Meta has begun testing ads on Threads in the U.S. and Japan with a select group of invited brands. The initial image ads will be slotted between pieces of content in the Threads home feed and will be visible to only a small percentage of users. Drawing from Meta’s existing ads systems framework, “the familiar visual feed format will enable advertisers to easily extend existing image ads to Threads with the check of a box,” according to Meta. Emulating Google, the company will provide users with controls to skip or hide ads. Threads advertisers will be afforded control using the Inventory Filter tool Meta has implemented for Facebook and Instagram Feed and Reels. Continue reading Threads Testing Ads with Select Advertisers in U.S. and Japan

Perplexity joins the list of AI companies launching agents, debuting the Perplexity Assistant for Android. The tool uses reasoning, search, browsers and apps to help mobile users with daily tasks. Concurrently, Perplexity — independently founded in 2022 as a conversational AI search engine — has launched an API called Sonar intended for enterprise and developers who want real-time intelligent search, taking on heavyweights like Google, OpenAI and Anthropic. While to date AI search has largely been limited to answers informed by training data, which freezes their knowledge in time, next-gen tools can pull from the Internet in real time. Continue reading Perplexity Bows Real-Time AI Search Tool, Android Assistant

OpenAI has launched Operator, a semi-autonomous AI agent that uses a proprietary web browser to execute tasks like planning a vacation using Tripadvisor or booking restaurant reservations through OpenTable. “It can look at a webpage and interact with it by typing, clicking and scrolling,” explains OpenAI. Operator is powered by a new model called Computer-Using Agent (CUA), and is available in research preview to ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the U.S. Combining GPT-4o’s computer vision capabilities with advanced reasoning, CUA is trained to interact with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) — parsing menus, clicking buttons and reading screen text. Continue reading OpenAI Operator Agent Available to ChatGPT Pro Subscribers

Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 line — the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 — will more tightly integrate AI, including AI agents, becoming “true AI companions” at a level previously unknown to mobile devices. That leap is credited largely to a “first-of-its-kind” Snapdragon 8 Elite customization for the Galaxy chipset that “delivers greater on-device processing power for Galaxy AI and superior camera range and control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine,” according to Samsung. In addition, the top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Ultra has been redesigned with a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen and rounded bevel. Continue reading Galaxy Unpacked: More AI for S25 and a Peek at AR Glasses

YouTube is rolling out new experimental features for Premium users and letting those paid plan subscribers access more than one test feature at a time. Among the exploratory features now available to YouTube Premium users is high-quality 256kbps audio on music videos and the ability to “jump ahead” on the web, something previously available only on mobile devices. For iOS users, picture-in-picture and smart downloads for YouTube Shorts are also among the new features. In addition, the company announced bundled pricing for those users who subscribe to both YouTube Premium and Google One Premium. Continue reading YouTube Premium Offers Speed Controls and Improved Audio

Nvidia is hoping interest in artificial intelligence will translate to consumer sales of a relatively low-priced computer optimized for basic AI functionality. Last month, the company upgraded its Jetson line with a $249 “compact AI supercomputer,” the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit. At half the price of the original, the model aims to attract students, developers, hobbyists, small- and medium-sized businesses, and anyone who is AI curious. “As the AI world is moving from task-specific models into foundation models, it provides an accessible platform to transform ideas into reality,” according to Nvidia. Continue reading Nvidia Targets Consumers with $249 Compact Supercomputer

JMGO’s latest ultra-short throw projector, the O2S Ultra 4K, is “the world’s smallest laser TV” and can throw a 100-inch image from 5.75 inches away, according to the company. At CES 2025, the Shenzhen-based company unveiled the O2S Ultra 4K and two other models — the N3 Ultra Max projector with an AI electric gimbal and optical zoom, and the flagship N1S Ultimate 4K. But it was the sleek and tiny OS2 that captured the attention of many at the show. Its shoebox size and throw ratio of 0.18:1 offers flexible room placement. The 4K resolution, brightness of 2,500 ISO lumens and 110 percent coverage of the BT.2020 color gamut all promise crisp, clear images. Continue reading CES: JMGO’s O2S Ultra 4K Projector Throws 100-Inch Screen

Netflix seems determined to test consumers’ price-value tolerance, raising by $2 the price of its premium tier, now $24.99 per month, while raising the cost of the standard ad-supported tier by $1, to $7.99 per month. Its approach is so far working. The news came with an earnings report that indicated new subscribers rose by 18.9 million in Q4, a 44 percent increase to 302 million worldwide members on close of 2024. For the year, revenue grew 16 percent and operating income expanded six points to 27 percent, exceeding $10 billion for the first time in company history. Continue reading Netflix Increases Subscription Prices as Memberships Surge

