Jacob Ward of The Rip Current is hosting Tech News Weekly this week, joined by Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET as well! Samsung unveils its upcoming tri-folding phone. OpenAI declares a "code red" to improve the quality of ChatGPT. How do you feel about the idea of ChatGPT being a dating coach for you? And Scott Weiner's work on shaping AI regulation.

• Abrar chats about Samsung's unveiling of its upcoming tri-folding phone, the Galaxy Z TriFold.
• Jacob shares how, after Google and Anthropic have made considerable strides in their own AI models, Gemini 3 and Claude Opus 4.5, respectively, OpenAI has declared a 'code red' to divert all resources into improving its ChatGPT model.
• Journalist Rita Omokha joins the show to chat about her recent article talking about how slowly more women are utilizing AI in providing advice towards aspects of their lives, such as relationship advice.
• And reporter Adam Rogers stops by to chat with Jacob about California Senator Scott Weiner and the work the senator has done on AI regulation and what could be next down the road.

Hosts: Jacob Ward and Abrar Al-Heeti

Guests: Rita Omokha and Adam Rogers

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Dan Moren of Six Colors joins Mikah Sargent this week! Apple Wallet's mobile driver's license feature is expanding to more users. An AI-powered teddy bear was caught giving explicit and graphic instructions to children. Google unveiled Gemini 3. And can AI-powered smart pens give you an edge in your academics?

• Dan covers the expansion of Apple Wallet's mobile driver's license feature as the state of Illinois is the latest to support this feature.
• Mikah shares how an AI-powered teddy bear, FoloToy, was discovered to be teaching kids unsafe behaviors and discussing adult topics.
• Sabrina Ortiz of ZDNET joins the show to talk about Google's latest iteration of AI model, Gemini 3.
• And Elissa Welle of The Verge stops by to share her experience using an AI pen, and how the pen was less than helpful.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren

Guests: Sabrina Ortiz and Elissa Welle

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Jacob Ward of The Rip Current joins Mikah Sargent this week! Tech titans are investing millions into genetically engineered babies. A lot of those who worry about data privacy feel like their actions make no difference. Comments from Windows lead Pavan Davuluri on the future of Windows received a lot of blowback online. And Valve announced a trio of new hardware for.

• Jacob discusses tech billionaires funding companies that are pursuing genetically engineered babies, raising concerns about the commercialization of polygenic screening.
• Mikah talks about how a lot of Americans do worry about data privacy, but feel helpless in that any actions they may take make no real difference.
• Zac Bowden from Windows Central joins the show to talk about comments made recently online from Windows lead Pavan Davuluri on the future of Windows "evolving into an agentic OS," which received plenty of pushback.
• And Scott Stein of CNET stops by to share his hands-on experience with Valve's recently announced new Steam hardware, set to launch in 2026.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward

Guests: Zac Bowden and Scott Stein

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Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins Mikah Sargent this week on Tech News Weekly. Apple is reportedly considering a partnership with Google to integrate the Gemini AI model with Siri. A new AI-powered smart ring is in development to record users' thoughts. Google is making modifications to its Play Store regarding third-party accessibility. And a group of employees from a company specializing in negotiating cyber-attack ransoms has been indicted for running their own cyber-extortion scheme.

• Abrar shares how Apple plans to partner with Google to utilize the Gemini AI model in its updated Siri model.
• Mikah talks about a new AI-powered smart ring in development that you can speak into to record & ask questions.
• Ryan Whitwam of Ars Technica joins the show to talk about the changes Google has been ordered to make to its Play Store to better accommodate third-party apps following Epic Games' lawsuit against the company.
• And Mikah shares a story about a group of employees at a company that specializes in negotiating cyber-attack ransoms who were indicted for, ironically, running their own cyber-extortion scheme.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti

Guest: Ryan Whitwam

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Jacob Ward of The Rip Current joins Mikah Sargent this week! OpenAI disclosed stats on mental health from its users' chats within ChatGPT. How deepfake videos are becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate. Cybersecurity concerns over AI-powered browsers. And the latest from Adobe Max!

• Jacob talks about OpenAI's release of stats surrounding mental health, warning signs, and how its model is doing to recognize and support people in moments of distress.
• Mikah chats about how it's starting to become harder to recognize videos that are AI-generated.
• Mikah also talks about AI browsers and how slowly these browsers are becoming a ticking cybersecurity time bomb.
• And artist Joe Esposito joins us from Adobe Max to share everything that was announced at Adobe's annual creativity conference.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward

Guest: Joe Esposito

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Emily Forlini of PCMag joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly! Microsoft launched its fall feature drop for Copilot, including a new AI avatar called Mico. Amazon is making headlines with its robotic automation efforts and also unveiled new AR smart glasses for delivery drivers. Jason Howell stops by to discuss Samsung's new Galaxy XR headset, their answer to Apple's Vision Pro.

