Geek News Central Podcast

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm, is accused by a senior U.S. official of supporting China’s military and intelligence services, sharing user data with Beijing, and using Southeast Asian shell companies to bypass U.S. export controls on advanced AI chips. Despite public claims of limited resources, the company reportedly accessed large volumes of restricted Nvidia H100 … Continue reading DeepSeek Accused of Aiding Chinese Military #1829 →

The post DeepSeek Accused of Aiding Chinese Military #1829 appeared first on Geek News Central .

President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for the sale of TikTok in the U.S. by 90 days, delaying the enforcement of a law mandating its sale or ban due to national security concerns. Despite bipartisan criticism, Trump cited TikTok’s role in his success in the 2024 campaign. ByteDance now has until September 17 to … Continue reading Trump Delays TikTok Ban Again Amid Ongoing Sale Talks and Security Concerns #1828 →

The post Trump Delays TikTok Ban Again Amid Ongoing Sale Talks and Security Concerns #1828 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Anne Wojcicki, founder of 23andMe, has successfully repurchased the genetic testing firm out of bankruptcy through her non-profit TTAM for $305 million, surpassing a prior winning bid from Regeneron. The deal, which excludes the company’s liabilities, may ease public concerns over genetic data transfers, given Wojcicki’s continued leadership. The acquisition still requires court approval, while … Continue reading Anne Wojcicki Reclaims 23andMe in $305M Deal #1827 →

The post Anne Wojcicki Reclaims 23andMe in $305M Deal #1827 appeared first on Geek News Central .

NASA firmly debunked claims by influencer Laysa Peixoto, who portrayed herself as a career astronaut selected for lunar and Mars missions. Clarifying that Peixoto had no official affiliation, NASA explained she participated only in a student workshop. Additional claims of university credentials were also proven false, intensifying the controversy. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use … Continue reading NASA Shuts Down Influencer’s False Astronaut Claim #1826 →

The post NASA Shuts Down Influencer’s False Astronaut Claim #1826 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Apple introduces its most extensive design overhaul with Liquid Glass, a transparent, glass-like UI coming to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and more. Inspired by visionOS, it adapts to light and dark modes and brings real-time rendering across apps like Safari, Camera, and FaceTime. Developers get early access to APIs to align with … Continue reading Apple Unveils ‘Liquid Glass’ UI for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe #1825 →

The post Apple Unveils ‘Liquid Glass’ UI for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe #1825 appeared first on Geek News Central .

A bitter political clash exploded between President Trump and Elon Musk, with Trump calling Musk “CRAZY” and vowing to end billions in federal contracts for Tesla, SpaceX, and other Musk-run ventures. The feud stems from Musk’s opposition to Trump’s massive budget bill, which slashes electric vehicle credits. Musk retaliated with accusations, including a shocking Epstein-related … Continue reading Trump Blasts Elon Musk as “Crazy,” Threatens to Cut Billions in Contracts →

The post Trump Blasts Elon Musk as “Crazy,” Threatens to Cut Billions in Contracts appeared first on Geek News Central .

Gen Z increasingly relies on ChatGPT for personal decisions, drawn to its 24/7, judgment-free support. While this trend reflects a shift in how we seek advice, especially in a disconnected, uncertain world, it raises concerns about emotional depth, bias, and over-reliance on AI. The article examines the tool’s benefits for reflection and accessibility, but cautions … Continue reading Gen Z’s Digital Dilemma ChatGPT as a Virtual Life Coach #1823 →

The post Gen Z’s Digital Dilemma ChatGPT as a Virtual Life Coach #1823 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Google has expanded its Gemini AI in Drive to summarize videos, offering time-saving insights like action items and key updates from footage. With captions enabled, users can interact via a chatbot to extract information without watching the video. Additionally, a new engagement analytics feature shows video views in Drive’s Details panel. -Thinking of buying a … Continue reading Gemini AI Expands Video Summarization in Google Drive #1822 →

The post Gemini AI Expands Video Summarization in Google Drive #1822 appeared first on Geek News Central .

