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Netflix Acquires Avatar Creation Platform Ready Player Me, Signaling New Focus on TV Gaming and Personalized Experiences In a significant move, Netflix has acquired Ready Player Me, an avatar creation platform based in Estonia, marking a shift towards games played on television. This acquisition will allow Netflix subscribers to create and use personalized avatars across different games, with the potential for avatars to follow users from one Netflix game to another. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but Ready Player Me had previously raised $72 million from investors like a16z and co-founders of Roblox and Twitch. The entire Ready Player Me team, consisting of about twenty people, will join Netflix. While no specific timeline has been set for the launch of these new avatar features, Netflix is investing in a more personalized gaming experience. Ready Player Mes independent services, including its online avatar creation tool PlayerZero, will close by January 31, 2026. This acquisition underscores Netflixs evolving gaming strategy, moving from mobile games to more interactive experiences on television, potentially transforming how subscribers engage with their favorite content.

Global memory shortage, driven by AI companies demand, could increase prices of new phones and computers by up to 8% by 2027.

Metas SuperIntelligence Labs unveils ambitious AI projects: Mango for visual understanding and Avocado for enhanced coding abilities. The company aims to catch up with competitors like OpenAI and Google, following leadership changes and recruitment efforts. The success of these projects is crucial for Metas future in AI, as it currently lacks a standalone successful AI product.

Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant, is launching a new investment fund, the Unicorn Growth Fund, in collaboration with Naver and Mirae Asset. This fund aims to invest up to six hundred sixty-nine point three million dollars over the next four years in Indias vast internet user base. Krafton has already invested over two hundred million dollars in India, supporting companies in gaming, content, and financial technology. Despite challenges, such as the temporary ban of their main local game, Krafton is looking to broaden its India strategy beyond just gaming and invest in a wider range of technology startups.

2021 witnessed a surge in cybersecurity threats, with the U.S. federal government and U.K. retail sector among the primary targets. Chinese and Russian hackers breached federal agencies, including those safeguarding nuclear weapons, and stole sealed records from the U.S. Courts. Elon Musks DOGE operation conducted a massive raid on U.S. government data, potentially exposing staffers to personal liability. Meanwhile, Clop ransomware group exploited Oracles E-Business software, stealing sensitive data from universities, hospitals, and media organizations. Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters stole over one billion records from Salesforce databases, and hackers disrupted the U.K. retail sector, causing significant economic damage.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is reportedly seeking a massive $100 billion investment, potentially valuing the company at $830 billion. This move aims to fund ambitious AI development plans and stay ahead of competitors like Anthropic and Google. However, concerns about long-term sustainability and a memory chip shortage pose challenges for the AI sector.

Introducing BMXs SolidSafe Power Banks: A Safer, Longer-Lasting Alternative BMX, a new company focused on improving battery safety and performance, has launched its SolidSafe power banks. These use semi-solid state battery technology, designed to prevent overheating and fires, and offer twice the lifespan of older models. The founder, Daniel Chin, previously started Sanho, known for its Hyper-branded accessories. The SolidSafe power banks come in two capacities, starting at $79, and offer 30W USB-C charging. They are expected to be available on Amazon in January.

TikToks US operations to be majority-owned by American investors: Oracle, Silverlake, and MGX to form new entity for data protection, algorithm security, and content moderation.

New study reveals that swearing can enhance physical performance. Researchers from Keele University and the University of Alabama found that using a swear word can help individuals push past their limits during workouts, as it aids in focusing, releasing inhibitions, and improving overall performance. Participants in the study held their body weight for longer periods when using a swear word compared to a neutral word, suggesting that swearing can help break through self-imposed restraints and foster a more positive psychological state.