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Unveiling of AI Laboratory That Employed Ex-iPhone Air Designer

**Abidur Chowdhury Joins AI Startup Hark: A New Era in Human-Centric Design**

Following his announcement to leave Apple two months ago, industrial designer Abidur Chowdhury has officially become a part of Hark, an AI startup led by Brett Adcock, who also serves as the CEO of Figure AI. Chowdhury is known for his contribution to the launch of the iPhone Air at Apple, and his move to Hark signifies a pivotal transition in his career as he explores the expansive realm of artificial intelligence.

### Hark: A Fresh Contender in AI

Hark is a newly formed startup that has attracted significant attention due to its ambitious aspirations and considerable funding. Reports reveal that the company commenced operations with $100 million sourced from Adcock’s personal funds. The startup aims to create “human-centric” AI technologies that are engineered to think proactively, enhance recursively, and prioritize user welfare. This dedication to human-focused design resonates with the ongoing trends in technology, where user experience and ethical implications are gaining heightened importance.

### Talent Acquisition Strategy

Hark has already captured headlines by bringing on board top talent from leading tech firms. Reports suggest that the startup has successfully hired approximately 30 engineers from major corporations such as Google, Meta, and Amazon, with intentions to grow its workforce to 100 within the initial half of the year. This assertive recruitment approach highlights Hark’s determination to position itself as a significant contender in the AI sector.

### The Vision for Human-Centric AI

While the idea of “human-centric” AI is compelling, specific insights into the products or technologies that Chowdhury will contribute to at Hark remain ambiguous. The startup’s vision implies a commitment to producing AI systems that not only fulfill functional roles but also enhance the human experience. This could entail crafting AI interfaces that are intuitive and empathetic, fostering a stronger connection between technology and its users.

### Challenges in AI Hardware

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding AI, the market for AI-driven hardware has encountered obstacles. Various firms, including Humane and Rabbit, have faced difficulties in sustaining visibility and relevance, often overshadowed by larger tech entities. Conversely, Meta has achieved success with its Ray-Ban-branded connected eyewear, leveraging the momentum of the AI surge. This underscores the significance of strategic positioning and flexibility in the swiftly shifting tech environment.

### Future Outlook

As Hark begins its journey, the industry will closely observe how it tackles the hurdles of AI development and market rivalry. The success of its human-centered strategy will hinge on its capacity to innovate and connect with consumers meaningfully. With Chowdhury’s design acumen and Hark’s ambitious objectives, the startup may well lead the charge into a new epoch of AI that prioritizes human needs and experiences.

In summary, Abidur Chowdhury’s transition to Hark marks a significant change in the tech space, where the convergence of design and artificial intelligence is becoming ever more pertinent. As Hark strives to redefine the dynamics between humans and technology, it will be crucial to follow its advancement and the effect of its innovations on the overall landscape of AI.

The Effects of Keeping Your TV On Throughout the Day: Possible Harm and Consequences

factors that reduce your TV’s longevity. Excessive brightness, specific display technologies, the content shown on it, and indeed, keeping your TV on throughout the day can all harm it.

You may face problems like burn-in, distortion, and possibly even a total failure much earlier than anticipated by overusing your TV. This risk escalates if your TV is used for displaying content with static images, as illuminating the same pixels requires more effort from TVs. This encompasses anything with user interface components that remain visible, such as news broadcasts, sports events, and certain video games. However, this does not imply that keeping your TV on for an entire day will definitively damage it.

Provided that the overuse isn’t constant, you need not be concerned about any issues. If you allow it to cool off and adhere to its compensation cycles, many of the possible threats are minimized. Nevertheless, if you plan to keep your TV operational all day, every day, you will encounter issues in merely a few years. The way your TV copes with extended hours also varies based on its type. LCD models are generally more robust against most forms of TV deterioration (particularly burn-in) compared to OLED, plasma, and LED televisions. Likewise, bulkier TVs — typically those equipped with full-array or direct-lit displays — are considerably better at withstanding overuse.