YouTube is integrating Google’s Gemini AI to place ads at the most engaging video moments, making them harder to avoid. This AI-driven tactic identifies “Peak Points” to maximize viewer retention during ad playback, indirectly pushing more users toward YouTube Premium. While ad blockers are being curbed, content creators may benefit from increased ad revenue. -Thinking … Continue reading YouTube’s New Ad Tactics Designed to Extract More Money from Viewers #1821 →

The post YouTube’s New Ad Tactics Designed to Extract More Money from Viewers #1821 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Apple is preparing for a future without its $20 billion annual deal with Google, which pays to be the default search engine in Safari. While losing this revenue stream would be a blow to Apple, it could be devastating for Google, which shares 36% of its Safari search ad revenue with Apple. In court, Apple … Continue reading Apple’s AI Search Ambitions Signal a Post-Google Future #1820 →

The post Apple’s AI Search Ambitions Signal a Post-Google Future #1820 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Apple has appealed to overturn a court ruling in its legal battle with Epic Games. The ruling barred the company from charging developers fees on purchases made outside the App Store. The verdict followed accusations that Apple defied a prior injunction and misused legal privilege to delay the case. The judge also referred Apple’s VP … Continue reading Apple’s Legal Battle with Epic Games Escalates #1819 →

The post Apple’s Legal Battle with Epic Games Escalates #1819 appeared first on Geek News Central .

The Federal Communications Commission is gearing up for a crucial vote on May 22 that could reshape how electronics enter the U.S. market. At the center of the decision is a proposal to ban specific Chinese testing labs from certifying devices like smartphones, game consoles, and cameras—products that must meet safety and technical standards before … Continue reading FCC Targets Chinese Testing Labs Over Security Concerns in US Electronics #1818 →

The post FCC Targets Chinese Testing Labs Over Security Concerns in US Electronics #1818 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, pioneer of neural network AI, voices escalating fears about AI’s rapid development. In a CBS News interview, Hinton outlines growing risks, including a 10–20% chance AI could take over, enhanced cyberattacks, authoritarian misuse, and tech companies prioritizing profits over safety. Comparing AI to a dangerous tiger cub, he warns humanity may face … Continue reading AI’s Rapid Development and Growing Risks #1817 →

The post AI’s Rapid Development and Growing Risks #1817 appeared first on Geek News Central .

NASA and the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel are raising alarms about growing risks to the International Space Station due to structural damage, air leaks, and looming budget cuts. With SpaceX developing a deorbit vehicle, officials stress that the ISS may face an uncontrolled descent unless immediate funding and action are secured. Elon Musk’s call for … Continue reading NASA Issues Dire Warning: Budget Cuts Could Trigger Emergency ISS Deorbit #1816 →

The post NASA Issues Dire Warning: Budget Cuts Could Trigger Emergency ISS Deorbit #1816 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Alphabet is back in court as the DOJ pushes to break up Google’s search empire, proposing divestiture of Chrome and restrictions on Android and AI use. The trial, overseen by Judge Amit Mehta, is the latest in a series of legal battles over Google’s online search and advertising dominance. Google warns that forced remedies would … Continue reading Google Faces Potential Breakup as DOJ Seeks Antitrust Remedies Over Search Monopoly #1815 →

The post Google Faces Potential Breakup as DOJ Seeks Antitrust Remedies Over Search Monopoly #1815 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Community colleges, especially Southwestern College in California, are battling a surge of AI-driven bot students who fraudulently enroll in online classes to collect financial aid. Professors are overwhelmed with vetting enrollees, while administrators scramble to respond. Despite some institutional efforts, faculty feel unsupported, and the problem only worsens, threatening education quality and student access. -Thinking … Continue reading Bot Crisis 101: Community Colleges Overrun by AI-Driven Financial Aid Scams #1814 →

