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Apple TV’s Comedy Parodying Golden Globes Receives Award for Best Comedy

The Apple TV comedy series “The Studio” has recently received considerable praise, culminating in its honor at the Golden Globes with the prize for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Star Seth Rogen also earned the accolade for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. Since its launch in spring 2025, “The Studio” has scored significant victories at numerous awards shows, cementing its status in the television realm.

Alongside “The Studio,” Apple TV celebrated another win at the Golden Globes with “Pluribus,” where star Rhea Seehorn took home Best Actress in a Drama. This recognition stands out notably since Seehorn’s roles in “Better Call Saul” had earlier been ignored by award institutions.

Apple TV’s triumphs at the Golden Globes included three victories out of a total of 14 nominations. While “The Studio” and “Pluribus” transformed their nominations into wins, Apple’s sci-fi drama “Severance” did not perform as effectively, losing to HBO’s “The Pitt” in the drama categories.

In his acceptance speech, Seth Rogen revealed that production for the second season of “The Studio” would begin soon, signaling a strong interest in cameo appearances following the show’s positive reception. One of the memorable episodes from the first season showcased a fictional Golden Globes awards ceremony, featuring a comedic storyline where studio head Matt Remick tries to ensure actress Zoe Kravitz acknowledges him in her speech, alongside guest appearances from prominent figures like Adam Scott and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.

At the same time, writing for the second season of “Pluribus” is also underway, though filming dates are yet to be determined. Apple has branded “Pluribus” as its “most viewed show in Apple TV history,” but fans should not anticipate new episodes until at least 2027.

In summary, the Golden Globes have underscored Apple TV’s expanding presence in the television sector, with both “The Studio” and “Pluribus” at the forefront in terms of critical and audience acclaim.

iPhone Market Share Exceeds Samsung’s, Fueled by Influences Beyond iPhone 17 Launch

### Apple Overtakes Samsung in Smartphone Market Share by 2025

Following a competitive two-year span where Apple and Samsung were almost even in smartphone market share, recent statistics suggest that Apple has gained the upper hand. A market intelligence report reveals that by the conclusion of 2025, Apple attained a 20% share of the global smartphone market, outpacing Samsung, which retained an 18% share.

#### Year-on-Year Growth

Apple’s rise in smartphone shipments was particularly remarkable, exhibiting a year-on-year increase of 10%, double that of Samsung. This surge was attributed to Apple’s growing footprint in emerging and mid-tier markets, coupled with a more robust product lineup. Senior Analyst Varun Mishra noted that the demand for Apple devices was fueled by the successful rollout of the iPhone 17 series, alongside the sustained popularity of the iPhone 16, especially in markets such as Japan, India, and Southeast Asia.

#### Impact of the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16

The iPhone 17 series was instrumental in Apple’s market triumph, gaining substantial momentum in the fourth quarter post-launch. At the same time, the iPhone 16 continued to perform well, contributing to Apple’s overall achievements. The synergy between these two product offerings, along with a shift in consumer patterns as numerous users aimed to upgrade post-COVID-19 pandemic, fostered a favorable climate for Apple.

#### Market Dynamics and Future Outlook

Despite Apple’s flourishing growth, the smartphone market is anticipated to encounter hurdles in the upcoming year due to an increase in memory costs, which could result in an overall market contraction. Nonetheless, both Apple and Samsung are strategically positioned to tackle these challenges. Samsung’s capability to manufacture its own memory components and Apple’s strong market influence to secure competitive pricing and supply ahead of time are considerable strengths.

To summarize, Apple’s targeted product launches and market expansion strategies have enabled it to regain its status at the leading edge of the smartphone sector, while Samsung remains a tough competitor. As the market progresses, both firms will need to adjust to shifting consumer preferences and economic realities to uphold their respective standings.

Apple Challenges Indian Government’s Demand for iOS Source Code Due to Fears of Overreach

Apple is presently encountering considerable obstacles due to a set of 83 suggested security requirements from the Indian authorities. Among these suggestions is a contentious request for smartphone makers to grant access to their source code, particularly for iOS. This stipulation has generated apprehension regarding corporate confidentiality and security threats, as revealing source code could potentially uncover vulnerabilities to malicious entities.

As reported by Reuters, the Indian government defends this requirement by claiming it needs to examine the source code of smartphones to spot and address possible security weaknesses. This initiative has encountered resistance from major tech firms, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, represented by the industry association MAIT. They contend that such disclosure is impractical due to the ramifications for corporate secrecy and adherence to international privacy regulations.

