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OpenAI will show ads on ChatGPT because it has no choice: the free AI business is unsustainable

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OpenAI has started laying the groundwork to introduce advertising on ChatGPT. The code for the latest beta version of your Android app includes explicit references to search adsadvertising carousels and commercial content. It is something that can be seen coming from afar and has been rumored, but there is a trace of OpenAI itself. Why is it important. The company cannot sustain free access to a technology that is very expensive to operate indefinitely. Google and Meta can afford something like this because they finance their chatbots with huge prior advertising deals, but OpenAI continues to accumulate debt and burning cash without a clear profitable model. A $200/month Pro plan user has already reported seeing a Peloton ad during a conversation. The publicity seems inevitable, perhaps even for those who pay… in the absence of knowing if that was a mistake or part of the next new normal. In Xataka Privacy is dying since ChatGPT arrived. Now our obsession is for AI to know us as best as possible Between the lines. Sam Altman has gone from calling ads “the last resort” in 2024 to praising Instagram’s advertising model months later. Leaked internal forecasts anticipated $1 billion in “free user monetization” by 2026. The company has been hiring specialized personnel in advertising platformsattribution systems and campaign tools. The discourse has changed: it now talks about finding a format that “benefits the user.” Yes, but. Reuters informs that OpenAI has declared internal “code red” to improve ChatGPT (just the opposite of what happened when ChatGPT arrived) and is postponing initiatives such as advertising. The priority now is to respond to the launch of Gemini 3do not monetize free users. {“videoId”:”x9rqykw”,”autoplay”:false,”title”:”Apps in ChatGPT”, “tag”:”technology”, “duration”:”69″} The hidden advantage. Conversational AIs know their users better than anyone cookie or web tracking pixel. We tell them our concerns, intimacies and interests without filters. We navigate obsessed with not being tracked, but We give ChatGPT a perfect advertising profile. Google knows what you are looking for. ChatGPT knows what you think. The difference determines the value of the ad. At stake. OpenAI handles 800 million weekly users processing 2.5 billion daily queries. That beastly audience turns any advertising model into potential billions of annual revenue. The current free plan isn’t going away, but it will likely include ads. Payment plans could become more expensive when the restructuring comes. The company needs revenue that doesn’t rely solely on subscriptions to close its huge operating deficit. In Xataka |ChatGPT has been a tool. If you start remembering all our conversations, it’s going to be something else: a relationship. Featured image |Solen Feyissa (function() { window._JS_MODULES = window._JS_MODULES || {}; var headElement = document.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)(0); if (_JS_MODULES.instagram) { var instagramScript = document.createElement(‘script’); instagramScript.src=”https://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js”; instagramScript.async = true; instagramScript.defer = true; headElement.appendChild(instagramScript); – The news OpenAI will show ads on ChatGPT because it has no choice: the free AI business is unsustainable was originally published in Xataka by Javier Lacort .

The POCO F8 Pro and F8 Ultra are a great change of direction for the brand. We spoke with POCO to find out what awaits us now

