Tech news picked on 2026-10-12
QGIS merges proposal to bar in principle contributions made with AI assistance
- QGIS Enhancement Proposal QEP428 is a document setting out a policy that in principle does not accept contributions made with help from AI tools. According to the original text, this strengthens the earlier policy, which required human participation in the review process, into a prohibition.
- Proposer nyalldawson explained that the previous policy did not work well in practice. According to a comment in the original text, about 50 PRs tagged AI Assisted were filed, and about 40 of them were closed without being merged. This tally was presented by the commenter.
- Maintainers argued that if AI contributions grow, they may exceed what people can review, leading to less-reviewed code and quality problems. This is the maintainers' claim in the original text and has not been independently verified.
- According to the original text, this policy is not a permanent rule but a starting point: it is kept strict for now, and some uses may be reopened later through case-by-case discussion. Whether using AI for reviews, security checks, or issue writing falls within the ban remains an open question in the original comments.
CMF's first wireless speaker comes with swappable front panels and knobs
- Both models let you remove the front panel and knobs to switch to a different color or design. The company said it plans to release design files so users can make their own covers with a 3D printer.
- The small S model is 59, and the large M model is 109. The S uses a 45mm full-range driver and 2 passive radiators to boost bass, while the M uses a 10W tweeter and a 25W woofer, according to the description.
- According to the company, it offers up to 18 hours of battery life and an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, and sound settings can be changed in the Nothing X app. A feature also lets two of the same model be paired as left and right stereo speakers.
Ambi, founded by a former Flood executive, raises $26 million with an always-listening AI app
- Ambi has released apps for iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. The source reports that it works like a meeting notes app, and that when users leave it on, it listens to nearby conversations throughout the day to gather context.
- The company said it can use calendars, meeting records, a knowledge base, and web materials to surface suggestions or related information during meetings. This is a goal the company has set, and the source contains no measurement results showing actual accuracy.
- According to the company, the ambient recording feature is off by default and can be turned off at any time. It does not store raw audio recordings and says it encrypts data, but it has not disclosed which encryption method it uses.
- The company announced on Monday that it has raised $26 million over several rounds. Luminous Ventures and others led the investment, the company has more than 50 employees, and it has offices in San Francisco, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
Summary of a benchmark talk suggesting storage may be why PostgreSQL slows down
- This article summarizes a talk arguing that PostgreSQL slowdowns at hundreds of GB to TB scale may be caused by storage. The speaker is Sai Srirampur, and this is a summary of the POSETTE 2026 talk published on the ClickHouse blog.
- The original benchmark ran a 3.3 billion row pgbench workload for 5 minutes each on gp3 EBS (3,000 IOPS setting) and on local NVMe instance storage. The reported median TPS was 16,030 for NVMe and 1,734 for EBS.
- According to the original, of the 37ms transaction latency on EBS, page reads accounted for about 19ms and WAL sync at commit for about 11ms. These are the speaker's benchmark measurements and apply only under those conditions.
- For high availability, the talk proposed two synchronous replication standby candidates (ANY 1 configuration), and storing backups separately in object storage using a tool such as WAL-G.
Can Linux phones become an alternative to Android and iOS? The limits seen through chips and parts
- The author argues that the Linux phone market stalled after the Librem 5 and PinePhone launched in 2020, and cites chip performance, driver support, and manufacturer problems as the reasons.
- According to the article, the chips that are easy to run Linux on are those used in cars and IoT devices. Because they are cheaper, they tend to have lower performance and power efficiency. Automotive chips are designed to be used for nearly 20 years, while high-performance chips for Android phones are usually produced for only 1 to 3 years.
- The article describes the Librem 5 as made up of 74 integrated circuits, 4 circuit boards, and 1267 parts in total. The author explains that a Linux phone must fill wireless communication and location functions with separate chips, while an Android phone handles them with one integrated chip.
- In the Geekbench table in the article, the single-core score of the RK3588S, released in 2022, is 730, which is lower than that of the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 (920) in the same table. However, the article does not say who measured the table or under what conditions.
zt Library Catches HTML Template Errors at Compile Time in Zig
- zt is a library that converts HTML page templates into Zig code at build time. According to the original post, using a nonexistent field or a type mismatch is reported as an error by the Zig compiler before execution.
- Values are HTML-escaped by default, and the author states that URL attributes such as href and src are checked for dangerous schemes. To output raw HTML as is, it must be explicitly marked, like {!value}.