Aside from the source code stipulation, the Indian government has suggested additional measures, such as requiring manufacturers to notify the government prior to launching significant updates or security fixes. This could impede the prompt deployment of essential updates, ultimately endangering user security.

The scenario has been further complicated by conflicting messages from the Indian government. While certain government documents allegedly endorse the source code disclosure, the IT department has publicly denied that it is actively pursuing source code from smartphone manufacturers, without providing additional details.

Apple has a precedent of resisting similar requests from other governments, including an unwillingness to share source code with the Chinese government and to create backdoors for law enforcement agencies such as the FBI. Given this history, analysts believe that Apple is unlikely to acquiesce to the Indian government’s demands.

As the situation unfolds, the Indian government has signaled that it remains in the consultation stage with tech companies, allowing for possible adjustments to the proposed requirements. Nonetheless, the outcome remains unpredictable as both parties navigate the intricate intersection of security, privacy, and corporate interests.

Porsche-Design Launches $400,000 Television: Investigating Target Audience

The firm C Seed, in partnership with Porsche Design — indeed, the very same Porsche known for crafting vehicles like the latest Taycan — has developed a lavish television priced at an astonishing $400,000. Considering the Taycan’s starting price of $103,900, this television exceeds the cost of a luxury vehicle. It’s safe to say that the average consumer is unlikely to be in the market for this TV, and probably not even the typical Porsche owner.

The C Seed N1 is distinctive as it has been engineered to unfold. A clip circulating on Reddit displays the television rising from the ground and elegantly unfolding from a case. The technology is genuinely impressive, and it’s entertaining to observe the process. However, most individuals prefer their televisions set up permanently in a designated area for watching shows and gaming. The standard consumer isn’t on the lookout for a TV that caters to both indoor and outdoor use and can unfold when necessary.

C Seed has been operational since 2013, focusing on high-end television technology. It has even received the Best of the Best award in product design from Red Dot, an organization that specifically honors excellence in business design, for a prior version of the N1. This Porsche-designed television certainly distinguishes itself as a remarkable product, though it’s not likely to be commonly utilized by the average individual.

Target Audience for This TV

Porsche Design is renowned for crafting exquisite products, such as the Honor Magic 6 phone. Upon viewing the product page for the $400,000 television, that same aesthetic of elegance and luxury is prominently featured. The lead image showcases a woman donning an enormous gown, standing by her pool while observing the TV unfold. Clearly, this is a scenario we all encounter daily.

The product page features phrases like “unfolding open-air sculpture,” “a choreographed transformation,” and “architectural freedom in the open air.” It asserts that this television is ideal for terraces, beside pools, and at exclusive resorts. Notably, it does not mention living rooms as a target space. Additionally, it boasts a high-quality picture regardless of whether it’s day or night, which is crucial for a screen designed for outdoor use.

From all this, it’s evident that the typical consumer is not the focus for C Seed or Porsche Design. It likely appeals more to affluent clients who enjoy hosting outdoor gatherings and desire a television that can be concealed and showcased as per the event’s requirements. When the TV is revealed for guests to enjoy, C Seed claims it is “engineered to inspire, offering a moment of anticipation that enhances the entire outdoor experience.”

Is This Porsche TV Worth the Price?

While it is amusing to see it fold and unfold, this price is simply beyond what an average person would be willing to spend just for a television. Ultimately, you watch programming on it in the same manner as you would on budget TVs, which can still deliver high customer satisfaction. Although its outdoor capabilities are appealing, the average individual would easily settle for a screen and projector for an enjoyable backyard movie evening.

The cost is indeed substantial. For that amount, you receive a television that measures up to 165 inches diagonally and can weigh nearly 2,000 pounds. It’s not something you’ll be able to rearrange by yourself. The television specifications promise exceptional sound, excellent imagery, and resistance to weather. Certainly, if you are in search of TVs that excel in those aspects, you would be leaning toward pricier options.

Is this C SEED Porsche television worth $400,000? Not for the majority. Those who consider the expense justifiable will likely be individuals for whom $400,000 is pocket change. It serves as a fascinating conversation starter over drinks by the pool during sunset.

“Matrix Star Keeps Contemplating Character’s Demise”

fans regard as one of the finest TV series of the last quarter-century), leading to his on-screen demise in various forms. Nevertheless, Pantoliano still harbors some resentment towards the Wachowskis for offing Cypher.

