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Tech/AI

Samsung’s Ballie home robot, once slated for summer 2025, now faces a grim update

by admin January 7, 2026
written by admin

CES 2025: Samsung’s new AI robot assistant Ballie

“Announced as coming to consumers this summer, Ballie was described as capable of natural, conversational interactions to help manage the home—everything from changing lights and answering the door to customizing schedules, setting reminders, and more,” the press release said, noting the robot’s use of Google Gemini.

It’s now 2026, and Ballie still hasn’t been released. Bloomberg says the project has been “indefinitely shelved.” The outlet reported a company spokesperson referred to Ballie as an “active innovation platform” for internal use, language that differs sharply from framing it as a product consumers will be able to purchase.

A Samsung spokesperson told Bloomberg that after several years of real-world testing, Ballie continues to shape the way the company develops spatially aware, context-driven experiences—particularly around smart home intelligence, ambient AI, and privacy-by-design.

The website for signing up to “get the chance to be the first to meet Ballie” is still online, so a consumer launch remains a possibility.

For now, Samsung may lack confidence that Ballie can consistently perform its promised features over an extended period or attract enough buyers willing to pay what a home robot will likely cost. With many technology firms rethinking their approaches to chatbots, AI in smart speakers, and home robots, the company may have chosen to harvest Ballie’s capabilities for other products. Ballie likely needs further study to become genuinely useful and reliable before Samsung brings it to market—if it ever does.

January 7, 2026 0 comments
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AI begins autonomously drafting prescription refills in Utah
Tech/AI

AI begins autonomously drafting prescription refills in Utah

by admin January 7, 2026
written by admin

Caution

Real physicians will review the first 250 renewals in each drug category; after that threshold the AI chatbot will operate independently. Adam Oskowitz, Doctronic co-founder and a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, told Politico the chatbot is built to favor caution and to escalate any uncertain cases to a human doctor.

“Utah’s approach to regulatory mitigation strikes an important balance between promoting innovation and protecting consumer safety,” Margaret Woolley Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, said in a statement.

At present, it’s uncertain whether the Food and Drug Administration will move to regulate AI-driven prescribing. On one hand, prescription renewals are part of medical practice and typically fall under state oversight. On the other, Politico notes the FDA has maintained that it can regulate medical devices used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.

In a statement, Robert Steinbrook, health research group director at watchdog Public Citizen, criticized Doctronic’s program and the absence of sufficient oversight. “AI should not be autonomously refilling prescriptions, nor identifying itself as an ‘AI doctor,’” Steinbrook said.

“While the careful application of AI can improve certain elements of medical care, the Utah pilot program is a risky first step toward more autonomous medical practice,” he said. “The FDA and other federal regulatory agencies cannot turn a blind eye when AI applications undermine the essential human clinician role in prescribing and renewing medications.”

January 7, 2026 0 comments
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Major pharmaceutical companies compete to acquire biotech assets as a $170 billion patent expiration approaches.
Economy

Major pharmaceutical companies compete to acquire biotech assets as a $170 billion patent expiration approaches.

by admin January 7, 2026
written by admin


Two individuals in the pharmaceutical sector donned in protective gloves, masks, caps, and white suits are observed standing alongside machinery that plays a role in the production of medications during their work hours in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
Extreme-photographer | E+ | Getty Images

A variety of elements are converging to create a significant spike in biotech mergers and acquisitions.

The noteworthy bidding conflict between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk concerning Metsera and its key weight loss drug candidate illustrates how fierce competition has become within certain areas of the industry, as Big Pharma scrambles to address the impending revenue gap.

Several of the top-selling medications worldwide are approaching loss of exclusivity in critical markets—a scenario often referred to as “the patent cliff.” By the year 2032, the loss of exclusivity for top-selling brands is estimated to result in at least $173.9 billion in annual revenue loss, as per CNBC’s analysis. Projections vary regarding the overall revenue at risk when including smaller brands, with some analysts estimating this total to be between $200 billion and $350 billion.

This represents a genuine threat to the sales figures of their manufacturers, unless they succeed in replenishing their pipelines with innovative revenue-generating products.

