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Apple may not be viewed as a model of virtue, but it has made a commendable choice in comparison to its peers in the tech industry. Shareholders at the company have opted to uphold its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite attempts by the conservative think tank National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) to abolish them. According to a report from Reuters, the NCPPR’s proposal, titled Request to Cease DEI Efforts, was decisively defeated with 8.84 billion votes against it compared to 210.45 million in support—amounting to roughly 2.3 percent.

These DEI initiatives were largely developed or enhanced in the aftermath of the global spotlight on the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Nonetheless, under former President Trump’s critiques and his claims that DEI programs might violate legal standards, coupled with corporate executives’ self-serving interests, companies like Meta and Google have either diminished or completely eliminated such programs. Proponents of the NCPPR’s initiative at Apple expressed concerns that maintaining the existing policies could lead to an increase in cases of discrimination.

During the shareholder meeting, CEO Tim Cook emphasized that the company’s strength lies in attracting top talent while fostering a collaborative environment where individuals from varied backgrounds can come together to drive innovation.

Despite this, it would be misleading to claim that Apple boasts exemplary DEI practices. The company’s shareholders previously voted against greater transparency regarding its racial and gender disparities, as well as rejecting a proposal to investigate the potential risks associated with its AI initiatives further.

Additionally, Cook appears to be seeking to maintain a favorable relationship with Trump. Reports indicate that the two met last week, and Apple is set to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Furthermore, Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and attended it alongside prominent tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.

In early February, when OpenAI unveiled their new tool called Deep Research, the company indicated that it would be available for Plus users “in about a month.” Today, they are fulfilling that promise. The feature, designed for generating detailed reports on virtually any topic through ChatGPT, is now being rolled out to Plus, Team, Edu, and Enterprise subscribers. Prior to this, access to Deep Research required a $200 monthly Pro subscription.

At this time, Plus users will receive up to 10 Deep Research queries each month as part of their subscription. Meanwhile, Pro users will see an increase in their monthly limit to 120 queries, a rise from the previous cap of 100. OpenAI has also introduced enhancements to the tool’s functionality. ChatGPT will now include images along with citations, allowing for “richer insights.” Moreover, the system has improved its handling of various file types, which should enhance the quality of document analysis.

If you’re interested in trying out this new feature, simply craft your prompt as usual, and then click the Deep Research icon before submitting your request to OpenAI. Depending on the question’s complexity, ChatGPT may take anywhere from five to 30 minutes to return an answer. OpenAI has noted that Deep Research is “very compute intensive” at the moment, implying that it may take some time before Free users can access this capability.

It appears that virtually every prominent tech organization genuinely believes that artificial intelligence is the way forward. They might be correct in their assertions. However, while we await the development of our seemingly unavoidable AGI overlords, we have to endure the gradual evolution of today’s AI-driven functionalities. This predicament particularly affects devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. When the primary highlight of a $1,300 flagship phone revolves around incremental AI advancements, it can easily feel underwhelming. Coupled with hardware that seems to have stagnated over recent years, it creates a sense of unmet expectations.

### Design and Display: Subtle Updates with Gorilla Armor 2
For this year’s Ultra, Samsung aimed to give the phone a more rounded and softer look, enhancing its familial traits alongside less expensive models. The rounded corners of the S25 Ultra signal success in achieving that goal. Additionally, both the front and back glass now feature Corning Gorilla Armor 2, showcasing an updated anti-reflective coating and a visually appealing appearance. The reduction of bezels by 15 percent results in a device with sleek lines and a slightly expanded 6.9-inch display (up from 6.8 inches) without increasing the overall dimensions.

Despite its strong battery performance, the S25 Ultra exceeds 29 hours in local video rundown tests, showcasing impressive longevity, although it may not match the OnePlus 13’s 30:18 time due to its slightly larger battery.

Wired charging capabilities remain at 45 watts. However, when it comes to wireless charging, the device claims compatibility with Qi2 but lacks magnets, rendering it unable to utilize many available Qi2 accessories without additional assistance. Users will have to purchase a Qi2 case to correctly align and attach magnetic components.

