Chinese New Year 2026 brought the Year of the Fire Horse, the ideal opportunity for Beijing-based Robotera to showcase their humanoid L7 robot in a full-fledged sword dance routine. Robotera engineers have been working with Tsinghua University on the L7 since its debut in mid-2025, and they’ve programmed it to capture the spirit of legendary swordplay, drawing heavily from the fictional Dugu Nine Swords style, which Chinese outlets have nicknamed the robot after wuxia hero Linghu Chong.

The L7 is a 171 cm tall, 65 kg robot with a lightweight build constructed of titanium and carbon fiber, complete with tons of flexibility. The developers at Robotera have given it 55 degrees of freedom over its body, with each arm having 7 and the hands having a full 12 degrees of freedom between them, allowing for some really delicate control. With that configuration, the robot can swing a sword without flinching, even when swiftly changing direction.

Unitree G1 Humanoid Robot（No Secondary Development）

• Height, width and thickness (standing): 1270x450x200mm Height, width and thickness (folded): 690x450x300mm Weight with battery: approx. 35kg
• Total freedom (joint motor): 23 Freedom of one leg: 6 Waist Freedom: 1 Freedom of one arm: 5
• Maximum knee torque: 90N.m Maximum arm load: 2kg Calf + thigh length: 0.6m Arm arm span: approx. 0.45m Extra large joint movement space Lumbar Z-axis…

The robot begins by standing still in a courtyard, sword firmly in hand, before swaying into action when the music plays some traditional beats. The L7 then takes a stride forward, its wrist flipping furiously as the blade slices through the air in neat arcs, followed by thrusting, quick, direct motions that come to a halt at full extension. Before you know it, the monster is leaping into the air, flipping its legs, and swinging the sword overhead in precise arcs. Twirls follow, and you have to give credit to the engineers; the robot moves like a pro, with no signs of its limbs becoming caught in the blade or anything.

Through it all, the item remains perfectly balanced. When it rotates around, its feet plant and pivot with deadly precision. High-speed slashes are combined up with slower, more careful strokes, demonstrating its variety of motion. The blade whips down to the ground one minute, then slashing up high in a superb overhead cut. Jumps land cleanly, with no wobbles or stumbles, as it accelerates and increases until it comes to a rest with the sword extended.

This type of agility was also demonstrated in previous demos in which the L7 attempted breakdancing and 360-degree spin jumps, but sword work necessitates even tighter coordination, as the thing must match the swing of the sword to the beat of the music while keeping its entire body stable. It does it so seamlessly that the hands can alter their hold in mid-motion, with no slippage.

The L7 is intended for real-world application, not as showpieces. It can reach speeds of up to 4 m/s and can even handle logistics or service roles thanks to its built-in AI, but these festive displays demonstrate just how far we’ve come with embodied control, as every leap and swing of the sword demonstrates that the hardware and software can replicate fluid human motion in some pretty demanding sequences.

The company has announced that the expansion of roles will be across the board, impacting a wide range of departments.

As reported by Bloomberg, IBM has announced plans to triple its entry-level hiring in the US, despite the wider impact of AI on the availability of early-stage opportunities. 

Nickle LaMoreaux, IBM’s chief human resources officer, spoke at a conference this week (13 February) in New York, confirming that the jobs will be in areas where AI could be used instead. She stated entry-level job descriptions for software developers and other roles were adapted to make the case internally for the recruitment push.

Speaking at Charter’s Leading with AI Summit, LaMoreaux explained: “The entry-level jobs that you had two to three years ago, AI can do most of them. So, if you’re going to convince your business leaders that you need to make this investment, then you need to be able to show the real value these individuals can bring now. And that has to be through totally different jobs.”

As a result, an early-career starter at IBM will find themselves in an altered role, focusing less on routine tasks. For example, because AI can handle standard coding challenges, IBM’s junior software developers are now spending less time coding and more time working with customers. 

In the HR department, entry-level staffers spend time intervening when HR chatbots fall short, correcting output and communicating with managers as needed.

IBM did not specify how many people it would be hiring as part of the initiative; however, the organisation did say that expansion will be across the board, affecting a wide range of departments.  

IBM’s news comes at a time when there is growing concern that AI and other advanced technologies could result in limited career opportunities for future graduates and early-career starters. 

Amazon recently announced it intends to cut 16,000 roles across its departments internationally, as a means of strengthening its organisation by “reducing layers, increasing ownership and removing bureaucracy”. In 2025 alone, Amazon spent nearly $100bn on AI. 