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POCO launched two new devices a few days ago that mark a change of direction in its strategy: the F8 Pro and the F8Ultra. The latter represents the Chinese brand’s most ambitious commitment to enter the premium segment, just eight months after the launch of the F7 Ultra in March. As we shared a few days ago, we had the opportunity to analyze it in depth, but we were also able to have a chat with Kang Lou, head of product marketing and spokesperson for POCO Global, and Stanley Yeh, chief audio engineer, at a press conference during the launch event in Bali. Both managers gave us very interesting clues about the future of the brand, which is at its best, proof that its strategy continues to work. A change of strategy. For seven years, POCO has focused exclusively on delivering the best performance at the most competitive price possible. “When POCO was created seven years ago we always focused on one thing: performance,” Lou explained. But now things have changed. “Since the beginning of this year, with the F7 Ultra in March, we started testing the premium market. To do so, we tried to elevate the overall user experience, not just the performance. We want our users to experience good features regardless of whether we are talking about camera, battery or any other feature.” POCO F8 Pro Collaboration with Bose. One of the great novelties of the F8 Ultra is its 2.1 audio system developed in collaboration with Bose. “In the past we usually ignored the audio area. This time we collaborated with Bose because we want a mobile phone to come close to producing the real sound that humans actually hear. We worked with Bose to redesign the entire audio system, both in software and hardware,” said Yeh. Why Bose and not another brand? Asked why they specifically chose Bose out of all the audio brands available, Yeh said, “Bass is quite important for what humans actually hear. Bose has experience in those areas and they also have a lot of patents and technology for small speakers to produce big or deep bass.” In addition, he noted that “Bose has a lot of experience in psychoacoustics, about what good sound is and what kind of sound small speakers can produce.” Qaggressive tough. One of the most recurring questions in the room was how POCO can maintain such competitive prices. Lou responded by explaining that “that’s our biggest strength as a brand. We try to reduce our price as much as possible while maintaining low margins because we really do work on low margins.” LITTLE F8 Ultra Lou further added that “POCO saves a lot of costs because we only focus on online. We don’t have the retail costs, which are a large proportion when we talk about those prices.” Furthermore, regarding the Pro model, he clarified that “we can save costs because we are using the chipset that was launched a year ago. And fortunately, we are in a market where a chipset from a year ago is still very, very capable for common use and for any type of game or intensive use.” Jeans on the back. The F8 Ultra stands out for its rear finish that imitates the texture of jeans, a design decision that especially caught our attention, as did the rest of the attendees. “We wanted something really outstanding, something that when you see it for the first time you fall in love. You feel, ‘oh, there’s something different, something quite cool, something memorable,’” Lou explained. Although he clarified that “it’s not actually denim, it’s not jeans at all. It’s a completely different material made of silicone. We chose it because it’s very durable and at the same time very comfortable to the touch.” In recent years, POCO has been characterized, in part, by targeting a more youthful audience and by devices with yellow finishes. The absence of this color in the F8 Ultra has also been noted. Lou clarified that “we don’t actually stick to the iconic yellow for every phone we make. We just change the overall design language a little bit depending on the product positioning.” Although Lou assured that there are no established plans to make denim a permanent distinctive element. “If it’s something our users want in the future on other devices or accessories, we’ll try to make the effort.” The POCOs have less battery than the Redmi K90. The POCO F8 family is based on the Redmi K90which are sold in Asia. The K90 and K90 Pro Max have batteries greater than 7,000 mAh, but this battery capacity does not carry over to the POCO in Europe. Lou explained that this is “mainly for transportation reasons, but not only that. Many of our third-party partners have warehouses in local markets and those warehouses have to be certified to store batteries up to a certain capacity. In order for everyone to partner with us and get our devices, we have a limit in place.” The camera, that great pending task. Regarding possible collaborations in the future, especially in the photographic section, Lou clarified that “we have a strong cooperation with Bose and some other leading technologies in terms of camera. We are always trying to improve the camera experience compared to what we have today. If we can have more collaborations in terms of camera to strengthen the entire future experience, of course we will. But at the moment we do not have any collaboration in that sense.” The firm also does not have a large arsenal of accessories under its POCO brand, and perhaps this can be a very lucrative aspect for the brand. At the moment they do not have a roadmap in mind, so we will have to wait to find out more details in this regard. What’s coming now. POCO is at a critical moment. After seven years building a solid reputation under the “value for money” label, the brand is now trying to … Read more

If you didn’t make it to Black Friday or Cyber ​​Monday, you can still take advantage of all these deals

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Both Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday have ended, although we are still finding very good offers that have either continued from these days or have arrived now. In this article we are going to review the five best deals in technology and entertainment. Huawei Watch 5 by 359 eurosa very complete watch that has dropped in price from 649 euros. Google Pixel 9a by 379 eurosa good mobile for those who are interested in taking good photos without spending too much money. MacBook Air M4 by 849 euros Adding it to the cart, a laptop with a very good quality-price ratio. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra by 989 eurosone of the best phones of the year with a more reasonable price. PlayStation Portal by 194.90 eurosthe PlayStation 5 peripheral that already allows you to play in the cloud. Huawei Watch 5 One of the best discounts we can find at MediaMarkt has fallen on its Deals of the Day. Today only, the Huawei Watch 5 can be purchased for a price of 359 euros. It is a beautiful and elegant smartwatch with titanium construction that has eSIM connectivityits autonomy is up to 4.5 days in standard mode and it has a good assortment of sensors to monitor physical activity. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Google Pixel 9a One of the mobile phones that has maintained its price in recent days is the Google Pixel 9awhich can still be purchased for 379 euros. It is a pretty smartphone interesting for its photographic sectionbut also because of its compact size of 6.3 inches and its screen that offers good brightness to be able to view content outdoors. Plus, your operating system will be up to date for many years. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links MacBook Air M4 If what you are looking for is a good laptop to work or study, be careful with the MacBook Air M4 that, when you add it to the PcComponentes cart, it remains 849 eurosone of the best prices we have seen to date. Weighs only 1.24 kgits screen is 13.6 inches, it incorporates Apple’s M4 chip and its autonomy is up to 18 hours of video playback. MacBook Air M4 (16GB, 256GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Another of the phones that has maintained the price of Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultrawhich can be purchased at MediaMarkt for 989 euros (256 GB) or by 1,099 euros (512GB). Samsung’s mobile phone is one of the best that has been launched this year and It stands out mainly for its battery lifefor its screen—especially its anti-reflective treatment—and for its artificial intelligence functions. If you prefer, Powerplanet has the same 256 GB mobile slightly cheaper, since it is on sale for 949 euros. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links PlayStation Portal The PlayStation Portal price drops on rare occasions, but after the end of Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday it can be purchased with a discount that leaves it 194.90 euros (standard version) and by 194.90 euros (Midnight Black). It is a good accessory for the PlayStation 5 that, after its last update, allows you to play video games in the cloud —even some of the ones we have purchased—as long as we have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Ricardo AguilarHuawei, Google, Apple, Samsung, PlayStation In Xataka | The best mobile phones (2025), we have tested them and here are their analyzes In Xataka | Best laptops in quality price. Which one to buy based on use and seven recommended models