The post Bot Crisis 101: Community Colleges Overrun by AI-Driven Financial Aid Scams #1814 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Apple’s efforts to upgrade Siri and develop Apple Intelligence have been plagued by indecision, leadership issues, and underperforming AI models. Internal conflicts, technical missteps, and a fictitious WWDC demo have highlighted Apple’s struggle to keep pace with competitors. Optimism remains as leadership shifts toward a more open, results-driven approach. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use … Continue reading Apple’s AI Turmoil: Inside the Struggles and Setbacks of Siri and Apple Intelligence #1813 →

The post Apple’s AI Turmoil: Inside the Struggles and Setbacks of Siri and Apple Intelligence #1813 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Tech stocks swung wildly as Trump reaffirmed global tariff plans, rattling markets after last week’s $1.8 trillion sell-off. Major players like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Nvidia closed higher despite early losses. Apple and Tesla ended in the red, while hopes of tariff delays briefly buoyed sentiment. Wall Street braced for a broader economic fallout, with … Continue reading Impact of Tariffs on Tech Companies’ Stock Performance #1812 →

The post Impact of Tariffs on Tech Companies’ Stock Performance #1812 appeared first on Geek News Central .

TSMC and Intel have reached a preliminary deal where TSMC will help operate Intel’s chip facilities and own a 20% stake in a new joint venture. The agreement, influenced by U.S. efforts to revitalize domestic chip production, may involve TSMC sharing manufacturing techniques and training Intel staff. While still in early stages, the move marks … Continue reading TSMC and Intel’s Partnership #1811 →

The post TSMC and Intel’s Partnership #1811 appeared first on Geek News Central .

OpenAI’s new image generator has gone viral with Studio Ghibli-style memes featuring public figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. The tool, part of GPT-4o, allows users to recreate existing images in artistic styles, sparking copyright concerns about training on copyrighted works. Legal experts point out that while the style isn’t protected, how models are … Continue reading ChatGPT’s New Image Model Sparks Additional Copyright Controversies #1810 →

The post ChatGPT’s New Image Model Sparks Additional Copyright Controversies #1810 appeared first on Geek News Central .

In an extraordinary breach, a journalist was mistakenly included in a Signal group chat where top Trump officials coordinated upcoming military strikes on Yemen. Using Signal—a public messaging app—rather than burdensome government-secured systems suggests a deliberate choice to avoid painful legacy systems; unless something has changed, I do not think the app is approved for … Continue reading Extraordinary Signal Chat Breach Tops Trump Officials #1809 →

The post Extraordinary Signal Chat Breach Tops Trump Officials #1809 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Apple and Google are rebelling against the EU’s Digital Markets Act, claiming new interoperability and openness rules hurt consumers and innovation. The European Commission says these tech giants are abusing market dominance, with Google facing potential fines for favoring its services and restricting developer freedom. Apple is under pressure to make iOS more compatible with … Continue reading Apple and Google Push Back Against EU’s Digital Markets Act #1808 →

The post Apple and Google Push Back Against EU’s Digital Markets Act #1808 appeared first on Geek News Central .

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, stranded on the ISS for nine months due to a Boeing Starliner malfunction, will return to Earth on Tuesday aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. Initially planned as a short trip, their extended stay required extra supplies. Their journey home, alongside two other crew members, will be broadcast live. … Continue reading US Astronauts Return Home After Nine-Month Stranded Stay on ISS #1807 →

The post US Astronauts Return Home After Nine-Month Stranded Stay on ISS #1807 appeared first on Geek News Central .

OpenAI’s latest push for influence in Washington. With President Trump revoking Biden’s AI executive order, OpenAI is making its case for light regulations, copyright flexibility, and a stronger U.S. stance against Chinese AI competition. We’ll explore what this means for the future of AI development, government partnerships, and the ongoing legal battles over AI training … Continue reading OpenAI Pushes for Copyright Flexibility and Light AI Regulations #1806 →

The post OpenAI Pushes for Copyright Flexibility and Light AI Regulations #1806 appeared first on Geek News Central .