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Portable monitors used to be a bit of a compromise, since you’d have to haul around some clunky device, deal with unstable connections, and cross your fingers that the picture would hold up under hotel lighting, but AOC has turned that experience on its head with the 16T20, priced at $49.99 (was $59.99). This 15.6-inch monitor easily fits into a backpack and has enough power to make working on it for hours or binge-watching TV shows a breeze.

The screen resolution is a Full HD 1920 by 1080 pixels, all on a crisp IPS panel. What really sets this model apart is that the colors remain consistent across all 178 viewing angles, so you don’t get that washed out effect when you’re reading over papers or sitting on the couch watching a movie with a friend. It doesn’t become very bright, only around 230 nits, which is adequate for indoor use, and you can get away with it outside if you don’t place it directly in the sun. The glossy finish looks fantastic with blacks, but it does pick up reflections in extremely bright settings.

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When it comes to connectivity, AOC has kept things simple, with only two USB-C ports for video input and power delivery, so you can simply plug in one cable from your laptop or phone and the display will turn on and charge your device at the same time. There’s a mini HDMI port for connecting it to a console, an old laptop, or a camera. There are also built-in speakers, a couple of 1 watt units suitable for video calls or casual viewing, as well as a headphone socket, allowing you to tune out and work or watch a movie without disturbing your seatmates on a plane.

It weighs roughly 1.54 pounds and is only 0.38 inches thick, so you may mistake it for a huge tablet rather than a portable display. A wonderful addition is the premium smart cover that comes in the package, which protects the screen when traveling and has some changeable stand settings for using it in portrait or landscape. The refresh rate is a smooth 60 HZ with a response time of 4ms, which is smooth enough for most tasks such as working, browsing, light photo editing, and gaming on a Switch or Steam Deck.

Google has restarted the rollout of Android 17 for eligible Pixel devices, resuming its beta release cycle after a short interruption. The company confirmed the update through its Android Developers blog, marking the first official beta of Android 17 and signaling that the next major version of the operating system is moving ahead on schedule.

A return to the Android beta track

The rollout had briefly stalled following reports of minor stability issues in earlier test builds. With the new beta now available, Google is inviting developers and Pixel users enrolled in the Android Beta Program to test Android 17 and provide feedback.

The update is currently available for supported Pixel models, including recent Pixel flagship and mid-range devices. As with previous beta releases, users can install the update over the air once enrolled, without needing to manually flash system images.

Android 17 introduces refinements rather than radical design changes. Early highlights include improvements to background task efficiency, tighter privacy controls, and enhanced app compatibility tools for developers. Google is also continuing its focus on performance consistency, especially around battery management and system responsiveness.

Google’s faster Android release cadence has reshaped how updates roll out across the ecosystem. Instead of unveiling features late in the year, Google now begins developer previews and beta testing earlier, giving app developers more time to prepare before the stable release.

For Pixel users, this means quicker access to platform-level improvements

For developers, the resumed rollout ensures they can start testing compatibility and performance adjustments for Android 17 ahead of the public launch later this year.

Android 17 also reinforces Google’s strategy of pushing AI-powered enhancements deeper into the operating system. While not all AI features are visible in the first beta, Google has hinted at improvements in on-device intelligence, smarter resource management, and more adaptive user experiences.

If you own a Pixel device, the resumed rollout signals that Google’s next wave of updates is on track. While beta software is not recommended for everyone due to potential bugs, early adopters can explore new features months before the stable release.

Even if you choose not to install the beta, this stage of development typically indicates that a stable version could arrive later this year, likely alongside upcoming Pixel hardware. Google’s modern update model also means security patches and system refinements will continue independently of major OS upgrades.

Google is expected to release multiple beta updates over the coming months, refining performance and adding features based on developer and community feedback. The final stable release of Android 17 is likely to debut in the second half of the year.

As the beta cycle progresses, more details about user-facing features, system optimizations, and AI-driven enhancements should emerge. For now, the resumed rollout confirms one thing: Android 17 is officially back on track – and Pixel users are once again first in line.

Good morning! Let’s play Connections, the NYT’s clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you’ve finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I’ve also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc’s Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

Google’s latest Android update is bringing a feature long associated with Apple’s ecosystem to Pixel and Android users. With Android 17, Google is enabling a new “handoff” capability that lets users seamlessly move app activity from one device to another – including to the web.

Seamless app continuity comes to Android

With Android 17, Google is introducing a cross-device handoff system designed to make switching between phones, tablets, Chromebooks, and even web browsers feel more fluid. The feature allows users to continue what they were doing in a compatible app on another device without starting over.

For example, a user browsing a product in Chrome on their Android phone could continue that same session on a tablet or desktop browser. Similarly, messaging or document-based apps may allow activity to resume mid-task across devices signed into the same Google account.