- The author explains that output is written directly to std.Io.Writer and works without allocation. The original post also includes an example calling res.render from Dusty.
- Block-level if, for, and switch are interpreted as Zig code, so ordinary sentences at the start of a line can become parse errors. The author wrote that they are considering a syntax such as @if instead.
Learning Calculus with Julia through Graphs and Numerical Computation: Study Notes
- This note describes a web textbook that teaches calculus with the Julia programming language, centered on graphs and numerical computation. The source explains that each page focuses on one concept, like a section in a book.
- At the end of each page there are practice problems, and the source says a limited number of answers are provided so readers can check their own work. Julia is mainly used for numerical computation, with algebraic solutions added on, and the source also stresses the value of trying problems by hand first.
- The CalculusWithJulia package used alongside it is introduced as reducing common tasks to simple functions. Installing Julia is described as easy with the juliaup tool, and the source does not state costs or license terms.
SoftBank plans to open a GPU cloud for AI in Japan by October 2026
- SoftBank announced it will launch a GPU cloud for AI data centers in Japan by October 2026. The company said its goal is to help customers develop and operate AI in a secure way within Japan.
- The service uses NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 GPUs and SoftBank's own operating system, Infrinia AI Cloud OS. According to the source, it includes KaaS, which provides Kubernetes as a service, and Inf-aaS, which handles large language model responses through an API.
- SoftBank said a beta version of this service is already available and is also used within its group companies. The company explained that it plans to link the service with Telco AI Cloud to build a distributed infrastructure with low latency and high stability.
- Sepsis is a condition in which the immune response to infection becomes excessive and damages the body. The article explains that it is a major cause of death for children under 5 years old, with about 3 million people dying each year.
- According to the article, when antibiotics alone cannot stop an excessive immune reaction, blood is filtered to remove toxic substances. The company's co-founder and CEO claimed that the Enperon device adsorbs cytokines and endotoxins at the same time.
- The pediatric device Enperon NEO received European CE certification in April this year. According to the article, it is used in intensive care units in 30 countries, including European hospitals, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.
- The company said it is preparing to apply for approval from the US FDA and aims for annualized revenue of $2 million by the end of 2026. The technology was first developed by scientists at Moscow State University.
Horror is becoming a big money-maker across film, games, and TV
- The source reports that horror works bring in large profits despite relatively low production costs, so investment and programming are growing across film, games, and TV.
- The source reports that the films Obsession and Backrooms together recorded nearly $1 billion in box office earnings. Backrooms' production cost is reportedly estimated at $10 million, and Obsession's is said to be under $1 million.
- According to Twitch, from January 2026 to September, horror content was watched for 287 million hours, and viewing of the horror tag rose 6 percent from last year. This is the figure Twitch reported.
- The source reports that Resident Evil Requiem sold 8 million copies after its release in February. The claim that six series titles this year sold more than 3 million copies cites a Game File report.
WordCraft Alpha released: open-source document editor that opens .docx files with a Word-like screen
- A document editor built to use ribbon menus, styles, tables, change tracking, and mail merge like Word. According to the README, it opens and saves .docx files and runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, BSD, and web browsers.
- The README says it implements 88% of Word's ribbon features as commands. It estimates that it can replace about 60% of real work, about 55% of everyday work, and about 63% of routine features, and notes that all these figures are standards set by the development team.
- Installers can be downloaded from the GitHub releases page. The command-line tool wordcraft-cli can convert documents to PDF and other formats, and the web version is run from the apps/wordcraft-web folder with the serve command of the trunk tool.
- The project is made by the ArtCraft team and is licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0. The editor did not verify this or build the program directly, so the above should be read as claims made in the original article.
- Websites can tell visitors apart by combining device information such as screen size, graphics chip, installed fonts, time zone, and language. The original article explains that even if cookies are deleted, visitors may still be treated as the same person when this combination stays the same.
- The original article gives an example: combining zip code, date of birth, and gender could single out 60% or more Americans. However, this is the author's claim, and no source is given.
- The author rates Brave, Tor, and Mullvad Browser as major browsers with advanced protections against fingerprint tracking. In the author's judgment, Safari and Firefox offer only partial protection.
- The author argues that few people use privacy extensions, so using one may make a person stand out. The author also notes that extensions can break some websites.
