mrlloyd.net's Tech Brief

Daily edition

Sunday, September 20, 2026

AI

3 stories

No one is surprised that Nvidia’s Jensen Huang thinks AI fears are overblown.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated in an interview that there is a 0% chance of AI ending the world, dismissing concerns about the dangers of AI and the need for regulation. He also criticized calls from other CEOs to slow down AI development. Huang's comments come as the AI industry continues to grow and raise concerns about its potential risks.

Trump now says he wants to form an ‘AI Force’

US President Trump announced on Truth Social that he wants to create an 'AI Force' led by an 'AI czar', claiming it will be a 'tremendous' industry. He also stated that data centers are beneficial to communities, citing unverified claims of increased salaries, lower taxes, and safer streets. The president did not provide further details on the AI Force or its timeline.

Humans, not rogue AI, are still the biggest cybersecurity risk to energy systems

Cybersecurity experts are more concerned about humans using AI to attack energy systems than rogue AI itself. Energy infrastructure, including power plants and nuclear reactors, is vulnerable to cyberattacks due to outdated systems and lack of resources to implement patches. The risk of cyberattacks on energy systems is growing, with experts warning that adversaries can move quickly and defenders struggle to keep pace.

Tesla & EVs

8 stories

Tesla eyes supply partners for Optimus mass production

Tesla certified three Chinese suppliers for Optimus mass production, including Tuopu Group, Ningbo Joyson Electronic, and Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls, after an audit in Ningbo, China. The suppliers already supply parts to Tesla's electric vehicles and will reportedly receive fresh orders for an initial batch of 5,000 units. The certification is a step towards Tesla's goal of producing 1,000 Optimus units a week by late September and 2,000-2,500 units a week by the end of the year.

Tesla reopens $50,000 Roadster reservations ahead of October 1 unveil

Tesla has reopened reservations for its next-generation Roadster, asking buyers for a $50,000 deposit two weeks before the car's October 1 unveiling. The deposit is refundable, but buyers must also make a $45,000 wire transfer within 10 days. The 2017 Roadster was delayed multiple times and has yet to be delivered.

Tesla to Launch Grok in the Middle East and Morocco With Upcoming Update 2026.32.6

Tesla is expanding its Grok AI assistant to the Middle East and Morocco with the upcoming 2026.32.6 software update. The feature will be available in Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The update will allow eligible vehicles to access Grok's core features, such as navigation and media playback.

Tesla Closes Texas Airspace for Roadster Launch Event

A no-fly zone has been established over SpaceX's facility in McGregor, Texas, ahead of the upcoming Tesla Roadster reveal event on October 1. The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) bars all aircraft and drones within a 1.5-nautical-mile radius from the surface up to 10,000 feet. The FAA notice is effective from September 18 to October 2.

Cadillac’s go-fast electric SUV arrives makes its way Down Under

Cadillac's ultra-hot V-series Lyriq-V electric SUV will be available in Australia and New Zealand in 2027, with a 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque powertrain. The vehicle will feature a right-hand-drive configuration and a 92 kWh battery pack, with an estimated range of 471 km. Pricing will start at 109,000 NZD.

As diesel hits $10/gal., rumors swirl that stations are running out

Diesel prices have reached $10/gal. in California, causing some gas stations to display 'out of diesel' notices or limit their displays to $9.99. Photos of empty diesel pumps have been circulating on social media, but industry data does not show widespread shortages. Gas stations are reportedly running low on diesel due to larger buyers stockpiling fuel at current prices, leaving smaller distributors with less to sell.

From 10-97% SOC in 9 minutes: Sunwoda joins the flash charging race

Sunwoda has revealed a new EV battery charging system that can charge a battery from 10-97% SOC in 9 minutes, adding 62 miles of range per minute. The system uses 15C battery tech and achieves high charging speeds without overheating. The company also showcased its high-power charging infrastructure and solar energy storage system.

SONDORS’ forgotten 3-wheeled electric car just showed up for sale on eBay

A three-wheeled electric car prototype from SONDORS, unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, is being sold on eBay for $10,000. The prototype was initially intended to be a highway-capable vehicle with a starting price of $10,000. The car has a unique seating arrangement with two passengers up front and a third in the center.

Apple

14 stories

Delayed Apple TV series ‘The Savant’ may finally air next year

Apple TV series 'The Savant' was initially delayed due to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and its release date was not updated on the Apple TV app. The series is now reportedly scheduled to air in spring 2027. The release date is likely to be before May 31, 2027, to be eligible for the next Emmy awards season.