The functionality appears to build on Google’s existing cross-device services and account syncing, but Android 17 formalizes this experience into a clearer, system-level capability. Developers will need to integrate support, meaning adoption may vary depending on the app.

Why this matters in a multi-device world

The update signals Google’s push to strengthen Android’s ecosystem continuity – an area where Apple’s Handoff feature has long been a competitive advantage. As more users operate across multiple devices throughout the day, switching between them without losing context has become increasingly important.

Modern workflows rarely stay on one screen. A user might start drafting an email on a phone during a commute, refine it on a laptop at work, and reference it later on a tablet at home. Android 17’s handoff feature aims to remove friction from those transitions.

For Google, this is also about ecosystem stickiness. As Chromebooks, Android tablets, and web apps continue to evolve, making them work more cohesively could encourage users to stay within Google’s platform instead of mixing ecosystems.

If you use multiple Android devices – or regularly shift between mobile and desktop browsing – this feature could reduce interruptions in your daily routine. Instead of manually reopening apps and navigating back to where you left off, Android 17 may surface prompts to continue your activity elsewhere.

However, the experience will depend on developer support and device compatibility. Like many platform-level upgrades, its usefulness will grow over time as more apps adopt the new APIs.

Privacy will also be an important consideration. Because activity handoff involves syncing session data across devices, users will likely need to ensure they are signed in securely and comfortable with cross-device syncing behavior.

What’s next for Android 17

Android 17 is currently rolling out in beta phases, with Google continuing to refine features ahead of a stable release later this year. Handoff appears to be part of a broader push toward tighter integration between Android, ChromeOS, and web experiences.

As testing expands and developers begin building support, Google may provide more details about how deeply handoff integrates into system settings and notifications.

For now, Android 17’s handoff feature represents a significant step toward making the Android ecosystem feel less fragmented – and more like a connected, unified experience across screens.

Photo credit: Kakooli98
A Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus production prototype appeared on Craigslist this week, and the seller is asking a whopping $1650 for it. It’s unusual that someone outside of Samsung would have access to it this early, given that Samsung plans to publicly announce the entire Galaxy S26 series, including the normal model, the Plus, and the Ultra, on February 25th at its next Unpacked event.

Now that date is still a week and a half away, but photographs of what appears to be a working test unit have begun to circulate after a tipster shared a copy of the Craigslist listing. The seller claims it’s a Galaxy S26 Ultra, but a closer look at the camera layout suggests they have a Plus model in their hands.

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When you look at the back of the phone, you can see the same old pill-shaped camera island that we’ve been expecting the S26 plus to look like based on all the leaks we’ve seen for months. It also sports a greyish-black finish on the back panel, which “insiders” say will be available in stores rather than merely on test models. The Samsung wallpaper on the phone’s screen tells us one thing: it’s an engineering sample. That wouldn’t normally be a major thing, but having a functional pre-launch phone circulating around raises concerns about supply chain security. This is not an uncommon occurrence, as we have seen many incidents of Galaxy phones leaving controlled environments prior to formal release, although usually through workers or contractors.

The asking price of $1,650 is enough to make most people think twice, since the phone is far more expensive than the estimated retail pricing for a Galaxy S26 Plus, which is said to range between $1,000 and $1,070, depending on storage and location. So, anyone interested in bidding on this offering would be facing significant risks: no warranty, no official support, and the phone could just end up being a brick.
[Source]

Airbnb plans to double down on artificial intelligence to improve its user experience for both guests and hosts. During a fourth-quarter earnings call, Airbnb’s CEO, Brian Chesky, said the company is building an “AI-native experience” aimed at helping guests book trips, assisting hosts with their listings, and running the company more efficiently. According to Chesky, there’s an AI search tool to help guests book trips that’s live for a small percentage of users right now.

In a shareholder letter posted on Airbnb’s website, the company said it’s conducting early testing with an AI-powered search that is “focused on giving guests a more natural way to describe what they’re looking for, and ask questions about the listing and location.” The letter added that the AI search tool will become “a more comprehensive and intuitive search experience that extends through the trip,” but the company didn’t offer a definitive date on when it would be available to the public.

While it may feel like Airbnb is late to incorporating AI into its ecosystem, it introduced an AI chatbot that handles customer service requests last year. While the AI agent is only available to users in North America currently, Airbnb said that it already handles a third of customer requests without the need for human intervention, as reported by TechCrunch. Chesky also said during the earnings call that the AI chatbot would tackle “significantly more” customer tickets a year from now and that it would roll out to the rest of the world.