your main supplier is untouchable

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In October, Ukrainian intelligence carried out an investigation. Then he found, once again, that the hole that exists around international sanctions it is palpable and numeric. kyiv had begun analyzing parts of Moscow’s latest cruise and ballistic missiles. And what they found was a deja vu. The latest: A thorough investigation of the Russian Iskander missile clearly points to a superpower. Lethality on the production line. The ballistic missile Iskander-Mthe heart of Russian terror against Ukrainian cities, rests on a solid fuel whose half should be composed by ammonium perchlorate. It turns out that Russia, after decades of industrial decline since the Soviet collapse, can no longer produce the critical ingredient to make it at scale: high purity sodium chlorate. This technical deficiency, more than any of its military forces, defines the strategic vulnerability of a weapon that has devastated places like Kryvyi Rih, where, for example, an impact on November 2024 He killed a mother and her three children. The sustained decline in Ukrainian interception rates, even in areas defended by Patriot, demonstrates that every missile that manages to overcome air defense hits densely populated areas and translates that industrial dependence into human tragedy. The network that supplies. Now, in a RUSI investigationUkrainian intelligence has found that, in the absence of domestic capacity, Moscow depends on two essential suppliers: China, which supplies 61% of imported sodium chlorate, and Uzbekistan, which supplies the remaining 39% via Farg’onaazota plant acquired by Indorama for $140 million and family-related to Lakshmi Mittal’s conglomerate. In this way, between 2024 and mid-2025, only the Uzbek factory sent more than 18 million of dollars in inputs, part of a total flow close to 37 million that sustains the production of missiles used repeatedly against the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, paradoxical victim of the same plot business that unintentionally contributes to fueling the Russian program. Launch of an Iskander in 2018 The hole in the sanctions regime. Although sodium chlorate is included in European sanctions as a substance that supports Russian industrial capacity (the EU cannot move it), the main suppliers (Uzbeks and Chinese) continue without being punished. In fact, specialist Olena Yurchenko identifies three structural failures: the lack of comprehensive coverage of all solid fuel precursors, the absence of restrictions on third-country suppliers, and the omission of sanctions on Russian exporters and importers directly involved. The result is a perfectly functional supply chain that operates between the legal shadowsallowing Russia to replenish its arsenal despite the Western embargo. Experts they point out that this phenomenon is repeated in sectors where Western companies indirectly tolerate “parallel import” circuits. Geopolitics and political calculation. They remembered in Forbes that it would be politically more acceptable for the EU to sanction Uzbekistan, whose economic weight and ties with Europe are lower than those of China. There is no doubt, punishing Chinese suppliers would imply deep diplomatic and commercial frictions, which explains the reluctance of some Member States. However, while those decisions are postponed, Russia is advancing new domestic production complexes that will not be operational until between 2025 and 2027prolonging a critical period in which foreign dependence continues to be the Achilles heel of its missile industry. The strategic irony that sustains the conflict. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, the city’s economic pillar and a recurring target of the Iskander, has contributed more than 500 million in taxes to Ukraine and more than 18 million in humanitarian aid since the invasion. The drama is evident: the same business structure that contributes to rebuilding Ukraine is, on a distant link in its corporate orbit, linked to production of the missiles that destroy their infrastructure. If the EU were to simultaneously sanction Uzbek suppliers and major Chinese exporters, Russia would face years of instability, high costs and reduced industrial flexibility. It could even be forced to redesign its engines and fuels, compromising the reliability of its arsenal for an extended period. What is at stake. If you like, the decisive question is whether European politics will have the courage to close the loopholes that allow global conglomerates benefit (directly or indirectly) from both sides of the war. The reason is crystal clear: as long as this legal and economic exception persists, the Iskander They will continue to fly and slaughter, sustained by a supply chain that Russian technology alone cannot replace. Image | Vitaly V. KuzminMil.ru In Xataka | Something devastating is happening for Ukraine: death zones are disappearing, and its drones are flying blind In Xataka | For years Europe has wondered how to stop the Russian ghost fleet. Ukraine just showed you the way: with AI

