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Apple Secures Third Position in Cloudflare’s 2025 Global Internet Services Rankings

Cloudflare has published its 2025 Cloudflare Radar Year in Review, showcasing the trends it detected over the year as one of the leading internet infrastructure providers globally. Here’s a look at Apple’s performance.

### Trends related to Apple in 2025, according to Cloudflare’s report

As per Cloudflare (via MacMagazine), Apple secured the third position in the Internet Services ranking, which assesses major online services based on their relative popularity using Cloudflare’s global DNS data.

The data from Cloudflare indicates that Apple surpassed TikTok early in the year and maintained a strong third place until around July, when it began alternating positions with Microsoft.

Nonetheless, “Apple concluded the year at #3,” with Microsoft experiencing better tool performance compared to 2024. TikTok finished the year in the 10th position, enduring a challenging year due to regulatory issues that may be nearing resolution.

Cloudflare also pointed out that “iOS devices accounted for 35% of mobile device traffic worldwide,” with Android taking the remaining 65%. However, “the share of traffic from iOS increased slightly year-over-year, rising two percentage points to 35% in 2025.” They observed that although Monaco was an exception with a 70% iOS share, 27 countries reported that Android represented over 90% of mobile traffic, such as Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Malawi, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia.

Here’s how Cloudflare assesses mobile traffic:

> “By examining the User-Agent header data included with each Web request, we can determine the distribution of traffic by client operating system throughout the year. Android devices generate the bulk of mobile device traffic globally, attributed to the diverse range of price points, form factors, and device capabilities.”

### A few interesting insights

Beyond Apple, Cloudflare’s 2025 Radar Year in Review presents additional valuable observations about the wider web and tech landscape:

– Global Internet traffic experienced a 19% increase in 2025, with marked growth commencing in August.
– Starlink traffic saw a twofold increase in 2025, including contributions from over 20 new countries/regions.
– Anthropic achieved the highest crawl-to-refer ratio among the top AI and search platforms.
– Google remains the leading search engine, with Yandex, Bing, and DuckDuckGo lagging significantly behind.

To explore the Cloudflare Radar 2025 Year in Review, click this link.

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OpenAI Launches ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’ Functionality in Certain Nations

OpenAI has embraced the trend of personalized year-end recaps similar to Spotify Wrapped with “Your Year with ChatGPT,” which is currently being rolled out to users in the U.S. and certain other countries. Here’s how to access yours.

### OpenAI Embraces the Wrapped Trend

In a message shared on X, OpenAI announced that “Your Year with ChatGPT” is now available to users in the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia who are utilizing the most recent version of the ChatGPT app. This feature depends on memory and chat history, so it is exclusively available to those who have those settings activated.

If you have these options enabled, you will likely notice a “Your Year with ChatGPT” banner as soon as you launch the app. Clicking on it will display a Stories-style interface featuring intriguing nuggets, highlights, and trends from your ChatGPT interactions over the past year, all of which are shareable.

TechCrunch elaborated on what the feature entails: OpenAI incorporates engaging visuals and customizes the experience by presenting “awards” based on your ChatGPT usage throughout the year. For example, you may receive the “Creative Debugger” accolade if you’ve leveraged the chatbot to address a challenge or navigate a concept.

Additionally, the app generates a poem and an image themed around your interests for the year. OpenAI mentions that “Your Year with ChatGPT” is limited to individual accounts, making it unavailable for Education, Enterprise, and Team users. If you reside in one of the supported nations but cannot view the highlight upon opening the app, you can directly request it from ChatGPT.

Today’s launch of “Your Year with ChatGPT” comes just days after OpenAI integrated a holiday-themed easter egg in ChatGPT, where Santa rewards the user with either a good or bad gift based on their actions over the previous year.

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Budget-Friendly DIY Devices and Tools from Amazon to Augment Your Assortment

enthusiast DIY tools can be located at Costco and various other retailers, yet Amazon continues to be one of the most excellent spots to expand your toolkit without completely draining your finances. Naturally, it hinges on the kinds of projects you aim to undertake — whether it’s minor renovations, repairing older gadgets, establishing a smart home, or anything else entirely.

Regardless of your niche, there are numerous essential tools that every DIY enthusiast should possess, and we’re compiling them here for no more than $75 each. You will discover tools, camera gear, smart home devices, and more. So get your hands dirty, activate your Amazon account, and prepare to assemble the budget-friendly starter kit for DIYers.

Fanttik E2 Ultra Screwdriver

If you’re in search of a screwdriver that’s gentler on your wrist, the Fanttik E2 Ultra offers a lightweight alternative that simplifies the task. This pen-shaped electric screwdriver eliminates the twisting and turning associated with conventional precision screwdrivers, providing a significant torque range in a sleek, compact form. Priced at $69.99, it boasts a 4.4-star rating from over 750 happy customers on Amazon.