The necessity for pharmaceutical companies to rejuvenate their pipelines aligns with the overall biotech sector reviving after years of stagnant valuations following a surge in healthcare investments during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mergers and acquisitions within the sector saw substantial increases in September and October 2025, following a dismal start to the year. The alleviation of pressures from Trump’s opposition to high drug costs for Americans and threats regarding potential triple-digit tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, combined with the initiation of a cycle of lower interest rates, has further stimulated deal-making.

Currently, companies are confronted with the necessity to replenish their pipelines while also dealing with heightened competition for prime assets.

Addressing the revenue gap

The biopharmaceutical field is distinctive in that companies must contend with the expiration of patents on leading assets approximately every ten years. This asset life cycle necessitates that companies continuously innovate—or acquire those that do.

“Biotech, as the driving force of innovation within healthcare, has traditionally been where pharmaceutical firms have turned to build their biopharma operations,” observed Linden Thomson, senior portfolio manager at Candriam, in a CNBC interview.

Pharmaceutical companies, many of which originated as chemical enterprises, usually established their businesses on basic small molecule drugs, while biotech firms utilize living organisms to develop medicines like antibodies and mRNA. Over time, the boundaries between the two have blurred, as pharmaceutical companies heavily invested in biotech, with numerous drugs available today either discovered by biotech firms or produced through biotech methods, according to Thomson.

The impending patent cliff, which encompasses the expiration of exclusivity for Bristol Myers Squibb’s Eliquis, Merck’s Keytruda, and Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, is a significant catalyst for mergers and acquisitions and integral to the strategic objectives of many major pharmaceutical corporations.

Analysis conducted by healthcare market researcher and consultant Joanna Sadowska indicates that nearly half of the blockbuster pharmaceuticals approved from 2014 to 2023 were acquired rather than developed internally. The top two most successful companies in terms of blockbuster approvals during this period were Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca, having acquired eight and five drugs out of a total of 13, respectively.

Prominent European corporations like GSK and Novartis are clearly recognizing the necessity to enhance their pipelines via acquisitions. Both are actively pursuing what they consider “bolt-on deals” that align with their primary therapeutic and technological focuses.

At an investor event in London in November, Novartis CEO Vasant Narasimhan highlighted the company’s robust cash flow “that truly enables us to reinvest in our business.”

While Novartis does not specify the scale of these bolt-on acquisitions, having executed deals costing up to $12 billion, GSK provides a clearer vision.

Chris Sheldon, global head of business development at GSK, refers to it as the “sweet spot”: targeting validated biology, often during mid-stage development within the $1 billion to $2 billion range, where the results of a drug candidate are not yet evident. Many acquisitions of late-stage assets often convert into a mathematical evaluation issue, Sheldon noted to CNBC, especially when dealing with a public company that has reached fair market value.

“Business development is something I consistently liken to a contact sport. If an asset possesses sufficient quality, there are usually several interested parties,” he mentioned.

Transactions can vary from partnerships and licensing agreements to straightforward buyouts.

“We would prefer licensing every day instead of M&A if feasible, as it allows for better risk management while rewarding the partner as value is realized and risks are alleviated,” Sheldon expressed.

Nonetheless, acquiring a company at a hefty upfront price may sometimes be the only feasible route, and it can yield attractive advantages, such as gaining complete oversight over development strategies and acquiring both talent and drugs. “The reality is that sellers often dictate these terms, a fact many people overlook,” Sheldon stated.

A competitive landscape

As biotech mergers and acquisitions gained traction once more, November witnessed perhaps the most notable event in the sector for the year: the public auction between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk over the clinical-stage weight loss pharmaceutical company Metsera, ultimately clinched by Pfizer for a deal valued at up to $10 billion.

Public bidding is infrequent, noted Stefan Loren, managing director at Oppenheimer. “Pursuing a company so publicly can lead to reputational risks: A, if you lose; B: if you become overly enthusiastic and proceed to purchase,” he stated to CNBC.

“This clearly highlights the dynamics of the biotech marketplace and the pressures companies face to catch up,” Loren remarked. “They are reacting to their circumstances, which include the impending expiration of numerous patents.”