### Wrap-Up
The S25 Ultra boasts remarkable versatility; however, this iteration of Samsung’s flagship is difficult to enthusiastically endorse. Although it features an integrated stylus and an impressive 5x telephoto lens, the hardware and overall capabilities have not seen significant updates compared to last year’s model—or even the one preceding it. Nevertheless, Samsung’s displays are unparalleled, and their camera performance remains top-notch. While the battery size hasn’t increased, it continues to offer substantial longevity. The introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip ensures that the phone performs exceptionally across various tasks. However, at a price point of $1,300, users expect it to deliver on even more aspects.

Concerning the phone’s value, its most notable advancements lie in enhanced software and AI features. Tools like AI Select and Now Brief improve usability and intelligence, but one must consider the cost of these features individually. For many potential buyers, the extra expenditure might be minimal, leading to the critical question of why they feel the need to upgrade at all when so much of what the S25 Ultra offers is available in previous versions.

Microsoft has announced a delay for one of its anticipated first-party titles originally scheduled for 2025. At its prominent Xbox showcase last June, the company revealed that the reboot of Fable would be released this year. However, this is no longer true, as Xbox has postponed the fantasy RPG’s release to 2026.

Craig Duncan, the new head of Xbox Game Studios, discussed this update in the latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast. He noted, “We had previously set the release for Fable in 2025, but we’ve decided to extend the development time, shifting the launch to 2026. I understand this may not be the news fans were hoping for, but I want to assure everyone that the wait will be rewarding.”

The reboot, developed by Playground Games, the creators behind the Forza Horizon series, was first announced back in 2020, with several teasers released since then. While the delay may be disheartening for fans eager for Fable—especially with the last mainline installment having launched 15 years ago—Xbox is in a strong position to allow for additional time in development.

The gaming division at Microsoft has a robust lineup for the immediate future. Avowed was just released, and the highly anticipated South of Midnight is on the horizon. Upcoming titles like Doom: The Dark Ages are set for release in May. Other anticipated titles for this year include The Outer Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4. Additionally, there are numerous third-party games set to arrive on Game Pass and Microsoft is also expanding its game offerings on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms. Therefore, Xbox appears to be well-positioned during this delay as Playground focuses on perfecting Fable.

Duncan has expressed that the studio aims to create “the most visually stunning version of Albion to date,” infusing it with a unique perspective and British humor. He recently visited Playground to experience some gameplay and assess the project’s progress. Duncan shared some early gameplay footage during the podcast, beginning at 15:55, showcasing the beauty of even the pre-alpha environments. Fans remain hopeful that Playground will leverage this additional time to enhance the game’s quality.

After generating excitement with the $200 Neo, DJI is introducing another cutting-edge drone: the Flip. This model features a unique folding design and propellers encased within protective shrouds to enhance safety for those nearby. Additionally, it boasts advanced 3D infrared obstacle detection for tracking subjects and comes equipped with an extensive array of impressive functionalities.

Utilizing a camera from the Mini 4 Pro, the Flip is capable of capturing sharp 4K 60p video both indoors and outdoors with minimal risk. It offers several features appealing to vloggers, such as Direction Track and Quickshots, perfect for sharing on social media. The drone can be operated using DJI’s controllers, a smartphone, voice commands, or simply with a button press.

There is no need for a flying permit, and it’s conveniently priced at $439, which includes an RC-N3 controller. This positions it as a more budget-friendly option compared to many others available. To evaluate its potential for creators, I flew the Flip inside a historic castle, a 500-year-old home, and outdoors. Although it’s not flawless—particularly in windy conditions and with obstacles—it remains one of the most valuable drones for creators on the market.

### Design
The Flip sports a clever, user-friendly design where all four propellers fold neatly beneath the body, reminiscent of a spacecraft from Star Wars. DJI’s design choice allows for non-removable protective shrouds around the propellers, minimizing the risk of damage or injury during collisions. The drone incorporates large propellers to enhance performance while reducing noise, unlike the Neo, which has smaller, faster-spinning ones that create a high-pitched sound.

DJI ensured the overall weight of the Flip—including the battery and microSD card—stays under 250 grams by utilizing lightweight materials like carbon fiber. This makes it exempt from special flying permits, although it is still bulkier compared to the sleek HoverAir X1 Pro.

Although the Flip boasts superior battery life with a promised maximum flight time of up to 34 minutes (approximately 27 minutes in practical scenarios), it can be rapidly charged in about 35 minutes with an optional four-battery charger. It’s worth noting that the Flip has only 2GB of internal storage, necessitating an external memory card for use.

