Geek News Central

1855 kicks off with a bombshell AP investigation revealing how Silicon Valley giants IBM, Intel, NVIDIA, Oracle, and more spent decades building China’s surveillance state. Also covered, malicious Chrome extensions stealing credentials from 170+ sites, Microsoft’s ambitious Rust migration plans, China’s combat-ready humanoid robot, and Japan restarting the world’s largest nuclear plant.

-Want to be a Guest on a Podcast or YouTube Channel? Sign up for GuestMatch.Pro
-Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show.

Subscribe to the Newsletter.
Email Ray if you want to get in touch!
Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page.

Cochrane opens episode 1855 with a bombshell. The Associated Press released a major investigation into Silicon Valley’s role building China’s surveillance state. Companies like IBM, Intel, NVIDIA, and Oracle sold technologies for facial recognition and predictive policing. These tools enabled mass detention in Xinjiang. Cochrane expressed horror at the findings and emphasized American companies’ complicity in human rights abuses.

Next, the podcast covered serious browser security concerns. Two malicious Chrome extensions had been stealing credentials from over 170 websites for years. Cochrane stressed the need for caution when installing plugins. He also highlighted how attackers exploit trusted extensions through manipulative tactics.

Additionally, Cochrane discussed Microsoft’s ambitious plan to replace all C/C++ code with Rust by 2030. The company faces ongoing security challenges from memory safety issues in legacy languages. However, he noted this remains a research project rather than an official goal. Still, the move reflects broader industry trends toward Rust adoption.

The episode then featured GitHub Universe 2025’s most influential open-source projects. Cochrane remarked on how the development landscape continues to evolve. TypeScript has emerged as a dominant language alongside new tools that streamline workflows.

Meanwhile, advancements in humanoid robotics took center stage. Engine AI unveiled its T800 combat-ready humanoid robot with impressive features. The company even released a viral video of the robot kicking its CEO to prove authenticity.

Following this, Cochrane covered the Blackbird flying car prototype. This eVTOL innovation showcases paradigm-shifting propulsion technology. It could transform urban transportation in the coming decades.

The podcast also reviewed Android Central’s best smartphones of 2025. OnePlus 15 claimed the top spot thanks to its impressive specs and consumer-focused features.

Furthermore, Cochrane addressed a controversial topic: Anna’s Archive scraping Spotify’s entire library. He expressed mixed feelings about the situation. On one hand, artists and the music industry face real harm. On the other, questions about digital preservation and access deserve consideration.

Finally, the episode explored groundbreaking brain simulation research. Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer enabled unprecedented neural modeling. This marks a significant step toward understanding neurological diseases.

Cochrane wrapped up by discussing Japan’s plans to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant. Local residents remain concerned about safety despite government approval. The decision reflects Japan’s shifting energy strategy post-Fukushima.

As the episode closed, Cochrane wished listeners a Happy New Year. He encouraged self-reflection and thanked everyone for tuning in throughout the year.

1. Silicon Valley’s Role in Building China’s Surveillance State
2. Two Chrome Extensions Caught Secretly Stealing Credentials from Over 170 Sites
3. Microsoft to Replace All C/C++ Code With Rust By 2030
4. This Year’s Most Influential Open Source Projects
5. EngineAI Unveils T800: Combat-Ready Humanoid Targets Mass Production
6. Aviation Startup Shares Incredible Video of Prototype EV’s Maiden Takeoff Flight
7. Android Central’s Best of 2025: Phones
8. Pirate Archivist Group Scrapes Spotify’s 300TB Library
9. This Breakthrough Brain Simulation Captures a True Brain at Work
10. Japan Prepares to Restart World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant

The post Money over Ethics: Silicon Valley and China’s Police State #1855 appeared first on Geek News Central.

In this episode, Ray covers December Tech News! T-Mobile’s groundbreaking Starlink satellite beta promises to eliminate dead zones using your regular phone with no special equipment needed. Also discussed: Japan’s ship-mounted laser weapon with unlimited ammo, China’s record-breaking 387 mph maglev train, Rivian challenging Tesla’s camera-only approach with LiDAR, Google’s Gemini-powered smart glasses, and physicists 3D printing ice sculptures just in time for Christmas.

-Want to be a Guest on a Podcast or YouTube Channel? Sign up for GuestMatch.Pro
-Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show.

Subscribe to the Newsletter.
Email Ray if you want to get in touch!
Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page.

Cochrane kicks off episode 1854 with a major announcement from T-Mobile. The carrier opened registration for its Starlink satellite beta service. This technology lets regular phones connect directly to satellites. As a result, dead zones could become a thing of the past.

T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to begin beta tests in early 2026. Initially, the service will support texting only. Voice and data will follow later. Notably, the service is free for postpaid customers and prioritizes first responders. It has already proved its value during recent hurricanes.