Porsche is approaching a turning point in its history with the electric 718. And they are very clear on who to look at: Hyundai

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In September 2019, Porsche finally presented the Taycanits first fully electric car. Well, we should better say something like “the first electric car of the modern era of Porsche“Be that as it may, the truth is that the car was a meteorite in the sports car industry. With the Porsche Taycan, the Germans had a statement of intent on their hands. With him they showed that their pulse was not going to tremble with that launch an electric car on the market no matter how much tradition and history it had behind it. Furthermore, they showed that they were one step ahead of the competition. With that electric car they could achieve scandalous figures… and dizzying sensations. Although we could expect modest sales, the truth is that the car achieved the embrace of the public and a very high volume of purchases. The cruising pace encouraged the company to think that yes, they had a market to exploit. Together with the strategy of a business group that is governed by European emissions regulations, it seemed clear that the majority of Porsche cars They would end up being electric sooner or later. The question is whether the Porsche Taycan distorted the strategy to be followed. The great success of a flagship model, exotic and far ahead of the rest of the market, did not have to anticipate a generalized embrace of this technology in all the company’s cars. The electric Porsche Macan, that once offered a V6 in one of the brand’s entry cars, it seems a good example of how not all Porsche customers are the same. Because a good part of the customers who opted for the Macan wanted to get closer to the sensations typical of Porsche at the price their pocketbook allows. These sensations have to do, in part, with that V6 heart that we mentioned before. And it is even more pronounced among those looking for a Porsche 718. While the Porsche Macan can be understood as a gateway to the brand, the Porsche 718 is understood as a gateway to “the Porsche experience”. Their customers don’t just want a Porsche, they want to enjoy the sensations that a central engine provides and the sound of a boxer engine. The latter is something that cannot be matched with an electric car, but the brand is convinced that it can simulate or equal the rest of the incentives that the Porsche 718 currently offers. And to achieve this they have looked to Hyundai. Hyundai as a reference Unlike most brands, which have limited themselves to jumping into electric cars by offering more and more powerful versions, Hyundai has done in-depth work with its cars to offer a truly passionate electric car. Or, at least, they have made an attempt to achieve it, which is much more than most brands. This strategy is part of the Hyundai Ioniq 5N. The first “electric N” was already born with a clear sporting vocation. Not only because of the jet of its 650 HP of poweralso for the sound of its soundtrack and a careful simulation of gear changes. The result has been so good that Porsche itself recognizes that the sports car has inspired them in the development of its next electric Porsche 718. a car that should simulate the sensations of a central engine placing the batteries behind the driver and thus shift the weight balance of the car to resemble what it now feels like with a mid-engine combustion engine. But the German company needs to put other incentives on the table. To questions from the Australian media DriveFrank Moser, responsible for the 718 and 911 ranges, has made clear the influence of the South Korean model. “We have learned a lot (talking about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N). I have driven it several times. They have done it very, very well.” In his statements, Moser assures that the car was “developer”. He says that in one of these tests he notified Andreas Preuninger, responsible for the most radical area of ​​his sports cars, that he would come to pick him up at the controls of the South Korean car. Preuninger’s response was not encouraging, “leave me alone, I don’t want to see any of that.” However, he says that when he pressed the button that unleashes all the power and sportiness of the Ioniq 5 N, his partner was clearly surprised. One of the aspects that most surprised the Germans was the simulation of the sound and the gear change. Hyundai has done a great campaign highlighting the latter since it incorporates a mode that turns the vehicle into a sequential shift car. The idea is that despite being electric, the car does not always have the same thrust, taking away part of the torque that is available in the rev range in which it would supposedly be working. Toyota seems to be working on something similar and Honda incorporates the same mode into the new Prelude. In the absence of testing these innovations, what is certain is that Hyundai’s simulated gear change has received good reviews. In Top Gear They defined it as “quite funny.” “My more cynical disposition wanted to laugh at the Ioniq 5 N and its disguised gearbox. I wanted to say it was stupid and sad, and a waste of time. But in all honesty, I enjoyed it. Me impressed. It’s there if you want it. If you don’t, choose one of the quiet driving modes,” Ollie Kew noted in his article. Photo | Hyundai and Porsche In Xataka | China has turned the electric car market into a crazy race. And Porsche pays for it with billion-dollar losses