The Flip utilizes a dual sensor system that includes a 3D infrared sensor for forward obstacle avoidance and a downward vision sensor to help with landing stability. However, it lacks side and rear sensors. One minor drawback is that the propellers may catch on grassy surfaces during takeoff. Like the Neo, it’s designed for hand launches and comes equipped with a convenient button enabling automatic takeoff, along with various flight modes that can be activated via app, voice command, or manual controller input.

### Features and Performance
In “sport mode,” the Flip can reach speeds of up to 26 mph, slightly slower than the Mini 4 Pro’s performance. The drone handles well in moderate winds, but its lightweight nature can make it susceptible to stronger gusts. Its complete propeller protection, stability, and reduced noise levels allow for secure indoor flight in spaces filled with fragile items and people, making it a reliable choice for event professionals and content creators.

Ideal for newcomers, the Flip allows for easy hand launches and includes a feature called Direction Track, enabling the drone to automatically follow and film you. Flight modes designed for social media content include Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, and Boomerang, though video quality in these settings is capped at 4K 30 fps.

Despite being less agile than the Mini 4 Pro, the Flip is easy to operate and serves as a stable filming platform. Care should be taken when flying over untextured surfaces, as they can interfere with the Flip’s sensors, leading to instability. In such cases, engaging sport mode may be necessary to bypass vision-based stability features.

Interestingly, the Flip does not support compatibility with DJI’s Goggles N3 and Motion 3 controller, as DJI primarily envisions it as a camera drone instead of one for acrobatics.

### Camera
The Flip’s camera system marks a significant improvement over the Neo. It features a larger 1/1.3-inch 48-megapixel sensor and a wide-angle F/1.7 lens, analogous to that of the Mini 4 Pro, which enables it to capture crisp, noise-free video in favorable lighting conditions. This drone excels at shooting 4K video up to 60 fps, and even offers a slow-motion mode at 100 fps.

Moreover, the Flip supports 10-bit D-LogM video for enhanced dynamic range in bright conditions and can take RAW (DNG) photos at either 12MP or 48MP. The video quality surpasses that of the Neo, making the Flip a superior option for low-light or poorly lit environments. However, while other DJI devices like the Air 3S and Mavic 4 offer higher quality images due to larger sensors, the difference is less significant in optimal lighting.

The Flip incorporates a three-axis gimbal that delivers smooth video footage, even in windy conditions. You have the option to select Follow mode, which maintains a level camera during banking maneuvers, or FPV mode, which allows for a more immersive experience. Overall, the video remains stable during abrupt movements, contrasting with the occasional jitters seen in footage from the HoverAir X1 Pro.

### Conclusion
The Flip signifies a noteworthy shift in design philosophy for DJI. Unlike traditional drones, it empowers creators to film in indoor spaces and crowded environments with commendable video quality, all for an accessible price point of $439, notably lower than the Mini 4 Pro’s price of $759. Despite its advantages, the Flip has some drawbacks, including its limited maneuverability and challenges in windy conditions, along with the absence of significant obstacle avoidance features in intelligent flying modes.

If portability, subject tracking, and obstacle detection are priorities for you, the HoverAir X1 Pro presents a more advantageous option. Conversely, those prioritizing battery performance, superior video smoothness, and trusting a well-established brand may prefer the Flip. Regardless, it’s refreshing to see competitive offerings in a sector typically dominated by DJI.

Although there may be a brief lull in news following CES, the influx of reviews is ramping up as we enter February. Samsung has already introduced its latest flagship smartphones, and we’ve begun to share some in-depth evaluations of the devices we’ve been using over the past few months. In this edition of our reviews roundup, we’re covering a selection of phones, a wearable gadget, a robot vacuum, and a smart grill. There’s plenty for everyone to explore this week.

As for a quick summary, while the days post-CES have seen a bit of a slowdown, the rich array of reviews is starting to heat up as February rolls around. Samsung has unveiled its latest premium smartphones, and we have comprehensively examined various devices that have been under scrutiny for several months. This edition features a range of mobile phones, a wearable device, a automated vacuum, and a smart grilling appliance. There’s something to suit all tastes this week.