Review: Satechi’s Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock pairs perfectly with the new M6 Mac mini

Satechi's Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock is a Thunderbolt 5 dock designed for the new M6 Mac mini, offering 8 additional ports, an M.2 NVMe SSD bay, and up to 140W of host charging. It supports up to 120Gbps of throughput and can run up to three 6K@60Hz or four 4K@144Hz displays. The dock also features two 10Gbps USB-C ports, two 10Gbps USB-A ports, a 2.5G Ethernet port, and an SD card reader.

iFixit tears down iPhone 18 Pro, explores variable aperture, finds concerning repair issue

iFixit has published a teardown of the iPhone 18 Pro, exploring its variable aperture mechanism, under-display Face ID camera, and vapor chamber. The teardown reveals a potential issue with the plastic frame around the display, which may be damaged during repairs. The device's design makes some components difficult to reach, including the USB-C port.

Sunday Reboot: A power station and store hopes

Apple's London store at Battersea Power Station features a mostly-glass frontage, a large Apple logo, and a wood-clad interior with a Genius Bar and an alcove for Apple Vision Pro sessions. The store is part of a larger retail emporium in the iconic London location. The store's design is a departure from the typical mall-style outlets, with a warmer approach.

Five ways that the new Siri AI is frustrating iPhone and Apple Watch users

The new Siri AI is experiencing issues with network communication, search indexing, and performance, causing frustration for iPhone and Apple Watch users. Some users are seeing 'Sorry, something went wrong' errors, while others are experiencing slow response times and inability to access certain features. The issues are affecting users who have updated to iOS 27 and are using the new Siri AI.

WorkOS: How SSO Works and the Fastest Way to Add It

The article explains how Single Sign-On (SSO) works and its benefits for developers, including increased user engagement and easier enterprise adoption. SSO allows users to authenticate through a third-party service, reducing the need for managing usernames and passwords. The article discusses the different protocols used for SSO, including SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect, and provides an overview of the SSO flow and its components.

GM Revives CarPlay for 2027 Trucks

General Motors has introduced a new infotainment system for its 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, which combines smartphone apps with vehicle controls on the same screen. The system, developed jointly with Apple and Google, allows drivers to view navigation or media apps while simultaneously viewing vehicle functions. The new interface marks a reversal of GM's previous decision to remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its vehicles.

Foldable futures: iPhone Duo is Apple's bet for smartphone growth

Apple has launched the iPhone Duo, a foldable smartphone that may make up close to half of the foldables market by 2027, with analysts forecasting 10 million units sold in the first 12 months. The iPhone Duo is expected to rake in $27 billion for Apple in its first year, reflecting 6% of the company's total expected revenue for fiscal 2026. The device is seen as a way to reinvigorate iPhone sales and drive high-end customers to upgrade more frequently.

Marques Brownlee’s iPhone 18 Pro Review

Marques Brownlee reviewed the iPhone 18 Pro, noting it is similar to previous 'S' year iPhones, with the regular model having longer battery life than the iPhone 17 Pro Max according to Apple's specs. Brownlee also questioned why Apple doesn't publish battery and RAM capacities. Apple only publishes specs it considers useful for comparison.

Claimed Apple Fitness+ layoffs are no sign of problems with the service

A report claims Apple is cutting jobs at Apple Fitness+, but the layoffs are not substantial and may be due to the service's low overhead costs. The report suggests that Apple Fitness+ is in trouble, but this is not supported by evidence. The article argues that the job cuts are not a sign of the service's demise.

Apple Home Hub will be the intelligent center of your home

Apple is reportedly developing a smart home device called Home Hub, which will serve as the central hub for a person's digital connected life, including device controls, video calls, and media. The device, referred to as J490, will use an operating system focused on Siri AI and will have a square-ish display that can be mounted on a desk or wall. The Home Hub will use facial recognition to identify users and personalize the information it displays.

Here’s why Apple scrapped its shorter Apple Pencil designed for iPhone Duo: report

Apple initially designed a smaller Apple Pencil for iPhone Duo, but scrapped it due to technical problems before mass production. The company instead opted for the traditional USB-C Apple Pencil. Apple is now working to make the iPad Pencils compatible with iPhone Duo, with support expected to be available by the end of 2026.

Crime blotter: Best Buy lines and Porsche tracking

A man had his iPhone 17 Plus stolen while waiting in line for a Pokemon card release at a West Hollywood Best Buy, but was able to track and recover the device. A man in Nevada is being sought by police for allegedly stealing an iPhone from a casino customer. A 43-year-old man in Florida was arrested for stealing 30 iPads from a business that had fired him earlier that day.

iOS 27 makes your iPhone faster in these 30+ ways

iOS 27 is now available, bringing over 30 improvements to make iPhones faster and more reliable. Apple has tested these improvements on iPhone 11 models, with results showing apps launching up to 30% faster. The update is compatible with iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 11.