📝✍️ Editor's Note
December 26, 2025
As we unplug our festive lights and power down our workstations, I want to take a moment to thank you for being a dedicated part of our tech community this year. Your curiosity is what keeps this newsletter running.
It’s been a whirlwind year of breakthroughs, from the evolution of generative agents to the milestones we've tracked in global innovation. Now, it's time for us to step away from the blue light of our screens and enjoy some well-deserved "analog" time with friends and family.
Happy New Year to you and yours! We hope your holiday is filled with joy, relaxation, and perhaps a few new gadgets to unbox.
Please note that our team will be taking a short break to recharge our own batteries. We will be back in your inbox after the holiday, ready to dive into everything 2026 has in store.
Stay curious and stay festive,
TL;DR
In this edition, we explore the rise of "AI-free" browsing with Waterfox, how Amazon is using AI to hunt scammers, and why Purdue University is now making AI competency a graduation requirement. Plus, we travel back in time to the "empty box" that started Microsoft and the launch of the first-ever website.
🗓️ Upcoming Events
CES 2026 (Consumer Electronics Show)
Date: January 6–9, 2026
Summary: The world’s most influential tech event, held in Las Vegas, where the biggest brands and sharpest innovators showcase the latest in AI, robotics, vehicle tech, and home entertainment.
Official Link: ces.tech
MWC Barcelona 2026 (Mobile World Congress)
Date: March 2–5, 2026
Summary: The premier event for the connectivity industry. It focuses on the future of mobile technology, 5G/6G, and "Intelligent Infrastructure," drawing over 100,000 attendees to Spain.
Official Link: mwcbarcelona.com
SXSW 2026 (South by Southwest)
Date: March 12–18, 2026
Summary: A unique convergence of tech, film, and music in Austin, Texas. The "Innovation Conference" tracks specifically cover the creator economy, AI ethics, and startup culture.
Official Link: sxsw.com
LEAP 2026
Date: April 13–16, 2026
Summary: Known as the "Digital Davos," this massive event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has rapidly become one of the world's largest tech expos, focusing heavily on deep tech and global digital transformation.
Official Link: oneleap.com
Google Cloud Next '26
Date: April 22–24, 2026
Summary: Google’s primary exhibition for cloud computing and enterprise AI tools. Expect major updates on the Gemini ecosystem and developer-centric workspace integrations.
Official Link: cloud.withgoogle.com/next
COMPUTEX Taipei 2026
Date: June 2–5, 2026
Summary: The leading global event for computer hardware and semiconductors. Based in Taiwan, it is the Ground Zero for announcements regarding AI chips, servers, and next-gen PC hardware.
Official Link: computextaipei.com.tw
🌐 Event Spotlight: MWC Barcelona 2026
Theme: The IQ Era
As we move into 2026, the mobile world is shifting from "connected" to "intelligent." MWC Barcelona 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the event in Spain, and the buzz this year is all about the "IQ Era." While 5G was the star of the last few years, the spotlight has now turned to how Artificial Intelligence is being baked into the very fabric of our networks.
What to Watch For:
The AI Nexus: Expect to see "Agentic AI", AI systems that don't just answer questions but actually perform tasks for you, integrated directly into the next generation of smartphones and IoT devices.
Space Tech & Satellite: In a first for MWC, 2026 will feature a major foray into space technology. With speakers from SpaceX and Starlink, the industry is looking at how non-terrestrial networks (NTN) can finally bridge the global connectivity gap.
Airport of the Future: A brand-new immersive zone will showcase how aviation is being transformed by digital twins and advanced connectivity, featuring partners like Airbus.
The $40 Challenge: Look for a major push toward "Tech4All," with industry leaders debating how to make intelligent devices affordable (targeting a $40 price point) for the 3 billion people globally who have coverage but still lack access.
💡 News You Can Use
Google AI Now Included in Workspace Plans
The Nexus: You can now use advanced AI tools in your daily work apps without paying for extra add-ons.
The Gist:
Google removed the separate fee for Gemini AI in Business and Enterprise plans.
The "NotebookLM Plus" tool is now available to help employees summarize long documents.
New security controls ensure your company data is not used to train public AI models.
