Category: Assistive Technology

Assistive TechnologyBusiness Software

Firefox Adds Perplexity AI as Default Search Engine: What You Need to Know

Mozilla has made Perplexity AI a permanent search engine option in Firefox following positive user feedback. The AI-powered search provides conversational answers with citations, eliminating the need to sift through traditional results.

In a significant move for search engine diversity, Mozilla has officially integrated Perplexity AI as a default search option in Firefox for desktop users. This expansion follows a successful limited test earlier this year and represents Mozilla’s continued commitment to offering innovative search alternatives beyond traditional options.

From Testing to Permanent Fixture

by Natalie Brooks
Assistive TechnologyComputer Hardware

Intel’s Crescent Island GPU: 2026 Customer Testing Signals AI Chip Push

Intel confirms its Crescent Island data center GPU will reach customer testing in late 2026, representing the chipmaker’s strategic shift toward AI inference workloads. This comes amid intense competition and supply constraints in the AI chip market.

Intel has confirmed its upcoming GPU codenamed Crescent Island will enter customer sampling in the second half of 2026, signaling the semiconductor giant’s renewed determination to compete in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence accelerator market. This development comes as Intel seeks to establish a foothold against dominant players Nvidia and AMD, particularly in the data center segment where AI workloads have created unprecedented demand.

Crescent Island GPU: Intel’s Strategic AI Play

by Natalie Brooks
Assistive TechnologyComputer Hardware

Apple AirPods Public Beta Firmware Released Ahead of iOS 26.1 Update

Apple has launched new public beta firmware for AirPods ahead of iOS 26.1’s expected release. The update focuses on improved compatibility with upcoming features including expanded Live Translation capabilities.

In a significant move for audio enthusiasts and Apple ecosystem users, the technology giant has released new public beta firmware for compatible AirPods models. This development comes as iOS 26.1 approaches its anticipated public release, marking Apple’s continued commitment to refining the wireless audio experience through systematic software improvements.

AirPods Beta Program Expansion

by Darren Holt
Assistive TechnologyBusiness Software

German State Adopts Open-Source Email for Digital Sovereignty

The German state of Schleswig-Holstein has completed a six-month migration from Microsoft Exchange and Outlook to open-source alternatives. This strategic move toward digital sovereignty covers 40,000 mailboxes and over 100 million messages. The transition represents a significant step in reducing dependence on large tech corporations.

Major Open-Source Migration Completed

The German state of Schleswig-Holstein has successfully transitioned from proprietary Microsoft systems to open-source solutions for government email and calendar functions. This comprehensive six-month migration replaced Microsoft Exchange and Outlook with Open-Xchange and Mozilla Thunderbird, covering more than 40,000 mailboxes and over 100 million messages and calendar entries.

by Darren Holt
Assistive TechnologyComputer Hardware

AMD Showcases Its “Helios” Rack-Scale Platform Featuring Next-Gen EPYC CPUs & Instinct GPUs; Ready to Target NVIDIA’s Dominance

AMD has unveiled its Helios rack-scale platform at the Open Compute Project, featuring next-generation EPYC CPUs and Instinct GPUs. The platform leverages open standards and liquid cooling to compete with NVIDIA’s AI solutions.

AMD’s Helios Platform Targets AI Dominance

AMD has showcased its groundbreaking Helios rack-scale platform at the Open Compute Project (OCP), marking a significant step in its strategy to challenge industry leaders. The platform combines next-generation EPYC CPUs and Instinct GPUs in an open architecture designed for advanced AI workloads. This move positions AMD directly against competitors like NVIDIA, leveraging open standards to drive innovation in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

by Natalie Brooks