Google speeds up image generation, hackers tap into robot vacuum cameras, and neural network advances tank IBM stock. Together with Gemini 3.1 Pro, here are the main tech events of the last days of winter.
AI
Nano Banana 2 draws even faster
Google released the second version of its popular image-generation neural network, which now works lightning-fast and can Google fresh facts during generation.
New ChatGPT subscription for power users
OpenAI is preparing an intermediate ChatGPT Pro Lite tier at $100/month, clearly copying the pricing policy and format from their main competitors at Anthropic.
A blog for a retired AI
Anthropic developers sent the old Claude Opus 3 model into retirement quite warmly: they set up a personal blog on Substack where the neural network now regularly writes posts for subscribers.
Competitors clone rival neural networks
Anthropic reported a massive attack: unknown competitors created tens of thousands of fake accounts to secretly copy the logic and programming skills of their advanced model.
Local AI for iPhone 17
Apple rolled out a compact Apple Intelligence Nano model for developers that works completely offline and barely uses battery on new smartphones.
Robots & Hardware
Intrinsic robots join Google
The industrial robotics software maker Intrinsic merges into the main Google team to accelerate factory automation with smart AI models.
Ultra-fast chip for neural networks
Startup Taalas unveiled a unique processor with Llama 3.1 hardwired in, enabling AI to deliver an insane 17,000 tokens per second.
Hackers spy through robot vacuums
Cybersecurity researchers found that DJI Romo robot vacuums can be easily hacked to remotely access their cameras, microphones, and detailed apartment maps.
Waymo robotaxis head to Miami
The company launched its fully autonomous robotaxis in three more states, continuing to aggressively capture the US passenger transport market.
Software
One codebase for all chatbots
Vercel introduced a new tool that lets you write bot logic once and deploy it everywhere: from Telegram and Slack to Discord.
Personal AI on your computer
Nous Research open-sourced Hermes, a free AI assistant that lives on your PC, connects to messengers, and adapts to your habits over time.
Neural networks spooked IBM investors
AI success in writing legacy COBOL code crashed IBM stock, as the market fears neural networks will steal multi-billion-dollar contracts for maintaining outdated banking systems.