What occurs when you leave your TV on

OmniOutliner 6 Unveils Liquid Glass Support and Apple Intelligence Compatibility Alongside Extra Features

**OmniOutliner 6: An In-Depth Look at Features and Upgrades**

After a brief beta testing phase, The Omni Group has officially released OmniOutliner 6, a major update that brings robust improvements and new capabilities designed to elevate the outlining experience for both experienced users and newcomers.

### Introduction of Omni Links

A notable feature of OmniOutliner 6 is the addition of Omni Links, enabling users to establish connections to documents through user-defined Connected Folders. These folders can be located locally or remotely, utilizing services like Dropbox, iCloud Drive, and Google Drive. This capability also permits linking to specific content within documents, simplifying navigation and information organization across various devices. The links can be shared with other users of OmniOutliner 6, enhancing collaboration.

### Enhanced User Interface and Customization

OmniOutliner 6 has received a visual update, embracing the Liquid Glass design elements consistent with other Omni Group applications. The application now delivers a unified experience across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, allowing users to benefit from an identical UI and feature set. The update resolves earlier Dark Mode inconsistencies, empowering users to tailor their appearance settings and apply Dynamic Themes that adjust to light or dark modes. Fully customizable templates with cross-platform compatibility further enrich the user experience.

### Improved Usability Features

The latest version brings significant usability advancements, including:
– Notes that can span across multiple columns.
– Customizable grid lines for enhanced organization.
– Unlimited outline hierarchy levels.
– Ability to open multiple windows of the same project, allowing users to seamlessly drag and drop items between instances.

These features facilitate the outlining process, easing the management of complex projects.

### AI Tools Integration

Building on the innovations introduced in OmniFocus 4.8, OmniOutliner 6 integrates AI Tools, which utilize Apple’s on-device AI framework. This feature enables users to extract text from different sources and obtain outline summaries based on specific queries. Users can create comprehensive outlines for tasks, boosting productivity and fostering creativity.

### Additional Features

OmniOutliner 6 also brings several appreciated enhancements:
– **Attachment Enhancements**: Users can now resize image attachments, with attachment support available in the Essentials edition.
– **Saved Filters**: Enhanced filtering options now accommodate nested rules and extended date-based rules.
– **Pasting Options**: New pasting settings for styled text provide increased formatting flexibility.
– **Essentials Mode**: Pro users can experience the Essentials functionality by disabling Pro features.

### Conclusion

OmniOutliner 6 marks a significant advancement in outlining software, combining an intuitive interface with powerful features that address a broad spectrum of productivity demands. Whether you are just starting with outlining or are an experienced user, OmniOutliner 6 equips you with the tools needed to refine your workflow and creativity. With its universal purchase model, users can enjoy the application across various Apple devices, making it an adaptable complement to any productivity toolbox.

Divulged Data Uncovers Expensive Price Tag of Steam Machine

For anyone anticipating that the Steam Machine’s price would be as competitive as that of the Steam Deck, you may experience some sticker shock. Although some were already cautioning that the Steam Machine was likely to have a steeper price than anticipated – it essentially is a compact gaming PC, after all – there weren’t numerous estimates that came close, if the new pricing is correct. According to Wccftech, Czech retailer Smarty.cz provided price estimates for Steam’s forthcoming cube-shaped computer, and they are quite surprising.

In USD, the listings suggest around $950 for the 512GB version of the Steam Machine and $1,070 for the 2TB variant. This places the cost significantly higher than what many expected. However, these prices are just estimates, so it’s wise to approach this information with caution for the time being. Importantly, by directly converting the predicted Czech koruna prices into U.S. dollars, there will be some inconsistencies.

Included in those prices are tariff and import taxes, as well as possibly additional charges that U.S. listings won’t incur. The actual MSRP is anticipated to be lower. Valve has yet to release any official statements regarding prices, nor has it addressed these leaked figures, thus everything remains speculative. Nevertheless, that would place the prices well above what most are predicting, certainly exceeding the current prices of consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.

What accounts for the high estimated prices?

The global memory shortage has only intensified since the announcement of the Steam Machine back in November 2025. Prompted by the demand for more advanced hardware to align with AI advancements, the chip shortages could potentially raise the cost of new smartphones. It’s not unreasonable to consider that the Steam Machine, being a PC in every sense, would face increased prices if it launches amid this chip shortage. An official release date has not yet been provided, but the Steam Machine still requires mass production, meaning manufacturers will soon need to source the necessary components and hardware, if they haven’t begun already. Additionally, GPUs are also experiencing price increases lately, adding to the cost concern.