[Business development] I always describe as a contact sport. If an asset is good enough, there’s multiple suitors.
Chris Sheldon
Global head of business development at GSK

Generally, pharmaceutical acquisition frenzies typically last up to eighteen months before they retract, Loren remarked.

The GLP-1 market for weight loss pharmaceuticals has emerged as one of the most fiercely competitive segments in global pharmaceuticals, as leading companies race to obtain next-generation assets through internal advancements and acquisitions, according to researchers at PitchBook in their 2026 Healthcare outlook published in early December. Over 120 metabolic assets are presently under development across 60 companies, providing a substantial pool of potential M&A targets, they indicated.

“The fierce conflict between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk for Metsera highlights the growing strategic imperative in this domain,” they asserted. “We anticipate that competition will escalate as differentiation opportunities shrink and policy support proliferates through enhanced reimbursement and regulatory backing.”

While the obesity sector illustrates the prevailing competitive landscape well, the biotech surge is not limited to a single therapeutic realm. Neurology, oncology, immunology, and inflammation are other significant fields of initiative.

“It’s somewhat unpredictable what will be popular at any specific time,” stated Loren. “Companies are pursuing opportunities to fill their pipelines as rapidly as possible.”

A cycle of boom, bust, and renewed growth

During the Covid-19 pandemic, biotech surged to the forefront of investors’ priorities. Amid heightened interest, investor enthusiasm, and low interest rates, the sector thrived, with valuations soaring and numerous biotech firms going public or being acquired by larger companies.

As the biopharma sector involves costly research operations, securing funding is vital for drug development. Early-stage biotech firms operate under high stakes, often becoming the first casualties during a risk-averse market like the one following the pandemic’s peak.

For a considerable portion of 2025, the Trump administration further complicated biopharma prospects with threats of steep industry tariffs, funding reductions to federal health agencies, and declining drug prices. However, as companies have negotiated agreements with Trump regarding pricing and the president has indicated that investment in U.S. manufacturing would exempt them from added tariffs—two substantial pressures have been alleviated for the industry.

A surge of favorable data releases has also lifted biotech valuations, Loren noted. Just a year ago, even positive data releases frequently resulted in stock declines. “Investors were using any opportunity as a reason to exit,” he explained.

By late spring, the market began to change, and now investors capitalize on positive data developments. “There’s a threshold where things drop so significantly that, at the end of the day, what’s the risk?” Loren remarked. “And now, with the noticeable increase in M&A, the positive developments have now become very tangible.”

Increased transactions anticipated in 2026

In 2026, analysts predict a potential increase in deals.

“We anticipate 2026 to present one of the most favorable investing climates seen in decades,” state the PitchBook analysts, fueled by the resolution of U.S. healthcare policy overhangs and further interest rate reductions prompting more speculative investments.

Rajesh Kumar, head of European life sciences and healthcare equity research at HSBC, also foresees a “significant increase in deal activities” in the upcoming year, now that uncertainties surrounding drug pricing have settled.

“The market’s margin expectations for the years following [2026] might be a touch too optimistic, but nevertheless, companies are investing capital in the U.S., expanding manufacturing capacities, clarity exists, and this represents a promising phase for executing biotech deals and funding early-stage biotech,” he informed CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe.”

Other emerging trends in the pharmaceutical sector may create another year of significant challenges—potentially heightening the urgency for drug manufacturers to pursue deals.

Pricing for certain leading drugs is anticipated to decline under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act in 2026, which seems to categorize medications with the same active ingredients from the same manufacturer as equivalent, constraining options for lifetime management in certain instances, according to analysts at HSBC. Additionally, launching biosimilars in the U.S. might become more straightforward if a recent draft guidance from the Food and Drug Administration is enacted.

“Collectively, these elements could suggest that the decline after patent expirations, especially for biologics, may be more pronounced than in prior periods,” the analysts concluded.