Europe has signed the first agreement to protect dogs and cats. Breeders won’t like it

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The Animal Welfare Law It came into force in Spain two years ago. Among its measures, the law prohibits individuals from breeding and selling pets, allowing only registered breeders. Now, it is the European Union that wants to put an end to abusive breeding. what has happened. On November 25, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement provisional agreement which establishes a series of stricter rules for the dog and cat trade. It will affect both breeders, pet stores and shelters. The agreement still has to be endorsed, but a date has already been set for the standards to be met: 2028. Why it is important. It is the first agreement on animal welfare at community level. Until now, the only European regulation that affected pet animals was the one that regulated movements between member countries, but the fact that the fight against abusive breeding is being prioritized is further proof that animal welfare is at the center of public debate. Starting point. It is estimated that the cat and dog purchasing market moves 1,300 million euros a year and 60% of purchases are made online. In Spain, the Animal Welfare Law expressly prohibits direct sales over the internet and requires breeders who advertise in magazines or other media to include their registration number, but in many other EU countries there is no regulation in this regard. animal welfare. Establishments must meet a series of requirements to provide well-being to the animals they house and which will be aimed at covering the diet, physical environment, health, behavior and mental state of the animals. Some of these requirements are: The environment will have good quality, which means that it is comfortable, that they have enough space and a good temperature. The animals will be safe, clean and healthy. Disease or injury prevention measures must be applied. It is prohibited to have dogs or cats in spaces (cages, showcases…), except for transport. It is prohibited to keep dogs tied for long periods. Dogs and cats must have access to the outdoors to exercise and socialize. They must receive water and food in sufficient quantity and quality. Establishments must have sufficient competence to care for dogs and cats, including an understanding of their biological behavior and ethological needs. At least one caregiver per establishment will have to receive official training in animal care. They must ensure veterinary visits at least once a year and record the results. When selling or adopting an animal, the recipient must be made aware of responsible ownership. Breeders. The regulations focus especially on the breeding and reproduction of animals, with a series of requirements that aim to end harmful practices such as mutilations or inbreeding. They are the following: Age limits will be established for the dogs and cats used for breeding, as well as a frequency between litters. Consanguinity will be prohibited, that is, breeding between parents, descendants, siblings or grandparents will not be permitted. If a female dog or cat has undergone two cesarean sections, she should be removed from breeding to protect her health. The creation of hybrids through crossing with wild species, for example dogs and wolves, is prohibited. Mutilations such as cutting ears, tails or removing nails cannot be carried out. It cannot be used to breed dogs or cats with extreme traits. For example, very short noses or “flat faces” typical of breeds such as the French bulldog or the pug. Mandatory identification. All dogs and cats sold or given up for adoption must be microchipped and registered in the national database. Starting in 2028, breeders and shelters will be obligated, but within ten years it will be mandatory for all dog or cat guardians. In Spain, microchipping is already mandatory for both species. The novelty introduced by this regulation is that the databases will be interoperable at the European level. Who it doesn’t affect. There are exceptions and againthe regulations will not affect hunting dogs, guard dogs or cats that live freely in rural areas. The FAADA Foundation regrets this decision and states that “it will leave some 18 million cats and 2 million dogs in the EU without adequate protection.” There is also an exception regarding the prohibition of consanguinity. It will be allowed when it is to “preserve local breeds with a limited genetic pool.” Small establishments will also not have to comply with the rules except for the identification of animals with a microchip. To be considered a small establishment, they must meet these requirements: Breeders who have a maximum of three dogs or cats and produce a maximum of two litters per year. Pet stores that have a maximum of three dogs or six cats. Animal shelters that have a maximum of ten dogs or twenty cats. Images | Pexels In Xataka | Yes, the neighbors on the tenth floor can have chickens at home even if they don’t want to. The Animal Welfare Law says so

We have been hearing for years that plastic is safer than wood. Jordi Cruz does not agree (and it seems he is right)