AI "Agents" to Handle Your Routine Tasks
The Nexus: Instead of just answering questions, new AI "agents" will soon complete multi-step work tasks for you automatically.
The Gist:
AI is shifting from simple chatbots to "agents" that can plan and execute workflows.
Companies like Telus are already saving 40 minutes per interaction using these tools.
These agents can now connect across different apps to finish complex projects from start to finish.
Tiny Brain Chip Streams Thoughts to Computers
The Nexus: A new ultra-thin implant could eventually allow people to control devices using only their minds.
The Gist:
Scientists created a "BISC" chip that is thin enough to sit on the brain comfortably.
The device uses thousands of tiny sensors to send wireless signals to a computer.
It is designed to help decode movement and perception in real-time.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/
New "Trifold" Phone May Replace Your Tablet
The Nexus: Your future phone might unfold twice to give you a screen as big as a full-sized tablet.
The Gist:
Samsung is reportedly developing a "Galaxy Z" device with two hinges instead of one.
The design allows a pocket-sized phone to transform into a much larger workspace.
This move pushes mobile hardware toward replacing laptops for light tasks.
Live Translation Now Works on Any Earbuds
The Nexus: You can now have real-time conversations with people speaking other languages using the earbuds you already own.
The Gist:
Google updated Android to allow live translation through any brand of headphones.
The feature was previously restricted to specific Google-made hardware.
It helps break down language barriers during travel or international business meetings.
Smart Camera With "Unlimited" Battery Life Released
The Nexus: You can now protect your home with a security camera that never needs to be plugged in or recharged.
The Gist:
A new home security camera has hit the market with specialized solar and battery tech.
It provides 24/7 monitoring without the need for traditional power cables.
The device is priced lower than many existing professional security systems.
👁️ Stories We Are Watching This Week
💡AI-Free Web Browser Gains Popularity
The Nexus: A new version of the Waterfox browser lets you surf the web without any AI features built-in.
The Gist:
The Waterfox browser is removing AI tools to appeal to users who want a "clean" experience.
This comes as a response to major tech companies forcing AI into every piece of software.
The goal is to provide a fast, private, and distraction-free way to browse the internet.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/
🛡️AI Now Used to Spot Online Scammers
The Nexus: Large tech companies are using AI to identify and block fake job seekers and internet scammers.
The Gist:
Amazon recently blocked 1,800 suspected scammers trying to gain access to internal systems.
The AI looks for patterns in behavior that suggest a user isn't who they say they are.
This technology helps keep company data safe and prevents fraudulent hires.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/
🎓Schools Now Require "AI Skills" for Graduation
The Nexus: Knowing how to use AI is becoming just as important as reading or math for getting a job.
The Gist:
Purdue University has made "AI working competency" a requirement for all graduating students.
Students must prove they can use AI tools effectively and ethically in their field.
This reflects a major shift in education to prepare workers for an AI-driven economy.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/
⏳ This Week in Tech History
The Launch of the Altair 8800 (December 19, 1974)
The January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics hit newsstands in mid-December 1974, featuring the Altair 8800 on the cover. This "do-it-yourself" computer kit is widely credited with sparking the personal computer revolution. In fact, seeing this magazine inspired Bill Gates and Paul Allen to move to New Mexico and form a small company called Microsoft to write software for it.
The Birth of the World Wide Web (December 20, 1990)
On this day, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee launched the world’s first website at CERN. While the internet (the infrastructure) had existed for years, this was the birth of the World Wide Web—the system of interlinked hypertext documents we navigate today. The first page explained what the web was and how to use it.
Facebook Unveils the "Like" Button (February 9, 2009)
While Facebook itself launched in February, it was during this week in tech history that they introduced one of the most influential (and controversial) UI elements in existence: the "Like" button. Originally codenamed "Awesome," it fundamentally changed how we interact with content online and paved the way for the algorithmic feeds we use today.
🧠 Did You Know?
The only reason the Altair 8800 became a legend is because the original prototype was lost in the mail! After the shipping company lost the working model, the editors of Popular Electronics had to feature an empty metal box with fake lights on the cover. Despite the "hollow" reveal, it still sold thousands of units and inspired Bill Gates to start Microsoft.
Till next time,
TechNexus
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