A shocking new whistleblower complaint reveals that Meta, formerly Facebook, went to extreme lengths to gain access to the Chinese market, even agreeing to censorship demands from the Chinese Communist Party. According to former global policy director Sarah Wynn-Williams, the company developed a censorship system, suppressed dissident voices, and planned to allow the CCP to … Continue reading Meta’s Censorship Deal with China #1805 →

The post Meta’s Censorship Deal with China #1805 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Today, we’re diving into a major policy paper co-authored by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, and AI safety expert Dan Hendrycks. They’re pushing back against the idea of a ‘Manhattan Project’ for artificial general intelligence (AGI), warning that an aggressive U.S. race for AI dominance could escalate global tensions—especially with … Continue reading The AGI Standoff Is Already Happening #1804 →

The post The AGI Standoff Is Already Happening #1804 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Today, OpenAI unveils GPT-4.5, its newest AI language model, promising enhanced writing skills, better knowledge, and a more refined, human-like interaction. Despite impressive upgrades, OpenAI admits GPT-4.5 isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s optimized for more natural conversations, practical problem-solving, and reduced hallucinations. Available first to ChatGPT Pro users, it’s soon rolling out broadly, including on Microsoft’s … Continue reading ChatGPT 4.5 Unveiled and My Experience with it! #1803 →

The post ChatGPT 4.5 Unveiled and My Experience with it! #1803 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Clone Robotics’ Protoclone features synthetic muscles, a polymer skeleton, and advanced sensors. It moves like a human. Future uses may include household chores but my god put some pants on the ugly thing. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -I am introducing Distil Union as a new sponsor of … Continue reading Protoclone Unveiled Put Some Pants On! #1802 →

The post Protoclone Unveiled Put Some Pants On! #1802 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Two men, aged 54 and 36, were arrested in England for a cryptocurrency fraud that cost a 75-year-old Aberdeen resident a six-figure sum. Police Scotland, with assistance from West Midlands and South Yorkshire Police, led the operation. Authorities stress vigilance as elderly individuals remain frequent scam targets, with crypto fraud surging globally. -Thinking of buying … Continue reading Crypto Scam Targets Elderly Globally #1801 →

The post Crypto Scam Targets Elderly Globally #1801 appeared first on Geek News Central .

In the 1800th episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane marks a major milestone by reflecting on the evolution of podcasting and the show’s journey over two decades. He dives into 30 major tech stories, including AI industry shakeups, Tesla protests, TikTok’s legal troubles, and Meta’s latest innovations. With a mix of personal anecdotes … Continue reading Celebrating 1800 Episodes of Geek News Central #1800 →

The post Celebrating 1800 Episodes of Geek News Central #1800 appeared first on Geek News Central .

As trust in platforms like Facebook declines, federal employees are increasingly turning to encrypted apps like Signal for private communication. Concerns over surveillance by the Trump administration and tech companies’ cooperation with government data requests have driven many to migrate sensitive conversations away from mainstream services. Employees fear potential monitoring and retaliation, leading to heightened … Continue reading Federal Workers Shift to Encrypted Messaging to Hide Communications #1799 →

The post Federal Workers Shift to Encrypted Messaging to Hide Communications #1799 appeared first on Geek News Central .