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Science has spent decades studying what happens with E.colithe Salmonella and company when they touch the wooden, plastic or metal boards that we use in the kitchen. It is an old (and we thought unsolvable) fight, but the famous chef Jordi Cruz has spoken. He said it on TikTokbut since the ways of distributing content on the Internet are capricious, he has also said so in tens of websites. The question is whether what he said makes sense. What does Jordi Cruz defend? In essence, Cruz has commented your prints on three cutting board materials (plastic, metal and wood). Furthermore, it has gotten wet: for him, the best option is wood. As explainedwhile plastic is filled with grooves where bacteria accumulate and metal destroys the edge of the knife, wood has “natural antibacterial and antimicrobial” properties, where bacteria “get between the fibers and end up dying.” The controversy has been enormous, of course. A curious debate. That “clear” comes from the fact that for years it has been said that wood is the material that “accumulates the most bacteria”, in contrast to “non-porous” plastics that can be put in the dishwasher (and can be cleaned more easily). It is logical that seeing a famous chef say that wood is the best has made many put your hands on your head. However, Cruz is not as off track as we might think. What the evidence says. From the very beginning (the pioneering studies by Dean Cliver at the University of Wisconsin in the 90s), research they have been giving us back the same image: There is no evidence that plastic is inherently safer than wood. Appropriate (hard and closed-pore) and well-preserved wood creates a hostile environment for many bacteria. The problem is that. Wooden boards are not only more expensive, but require maintenance. And if we are not going to give it to them, plastic with all its problems is safer. Although not totally sure, of course. That is to say: the most dangerous boards are the old, scratched and poorly washed ones. The material does not matter, what is important is its state of conservation. And then? Some time ago, food safety experts stopped focusing on the material and began to look for strategies that would try to reduce the main risk derived from the tables: cross contamination. A good example of this are the recommendations of the North American USDA. For the Agency, both wood and other “non-porous” surfaces are acceptable for things like meat and chicken. Their main recommendation is another: use a table for raw meats and a different one for ready-to-eat foods (in addition to always cleaning them with hot water and soap; and subjecting them to periodic disinfection). In Europe the recommendation is similar and, in fact, he adds that although there may be more or less appropriate materials depending on the use, “in domestic kitchens the priority is hygiene and not the specific material.” What do the chefs say? What Jordi Cruz says (that a wooden board is best as a “main board”) is a general consensus between chefs and gastronomic influencers. However, it is common to restrict them to chopping cooked vegetables, fruit, bread and produce. On the other hand, also it is common to use plastic with meat and raw fish. Or what is the same, for “dirty uses.” Sometimes we get stuck in absurd debates. And this is a good example: the public debate has dedicated a lot of effort to establishing the idea of ​​”bad wood/good plastic”, when the important thing is to use several boards, assign them fixed uses and clean (and replace them) when necessary. Image | Garden House | The Anthill In Xataka | To the question of whether ultra-processed foods are as bad as we have been told, science still has no clear answer

India will require pre-installing an indelible app on all mobile phones. And that poses a serious challenge for Apple

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In today’s technological debate, few issues generate as much attention as privacy. India has implemented a significant change: incorporate a state applicationthat will remain on iOS and Android phones without the possibility of deleting it. The measure coincides with a stage in which Apple emphasizes its security model more than ever. That crossroads, between the Indian regulatory commitment and the Cupertino company’s approach, may have a key point in this story. The movement began to take shape with an instruction from the Indian Department of Telecommunications sent privately to the main manufacturers. The document, dated November 28, establishes a period of 90 days for the application Sanchar Saathi appears on all new mobile phones and comes accompanied by another obligation: distribute it through updates to devices that are already in circulation. Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia He announced in an interview with CNBC-TV18 that the public order will be issued “in the coming days.” A tool against theft and fraud. According to information from the Indian Governmentthe application allows you to block and track lost or stolen mobile phones on all networks in the country, generate traceability if someone tries to activate them and verify the authenticity of the terminal using the IMEI number. It also offers a channel to report international calls that present themselves as national, a practice linked to fraud, among other functions. The Executive defends that these functions facilitate the response to theft and fraud in telecommunications. From utility to potential control. The rollout of Sanchar Saathi does not come alone. India is also pushing other guidelines that expand the ability to identify users, such as requiring that encrypted services like WhatsApp be associated with the SIM card’s IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). Combined with a pre-installed and non-uninstallable application, this environment transforms the mobile phone into a device with much greater traceability and represents a significant change in the relationship between citizens and telecommunications networks. For its part, the iPhone incorporates its own mechanisms designed to make access to data difficult and limit the value of a stolen device. The default encryption, together with the isolation of the Secure Enclavekeeps critical information safe, and the combination of Find My with v aims to prevent the reactivation of the terminal without the owner’s account. Apple complements this model with measures such as Advanced Data Protection, Face IDamong others. Between the Indian regulatory framework and its global strategy: India’s growing importance to Apple, both as a manufacturing hub and an expanding market, comes with a more interventionist regulatory environment. The China precedent shows that the company has had to adapt services and functions when local regulations required it, including the iCloud data transfer to infrastructures controlled by a state partner and the removal of VPN apps. The scenario presented by India confronts two different models of understanding digital security: one based on a mandatory integrated state application and another based on internal functions of the device that depend on the user’s control. Apple has not yet expressed how it will respond to this demand, but its growing industrial presence in India, a country where it manufactures more and more iPhones, it will possibly make any decision not go unnoticed. Images | Apple In Xataka | Apple had its ecosystem under lock and key. Chinese brands are blowing it up

