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Social Media

Facebook Enhances User Control with Algorithm Update for Reels

Meta has updated the Facebook algorithm to give users greater control over the Reels they see. The update includes features like 'Not Interested' to flag undesirable content, enhanced 'Save' options, and AI-powered search suggestions to discover more relevant videos. Friend bubbles will also appear on Reels and the main feed, allowing users to see posts liked by friends and open private messages.

The algorithm will prioritize newer content, aiming to show users 50% more Reels uploaded on the same day they're scrolling. These changes address user complaints about scammy or low-quality AI-generated videos.

Social Media

Mastodon Adopts 'Packs' Feature Inspired by Bluesky

Mastodon is planning to introduce a new feature called 'Packs,' inspired by Bluesky's Starter Packs, to help new users discover curated collections of accounts to follow.

The feature aims to address the 'cold start' problem of joining new social networks by suggesting relevant accounts to follow.

Mastodon emphasizes user control, allowing users to opt out of appearing in Packs and providing notifications when they are included.

The development is a collaboration with fediverse developers on a Fediverse Enhancement Proposal (FEP), with the initial version expected in the Mastodon 4.6 release.

Artificial Intelligence

Anthropic Expands to India: Office Opening and Potential Reliance Partnership

Anthropic is expanding its presence in India, its second-largest market after the U.S., with plans to open an office in Bengaluru and explore a partnership with Reliance Industries. CEO Dario Amodei is visiting India to meet with Reliance executives, including Mukesh Ambani, to discuss expanding access to Anthropic's Claude AI assistant in India. Anthropic's Claude app has seen significant growth in India, with a 48% year-over-year increase in downloads and a 572% surge in consumer spending in September. Anthropic is targeting developers and startups with its Bengaluru office, while other AI companies like Perplexity are also tapping into the Indian market.

Mobile Technology

iPhone Air: A Mixed Bag of Exquisite Design and Trade-offs

The iPhone Air stands out for its incredibly light and thin design, making it a delight to hold. Its 6.5-inch screen offers a sturdy build that can withstand minor drops. However, the phone's battery life may require a MagSafe battery pack for intensive use. The single-lens rear camera, while capable, lacks a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens. The absence of dual speakers is a minor drawback. Ultimately, the iPhone Air is best suited for those who prioritize aesthetics and portability over all-day battery life and a versatile camera system.

Mobile App Development

AltStore Secures $6M to Integrate Fediverse and Expand App Store Reach

AltStore, an alternative app store, has raised $6 million in Series A funding from Pace Capital, giving the firm a 15% equity stake. This funding will enable AltStore to expand its team and capitalize on opportunities in the EU and other markets like Australia, Brazil, and Japan.

The company is also launching a Mastodon server to connect with the fediverse, allowing users to receive app updates on platforms like Mastodon and Threads. Developers can opt-in to publish updates to the server, creating a social layer for app discovery and interaction.

AltStore is also donating $500,000 to various fediverse projects, including Mastodon gGmbH and others, to support the ecosystem that will enable its social network.

Business & Finance

xAI Appoints Anthony Armstrong, Ex-Morgan Stanley Banker, as New CFO Amid Executive Changes

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, has appointed Anthony Armstrong, a former Morgan Stanley banker, as its new CFO. Armstrong, who previously advised Musk during the Twitter deal, will oversee the finances of both xAI and X. This appointment follows a series of executive departures at xAI, including the exit of its previous CFO, general counsel, and co-founder. Armstrong will replace X’s current CFO, Mahmoud Reza Banki.

Renewable Energy

Microsoft Expands Renewable Energy Portfolio with 100 MW Solar Deal in Japan

Microsoft is purchasing 100 megawatts of solar capacity from Shizen Energy to power its expanding compute infrastructure in Japan. The agreement includes four solar developments, with one already operational and three under construction. The deal spans 20 years and supports Microsoft's $2.9 billion investment in Japanese data centers. Solar energy is favored by tech companies for its quick deployment and cost-effectiveness, allowing users to draw power even before project completion. Microsoft has contracted over 1 gigawatt of solar capacity since the beginning of the year.

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT Integrates Interactive Apps for Enhanced User Experience

OpenAI is introducing interactive applications within ChatGPT, allowing users to access services from companies like Booking.com, Expedia, Spotify, Figma, Coursera, and Zillow directly within conversations. The Apps SDK enables developers to build these applications, aiming for a more interactive, adaptive, and personalized user experience. Users can call up third-party tools by typing app names, and ChatGPT will suggest relevant apps based on user requests. The system is built using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing developers to connect data sources and create interactive UIs. OpenAI plans to support monetization for these apps in the future.

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI Unveils AgentKit: A Streamlined Toolkit for AI Agent Development

OpenAI has introduced AgentKit, a new toolkit designed to simplify the process of building and deploying AI agents. Launched at OpenAI's Dev Day event, AgentKit aims to provide developers with a comprehensive set of tools to move AI agents from prototype to production with reduced friction.

Key features of AgentKit include:

  • Agent Builder: A visual tool, similar to Canva, for designing agent logic and workflows.
  • ChatKit: An embeddable chat interface for integrating chat experiences into applications.
  • Evals for Agents: Tools for measuring AI agent performance, including step-by-step trace grading and prompt optimization.
  • Connector Registry: Securely connect agents to internal tools and third-party systems with an admin control panel.

OpenAI engineer Christina Huang demonstrated the ease of use by building an AI workflow and two AI agents live on stage in under eight minutes. Several launch partners have already scaled agents using AgentKit.

Cybersecurity

Oracle Patches Zero-Day Flaw in E-Business Suite Amidst Data Theft and Extortion Attempts

Oracle has addressed a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-61882) in its E-Business Suite, which was actively exploited by hackers to steal personal information of corporate executives.

The vulnerability allows unauthorized network access without credentials. Indicators of compromise suggest ongoing data theft.

Google's Mandiant reported a mass exploitation campaign in August, after July patches, with Clop group sending extortion emails since last Monday. Oracle urges immediate patching.