T-Mobile is rolling out its Starlink satellite texting feature in beta, free until July. Compatible iPhone and Android users, even on rival networks, can apply. After July, premium T-Mobile plans will include it, while others can subscribe for $10–$20 per month. Limited spots are available. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support … Continue reading T-Mobile Offers Free Starlink Satellite Texting Beta Until July #1798 →

The post T-Mobile Offers Free Starlink Satellite Texting Beta Until July #1798 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Today, I explore a significant shake-up in international shipping. Just hours after the U.S. Postal Service halted parcels from China, it suddenly reversed course. This move follows President Trump’s new tariffs and the elimination of a key duty exemption used by major retailers like Temu and Shein. What does this mean for businesses, consumers, and … Continue reading USPS Reverses China Parcel Ban Amid Tariff Confusion #1797 →

The post USPS Reverses China Parcel Ban Amid Tariff Confusion #1797 appeared first on Geek News Central .

SpaceX’s Starlink has seen explosive growth, with revenue nearly tripling in two years, reaching $8.2 billion in 2024. Analysts project it could surpass $12 billion in 2025, generating $2 billion in free cash flow. With 4.6 million subscribers and rapid expansion across consumer, government, and commercial markets, Starlink is poised for further dominance. However, Elon … Continue reading Starlink 12 Billion in Revenue in 2025? #1796 →

The post Starlink 12 Billion in Revenue in 2025? #1796 appeared first on Geek News Central .

DeepSeek, the AI platform that’s taken the world by storm, is now under fire for a significant security lapse. Researchers at Wiz discovered that DeepSeek left a critical database exposed, potentially compromising over a million records, including user data, API keys, and system logs. While there’s no evidence of malicious access, the ease of discovery … Continue reading DeepSeek Security Lapses #1795 →

The post DeepSeek Security Lapses #1795 appeared first on Geek News Central .

In today’s episode, we dive into the groundbreaking rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup that’s shaking up the industry. With its latest release, the DeepSeek-R1 model, this free AI chatbot rivals ChatGPT in performance yet operates at a fraction of the cost. How did DeepSeek match OpenAI’s cutting-edge models while spending just 3% of … Continue reading DeepSeek 10 Reason To Not Use it #1794 →

The post DeepSeek 10 Reason To Not Use it #1794 appeared first on Geek News Central .

OpenAI unveils “Operator,” an AI agent in research preview for ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S. This browser-based tool automates tasks like filling forms, ordering groceries, and planning trips by interacting with web interfaces. It combines GPT-4 vision and reasoning, can self-correct, and seeks user approval for sensitive actions. Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use … Continue reading OpenAI’s Operator: AI Agent Automates Web Tasks #1793 →

The post OpenAI’s Operator: AI Agent Automates Web Tasks #1793 appeared first on Geek News Central .

In this episode, we dive into the TikTok ban saga. With President-elect Donald Trump pledging an executive order to delay the ban, we discuss the legal battles, national security concerns, and what this means for TikTok’s 170 million US users. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on … Continue reading TikTok Ban Drama: Trump’s Executive Order #1792 →

The post TikTok Ban Drama: Trump’s Executive Order #1792 appeared first on Geek News Central .

The Biden administration’s “AI diffusion rule” restricts the export of GPUs crucial for AI, primarily to curb China’s AI advancements. The rule establishes three licensing tiers, with China and other adversarial nations effectively barred from accessing top-tier GPUs. Critics, including the Semiconductor Industry Association and NVIDIA, argue the policy risks harming U.S. competitiveness and fostering … Continue reading Biden’s “AI Diffusion Rule” Targets Export Limits on AI GPUs #1791 →

The post Biden’s “AI Diffusion Rule” Targets Export Limits on AI GPUs #1791 appeared first on Geek News Central .

Elon Musk claims AI companies have exhausted available human knowledge for training models, pushing reliance on synthetic data. While firms like Meta, Google, and OpenAI already use AI-generated data for fine-tuning, challenges such as hallucinations and diminishing returns arise. Experts warn overusing synthetic data risks “model collapse,” while copyright disputes over data usage intensify. Subscribe … Continue reading AI’s Data Dilemma: Exhausting Human Knowledge #1790 →

The post AI’s Data Dilemma: Exhausting Human Knowledge #1790 appeared first on Geek News Central .