Samsung has made a tradition of opening CES with a “First Look” event the night before exhibits open in Las Vegas. This year, that January 6 event introduced the theme “AI for All: Everyday, Everywhere,” with artificial intelligence allowing devices like TVs to intuitively (and sometimes autonomously) make choices that enhance our lifestyle. Samsung sees TV as “no longer just a screen, but a companion that enriches your home.” In addition to displays, Samsung also plans to introduce its “Vision AI” technology across various home appliance and mobile devices in 2025. Continue reading CES: Samsung Aims to Bring Its ‘Vision AI’ to TVs and Homes

Projector company Xgimi unveiled a concept projector screen called Ascend — “the ultimate home entertainment solution” — that was one of CES’s most talked about offerings. A motorized 100-inch (diagonal) Ascend screen that rises from the floor with two built-in Harman Kardon sound bars was paired with Xgimi’s ultra short-throw Aura 2 4K projector for display during the show, which garnered positive word-of-mouth for its sleek design. It was also appreciatively noticed for what Xgimi says will be an affordable price, though the Chinese company stressed the technology is still in development. Continue reading CES: Xgimi Demonstrates 100-Inch Concept Projector Screen

At CES 2025 this month, LG Electronics debuted its LG UltraGear OLED Bendable Gaming Monitor, positioning it as the world’s first 5K2K-resolution bendable OLED display. The 45-inch 45GX990A can transition from completely flat to a 900R curvature within seconds, allowing users to customize their gaming experience. An upgraded Dual-Mode feature can switch easily between resolution and refresh rate presets, accommodating different aspect ratios and picture sizes. And the zippy 0.03ms (GtG) response time aims to provide heightened immersion. It did not go unnoticed at the show that the display also offers smart streaming options. Continue reading CES: LG Debuts a Dual-Mode Bendable 5K2K Game Monitor

TCL announced three different smart glasses at CES 2025, led by the flagship RayNeo X3 Pro. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset, its lenses feature full-color micro LED screens. The specs also boast a dual-camera setup — one for picture-taking and augmented reality vision and the other to assist with things like room- and hand-tracking. The midrange RayNeo V3 doesn’t have integrated lens screens, but comes with a 12MP Sony IMX681 sensor, on-device speakers and a trio of microphones. Rounding out the bunch, the RayNeo Air 3 AR smart glasses need to connect to a compatible USB-C device to create a 201-inch virtual screen floating screen. Continue reading CES: TCL Introduces Three Models of RayNeo Smart Glasses

Social platforms Bluesky and X are rolling out new features timed to take advantage over confusion as to the fate of TikTok. Positioning their video feeds with dedicated tabs and optimization for vertical display are among the updates. Meanwhile, Instagram has debuted an editing feature that rivals CapCut, the popular program owned by TikTok parent ByteDance. Bluesky’s newly customizable video feeds let users swipe up or down and also allow curation using hashtags like #BookSky, a challenge to BookTok. A timeline of trending videos prominently placed under its search tab is another Bluesky addition. Continue reading Amidst TikTok Uncertainty, X and Bluesky Add New Features

Sony has debuted a full-body Mocopi mobile motion capture system as part of the ecosystem to support its new extended reality brand XYN (pronounced “zin”), also launched at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The Mocopi Pro Kit for the new professional mode of Mocopi is available as a PC app and as the XYN Motion Studio app. The apps provide capture and editing functions, while each Pro Kit includes two sets of six lightweight Mocopi sensors, two newly announced Sensor data receivers and an additional set of Sensor bands. The new professional mode expands coverage by connecting 12 Mocopi sensors. Continue reading CES: Sony Mocopi Adds Full-Body Pro Kits for PC, XR Mocap

Sony has launched XYN, a platform for the creation and display of spatial content. Pronounced “zin,” XYN is an integrated software and hardware solution that “accurately captures real-world objects, human motion, and backgrounds, recreating them in virtual environments for 3D computer graphics production,” according to Sony. In addition to the XYN Motion Studio, at CES 2025 this month the company shared prototypes for a XYN spatial capture solution and a XYN headset equipped with 4K OLED micro displays and video see-through function that Sony says is intended for production purposes. Continue reading CES: Sony Bows Production Tools for Metaverse, Digital Twins