The package includes 50 magnetic bits, making it perfect for those who enjoy tinkering with electronics.

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NotebookLM Upgraded with Gemini 3 for Better Reasoning and Multimodal Comprehension

Google’s AI-driven notebook, NotebookLM, has recently received major enhancements, now utilizing Gemini 3, which replaces the earlier Gemini 2.5 Flash version. This update brings Google’s “most advanced model” to the platform, boosting its reasoning and multimodal comprehension skills. The integration of Gemini 3 enables users to effortlessly merge their notebooks and references into Gemini dialogues, enhancing project oversight and data visualization with tools like Data Tables, which can be exported to Google Sheets.

The shift to Gemini 3 was eagerly awaited, as Google highlighted it as a highly requested feature. In the past, users had to switch to the Gemini application to utilize the latest models, but now, Gemini 3 powers the AI functionalities directly within NotebookLM, including its chatbot. This adjustment streamlines access to sophisticated AI features within user projects.

While it remains unclear if NotebookLM employs Gemini 3 Pro or the more efficient Gemini 3 Flash, the latter seems to be a probable option due to its speed and affordability. Nevertheless, the update signifies a notable improvement in the application’s AI functionalities, following a trend of swift enhancements, including the recent introduction of chat history support on mobile and web interfaces. Users can enjoy these developments in the NotebookLM application, although there is no specific model selector or badge that denotes the update.

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Anna’s Archive Asserts It Retains 99% of Spotify Listening Habits, Prompting Worries Over Possible Piracy

Metadata from 256 million songs is currently being shared through torrents, and accessing streaming music without payment may soon be simpler than ever. Libraries remain a valuable source for physical media, whether books, audio CDs, DVDs, or other content formats. However, one aspect libraries have yet to consistently provide to the wider community is digital content. While many digital libraries exist online, issues regarding piracy and fair compensation for media rights holders complicate this experience. This is a challenge that Anna’s Archive, self-described as “the largest truly open library in human history,” is endeavoring to address.

In a truly remarkable development, Anna’s Archive announced that it has backed up nearly all of the music available on Spotify. The blog post from December 20 reveals that Anna’s Archive “found a method to scrape Spotify at scale,” and the team “saw an opportunity to build a music archive primarily focused on preservation.” The data backup includes 86 million music files, which Anna’s Archive claims represent 99.6% of Spotify listens.

Anna’s Archive was launched in 2022 as a torrent aggregator and search engine for primarily text-based files available on LibGen, Sci-Hub, Z-Lib, and other torrents. It arose as a response to U.S. government efforts to shut down Z-Library. The organization, comprised of anonymous contributors, now aims to establish something similar for music.

Unsurprisingly, Spotify is displeased with the reports of Anna’s Archive scraping its music files, criticizing the use of “illicit tactics” to circumvent DRM and copyright protections. Numerous questions linger, such as whether Spotify or regulators will seek legal actions against Anna’s Archive, or if a “free” database of Spotify songs will be made accessible to the general listener.

This vast music backup, unprecedented in scale, will compel companies, regulators, and users to confront the following question: what distinguishes preservation from piracy?

What Anna’s Archive has successfully backed up

Anna’s Archive indicated it chose to back up Spotify tracks based on the company’s own popularity metric. There are many songs on Spotify that receive hardly any listens. As a reference point, the archive estimates that the top three songs on Spotify received more streams than the combined total of the bottom 20 to 100 million songs. Overall, the backup includes metadata from 256 million tracks and audio files for 86 million songs.

Spotify defines its popularity metric as “a value ranging from 0 to 100, with 100 being the most popular.” This metric is computed by an algorithm that relies primarily on the total number of plays a track has received and how recent those plays are.

Based on this categorization, Anna’s Archive backed up the 86 million most popular songs, representing 37% of Spotify’s entire catalog. Nevertheless, it accounts for 99.6% of listens. Simply put, even though the archive has backed up less than half of Spotify’s songs, it encompasses almost all of the tracks listeners actually engage with.

While Anna’s Archive secured metadata for 99.9% of tracks, making it the largest music metadata archive globally, it limited itself to backing up only 37% of Spotify music files due to storage limitations. The 86 million archived songs require 300TB of storage, while archiving the remainder would have needed an additional 700TB of storage “for minor advantage,” according to the blog post.

The music files are stored in OGG Vorbis format at 160kbps for songs with a popularity metric above zero. Songs rated with a popularity of zero were re-encoded in OGG Vorbis at 75kbps. Anna’s Archive included metadata in the audio files, such as “title, url, ISRC, UPC, album art, and replaygain information.” Typically, audio files contain no inherent metadata, making this addition significant.