As for why the Steam Machine is more expensive than, for example, the PlayStation 5, it’s because consoles are frequently sold at a loss. Companies like Sony and Microsoft offer consoles at prices comparable to their production costs (or even lower), aiming to recover those expenses over time through video game sales and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Valve has publicly reiterated that it will not subsidize the Steam Machine’s price in the same manner as contemporary consoles.

Ultimately, all of this indicates that the expense of constructing a Steam Machine will be greater than expected. This may lead to the final model being priced higher than some enthusiasts had wished, meaning the estimates from the Czech retailer could indeed be realistic. However, with the Steam Machine potentially scheduled to launch this year, it won’t be long before we have definitive information.

Crucial CES 2026 Technological Advancements for Aficionados

his preferred devices consisted of innovative smart glasses, the Clicks physical keyboard for iPhone, a smart fan, and other items. While there was plenty of practical technology — particularly highlighting AI and AI companions — it’s often the lesser-known or underappreciated gadgets that truly deserve the spotlight.

Amid Micro RGB TVs (in increasingly larger dimensions), intelligent appliances, and a plethora of robots, there were also unique gadgets that are similarly useful and fascinating. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most exciting CES tech products that every enthusiast should be aware of.

Robot vacuums that can climb stairs

Named the Cyber X, by Dreame technologies, the unit shown above is a robust robot vacuum featuring “legs” that extend horizontally to ascend stairs. Demonstrated at CES 2026, the device successfully navigated a model staircase, also accommodating a small, round vacuum unit that docks within the climbing attachment. The vacuum operates similarly to those you’re familiar with, utilizing advanced “3DAdapt Vision” mapping to traverse its surroundings in real-time, all supported by “triple braking protection” to guarantee smooth and safe movement across surfaces.

According to its press release, Dreame claims that the vacuum and apparatus can ascend steps up to 25 centimeters (9.8 inches) high. There’s no indication of a launch date or cost, presumably because it remains conceptual for now, but it will be exciting to follow the development of this technology. Robot vacuums and cleaning machines are no longer restricted to a single level. How remarkable is that? It’s also important to mention: Roborock has a robot vacuum <a href="https://www.bgr.com/206

9to5Mac Daily: January 9, 2026 – Conversation about Apple Executive Pay and Additional Subjects

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Go-To Source for Daily Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly changing tech landscape, keeping up with the latest news and trends is crucial, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily provides an easy way to stay informed about the key stories that impact the Apple ecosystem. This podcast caters to individuals who wish to remain updated while on the move.

**What is 9to5Mac Daily?**

9to5Mac Daily is a daily podcast that offers listeners a summary of the leading stories concerning Apple and its products. Each episode is recorded during the weekdays, ensuring that subscribers receive new content consistently. The podcast addresses a broad spectrum of subjects, including product releases, software updates, industry developments, and insights from professionals in the sector.

**How to Listen**

Listeners can tune into 9to5Mac Daily on various platforms, allowing for easy incorporation into their daily schedules. The podcast can be found on:

– [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080)
– [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily)
– [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/)
– [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily)
– [Dedicated RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for Overcast and other podcast applications

**Exclusive Content with 9to5Mac Daily Plus**

For those seeking a premium listening experience, 9to5Mac Daily Plus provides an ad-free edition of every episode, along with additional content. Subscribers can directly support the podcast by visiting [9to5mac.com/join](http://9to5mac.com/join).

**Engaging with the Community**

Listeners are invited to share their opinions and feedback. You can contact via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Moreover, ratings and reviews on platforms like [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) and [Overcast](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/overcast/id888422857?mt=8&at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) assist others in discovering the show.

