We are really just still hearing word about the reported iPhone ‘Air,’ but now it turns out Samsung is hard at work on their own slim smartphone that may launch a few months after the rollout of the Galaxy S25 phones…which should hit the market late January or early February. Mashable.com reports that Korea’s ET News spotted the new model in a database. The iPhone is reportedly going to have a 6.5 inch or 6.6 inch display with a much thinner profile than present iPhones. Back in 2014, Samsung did make a much thinner phone called the Galaxy Alpha with a 4.7 inch display. At that time, it wasn’t a great seller. Don’t expect either Samsung or Apple to mess with their great-selling flagship phones for these slim models…they will be additions. Neither tech titan wants to harm their golden goose!

ChatGPT search has been open to paid subscribers since this Fall…now, OpenAI says it won’t be long before anyone can use it, with no Plus or Pro membership needed. According to engadget.com, you will still need to make an OpenAI account…hey, for a freebie service, did you think they wouldn’t want some of your info to re-sell?  At any rate, once you’re logged in, and if your query calls for it, ChatGPT will automatically search the web for the latest information to answer your question. You can also force it to search the web, thanks to a handy new icon located right in the prompt bar. OpenAI has also added the option to make ChatGPT Search your browser’s default search engine. 

This is not good…brand new Teslas are having self-driving computer failures. It’s happening to enough cars that it is apparently overwhelming their service. Electrek.co says that the problem seems to come from a low voltage battery short-circuiting the computer during a camera calibration process. Tesla is going to try to push out a temporary software fix, but ultimately may have to just replace the computers. Tesla hasn’t issued a service bulletin and has told service downplay the problem as they race to deliver enough cars at the end of the quarter to avoid their first down year in deliveries in 10 years. 

The clock is ticking for TikTok to sell the app or face a US ban. Now, ByteDance has asked the US Supreme Court to consider blocking the sell-or-ban law passed earlier this year by January 6. This would give American app stores and internet hosting providers just a few weeks to prepare for January 19, the deadline when the U.S. could force them to block TikTok. Techcrunch.com reports that the TikTok CEO also met with president-elect Trump on Monday, asking for help. Trump told reporters he has a ‘warm spot in my heart for TikTok.’ That’s a 180 degree turn from when he was trying to ban it himself with an executive order when he was in office before. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.