiple cameras and networked security gear, offering a cheaper alternative to costly buried conduit for remote properties and providing a strong deterrent to uninvited visitors. According to an article on SupercarBlondie.com, the 16-foot gate project by YouTuber Silver Cymbal Workshop featured a PoE backbone running roughly 1,000-feet from a workshop to the gate, cameras, a wireless access point, and accessories, where sprinkler pipe was repurposed as a…

Israel has formally joined the U.S.-led Pax Silica Initiative, a strategic international coalition aimed at strengthening and securing global supply chains critical to artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, energy and critical minerals. Launched at a conference in Washington, D.C., the initiative unites the United States with major technology partners including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Australia to build a resilient, innovation-driven ecosystem spanning from mineral extraction to AI infrastructure. Israeli officials described joining the pact as a significant endorsement of Israel’s high-tech sector and a step toward shared economic and…

Despite a banner year for Israeli tech—with record M&A deals and stock-market strength even amid ongoing security challenges—industry insiders warn that a growing exodus of founders, startups, and high-skilled workers to overseas jurisdictions, especially the United States and Europe, could erode the nation’s economic edge and innovation base. Critics at a recent Tel Aviv conference said the trend of registering companies abroad and increased relocation requests reflects both geopolitical uncertainty and tax/regulatory disincentives, potentially weakening Israel’s famed startup ecosystem unless policymakers act to make the country more attractive for incorporation and talent retention. Sources: https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-record-year-some-in-israeli-tech-fear-its-future-wont-be-in-israel/https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/israels-tech-sector-says-more-staff-seek-relocation-abroad-report-2025-12-28/https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/israeli-innovation-under-threat-tech-133317307.html Key Takeaways • Israeli tech…

California residents can now use a newly activated online tool called the Delete Requests and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) to send a single verified request to over 500 registered data brokers requiring them to delete personal information the brokers collect and sell online. The DROP system, launched January 1, 2026, is part of the California Delete Act enacted in 2023, and replaces the older cumbersome process of individually opting out with each broker — previously required under earlier privacy laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act. Residents must verify their California residency and submit basic identifying information, after which brokers…

Young Canadians graduating with university degrees are encountering increasing difficulty securing stable, well-paying employment, as entry-level opportunities shrink and youth unemployment rises across the country. Analysis cited by The Epoch Times shows that jobs traditionally suited for new bachelor’s degree holders have declined sharply, even as the number of graduates continues to grow, leaving many young adults overqualified, underemployed, or unemployed. Government labour data confirm that unemployment among Canadians aged 15 to 24 remains well above pre-pandemic levels, with degree holders facing challenges comparable to—or worse than—those without university credentials. Together, these trends point to deeper structural issues in Canada’s…

In a major shift in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, China’s BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the world’s largest EV maker based on 2025 sales figures, selling roughly 2.25–2.26 million EVs compared to Tesla’s reported 1.64 million, marking Tesla’s second consecutive annual decline in deliveries while BYD enjoyed strong growth driven by affordable models and global expansion. This move reflects broader changes in the EV market as Chinese manufacturers increasingly dominate volume and affordability, even amid intense domestic competition and changing subsidy landscapes. China’s rise in the EV sector underscores a strategic pivot in global auto manufacturing and…

French lawmakers are set to begin debating a draft law to ban access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, with the proposal backed strongly by President Emmanuel Macron and aiming for implementation by September 2026. The move mirrors Australia’s recently enacted world-first ban on under-16s and reflects mounting official concern about excessive screen time, exposure to harmful content, and mental health issues affecting minors. In addition to the social media age limit, the draft bill includes expanded restrictions on mobile phone use in high schools on top of existing bans in primary and middle schools.…