January 7, 2026 0 comments
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Lenovo is developing an AI assistant that ‘is capable of acting on your behalf’
Tech/AI

Lenovo is developing an AI assistant that ‘is capable of acting on your behalf’

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

Qira, Lenovo’s largest AI initiative to date, is designed to function across Lenovo laptops and Motorola smartphones.

Qira, Lenovo’s largest AI initiative to date, is designed to function across Lenovo laptops and Motorola smartphones.

Jan 7, 2026, 2:30 AM UTC
374
374
Alex Heath
Alex Heath is a contributing writer and author of the Sources newsletter.

While the majority of interest in the AI competition is directed at model creators and cloud systems, Lenovo is in closer proximity to millions of users than many other firms. As the world’s leading PC manufacturer by unit volume, Lenovo distributes tens of millions of units annually. Its choices on what to send, package, and incorporate can directly influence how AI integrates into numerous daily experiences.

This context made Lenovo’s announcement at CES today significant. During a vibrant event on Tuesday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, it unveiled Qira, a system-level, cross-device AI assistant intended to operate seamlessly on Lenovo laptops and Motorola smartphones. It marks Lenovo’s most ambitious AI venture to date and provides a rare glimpse into how a major hardware company with global influence plans to deepen AI integration.

Jeff Snow, Lenovo’s AI product leader, explained how Qira developed, why the company is intentionally steering clear of a singular exclusive AI partnership, and what insights he gained from previous projects like Moto AI and Microsoft’s Recall fiasco.

Qira resulted from a discreet yet impactful internal restructuring less than a year ago, according to Snow. Lenovo consolidated AI teams from separate hardware divisions such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones into a centralized software-oriented unit that collaborates across the entire organization.

For an enterprise long focused on hardware SKUs and supply chains, this shift indicates a transition toward emphasizing AI in a prominent manner. “Our aim was to create a built-in cross-device intelligence that collaborates with you throughout the day, learns from your interactions, and can act on your behalf,” Snow articulated. He noted utilizing Qira’s on-device model during his CES flight to refine how to present information in meetings based on notes and documents on his laptop.

Qira is not centered around one premier AI model. Rather, it is modular. Beneath the surface, it blends local, on-device models with those based in the cloud, leveraging Microsoft and OpenAI infrastructure via Azure. The inclusion of Stability AI’s diffusion model is also present, in addition to partnerships with app-specific collaborators such as Notion and Perplexity.

“We sought to avoid binding ourselves to a single model,” Snow expressed. “This domain is evolving rapidly. Various tasks require differing tradeoffs concerning performance, quality, and cost.”

This approach contrasts with the trend from major AI laboratories, many of which would be eager to become the exclusive intelligence layer for a company with Lenovo’s scale. Lenovo believes that flexibility is crucial, particularly considering its oversight of one of the largest consumer computing distribution networks globally.

Snow previously contributed to Moto AI, Motorola’s assistant, which he noted had high initial engagement. Over half of Motorola users experimented with it, but retention rates were lacking. He stated that much of the experience resembled prompt-based chat functions available through other platforms.

“This experience led us to steer away from competing with chatbots,” Snow remarked. “Qira focuses on functionalities that chatbots cannot accomplish, such as continuity, context, and the ability to act directly on your device.”

Lenovo has also closely monitored the criticism surrounding Microsoft’s Recall feature. Snow indicated that Qira is intentionally designed with opt-in memory, consistent indicators, and transparent user controls from the beginning. Context ingestion is optional, recording is transparent, and nothing is collected without notice.

Cost pressures are a significant concern in this context. Memory expenses are increasing as AI demand challenges supply chains, and analysts anticipate that PC prices will rise in tandem. Snow mentioned that Qira does not elevate the minimum system requirements for PCs but performs optimally on higher-end machines with greater RAM. Lenovo is working to reduce the memory footprint of local models to 16 gigabytes of RAM while maintaining quality.

From a strategic perspective, Lenovo views Qira as both a strategy for customer retention and a safeguard against hardware commoditization. In the short term, it aims to encourage customers to remain within the Lenovo ecosystem through tighter integration of laptops and phones. In the longer run, Snow presented Qira as a means to differentiate Lenovo devices when specifications alone are insufficient.

