In today's digest, we cover several key developments across the IT and digital landscape.
HEVC Support Discontinued
HP and Dell have begun disabling hardware support for the HEVC (H.265) codec in their laptop CPUs. This decision stems from increased HEVC licensing fees set to take effect in January. Users may experience reduced performance when playing HEVC content.
Android Gains AirDrop Capability
Thanks to new Wi-Fi standards mandated by the European Union, the Google Pixel 10 can now support AirDrop-like functionality, facilitating seamless file sharing across devices. It is expected that other Android phones will follow suit with this enhanced interoperability.
Microsoft Open-Sources Classic Games
In collaboration with Jason Scott, Microsoft has released the iconic text adventure games Zork I, II, and III as open-source under the MIT License. This initiative makes these classic gaming experiences accessible to developers and enthusiasts worldwide.
Google Enhances AI Image Generation
Google has launched Nano Banana Pro, a new AI image generation model powered by Gemini 3, designed to produce more realistic visuals. This tool is now available globally for public testing, and Google is also integrating AI image detection into its Gemini app.
Drones Revolutionize Marine Mammal Research
The use of advanced drone technology is transforming marine mammal research. Scientists are now able to gather detailed observations and data from aerial perspectives, offering unprecedented insights into the lives of whales and other sea creatures.
Sources:
- HP and Dell Disable HEVC Support
- Android Gains AirDrop Capability
- Microsoft Open-Sources Zork Games
- Google Nano Banana Pro Released
- Drones in Marine Research
Sources
- HP and Dell disable HEVC support built into their laptops’ CPUs
- The EU made Apple adopt new Wi-Fi standards, and now Android can support AirDrop
- Microsoft makes Zork I, II, and III open source under MIT License
- Google’s new Nano Banana Pro uses Gemini 3 power to generate more realistic AI images
- Flying with whales: Drones are remaking marine mammal research