The man who failed to transform Siri and the brain of the AI ​​strategy ends his stage

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Apple has communicated that John Giannandrea, one of the most influential executives in its AI strategy in recent years, will begin a retirement process that will culminate in 2026. The company explains that the executive will leave his position as senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, although he will continue to collaborate as an advisor in the coming months. This announcement comes months after a realignment of responsibilities related to Apple Intelligence and Siri. Giannandrea landed at Apple in 2018 as one of its most notable signings, with the task of strengthening the AI ​​strategy and giving Siri a new direction. His team was in charge of areas such as Apple Foundation Models, the internal search engine and machine learning research, technical pieces on which Apple has built much of its recent strategy. He also took on responsibility for guiding the evolution of Siri and coordinating AI projects that affected multiple teams in the company. A project that began with ambition and ended in postponements. Apple Intelligence was born as a profound renewal of the user experience, but the advances were not at the expected pace. The Information detailed that the demo shown at WWDC 2024 did not fully reflect the advanced capabilities that Apple had suggested, and that many of those features were not implemented at the time of the presentation. The pressure increased when the company confirmed that the new Siri with personalized functions would be delayed until 2026. What was supposed to be the new turning point ended up becoming a chain of postponements. Internal war in Cupertino over the direction of AI. Tensions between the AI/ML group and the software team were long-standing, according to The Information. While the area led by Giannandrea opted for a more cautious advance focused on privacy, Craig Federighi defended a more pragmatic approach aimed at tangible results. The clash of priorities became evident when some engineers began referring to the AI/ML team as “AIMLess,” a sign of the accumulated unrest. The situation led to a March 2025 twist that placed Federighi and Mike Rockwell at the forefront of Siri’s new direction. A loss of influence that had been brewing. According to Bloomberg, Tim Cook’s trust in Giannandrea suffered after the numerous delays in the development of the Apple Intelligence functions promised during WWDC 2024. In a meeting with his team, the manager admitted that the delays were “ugly” and acknowledged the shame and anger that this situation had generated among the staff. After the change in leadership in 2025, a good part of his functions began to be left in the hands of other managers, while he maintained other tasks in research into AI and robotics technologies. This shift in operational focus serves as a backdrop to the announcement that he will become an advisor before retiring in 2026. The landing of Amar Subramanya and the new architecture of power. Apple has hired Amar Subramanya as vice president of AI after his time as corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft and 16 years at Google, where he was responsible for engineering the Gemini assistant. According to the official note, Subramanya will take charge of key areas such as Apple Foundation Models, machine learning research and AI Safety and Evaluation teams. He will report directly to Craig Federighi, thus reinforcing his weight in the artificial intelligence strategy. The rest of the organization linked to this area will be under the supervision of Sabih Khan and Eddy Cue, a cast that seeks to align responsibilities with their respective departments. Giannandrea’s retirement and the arrival of new managers mark a turning point for Apple in its artificial intelligence strategy. The company now relies on a more defined structure, with Craig Federighi at the center of the project and Amar Subramanya leading key research areas and foundational models. The challenge will be to convert this reorganization into visible improvements for users and regain competitiveness in a market that evolves at high speed. Images | Apple In Xataka | Huawei has a patent with which to manufacture 2nm chips. The only problem is that it’s just a patent.