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  • Alex Heath

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January 6, 2026 0 comments
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Lenovo is developing an AI assistant that ‘can perform tasks for you’
Tech/AI

Lenovo is developing an AI assistant that ‘can perform tasks for you’

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

Qira, Lenovo’s most significant AI initiative to date, is designed to operate across Lenovo laptops and Motorola devices.

Qira, Lenovo’s most significant AI initiative to date, is designed to operate across Lenovo laptops and Motorola devices.

Jan 7, 2026, 2:30 AM UTC
374
374
Alex Heath
Alex Heath is a contributing writer and author of the Sources newsletter.

While much of the focus in the AI competition is on model creators and cloud services, Lenovo is closer to millions of consumers than many other firms. As the world’s leading PC manufacturer by volume, Lenovo sells tens of millions of units annually. What it decides to produce, package, and integrate can significantly influence how AI impacts everyday lives.

This made Lenovo’s announcement today at CES significant. At a vibrant event on Tuesday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, it unveiled Qira, a system-level, cross-device AI assistant intended to function across Lenovo laptops and Motorola smartphones. It represents Lenovo’s most daring AI initiative thus far and offers a rare glimpse into how a hardware leader with global presence is contemplating deeper AI integration.

Jeff Snow, Lenovo’s AI product leader, shared insights on how Qira was developed, the rationale behind the company’s choice to avoid a sole exclusive AI partnership, as well as lessons learned from past endeavors like Moto AI and Microsoft’s Recall issues.

According to Snow, Qira was born from a significant yet quiet internal restructuring less than a year ago. Lenovo consolidated AI teams from specific hardware divisions like PCs, tablets, and smartphones into a new software-centric group that collaborates across the entire organization.

For a firm historically focused on hardware models and supply chains, this transition represents a dedication to placing AI at the forefront. “We aimed for an integrated cross-device intelligence that assists you throughout your day, learns from your engagements, and can take action on your behalf,” Snow indicated. He noted using Qira’s on-device model during his flight to CES to refine how to present the news in discussions based on the notes and materials on his PC.

Qira is not centered around a single dominant AI model. Instead, it operates modularly. Internally, it combines local, on-device models with cloud-based counterparts, bolstered by Microsoft and OpenAI frameworks accessed via Azure. Stability AI’s diffusion model is also integrated, alongside collaborations with application-specific partners like Notion and Perplexity.

“We didn’t wish to bind ourselves to one model,” Snow remarked. “This industry is evolving too rapidly. Various tasks require different considerations regarding performance, quality, and expense.”

This perspective contrasts sharply with the pressures from prominent AI laboratories, many of which would gladly become the exclusive intelligence layer for a company with Lenovo’s scale. Lenovo believes that flexibility is essential, particularly because of its control over one of the largest consumer computing distribution networks worldwide.

Snow previously worked on Moto AI, Motorola’s assistant, which he noted had impressive initial engagement. Over half of Motorola’s user base tried it, but retention was poor. He mentioned that too much of the experience resembled prompt-driven chat functionalities that users could already access elsewhere.

“That steered us away from competing with chatbots,” Snow stated. “Qira focuses on capabilities that chatbots cannot provide, such as continuity, context, and taking direct actions on your device.”

Lenovo also took heed of the backlash concerning Microsoft’s Recall functionality. Snow remarked that Qira is designed from the ground up with opt-in memory, continual indicators, and transparent user controls. Context ingestion is optional, recording is noticeable, and nothing is collected without user consent.

Cost considerations are a major concern for this initiative. Memory costs are climbing as AI demand stretches supply chains, and analysts anticipate PC prices will follow suit. Snow stated that Qira does not increase the baseline system requirements for PCs; however, its performance is optimized for higher-end machines with greater RAM. Lenovo is aiming to scale down local models to operate on smaller memory infrastructures, like 16 gigabytes of RAM, without compromising the user experience.

From a strategic standpoint, Lenovo views Qira as both a means of customer retention and a safeguard against hardware commoditization. In the near term, it hopes that enhanced integration between laptops and phones will prompt customers to remain within the Lenovo ecosystem. Over the long haul, Snow characterized Qira as a method to set Lenovo devices apart when specifications alone become insufficient.