Spotify states this is merely scraping using ‘illicit tactics’

It is essential to note that the backup by Anna’s Archive is illegal for multiple reasons. Scraping Spotify’s databases breaches the company’s terms of service, while the removal of digital rights management (DRM) features and sharing copyrighted material violate copyright law. By definition, the music backup from Anna’s Archive constitutes piracy.

Spotify appears to concur, as it issued statements to both Android Authority and Ars Technica commenting on the Anna’s Archive release.

“An investigation into unauthorized access revealed that a third party scraped public metadata and employed illicit tactics to bypass DRM and access some of the platform’s audio files,” Spotify informed Android Authority. “We are actively investigating the situation.”

Importantly, Spotify does not verify the extent of the Anna’s Archive backup, only asserting that “some” of the site’s audio files were accessed. In a separate statement, Spotify mentioned it is taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

“We’ve put new safeguards in place against these types of anti-copyright attacks and are diligently monitoring for suspicious behavior.”

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Complimentary Application Facilitates Wireless File Transfer from Computer to Steam Deck or Laptop

more than just portable gaming libraries. If you wish, you can convert your Steam Deck into a multifaceted media hub. However, part of this process necessitates the ability to easily transfer assets back and forth between your PC and Steam Deck. Fortunately, Valve’s SteamOS allows for native app installations, similar to other Linux-based systems.

You have the option to install various Steam Deck-compatible applications via the Discover Software Center. Some of these applications are revolutionary and can provide you access to non-Steam titles. Other applications assist in managing the Steam Deck’s everyday functions, such as wirelessly sharing screenshots, mods, and videos across your devices. LocalSend is a no-cost application that accomplishes that feat; however, differing from well-known alternatives like KDE Connect, LocalSend offers more flexibility, security, and efficiency. LocalSend serves as an excellent option for those aiming to import and export extensive collections of files to their Steam Decks locally, while also prioritizing user privacy thanks to its open-source framework. The application is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Additionally, LocalSend operates without advertisements, and no data is stored on a server, eliminating any potential intermediary that could access or view your files when in the cloud. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, LocalSend implements HTTPS encryption to ensure your data remains secure, rendering it indecipherable to anyone on the network. The application also employs dynamically generated TLS/SSL certificates to authenticate devices and recipients.

LocalSend is a no-cost application that transmits files privately and securely within your local network

Apple Confirms Ongoing Dedication to China in Meeting with Ministry of Commerce

### Apple Commits to Long-Term Development in China

In a recent discussion with Li Chenggang, China’s International Trade Negotiator and Vice Minister of Commerce, Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan underscored the firm’s dedication to sustained development and investment in China. This declaration follows a series of assurances from Apple leaders about their commitment to the Chinese market, especially considering the ongoing U.S.–China trade dynamics and the company’s initiatives to diversify its supply chain.

#### Background

Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook traveled to China, where he reassured Chinese officials of Apple’s continued commitment to investing in the area. His statements coincided with a resurgence in iPhone sales in China, emphasizing the significance of the Chinese market for Apple’s overarching business strategy.

#### Recent Developments

During his conversation with Chinese officials, Sabih Khan reaffirmed Apple’s enduring relationship with its Chinese partners. Per a report from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Khan remarked that Apple appreciates the capabilities and potential of China’s supply chain. He outlined the firm’s intentions to keep boosting investments across various sectors, such as supply chain development, research and development, and social welfare projects within China. Khan stressed an emphasis on intelligence, sustainability, and integration to realize shared benefits and win-win scenarios.

#### Economic Impact

In the previous fiscal quarter, Greater China represented 14% of Apple’s overall revenue, highlighting the area’s importance to the company’s financial stability. Despite Apple’s ongoing endeavors to diversify its production, particularly for devices aimed at the U.S. market, China continues to be a crucial center for manufacturing and assembly.

Apple’s reaffirmation of its commitment to China embodies a strategic choice to sustain robust connections with one of its largest markets while navigating the intricacies of international trade affairs. As the company persists in investing in the region, it intends to cultivate a collaborative setting that advantages both Apple and its Chinese partners.

### Conclusion

Apple’s ongoing investments and commitment to China indicate its awareness of the country’s essential role in its global operations. As the company adjusts to evolving market conditions and geopolitical obstacles, its emphasis on long-term development in China is likely to remain an integral part of its strategy moving ahead.

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Why Avatar: Fire And Ash Reshot Its Major Ending at the Last Moment

When discussing films, the written content and what ultimately appears on screen can be vastly different. For instance, upon the leak of the original script for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” some fans believed it surpassed the actual film. Yet, alterations can sometimes be essential, such as when two separate Marvel actors nearly took on the role of Jake Sully in “Avatar.” Even more significantly, for “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the complete ending required a rework during post-production.

