This Week in Tech: Apple Gets Touchy as AI Clocks In

This week in the tech world, AI has been expanding its role in the workplace, with OpenAI debuting GPT-6.1 Terra, a more affordable model. This lower-cost option is set to be available through various platforms, including OpenAI products, GitHub Copilot, Amazon Bedrock, and Microsoft Foundry. Meanwhile, Apple is bringing touch capabilities to its MacBook Pro line, with 14-inch and 16-inch models hitting the market in November.

The devices feature touch-enabled screens and either M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, starting at a price of $2,899 for the 14-inch version and $3,399 for the 16-inch model. Apple also refreshed the MacBook Pro and iMac with M6 processors, offering Wi-Fi 7, better local AI processing, and Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and stronger on-device AI performance in the updated 24-inch iMac.

On the software front, iOS 27.2 introduces conversational memory to Siri, allowing it to remember context from conversations, messages, calendars, voicemails, attachments, and browsing history. Google and XREAL unveiled the AURA Android XR glasses, a wired headset that offers floating workspaces, Gemini assistance, laptop screen casting, Android applications, and enterprise device management, starting at $1,099.

In the robotics arena, the factory and warehouse floor are set to become the next proving ground for general-purpose robots, with Agility Robotics' Digit facing a critical test at a Georgia warehouse. Meanwhile, the Browser Company will discontinue its Arc browser for Mac and Windows on Dec. 22, shifting its focus to the AI-focused Dia browser.

With AI contributing to new verification challenges, campaigns are seeking to influence chatbot recommendations, and AI voter guides are facing issues with missing candidates or unreliable information. OpenAI has set up an election war room to address these concerns, but testing reveals that some safeguards can be bypassed. Additionally, Cisco patched an actively exploited firewall zero-day, and a DHS leak exposed records belonging to over 41,000 workers, including ICE personnel.