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  • Alex Heath

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January 6, 2026 0 comments
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Trump states Venezuela will provide up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S.
Economy

Trump states Venezuela will provide up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S.

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

An oil tanker is secured at a dock at the El Palito refinery operated by the state-run oil firm PDVSA.
Jesus Vargas | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday night that the temporary authorities in Venezuela will hand over between 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States following the U.S.’s swift removal of the South American nation’s dictatorial leader, Nicolas Maduro.

In a social media update, Trump stated that the oil will be priced at the market rate, “and that revenue will be managed by me, as the President of the United States of America, to ensure it benefits the citizens of Venezuela and the United States!”

“I have directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to implement this plan, without delay,” Trump mentioned. “It will be transported by storage vessels, and delivered straight to unloading stations in the United States.”

Trump remarked that the oil transferred to the U.S. was “top quality” and “sanctioned.”

U.S. crude futures dropped 1.3% to $56.39 per barrel following Trump’s announcement.

This news emerged three days after U.S. forces detained Maduro and his spouse in Caracas, subsequently transporting them to New York, where they face charges in a federal drug-trafficking conspiracy case.

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The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Trump intends to meet with representatives from major U.S. oil firms Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Exxon Mobil, along with additional domestic producers, at the White House on Friday “to deliberate on making substantial investments in Venezuela’s oil industry.”

Trump has asserted that U.S. oil companies will ultimately pour billions into revitalizing Venezuela’s deteriorating oil production infrastructure.

Currently, Chevron is the only U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela. The assets of ConocoPhillips and Exxon were seized by Venezuela’s former President Hugo Chávez in the mid-2000s.

Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty on Monday during their arraignment in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

During that session, Maduro informed Judge Alvin Hellerstein that he had been “abducted” and claimed to be a “prisoner of war.”

January 6, 2026 0 comments
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Samsung and Intel’s OLED technology enhances HDR efficiency for laptop battery longevity.
Tech/AI

Samsung and Intel’s OLED technology enhances HDR efficiency for laptop battery longevity.

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

The latest SmartPower HDR technology modifies the voltage to prevent laptop displays from excessively draining your battery.

The latest SmartPower HDR technology modifies the voltage to prevent laptop displays from excessively draining your battery.

Jan 7, 2026, 1:06 AM UTC
ibld4nq4jb_20260106184208
ibld4nq4jb_20260106184208
Jay Peters
Jay Peters is a lead reporter covering tech, gaming, and more. He began his career at The Verge in 2019 after almost two years at Techmeme.

Samsung Display and Intel have collaborated on laptop technology referred to as SmartPower HDR, which they assert can reduce energy consumption while viewing HDR content on an OLED display. Intel demonstrated this technology the previous year, but Samsung Display is now providing insights on its functionality and the potential power savings. Nonetheless, the company did not disclose which laptops will feature SmartPower HDR, leaving it unclear when it will be available in actual laptops.

With SmartPower HDR, Samsung Display indicates that the laptop’s chipset assesses the maximum brightness of each frame in real-time. Subsequently, the timing controller chip of the OLED panel employs that information together with the ratio of active pixels to determine the ideal driving voltage for the panel.

Samsung Display:

For instance, typical laptop functions such as browsing the web or editing documents can run at lower voltage settings. Conversely, high-definition tasks like gaming or video playback demand higher brightness and voltage levels. Conventional HDR modes remain fixed at peak brightness, causing excessive energy consumption even in standard applications. Consequently, numerous laptops revert to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) mode despite HDR’s advantages in color and brightness.

In contrast, SmartPower HDR™ can cut power use linked to OLED pixel emissions by up to 22% during routine use and by up to 17% when watching HDR content. Importantly, in general use cases, power usage is on par with that of SDR mode.

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  • Jay Peters

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January 6, 2026 0 comments
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Samsung and Intel’s OLED technology enhances HDR efficiency for laptop battery performance.
Tech/AI

Samsung and Intel’s OLED technology enhances HDR efficiency for laptop battery performance.