• Emily discusses Microsoft's new AI avatar Mico, introduced as part of Copilot's fall feature drop with 12 new features, including group project tools and health Q&A. Emily and Mikah debate whether anyone actually wants 'real talk' with a chatbot.
• Mikah covers Amazon's continued automation push, replacing warehouse positions with robots as the company expands its use of robotics throughout its logistics operations. Emily weighs in with her inside knowledge on what this means for real workers.
• Jason Howell joins to talk about Samsung's new $1,799 Galaxy XR headset positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple's Vision Pro. He explains why built-in Gemini AI makes it special and why smart glasses might ultimately beat big VR headsets.
• Mikah dives into Amazon's new AR smart glasses designed for delivery drivers, featuring hands-free navigation, package scanning, hazard detection, and automatic proof-of-delivery photo capture—all displayed directly in the driver's field of view.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Emily Forlini

Guest: Jason Howell

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Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge is on Tech News Weekly with Mikah Sargent this week! Jennifer is excited about the new iPad Pro. California passed a law requiring warning labels on social media. Apple announced the new iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro with the M5 chip. Meta launched new PG-13 Guidelines for teen users on Instagram.

• The iPad Pro got an M5 update! But Jennifer is more excited about how the iPad got the chip needed to be a smart home controller that officially supports the Thread protocol.
• Mikah talks about California passing a new law that requires social media companies to disclose the health risks of using social media.
• Dan Moren of Six Colors stops by to talk about, besides the iPad Pro getting an upgrade to M5, the MacBook Pro and Vision Pro getting updated with the M5 chips.
• And Mikah shares Meta's new PG-13 guidelines for Instagram Teen accounts.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Guest: Dan Moren

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Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! Casio has a new smart toy companion powered by AI. The UK is still seeking to develop backdoor encryption for Apple users. ChatGPT is looking to act more like an operating system. And how the 'Buy Now, Pay Later' model has built a $120 billion industry.

• Amanda has her hands on a new AI-powered smart companion from Casio! She and Mikah talk about the device, how it works, and the possible data security and privacy concerns.
• Mikah talks about the UK's continued push to create backdoor encryption for Apple users in the country.
• Sabrina Ortiz of ZDNet joins the show to discuss OpenAI's Dev Day and the company's ambitions to make OpenAI function like an OS with the launch of the Apps SDK.
• Finally, Mikah shares an article from The New York Times Magazine about the 'Buy Now, Pay Later' market, which allows buyers to obtain their items easily and traps users in a swarm of debt.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling

Guest: Sabrina Ortiz

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Abrar Al-Heeti joins Tech News Weekly this week! OpenAI launches Sora 2. AI is powering more fraudulent ads. Amazon updates its lineup of products. And Google incorporates Gemini into its smart home devices.

• OpenAI launches Sora 2, its latest video generator app. Sora 2 seeks to rival platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
• DoubleVerify's DV Fraud Lab has detected a rise in fraudulent apps available for download, with AI powering these apps to hijack mobile devices.
• Amazon held its Fall Hardware Event this past week, unveiling the latest Echo devices, Ring security cameras, and its next-gen Alexa+ chatbot being available in these devices.
• And Florence Ion joins the show to discuss Google's revamp of its smart home devices, introducing Gemini for Google Home and the new Google Home Speaker, which is slated to launch in Spring 2026.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti

Guest: Florence Ion

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Emily Forlini of PCMag joins Mikah Sargent this week! The EU is considering ending the cookie consent banners. Amazon reaches a $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC. Some insight into why the new iPhone 17 Pros are more prone to scratches and dings. And is TechWoven truly better than FineWoven?

• Emily talks about how the EU is considering ending the cookie consent banners that pop up when users visit websites.
• Mikah shares how the FTC is bringing Amazon to trial over allegations that the company misled users into signing up for Amazon Prime. However, Amazon has settled the matter for a cool $2.5 billion!
• And Liz Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability of iFixit, joins the show to discuss what has led to the iPhone 17 Pro showing more wear than the other models, the organization's teardown of the iPhone Air, and how Apple's TechWoven improves on some of the failures of the previous FineWoven material.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Emily Forlini

Guest: Liz Chamberlain

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