In a conversation with The National, director James Cameron shared that the initial ending for “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was entirely redone to create a version he deemed more suitable for the franchise. Since “Fire and Ash” premiered on December 19, audiences won’t experience what the original ending entailed, but we can provide a glimpse into Cameron’s original vision.

We endeavored to steer clear of spoilers, but given that this pertains to an ending, please heed this spoiler alert. As of this writing, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” boasts a 67% Tomatometer score and a 91% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, with film critics consistently voicing similar concerns. The ending doesn’t seem to be among those critiques, indicating Cameron may have made the right choice.

Reasons Behind James Cameron’s Alteration of the Ending

In his talk with The National, director James Cameron – who previously worked his magic on a Kurt Russell sci-fi film – disclosed that “Avatar: Fire and Ash” initially contained a wholly different conclusion, prompting the director to reshoot numerous scenes. At first, Cameron envisioned the movie showcasing Na’vi leader and former marine Jake Sully bringing together all the clans in Pandora by equipping them with automatic weaponry. However, as he progressed with editing, he began to understand that the initial ending was overly connected to American colonialism – a time when early settlers displaced native populations significantly.

Addressing the publication, Cameron remarked, “At a certain point, it just struck me – [the film’s conclusion] aligns with colonial history. Equipping the tribes and forcing them to fight against one another is genuinely misguided.” He added, “That was part of the North American genocide of indigenous peoples. I can’t allow Jake to replicate that.” Adjusting the ending for a better fit with the film’s anti-colonialist message wasn’t straightforward, as it involved cutting other elements from the film and bringing back the original cast for reshoots.

Fortunately, the actors were eager to revise the ending. Sam Worthington, who portrays Jake Sully, told The National that “Avatar” reshoots are commonplace. “I’d receive a call saying, ‘hey man, can you come in? I want to experiment with something.’

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The Twilight Zone Episode That Influenced Michael B. Jordan’s “Sinners”

sci-fi films inspired by timeless short narratives, or even a Matt Damon romantic sci-fi film adapted from a Philip K. Dick tale, demonstrates that the film sector is adept at exploring every possible concept. For director Ryan Coogler, the muse for his 2025 Southern-Gothic horror film “Sinners” originated from a reference some sci-fi enthusiasts may find recognizable.

In his conversation with the media, Coogler shared an array of influential works that ignited his creative process for “Sinners,” notably an episode from Season 3 of the iconic series “The Twilight Zone” called “The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.” It is essential to clarify that we are referring to the original 1959 series by creator and performer Rod Serling, not the 2019 Jordan Peele reboot of “The Twilight Zone.” The summary of this particular episode may sound familiar to fans of “Sinners.”

Featuring Michael B. Jordan, Jack O’Connell, and Hailee Steinfeld, “Sinners” has garnered significant attention since its U.S. premiere in April 2025. With a domestic opening of $48 million, the film has accrued nearly $368 million globally. As of this writing, it has also received 187 award nominations and secured 69 wins. This includes multiple nominations for the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, such as Best Picture, Best Director for Ryan Coogler, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan.

Sinners draws from a sci-fi classic

In a discussion with SciFiNow in January 2025, director Ryan Co

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NASA Unveils New Head Amid Worries

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jared “Rook” Isaacman is also the youngest individual to ever assume the role. Isaacman steps in as NASA prepares to “expand the frontiers of human exploration, stimulate the orbital economy, foster scientific advancement, and create innovations for the good of all humanity.” Characterized as a pilot, astronaut, accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and trailblazer in commercial spaceflight, Isaacman expresses his commitment to “attaining ambitious objectives, such as returning American astronauts to the Moon, establishing a lasting presence on the lunar surface, and laying the foundation to fulfill President Trump’s vision of placing the Stars and Stripes on Mars.”

This is indeed thrilling, and if NASA is moving towards deeper space exploration and a return to the moon, why should there be any concern? While his accomplishments are certainly praiseworthy, Isaacman is also a billionaire connected to SpaceX and “private” space exploration. He is widely recognized as an amateur jet pilot who became among the first non-professional astronauts to conduct a spacewalk.

Critics are particularly unsettled by Isaacman’s connections to Elon Musk and SpaceX, a private entity that NASA often collaborates with for space launches and more. Could this lead to more advantageous terms and improved contract situations for SpaceX? Only time will tell, but Isaacman asserts that the association is purely commercial and “no different from that of NASA.” The organization is already taking significant strides toward the Artemis II mission, which will see astronauts returning to the lunar surface. Isaacman is sure to have an impact on that mission and the missions that follow.

Ties to SpaceX and Elon Musk