During an October 2025 “Matrix” reunion panel at New York Comic Con (as reported by Entertainment Weekly), Pantoliano disclosed that the writer-director pair “deceived” him (intentionally) while filming the 1999 action sci-fi masterpiece. He stated, “They deceived me! They f****** deceived! I asked, ‘Hey, you can’t kill me, right? You’re not going to kill me?’ And Lilly responded, ‘Hey, Lana, he doesn’t want us to off him.’ And I overheard Lana off camera, aware that I could listen in, as she said, ‘Well, just mislead him and we’ll off him regardless.'”

After the panel’s moderator humorously tried to comfort him by suggesting that Cypher’s fate might not be “final,” the actor shot back, “Don’t even get me going, okay? They resurrected f****** Agent Smith. It’s ‘The Matrix’!” Still, Pantoliano maintains hope for his character’s potential comeback in another sequel (despite there being three sequels already).

Joe Pantoliano has faced multiple demises on the big and small screen

Complimentary Application Offers Facial Recognition Security for Your Pictures

If you are concerned that sophisticated AI-driven facial recognition technologies will enable third parties to easily pinpoint your identity through publicly available photos, you can make use of a free application called [Fawkes](https://sandlab.cs.uchicago.edu/fawkes/) to obscure your appearance. This free download was developed by researchers at the University of Chicago’s Sand Labs, with its initial version launched in August 2020. Fawkes remains accessible several years later, compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

The app was developed at a time when services such as Clearview AI posed a significant privacy threat. The facial recognition platform amassed over three billion images of individuals by extracting data from the internet and social media. As highlighted by Sand Labs, Clearview created facial recognition algorithms for millions of individuals without acquiring consent. Fawkes empowers users to blend into their surroundings by complicating the ability of facial recognition applications to match Fawkes-camouflaged images to those stored in their databases.

Fawkes debuted years prior to the advent of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, which are equipped with advanced image creation and analysis functions. The software received its last update in May 2022, just a few months ahead of ChatGPT’s surge in popularity that initiated the ongoing AI boom. By early 2026, AI image generation models are capable of producing lifelike visuals. Tools like [Google’s Nano Banana Pro](https://www.bgr.com/2032501/nano-banana-pro-viral-infographics/) can modify actual images of individuals and generate AI visuals based on uploaded photographs. [Chatbot applications such as Copilot and Gemini](https://www.bgr.com/2065020/google-gemini-vs-copilot-which-chatbot-best/) can also interpret image content. Some AI solutions are able to analyze video and real-time feeds. In this context, it might be perceived that Fawkes has become even more beneficial since its initial launch. However, it remains uncertain if the app retains its effectiveness against contemporary [AI systems that could potentially track you without visual recognition](https://www.bgr.com/tech/scary-new-ai-can-track-you-in-surveillance-videos-without-even-seeing-your-face/).

### How Fawkes operates

The video embedded above illustrates Fawkes in operation on a Windows 11 device, starting from the moment you download the application to its usage. On that note, ensure you obtain the correct app from the [Sand Labs website](https://sandlab.cs.uchicago.edu/fawkes/#code). Make sure to choose the appropriate version for your system, whether it’s Windows or macOS. The same source also provides installers for Windows, Mac, and Linux binaries, which include support for additional features.

The Windows application shown in the demonstration possesses a straightforward interface that allows you to choose a photo or selection of images you wish to obscure. Following this, you’ll initiate the protection process by clicking a button. The underlying mechanics are relatively uncomplicated. Fawkes introduces nearly invisible pixels to a photo to “poison” it, as the researchers described in their 2020 release. “Fawkes takes your personal images and implements subtle, pixel-level alterations that are undetectable to the human eye, in a method we refer to as image cloaking,” they conveyed. The aforementioned video demonstration illustrates that while these modifications are nearly unnoticeable, they can be discerned when contrasting the cloaked image with the original. The subsequent video, created by the Fawkes development team, elaborates further on the procedure of how the app cloaks images.

Once Fawkes generates the cloaked images, you can utilize them online. You can set them as profile pictures on social media platforms and share them with friends. In essence, you can handle these photos the same way you would typical images taken with your smartphone for online sharing. Nevertheless, when a facial recognition system attempts to identify you by comparing the cloaked images to any relevant images it might have been trained with, it will fail to recognize you.

### The drawbacks of using Fawkes for privacy protection

Upon the release of Fawkes by Emily Wenger and Shawn Shan, they noted that the app had been “extensively” tested, demonstrating “effectiveness in various settings and […] 100% efficacy against leading facial recognition systems (Microsoft Azure Face API, Amazon Rekognition, and Face++).” However, in early 2021, the researchers revealed instances of adversarial training targeting Fawkes in Microsoft Azure, which they swiftly remedied.

