WhatsApp is rolling out a test for iOS users that enables Meta AI to read documents shared within the app. The feature allows the AI assistant to extract and process information from files such as PDFs and Word documents. This development marks an expansion of Meta AI's functionality on the messaging platform.

The test is currently limited to a subset of iOS users, with no confirmed timeline for a broader rollout. Users who have access to the feature can share documents directly with Meta AI in a chat. The AI then analyzes the content and can answer questions or provide summaries based on the document.

Meta AI's ability to read documents builds on its existing text-based capabilities. Previously, the assistant could respond to queries and generate text, but it could not process uploaded files. This update brings WhatsApp closer to competing with other AI-powered assistants that offer document analysis.

The feature is part of Meta's broader push to integrate AI across its platforms. WhatsApp has been gradually adding AI features, including sticker generation and chat-based assistance. Document reading could be useful for tasks like reviewing contracts, extracting key points from reports, or summarizing lengthy texts.

Privacy implications are a key consideration. Meta has stated that documents shared with Meta AI are processed in accordance with its privacy policy, but the company has not provided specific details about data retention or encryption for this feature. WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, but interactions with Meta AI may not be covered by the same protection.

The test is exclusive to iOS for now, with no announcement regarding Android availability. Users on the latest version of WhatsApp for iOS may see the option to share documents with Meta AI if they are part of the test group. The feature is opt-in, meaning users must choose to interact with the AI.

Meta has not disclosed how long the test will last or when the feature might be released globally. The company typically tests new features with a small percentage of users before expanding. Feedback from the test will likely influence any future changes.

WhatsApp confirmed the test in a statement, saying the company is exploring ways to make Meta AI more useful. The feature is expected to evolve based on user feedback and technical performance.

SpaceX has secured a major contract from the US Space Force to build a communications network that will serve as the backbone for distributing space-based sensing and targeting data. Space Systems Command, the Space Force's primary procurement center, announced the $2.29 billion firm-fixed-price agreement on Tuesday, confirming earlier reports that the Pentagon was likely to select SpaceX for the project.

The contract, known as the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone, aims to accelerate the delivery of a resilient, high-speed communications network in space, according to a statement from Space Systems Command. The network will be based on technology originally developed for SpaceX's Starlink global Internet constellation, which already operates thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit.

SpaceX already builds and launches specially designed satellites for military applications under the Starshield program. The SDN Backbone network will presumably use the Starshield platform, though specific technical details have not been disclosed. The network is intended to replace or augment separate Pentagon initiatives that had stalled.

The contract represents a significant win for SpaceX, which has been increasingly involved in national security space missions. The company has previously launched classified payloads for the US government and has been developing capabilities for military communications and surveillance.

Space Systems Command emphasized that the SDN Backbone will provide a resilient communications infrastructure, capable of withstanding potential threats in space. The network is expected to enhance the military's ability to collect and distribute data from space-based sensors to ground-based shooters in near real-time.

The award comes as the Space Force continues to modernize its satellite communications architecture, moving away from traditional geostationary satellites toward more distributed low-Earth orbit constellations. This shift is intended to improve resilience and reduce latency for critical military operations.

SpaceX will be responsible for designing, building, and operating the SDN Backbone network under the contract. The timeline for deployment and specific milestones have not been publicly detailed, but the agreement is structured as a firm-fixed-price contract, meaning SpaceX bears the cost overruns.

Space Systems Command stated that the contract "accelerates the delivery of a resilient, high-speed communications network in space" and supports the Space Force's goal of providing assured access to space-based data for warfighters.

The James Webb Space Telescope was built to peer into the earliest epochs of cosmic history, a time when the first stars emitted enough radiation to ionize the hydrogen that then constituted nearly all normal matter. Astronomers had many expectations, but the Universe has repeatedly defied them. One early surprise came in the form of objects dubbed "little red dots," named for their appearance. After initial debate, researchers concluded these were early versions of the supermassive black holes now found at the centers of most galaxies. New observations have now confirmed that one such dot is essentially a bare supermassive black hole, lacking a substantial galaxy around it.