Liberalization brought us the lowest prices in the history of high speed. Everything indicates that it is about to end

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A high-speed runner that is becoming more expensive and others that seem to have hit the ground. The arrival of competition to Renfe promised to reduce the price of train tickets. In fact, it reduced them. But the big question is knowing when they will rise again. Or, if necessary, how far they will end up going up. spring. It is the data that it collects the latest report published by the CNMC. It analyzes the price and occupancy of high-speed trains in our country. Specifically, the data refers to the months of April, May and June, which are the last recorded by Competition. It is an interesting study as it covers dates in which rail traffic increases, with passengers opting for this type of transport for their Easter holidays and first summer trips. The impact of both events is clear because despite offering 0.6% fewer seats, the number of travelers has increased by 4.4% compared to 2024. What do the data tell us? That we travel faster and faster. Because the previous data breaks down the high-speed markets open to competition and reflects that in the second quarter of 2025, a total of 11.8 million passengers boarded the high-speed long-distance train, 16.1% more than in the previous quarter and 15.2% more than in the same quarter last year. The data also tells us that clearly Spain moves at two speeds. One is represented by Madrid-Barcelona, ​​which increases its prices and remains the main corridor in the country. The other is the Andalusian or Valencian high speed, whose prices are already beginning to remain stable. The cheapest. The brokers who reduce their prices are, as we said, the Andalusians and Valencians. Traveling from Madrid to Seville was, on average, 8.6% cheaper than the previous year, boosted by the arrival of Ouigo as Iryo reduced its prices by 2%, AVE by 3.8% and AVLO raised prices by 3.4%. The average price of the trip was 49.47 euros. Below is the Madrid-Málaga corridor, which maintains a price about two euros cheaper but which barely changes its prices compared to the previous year (-1.2%). Again it is Ouigo who presses down. For their part, Madrid-Valencia and Madrid-Alicante have also significantly reduced their price compared to the previous year. In the first the decrease is estimated at 8.3% and in the second 8.7%. The (almost) cheapest. Although prices are lower In these corridors than in the same period of 2024, the truth is that the average ticket price has been lower. In all the previous cases, the average ticket price was lower in various months last year. In the graphs, in addition, a certain stagnation and slowdown in the fall is observed. It must be taken into account that, except for Madrid-Málaga, Renfe has considerably lowered the ticket price on its AVE. In the Sevillian corridor it has fallen by 3.8%, in the Valencian corridor by 10.6% and in the Alicante corridor by 11.6%. These falls, despite being partially offset by the increases in AVLO where the AVE falls, have a great impact on the average price of the ticket since a percentage drop in the AVE is more money than the same reduction in Ouigo, Iryo or AVLO, which are lower cost for the customer. That is, we have cheaper general prices, yes. But above all because Renfe seems to be pressuring customers to “jump” to the AVE, with an increase in the prices of AVLO and an evident drop in the price of its most expensive option. The most expensive. The corridor that has experienced the most increase in cost has been Madrid-Barcelona. Since competition entered, traveling between both cities has never been so expensive. At the beginning of 2024, the average price hit the bottom, standing at around 40 euros. On the same dates in 2025, that same bill was already looking at 50 euros. Between April and June, the average price reached 63.14 euros. All companies have made their tickets more expensive and no small feat. The cheapest average price was that of Ouigo, with 50.11 euros and despite this it became 18.7% more expensive. The second, that of AVLO (offer that no longer existswhich will continue to increase prices) with 51.95 euros and an increase of 14.5%. Between the two Renfe options is Iryo, with 56.01% and an increase of 22.5%. The AVE closes at the top with an average price of 73.91 euros and an increase of 13.1%. Have we hit the ground? It is the big question that arises now for the client. Although year-on-year prices have fallen, the truth is that we continue to see a slight increase in the overall price for the year or, at the very least, stagnation where the three companies operate at full capacity. Only the entry of Ouigo in Andalusia seems to have moved the market a little. But Iryo and Ouigo have been sending more or less clear messages that they are beginning to move away from the price war. Everything indicates that this was not sustainable to maintain these companies and both the italian as the french they seem to take new directions (with changes in address) now that its landing seems consolidated. “We will follow them”. Renfe, for its part, has been clearer. The company defends that the situation is not profitable for the companies and that sooner or later their competitors are going to raise prices. And the company does not seem to want to compete with them on price. Its president has already announced that if its rivals raise prices “we will follow them”anticipating a growth in the cost for the user that has already been seen in Madrid-Barcelona. Photo | Xataka In Xataka | Ouigo and Renfe have found a new way to make life impossible: torpedo repairs

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