Tech News Roundup: iPhone Goes to Space, Switch 2 Cases Emerge, and AI Model Debuts
NASA will allow astronauts to bring iPhones into space, starting with the Crew-12 and Artemis II missions, according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The move marks a shift in policy, allowing astronauts to capture and share moments with their families and the world. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2, with cases already being tested and reviewed. In other news, Anthropic has launched its new AI model, Claude Opus 4.6, aiming to expand its reach beyond coding. Lastly, delays plague Valve's Steam Machine and Steam Frame due to rising RAM prices, while the Apple Watch Series 11 sees a significant price drop.
Isaacman announced on X that astronauts would soon fly with the latest smartphones. "We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world," he wrote. This decision opens up new possibilities for astronauts to document their experiences in space.
As for the Nintendo Switch 2, Cameron Faulkner of The Verge reported on testing numerous cases for the upcoming console. The reviews include cases designed to protect the Switch 2 during gameplay and transit.
Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6 is positioned as a major upgrade from its predecessor. According to a blog post by the company, the new model can handle complex, multi-step tasks and is closer to "production-ready quality" for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Hayden Field, senior AI reporter for The Verge, noted that Anthropic hopes to corner the market beyond coding with this new model.
Valve is experiencing delays with its Steam Machine desktop PC and Steam Frame VR headset due to the ongoing RAM crisis. The company had declined to announce pricing or availability information in mid-November of last year. "Those price spikes have only gotten worse since then, and theyre beginning to trickle down to GPUs and other devices that use memory chips," Ars Technica reported. Valve has not yet provided an official release date or pricing for either device.
On a brighter note for consumers, the Apple Watch Series 11 is currently on sale at major retailers. Wired reported that the base version is available for as low as $300, while the GPS + Cellular version is priced at $400, depending on the finish and band choice. The Series 11 features an upgraded battery and optimization features, allowing the standard Apple Watch to last longer.
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