Author: Frank Salvato
Google has temporarily disabled YouTube’s advanced captioning support—specifically the SRV3 (also called YTT) subtitle format—without prior warning, according to multiple reports. The SRV3 format, used for years by creators to add custom-styled subtitles (including color, positioning, and formatting beyond standard caption tools), now cannot be uploaded and is reportedly being removed from existing videos. Users across Reddit, social platforms, and news sites indicate that SRV3 subtitles fail to appear after upload and in some cases are disappearing from previously published content, hurting creators who rely on them for accessibility and international audiences. Google attributes the disablement to playback errors linked…
Meta’s long-touted vision of a vibrant metaverse built on immersive virtual reality is rapidly unraveling as the company abandons core pieces of its VR strategy and pivots toward artificial intelligence and mobile experiences. Recent developments show that Meta will discontinue Horizon Workrooms, a VR workplace collaboration app, on February 16, 2026, deleting all associated user data and ending the company’s push into enterprise VR. Reality Labs, the division behind Meta’s VR headsets and metaverse projects, is cutting roughly 10-15% of its workforce, with more than 1,000 jobs lost amid steep financial losses exceeding $70 billion since 2020. Meta’s broader restructure…
Biotics AI, the startup that won TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield 2023, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its artificial intelligence-powered fetal ultrasound software, marking a major regulatory milestone for AI in prenatal care, with the technology designed to improve detection of fetal abnormalities and integrate seamlessly with clinical workflows. Biotics AI’s system uses advanced computer vision to assess image quality, anatomical completeness, and provide automated reporting, potentially reducing misdiagnoses and enhancing prenatal diagnostic accuracy across diverse patient populations. The FDA’s decision is based on rigorous testing and validation demonstrating consistent performance, including across demographics with high…
The U.S. Army has selected the Israeli-developed HERO-90 loitering munition to participate in its Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program, an initiative aimed at giving Brigade Combat Teams a portable, precision-strike capability against armored threats and hardened targets on the battlefield. Developed by UVision Inc. and integrated by Mistral Inc., the HERO-90 system is designed for rapid deployment by a single operator, offering configurable warheads, mission abort and re-engage functions, and secure communications for extended-range engagements under complex conditions. The LASSO program reflects an Army priority to address gaps in infantry anti-armor lethality and adaptability, and while this…
Israel’s government is gearing up to begin partial privatization of two of its biggest state-owned defense companies, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, by offering minority stakes in initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange as soon as the second quarter of 2026. The plan envisions selling roughly 25–30% of each company in small tranches to avoid market disruptions while retaining government control for national security reasons. This long-debated shift follows years of deliberation and has gained traction due to rising global demand for advanced defense technology and strong financial performance by the firms…
Europe’s defence industry has undergone a dramatic transformation since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with governments across the continent ramping up military spending, boosting recruitment and making strategic defence procurement a priority. Investor interest in defence stocks has soared, with major European defence contractors seeing record gains and new players preparing high-profile stock offerings as military budgets climb. EU nations are moving toward NATO’s increased spending benchmarks and creating special funds to accelerate procurement. Meanwhile, strong demand for advanced technologies — from air defence systems and cyber capabilities to autonomous platforms — is reshaping Europe’s defence landscape and…
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are rapidly transforming battlefield medicine and psychological care by integrating advanced technologies into soldier support systems. According to The Jerusalem Post, the IDF Medical Corps has rolled out artificial intelligence-aided procedures using EEG and smart cues to better treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in soldiers, aiming to reduce bureaucratic burdens on mental-health professionals and improve personalized care. The Corps is also advancing drone logistics to deliver whole blood directly to front-line units, a breakthrough expected to improve survival rates by cutting the time to medical intervention. This innovation follows years of tactical research showing excessive…
Sphere Entertainment has announced plans to build a new immersive entertainment venue at National Harbor in Maryland, marking the company’s second U.S. location following its flagship Sphere in Las Vegas. The proposed “mini-Sphere” would seat about 6,000 people and feature advanced technology including high-resolution LED screens, immersive sound systems, haptic seating, and 4D effects similar to those at the Las Vegas venue. The project is a collaboration between Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and the Peterson Companies, and is expected to generate an annual economic impact exceeding $1 billion. Funding would come from a combination of…
Israeli drone firm XTEND and U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works are advancing military drone operations by integrating XTEND’s operating system into Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform, enabling a single operator to command and control multiple classes of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in complex missions—an important step toward real-world Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) operational concepts. The integrated system improves situational awareness, reduces manpower requirements, and streamlines mission execution, as demonstrated in a recent “marsupial” drone trial in which a larger UAS deployed a smaller craft while a single operator managed the entire mission. This cooperation reflects a…
Israel and the United States formalized a new Strategic Framework for cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and related critical technologies, signing a joint statement tied to the broader U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative in Jerusalem. The agreement, signed by Israel’s Head of the National AI Directorate Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Erez Eskel and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg alongside senior officials, cements Israel’s participation in a multi-nation effort to secure resilient technology supply chains and deepen allied cooperation on AI, semiconductors, energy, and advanced computing. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on hostile supply sources like China by…