- Reports say Apple is preparing a 6-inch square touchscreen hub that can hang on a wall or sit on a table, and that it can tell users apart by voice or facial recognition to show their contacts and calendar. This is a forecast from reporter Mark Gurman, not a confirmed announcement.
- The new operating system, homeOS, is reportedly centered on controlling home devices such as thermostats and smart locks, and it can also make FaceTime calls. Reports say this hub will not have an App Store.
- The HomePod mini and Apple TV are reportedly keeping their current designs, with a new processor for Siri AI processing. The HomePod mini is said to get new colors, including green and pink, and the Apple TV is expected to get its first hardware update since 2022.
- Partner devices such as LG smart locks and thermostats may also be mentioned at the event. The source says LG devices were already leaked, and it notes that this information is also based on rumors and leaks.
Vurt Brings Short Vertical Dramas to the TV Screen and Positions Them as a Genre
- Vurt is a streaming service that offers short micro-drama vertical videos. According to the article, it recently launched dedicated apps for Apple TV and Android TV so viewers can watch on living room TVs instead of phones.
- According to the article, the app has more than 100 titles and 3,500 episodes. Since the March launch, users grew from 10,000 to 670,000 (5 thousand), according to the company's explanation.
- Revenue comes from advertising partnerships, so viewers can watch for free. Under license agreements with production companies, revenue is split 50 to 50, and independent creators can reportedly submit their works directly.
- Co-founder Hilmon Sorey said the reason for choosing a dedicated TV app over simple screen casting is that HD and 4K video and high-quality audio can be fully used on large-screen devices. This is the company's explanation.
Back issues of print newspapers The Onion is looking for and submission conditions
- The Onion archive team is collecting print back issues published between 1988 and 2013 that are not in the archive. The original list includes both cases: where entire volumes are needed, from volume 14 to volume 49, and where only specific issues are needed.
- Volume, issue, and date are confirmed from the volume (Volume) number, issue (Issue) number, and date printed on the front page of the newspaper. Special issues may be abbreviated as '22-01'.
- The original states that the newspaper must be clean and readable. It specifies that issues that have been sold become the property of The Onion and cannot be returned.
- Submissions are made through a Google Form, and the archive staff contacts only those who are interested. The original does not list a purchase price.
New York City enforces rule requiring cancellation through the same online method as sign-up
- New York City's 'Click to Cancel' rule requires businesses to make cancelling a subscription as easy as signing up. If you signed up online, it means you should be able to cancel the same way.
- The business duties stated in the source are clearly disclosing subscription terms and automatic renewal, notifying consumers when terms change, and not delaying cancellation. Delaying cancellation or omitting notice is also listed as a basis for complaints.
- The rule takes effect October 1, 2026, and is enforced by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Violating businesses may face civil penalties starting at 525, and the source says they may also have to refund consumers.
- Complaints can be filed by mail or fax, and after filing, progress can be checked with the complaint number received. If mediation is needed, the case officer requests a written response from the business and attempts to reach agreement with both sides.
Total Annihilation rebuilt with an open-source engine, try the browser demo first
- The source says the original strategy game Total Annihilation was newly implemented as an independent open-source 2.5D strategy game engine, based on research without the original code, and that the code is released under the MIT license.
- The browser demo lets you play 3 original missions on desktop Chrome, Edge, and Safari without installing anything or a game folder. The full game is played as an installed version by placing original files from a copy you own (GOG, Steam, original CD, etc.).
- The developer says it captured a comparison of the latest rendering and classic rendering with engine version 617540c5 on October 4, 2026. The latest rendering adds more lighting, light bloom, grass, and healthy tree detail.
- The source says that in the beta stage, single player, survival mode, and campaign are mostly in place. If you have the original files, you can play skirmish and survival mode online with friends, but the source states that bugs and some missing features remain.
- Elgin Community College installed 6 Flock cameras that read license plates for student safety in 2025 April. That same year, September the school became concerned that data was shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, video security was inadequate, and access was abused.
- In 2025 October, the school asked for the cameras to be removed, but Flock refused, saying it had not violated the contract. December the school again offered to pay the remaining 5 months of contract fees and asked for removal, but received no answer. This is according to President Peggy Heinrich, as cited in a Chicago Sun-Times report.
- School staff covered the cameras with black garbage bags and string, but workers in unmarked vehicles reportedly removed them at each inspection. Heinrich's assumption is that the vehicles belonged to Flock. Flock removed the cameras only in April of this year, after the contract ended.