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

The latest SmartPower HDR technology modifies the voltage to prevent laptop displays from using up your battery needlessly.

The latest SmartPower HDR technology modifies the voltage to prevent laptop displays from using up your battery needlessly.

Jan 7, 2026, 1:06 AM UTC
ibld4nq4jb_20260106184208
ibld4nq4jb_20260106184208
Jay Peters
Jay Peters is a senior journalist reporting on technology, gaming, and more. He became part of The Verge in 2019 following nearly two years at Techmeme.

Samsung Display and Intel have collaborated on laptop technology known as SmartPower HDR, which they assert can reduce power consumption while viewing HDR content on an OLED display. Intel showcased this technology last year, but Samsung Display is providing insights into its functionality and the potential power savings. However, the firm has not specified which laptops will feature SmartPower HDR, leaving the timeline for when it will be available on consumer devices uncertain.

With SmartPower HDR, Samsung Display states that the laptop’s chipset tracks the peak brightness of each frame it renders in real-time. Subsequently, the OLED panel’s timing controller uses that information along with the active pixels’ ratio to determine the optimal driving voltage for the panel.

Samsung Display:

For instance, typical laptop tasks like web browsing or document editing can run at reduced voltage levels. Conversely, high-definition content such as gaming or video playback demands increased brightness and voltage. Conventional HDR modes remain locked at peak brightness, resulting in excessive power usage even in regular situations. Consequently, many laptops default to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) mode despite the visual and brightness benefits of HDR.

In contrast, SmartPower HDR™ can cut down power consumption associated with OLED pixel emission by up to 22% in normal usage and by up to 17% when displaying HDR content. Remarkably, under typical usage scenarios, power consumption parallels that of SDR mode.

Follow topics and authors from this article to see more similar content in your personalized homepage feed and receive email notifications.

  • Jay Peters

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January 6, 2026 0 comments
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HP’s EliteBoard G1a is a Windows 11 PC driven by a Ryzen processor housed inside a membrane keyboard.
Tech/AI

HP’s EliteBoard G1a is a Windows 11 PC driven by a Ryzen processor housed inside a membrane keyboard.

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

Announced today, the HP EliteBoard G1a is a Windows computer built into a working membrane keyboard, offering a more approachable option than other keyboard-PCs.

The Commodore 64 popularized the keyboard-PC in the 1980s, but the category has since been led by the Raspberry Pi. In 2019, the single-board computer (SBC) maker introduced the Raspberry Pi 400, essentially a Raspberry Pi 4 board housed in a case that also serves as the system’s keyboard. USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports, along with a GPIO header and the native Raspberry Pi OS Linux distribution, combine to provide an inexpensive desktop experience costing about $100. Later came the Raspberry Pi 500 powered by a Pi 5 with a quad-core, 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76, and the Pi 500+, which replaces microSD with NVMe SSD storage and is built into a low-profile mechanical keyboard (it also costs about $200, roughly double the earlier model).



Pi 500+ keyboard-PC shown with RGB lighting.

Credit:
Raspberry Pi

Pi 500+ keyboard-PC shown with RGB lighting.


Credit:

Raspberry Pi

However, Raspberry Pis tend to appeal mainly to tinkerers, hobbyists, and Linux devotees, so using a Pi as a desktop remains a niche option with a steep learning curve for beginners.

By contrast, HP’s EliteBoard brings Windows and a stronger x86 platform to the keyboard-PC format. HP says the EliteBoard will support Windows 11 Pro for Business and offer an AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processor with up to a 50 TOPs NPU. The device will ship with a 32 W internal battery and is part of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC program.

January 6, 2026 0 comments
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UK and France to deploy soldiers to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached
Global

UK and France to deploy soldiers to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached

by admin January 6, 2026
written by admin

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the UK and France have formally agreed on a plan to send troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached with Russia.

Following discussions with allies in Paris, he stated that the UK and France would set up “military hubs across Ukraine” to prevent any future invasions, while later remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that thousands of troops might be sent.