**Conclusion**

9to5Mac Daily is an essential resource for anyone interested in Apple news and updates. With its accessibility and captivating content, it acts as an ideal companion for those who wish to stay informed in the continuously changing tech world. Whether you are commuting, exercising, or just unwinding at home, listening to 9to5Mac Daily ensures you stay updated on the latest from Apple.

iOS 26 Launches Fresh ‘Games’ Application on iPhone: An Overview of Features and Capabilities

# Apple Games in iOS 26: A Fresh Center for All iPhone Gaming

iOS 26 brings two entirely new applications for iPhone users, one of which is named ‘Apple Games.’ This application acts as a specialized center for gaming, offering a customized space for games and playing alongside friends. The iPhone has emerged as a widely favored platform for gaming, presenting an extensive array of titles ranging from casual games to AAA hits. With the Apple Games app, gamers can effortlessly access their preferred games across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

## Features of the Apple Games App

When users launch the Apple Games app in iOS 26, they will find five primary sections:

– **Home**: This area provides a quick route to recently played games, suggestions for new titles, and insights into friends’ gaming activities.

– **Arcade**: Centered on Apple Arcade, this section grants access to over 200 games without advertisements or in-app purchases. Users can subscribe to Apple Arcade via the Apple One bundle or as an independent service for $6.99/month.

– **Friends**: This section showcases a summary of Game Center activities from friends and allows users to start gaming challenges.

– **Library**: Users can explore all installed games on their device, with filtering options to organize extensive game libraries. This area also features game achievements and events.

– **Search**: The search function permits users to find games and explore various categories such as Multiplayer, Action, Family, and Puzzle.

With the latest updates in iOS 26.2, the Games app has enhanced controller support, allowing smooth navigation without the need to alternate between the controller and touch input.

## Conclusion

The Apple Games app in iOS 26 elevates the gaming experience on iPhones by offering distinct features like filtering options for extensive game libraries and social gaming capabilities. While some attributes may align with the existing App Store app, the Games app distinguishes itself by emphasizing community and tailored gaming experiences. Users are encouraged to delve into the app and share their favorite features.

Visible Wireless Presents $19/Month Promotion That May Attract Mint Mobile Customers to Switch

Utilize the promo code and the discounts are yours!

If you’re similar to me, the onset of a new year signifies it’s time to reassess your phone plan and (ideally) save some money in the process. Luckily, numerous top-tier wireless carriers in the industry provide special temporary offers during this season, and Verizon-owned Visible Wireless is no exception.

Enroll today with the promo code SWITCH26 at checkout and you might save up to $12 each month for 26 months. While it might not seem substantial, Visible’s plans are already quite economical, so this promotion could significantly change your perception of your phone bill in 2026 (and beyond). Let’s break it down for clarity.

Even though it’s not officially an MVNO, I still regard Visible Wireless as one of the premier prepaid carriers available, due to the company’s transparent plan structure and the fact that it utilizes Verizon’s 5G network.

The carrier provides three plan choices starting at the Basic Visible plan (typically $25 per month) and extending to the more comprehensive Visible Plus Pro plan ($45 per month without the promotion). Applying the code SWITCH26 at checkout reduces costs by $6, $9, and $12 for the Visible Basic, Visible Plus, and Visible Plus Pro plans, respectively, and the offer secures the discounted price for over two years with no hidden charges whatsoever.

In other terms, if you utilize the promotion to save $12 each month on the Visible Plus Pro plan, you’re essentially receiving six months of Verizon-powered wireless for FREE over 26 months. That plan also includes unlimited premium data on Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network, an unlimited mobile hotspot, and extensive coverage to over 85 countries globally.

Even if you select one of Visible’s less comprehensive data plans, you’ll still enjoy unlimited talk, text, and data on Verizon’s acclaimed network, a complimentary mobile hotspot, discounts on home internet, and much more.

Why should I transition to Visible?

Visible Wireless stands out as it provides the ease and flexibility of a prepaid carrier along with the support and coverage of a Big Three provider. There are only three clear plans to select from, and all three include unlimited talk, text, and data on Verizon’s extensive 5G network. You won’t have to worry about hidden fees, unlimited hotspot data is included, and because Verizon owns and manages the carrier, de-prioritization is rare.

Does Visible Wireless offer a free trial?

Absolutely! Visible Wireless has a 15-day free trial that allows you to discover the details of its service without any hassle or commitment. You can even run it concurrently with your current phone plan without interruptions.