The object in question, designated Abell 2744−QSO1, was magnified and triply imaged by gravitational lensing from a foreground galaxy cluster. This lensing effect allowed astronomers to study it in greater detail. Based on spectral analysis, the light from Abell 2744−QSO1 originated just 700 million years after the Big Bang, placing it in the early Universe. The findings provide direct evidence that some early black holes grew rapidly without correspondingly large host galaxies.

Gravitational lensing occurs when a massive object, such as a galaxy cluster, bends the light from a more distant source, magnifying and sometimes duplicating its image. In this case, the cluster Abell 2744 acted as the lens, producing three separate images of the little red dot. This natural magnification enabled the JWST to capture details that would otherwise be too faint to observe. The telescope's Near-Infrared Camera and spectrograph were used to analyze the object's properties.

The spectrum of Abell 2744−QSO1 revealed signatures of a supermassive black hole, including broad emission lines from gas orbiting at high velocities. However, the data showed little evidence of starlight from a surrounding galaxy. This suggests that the black hole is relatively "naked," with its host galaxy being either very small or still in the process of forming. Such objects challenge models of galaxy-black hole coevolution, which typically expect black holes to grow in tandem with their galaxies.

Previous observations of little red dots had left room for interpretation, with some astronomers arguing they could be extremely dense star clusters rather than black holes. The new JWST data, combined with gravitational lensing, has largely settled the debate for this particular object. The black hole's mass is estimated to be several million solar masses, comparable to the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, but it existed when the Universe was only about 5% of its current age.

The discovery raises questions about how such a massive black hole could form so quickly. Standard theories involve the collapse of massive stars or direct collapse of gas clouds, but these processes typically take longer than 700 million years. The presence of a naked black hole suggests that early black hole growth may have been more efficient than previously thought, possibly through rapid accretion or mergers.

Abell 2744−QSO1 is located in the direction of the constellation Sculptor. The JWST observations were part of the Ultradeep NIRSpec and NIRCam ObserVations before the Epoch of Reionization (UNCOVER) program. The findings have been accepted for publication in the journal Nature Astronomy. Further studies of other little red dots are planned to determine if they share similar characteristics.

"This is the first time we've been able to confirm that a little red dot is a supermassive black hole without a significant galaxy around it," said a lead researcher involved in the study. The team hopes that additional gravitational lensing events will allow them to study more of these enigmatic objects in detail, shedding light on the early growth of black holes and their role in cosmic evolution.

Valve has implemented a significant price increase for the Steam Deck OLED in the United States. The company adjusted the pricing for both the 512GB and 1TB models. The new prices reflect a $50 hike for each variant.

The 512GB Steam Deck OLED now retails at $549, up from its previous $499 price point. Meanwhile, the 1TB model has risen to $649, compared to the earlier $599. These changes took effect immediately on Valve's official store.

Valve did not provide an official explanation for the price adjustment. However, industry observers note that component costs and supply chain factors may have influenced the decision. The Steam Deck OLED launched in November 2023 with a starting price of $549 for the 512GB model, which was later reduced to $499 during promotional periods.

The price increase applies only to the OLED models. The LCD versions of the Steam Deck remain at their existing price points. The base 256GB LCD model continues to sell for $399, while the 512GB LCD version is priced at $449.

Customers in the US can still purchase the Steam Deck OLED through Valve's official website. The company has not announced any changes to pricing in other regions. International markets, including Europe and Asia, currently maintain their original pricing structures.

Valve's Steam Deck has been a popular handheld gaming device since its launch in 2022. The OLED model offers improved display quality and battery life compared to the original LCD version. Despite the price increase, demand for the device remains strong.

The price adjustment comes ahead of the holiday season, a period when gaming hardware typically sees increased sales. It remains unclear whether Valve will offer any discounts or promotions in the coming weeks. The company has not commented on future pricing strategies.

As of now, the Steam Deck OLED 512GB and 1TB models are available at their new prices on the Steam store. Valve's official statement on the matter has not been released, but the updated pricing is reflected on the product pages.