The allies largely concurred on comprehensive security assurances for Ukraine and suggested that the US would spearhead the oversight of a ceasefire. However, the crucial topic of territorial issues remains under negotiation.

Russia has consistently warned that any foreign military presence in Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate target”.

Moscow has yet to respond to the declarations made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian land.

Leaders and high-ranking officials from the “Coalition of the Willing” participated in the discussions held in Paris on Tuesday.

At a joint press conference following the meeting, Starmer stated: “We have signed a declaration of intent regarding the deployment of forces to Ukraine should a peace settlement be reached.

“This is a crucial aspect of our promise to support Ukraine over the long term.

“It lays the groundwork for the legal structure under which British, French, and allied forces could operate within Ukraine, safeguarding its airspace and waters, and revitalizing its military for the future.”

The UK Prime Minister further mentioned that London would be involved in any US-led verification efforts relating to a potential ceasefire.

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that “durable security assurances and solid economic commitments are vital for lasting peace” in Ukraine – addressing a core demand from Kyiv.

Witkoff stated that the allies had “largely completed” their discussions on establishing security protocols “so that the people of Ukraine understand that when this conflict concludes, it concludes for good”.

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy and son-in-law, noted that post-agreement, Ukrainians need assurance that “real backstops” exist to guarantee war will “not be repeated”.

At the same time, President Macron remarked that Ukraine’s allies had made “significant progress” during the talks.

He claimed that “robust” security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that a “substantial advancement” had occurred in Paris, but emphasized that he would only regard efforts as “sufficient” if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

What Ukraine refers to as security “guarantees” and what American officials have called security “protocols” might offer Trump some flexibility in terms of committing to defend Kyiv in the event of a future Russian aggression – yet it is clear that Zelensky believes he and his European allies have obtained a significant concession from Washington.

There were few, if any, fresh insights regarding where the future ceasefire line might be established or which territories currently under Russian control Ukraine would be willing to concede.

That possibility remains challenging for many Ukrainians to accept, especially as Russia continues to strike cities and essential infrastructure across the country daily.

However, as winter descends and harsh winds blow in from the east, Zelensky understands that the only alternative to a ceasefire and forthcoming peace agreement is a grueling winter of warfare with inevitable casualties that will impact Ukraine far more severely than Russia.

The president of Ukraine evidently hopes that the assurance of American monitoring, the presence of a multinational force on Ukrainian territory, and increased weaponry for his military will persuade a sometimes-skeptical public that pursuing peace is the right course, supported by an expanding international coalition.

Yet, while closing the press conference in Paris, Zelensky acknowledged that Tuesday’s “milestone” did not automatically guarantee peace. Genuine progress still hinges on Russian cooperation, and Moscow has been notably reticent in recent days regarding diplomatic initiatives to conclude the war.

Putin is known to oppose the formation of a European-led international force in any contested regions and is likely reluctant to halt his troops’ gradual advances unless Russia’s wartime objectives are met.

Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly mounting pressure on both parties to make concessions and bring the conflict to a close.

Last week, Zelensky stated that a peace agreement was “90% finalized”. Settling the outstanding 10% would “shape the destiny of peace, Ukraine’s fate, and that of Europe as well.”

Issues surrounding territory and security guarantees remain at the forefront of the unresolved discussions among negotiators.

Putin has persistently cautioned that Ukrainian forces must pull back from all of eastern Donbas, or else Russia will claim it, dismissing any option for compromise regarding the cessation of hostilities.

Zelensky has thus far excluded the possibility of relinquishing any land but has indicated that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to a mutually agreed location – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Currently, Moscow holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and nearly 99% of the neighboring Luhansk region. Together, these two territories comprise the industrial area of Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace proposal, which was widely circulated in the media last year, was perceived by Kyiv and its European counterparts as disproportionately favoring Russia.

This sparked weeks of intense high-level diplomatic efforts – involving Ukraine, the US, and EU leaders trying to revise the draft.

Last month, Kyiv provided the US with an updated 20-point proposal – along with separate documents outlining potential security assurances and provisions for the reconstruction of Ukraine, as stated by Zelensky.

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