Does Visible Wireless provide smartphones?

Yes! While I don’t favor its phone deals as much as those from, let’s say, Mint Mobile, Visible Wireless does present occasional phone promotions throughout the year that can get you the latest Android devices for affordable prices (or even free) if you play your cards right.

“Most Recent Update Eliminates Lock Screen Advertisements and Unwanted Software”

The company is at last responding to all the feedback that users have been outspoken about. Nothing has revealed an update that tackles user issues with its software, with a specific emphasis on eliminating unnecessary features and bloatware. The update, announced on January 9, involves the removal of the Lock Glimpse feature from Nothing Phone a Series devices, with the exception of the Lite version, based on user input. The company intends to bring back the feature only after considerable enhancements are made to lessen its intrusiveness.

Moreover, Nothing is offering users a way to completely eliminate bloatware, including Meta service apps, from their devices. Users are now able to disable these applications and restart their devices to erase them from the system partition. However, these services will reappear if the device undergoes a factory reset.

In addition, Nothing is launching “app recommendations” as part of the device setup process and after specific updates. Users can either ignore these notifications or turn them off completely through the settings. The company is also endeavoring to enable the uninstallation of App Services in upcoming updates for more phones.

These modifications arise after users voiced their discontent regarding the existence of bloatware in Nothing’s OS 4.0 software. Previously, the company had permitted users only to disable such applications, but the new update offers a total removal option, responding to user calls for a more streamlined software experience.

Google’s Gemini Makes Progress in Rivals with ChatGPT in the Generative AI Sector

Google’s monotony benefits Gemini, as it finally begins to achieve improved traffic metrics.

What you must know:
– A report from Similarweb, a digital analytics firm, indicates that Google’s Gemini is starting to make notable progress against its rival, ChatGPT.
– Gemini has attained 21.5% of the traffic share for Gen AI products as of early this year, while ChatGPT has decreased to 64.5%.
– Earlier in 2025, one of Google’s objectives was to bolster Gemini’s market presence, and it achieved this by offering some premium features at no cost to all users.

In the realm of generative AI, there’s much to observe; however, data firms are recognizing a change in how users allocate their time in search of answers.

This week, Similarweb reported on X that generative AI website traffic is gradually changing, as a familiar competitor gains traction. According to the analytics from the digital data firm, Google’s Gemini has captured 21.5% of the traffic share by January 2, 2026. Leading the pack is OpenAI’s ChatGPT holding 64.5% of traffic share. One clear takeaway from Similarweb’s data: ChatGPT and Gemini are the dominant players in terms of traffic.

Among the numerous AI options, ChatGPT and Gemini comprise approximately 86% of the traffic. The remaining 14% is shared among DeepSeek, X’s Grok, Perplexity, Claude, and Microsoft’s Copilot (in that order).

Even when delving into AI tool traffic, ChatGPT and Gemini still dominate, although the former commands the larger share.

What’s fascinating about Gemini’s current standing is its steady gain over the past few months. In fact, this has been a consistent trend throughout 2025. Similarweb’s timeline illustrates how Gemini’s traffic share has incrementally risen, from 5.7% a year ago to 18.2% in December 2025.

Gemini vs. ChatGPT

Expanding Gemini’s market share has been a priority for Google, as the firm made a strategic choice: premium features are now complimentary.

To elucidate, this involved Google making its Gemini 2.5 Pro experiment available for free just four days after its launch in March. OpenAI’s ChatGPT emerged unexpectedly, yet it reflects how the general public perceives that Gen AI chatbot, in contrast to all other companies’ versions. Upon its release, ChatGPT amazed and retained users, reaching 700 million monthly active users.

This is when Google began its strategic adjustments towards Gemini, followed by Apple positioning itself within the landscape. The reality is that everyone was striving to catch up. While many companies are still attempting to do so, Gemini seems to be advancing at a quicker pace, at least according to the data.

Google and OpenAI are both maintaining their momentum, with the former unveiling Gemini features for its TV service, transforming it into an additional companion. Meanwhile, OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Health, a specialized chatting experience with its AI that assists users with medical records and app data.