By April 2021, the application had been downloaded over 500,000 times, indicating a strong public interest in privacy preservation. A total of more than 840,000 downloads were recorded by early May 2022. The researchers have not updated this statistic since that time. Nonetheless, the app remains available for download as of early 2026.

Currently, there are two concerns regarding the use of Fawkes. Firstly, it is uncertain whether other AI companies have developed methods to bypass its cloaking techniques.

9to5Mac Overtime Episode 054: Evaluating Attributes and Enhancements Compared to AltaVista

### Jeff: Leader of Video Content Production at 9to5Mac

Jeff has made a name for himself as a key player in the sphere of technology content creation, acting as the leader of video content production for 9to5Mac. Since he joined the team in 2016, he has been instrumental in transforming how technology is delivered to audiences, emphasizing clarity and ease of understanding.

#### Background and Contributions

With a diverse background that includes many content formats, Jeff has created an impressive collection of videos, walkthroughs, how-tos, written guides, and reviews. His talent for breaking down complex technological ideas into easily digestible material has struck a chord with viewers, establishing him as a reliable source for both tech enthusiasts and beginners.

#### Impact on Viewership

Jeff’s videos have amassed hundreds of millions of views, showcasing his effectiveness in attracting a wide audience keen to discover the latest innovations in technology. His method prioritizes clear explanations, ensuring that even the most complex subjects are understandable to everyone. This dedication to clarity has not only improved viewer comprehension but has also played a significant role in the overall expansion of 9to5Mac’s online influence.

#### Engaging with the Audience

To stay updated on Jeff’s newest content, viewers are invited to subscribe to the 9to5Mac YouTube channel. Here, they can access a plethora of resources aimed at helping them navigate the constantly changing tech environment. From product evaluations to useful tutorials, Jeff’s efforts continue to equip viewers with the insights they need to make informed choices in their tech-related pursuits.

#### Conclusion

Jeff’s commitment to delivering top-notch, educational video content has positioned him as an invaluable asset to 9to5Mac. His skill in effective communication and audience engagement has not only elevated the platform’s standing but has also nurtured a community of tech-savvy individuals eager to learn and expand their knowledge. As technology progresses, Jeff remains at the leading edge, prepared to assist viewers in navigating the intricacies of the digital landscape.

Comparison of Amazon Basics and Costco Kirkland Signature Batteries: Which One Performs Better?

In the realm of batteries, notable names like Duracell and Energizer dominate, along with a host of others. These also encompass store brands sold by retailers such as Costco and Amazon. Costco’s Kirkland label is found on an array of items ranging from toilet tissue to alcoholic beverages, including batteries. On the other hand, Amazon’s Basics range consists of multiple products, spanning from personal care to apparel and batteries.

Both Kirkland Signature and Amazon Basics batteries come at a significantly lower cost than their competitors, making them enticing options for saving money. But are they worth it, and which one stands superior? It hinges on key criteria such as dependability, uniformity, and lifespan. While Amazon Basics batteries frequently receive solid reviews overall, Kirkland Signature batteries also deliver commendable performance. Statistically, Amazon Basics batteries generally have higher ratings and often excel in direct comparisons. However, divergent findings with useful insights exist to assist you in evaluating their merits and drawbacks, alongside price-value considerations. Ultimately, though, the decision resides in performing your own practical evaluations.

Specifications compared

How to Rapidly and Economically Upgrade Your Steam Deck

Nintendo Switch 2 hardware proposal. Nevertheless, while the Steam Deck provides decent accessibility, it does come with drawbacks, as the console was designed with limited specifications to reduce costs and offer a lower price point.

You are unable to change the Steam Deck’s GPU or CPU, but when it comes to storage, that’s a different matter, and it’s remarkably simple to address. With new AAA games consuming vast amounts of storage space, the standard 64GB version frequently struggles to accommodate even one title. Therefore, increasing your memory is not merely a bonus; it’s crucial if you want to maintain a robust library without the incessant frustration of downloading files repeatedly.

Fortunately, Steam Deck users have several options for affordable and straightforward upgrades for their devices, as Valve’s handheld PC is compatible with two types of enhancements. This allows you to select what best fits your requirements and alleviates the necessity of managing storage on your console.

Upgrading the SSD is a budget-friendly and simple enhancement