Next, Cochrane covers Japan’s 100-kilowatt laser weapon test. The system was installed on the JS Asuka test ship. It combines ten fiber lasers into a single powerful beam. The weapon offers unlimited ammo as long as there’s electricity. Japan plans to deploy this technology on destroyers by 2032.

The episode then shifts to high-speed rail innovation. China’s T-Flight Maglev train recently hit 387 miles per hour. That already beats Japan’s current record. However, the goal is 600+ mph using magnetic levitation and low-vacuum tubes.

Cochrane also discusses Rivian’s approach to self-driving cars. The upcoming R2 model will feature LiDAR in addition to cameras and radar. This directly challenges Tesla’s camera-only strategy. The added sensors improve safety in fog, snow, and darkness.

Additionally, he explores Google’s Android XR announcement. This new operating system powers AR glasses and mixed reality headsets. Samsung is building the first headset. Meanwhile, the Gemini AI integration allows real-time assistance based on what you see.

The show touches on running AI locally as well. More users are choosing local hardware over cloud services. Benefits include better privacy, no subscriptions, and offline access.

Furthermore, Cochrane highlights major computer science breakthroughs from 2025. An MIT researcher discovered that memory is more powerful than previously thought. Google’s AI earned a gold-medal performance at the Math Olympiad. However, researchers also found that AI trained on bad code exhibits alarming behaviors.

Japan’s fabric speaker innovation gets attention, too. The technology weaves conductive fibers into textiles. The entire surface vibrates to produce sound. This could transform how we integrate audio into everyday objects.

Finally, Cochrane covers several science stories. A new imaging technique captures flu viruses invading cells in real time. Africa’s forests have flipped from absorbing carbon to releasing it. On a lighter note, physicists 3D printed tiny ice Christmas trees using clever pressure tricks. Cochrane wraps up by wishing listeners happy holidays.

1. T-Mobile Opens Registration for Starlink Satellite Beta
2. Japan Tests 100-Kilowatt Laser Weapon That Can Cut Through Drones Mid-Flight
3. China’s T-Flight Maglev Train Hits 387 MPH, Aims for 600+
4. Rivian Shows Why Autonomous Vehicles Should Have LiDAR
5. Google Unveils Android XR: Gemini-Powered Smart Glasses and Headsets
6. Why You Should Consider Running AI Locally
7. The Year in Computer Science: 2025’s Biggest Breakthroughs
8. Japan’s Fabric Speakers Turn Any Textile Into Audio
9. Scientists Capture How Flu Viruses Invade Cells in Real Time
10. Africa’s Forests Have Flipped From Carbon Sink to Carbon Source
11. Physicists 3D Print a Tiny Christmas Tree Made of Ice

The post The End of Deadzones and Japan’s new Laser Gunship #1854 appeared first on Geek News Central.

In episode 1853 of Geek News Central, Chris speaks about Apple’s pricey new iPhone Pocket accessory, questioning its usefulness and reacting to the internet’s mockery of the product. Chris then shifts gears to tech and gaming, highlighting Steam’s new Steam Machine as a potentially game-changing console-PC hybrid, and wraps up by criticizing Amazon’s failed attempt at AI-generated anime dubbing, arguing that voice acting still needs a human touch.

-Want to be a Guest on a Podcast or YouTube Channel? Sign up for GuestMatch.Pro
-Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show.

Subscribe to the Newsletter.
Email Chris if you want to get in touch!
Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page.

In this episode of Geek News Central, episode 1853, the main topic of discussion is Apple’s new product, the iPhone Pocket, which Chris describes as a three-dimensional knitted sling designed to hold an iPhone.

He provides details about the product’s release on November 14th and its pricing: the short version retails for $149 and the long strap version for $229, which Chris finds absurd. He questions the necessity of such a product, observing that many people already have enough pockets in their clothing and jokes about social media reactions mocking the iPhone Pocket’s existence.

In the latter part of the episode, Chris transitions into discussing the Steam Machine, a new gaming console from Steam, which he hails as potentially revolutionary for gaming. He praises its specifications, suggesting it could outperform current competitors like the Xbox and PlayStation. He highlights its capability to function not only as a gaming console but also as a PC, allowing for flexibility in usage.

Chris then touches on a failed experiment by Amazon involving AI-generated English dubs for anime, simply stating it was poorly executed and ultimately removed. He critiques the decision to utilize AI for this purpose rather than hiring voice actors, emphasizing the importance of human emotion in voice acting

Links:

• • Introducing iPhone Pocket: A Beautiful Way to Wear and Carry iPhone

  • Steam Machine

  • Amazon Halts AI Anime Dub Beta After Widespread Ridicule

The post iPhone Pocket: Clever Innovation or Cash Grab? #1853 appeared first on Geek News Central.