Amazon to stop using NDAs in data center talks with local governments
- Amazon said it will no longer use NDAs when negotiating data centers with local governments. According to the article, this follows a similar announcement Microsoft made earlier this year.
- The announcement appeared in the middle of an Amazon blog post arguing that data centers are good for local communities. The hosts saw it as part of a bigger story the company wants to tell.
- The hosts said that behind residents' worries about property values, electricity bills, and water use lies a history of closed-door negotiations. They also cited Uber's private tax incentive negotiations with local governments in the mid-2010s. However, the article does not clarify whether these concerns are real problems or exaggerated.
- New York State has a pause on permits for large projects for about 1 years, which the article says is expected to last until the state's environmental impact review process is complete. The host noted that this framework leaves room for positions to change later.
Turning Your Paycheck Into Assets: Financial Habits and Career Strategies for Office Workers
- The article argues that when pay rises and living costs rise with it, no wealth is left over, so it advises routing part of the extra income into savings and investing to build assets. This is the author's argument and advice, not a fact-checked report.
- Citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2025, the article reports that the median weekly earnings of bachelor's degree holders are 1,578 and those of high school graduates are 966. Unemployment rates are 2.8% and 4.3%, respectively. It adds that this reflects correlations among population groups and does not mean a degree alone makes the difference.
- Citing a World Bank review, the article says that the average private return associated with 1 more years of schooling is about 9% per year worldwide. It also notes that results differ by country, field of study, institution, and individual.
- Citing guidance from Investor.gov, part of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the article explains how regular investing, long investment horizons, and diversification can reduce concentration risk. It also warns that interest on high-interest consumer debt can often exceed investment returns.
Rumor: New Apple TV May Have a Built-in Microphone and the Remote May Include a Speaker
- According to the latest rumors, the new Apple TV may have a built-in microphone, and the upgraded remote may include a speaker. The article presents this as a rumor, not confirmed specifications.
- The article explains that with a microphone, users could give voice commands to Siri without a remote or HomePod, and control smart home devices such as thermostats and door locks without looking for the remote.
- The remote speaker is introduced as a way to make a sound to locate the remote when it is lost. The article expects the A19 chip to support Siri AI features, says launch is expected on October 30, and adds that it would come alongside a renewed HomePod Mini.
Mint tool that aims to cut curly hair styling to one brushing pass, and founder Dawn Myers' story
- The company says Mint is designed to detangle, condition, apply gel, and style hair in one brushing pass. It uses refillable product pods and can gently warm the product before application.
- Founder Dawn Myers said styling time drops to about 7 to 10 minutes. This is the founder's own description, and the article does not give the measurement conditions or the number of users.
- The founder said it reduces hair shedding and breakage by up to 70%. The explanation given is that it reduces pulling on the hair, but the article contains no independent verification.
- Mint was developed with materials company Dow, which helped with engineering and manufacturing as it set up its textured hair care business. Later, an appearance on Shark Tank led to investment, and this year it also became available on the Ulta online store.
- U.S. federal rules require drivers of ordinary large trucks that stop due to a breakdown to place reflective warning triangles on the road within 10 minutes. For self-driving trucks, the problem was that they have no driver, so no one could do this task.
- The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) approved an exemption for 5 years for self-driving truck developers including Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI. As a result, they can use a warning beacon installed above the driver's seat instead of warning triangles.
- Aurora asked federal safety regulators for an exemption from this rule. After the request was rejected, it continued the case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the original article says a temporary waiver applied until a decision was made.
- Kodiak AI vice president Daniel Gough and Aurora's head of government relations Gerardo Iatiano emphasized improvements in safety and transport efficiency. These are claims by the two companies, and the original article does not present independently verified effects.
- Court filings in the Massachusetts Attorney General's ongoing lawsuit include previously unreleased internal Exxon Mobil documents. The source reports that these documents show internal discussions from the 1980s through the 2010s.
- According to the source, an Exxon scientist said in trial testimony that the algae biofuel goals in the 2018 press release were completely impossible. The source notes this is an excerpt from testimony, and that Exxon denied claims that it misled the public or investors.
- The source reports that a 2014 carbon capture presentation listed challenges, including the need for large investment and high costs for large-scale commercialization, and the lack of market incentives. The source says the Attorney General's office views this as evidence that the company knew the limits of commercialization.