This digest compiles the latest from Tech Spot.
Today’s Tech Spot Roundup
Want a 1,000W MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z priced at $5,090? You'll need to win a draw to buy it
Lightning is MSI’s highest-end GPU series, with the Z suffix indicating the top-tier variant of the lineup, aimed at extreme overclockers and enthusiasts.
Automakers lose emissions credits for start-stop technology under new EPA rules
Start-stop is a relatively small feature with a dense engineering stack behind it. Modern systems tie together the engine control unit, starter-alternator hardware, beefed-up 12-volt or dual-battery architectures, and climate-control logic to shut the engine off during idle while keeping steering assist, brake boosting, and cabin comfort online.
Steam will soon let users add hardware specs and performance data to reviews
According to the February 12 Steam beta patch notes, users can now automatically include hardware specs in game reviews and provide Valve with anonymized frame rate data. The features appear to be in the early stages of development but could eventually provide helpful performance metrics.
Your AI assistant isn't confused, it just wants to agree with you
This behavior is known in research circles as sycophancy, Olson explains, referring to the well-documented tendency of large language models to agree with users rather than assert correct but potentially unpopular answers.
Microsoft Store gets a new command-line interface for power users
The new command-line interface for the Microsoft Store is designed to provide developers with a novel approach to app management. Officially named Store CLI, the tool includes several options for both discovering and deploying apps and software, with no need to use the cumbersome, ever-evolving GUI of Windows 11.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer gameplay trailer revealed alongside PC system requirements
Set during the New Republic Era after the events of Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Galactic Racer looks like it could finally satisfy demand for a modern WipeOut-style racer.
Death Stranding 2 arrives on PC March 19 with ultrawide and upscaling support
Sony and Kojima Productions have confirmed that the sequel to 2019’s well-regarded post-apocalyptic delivery simulator will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store starting March 19. Unsurprisingly, the PC port will add various performance-enhancing and quality-of-life features.
Spotify says its top engineers haven't written code in months as AI handles development
Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström made the admission during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call. Like every other chief executive, Söderström was praising AI’s ability to accelerate development at the company.
Computer science enrollment falls across the University of California for the first time in 20 years
Data from the UC system show that 12,652 undergraduates are majoring in computer science this year, a 6% decline from 2024 and down 9% over two years. That figure still represents nearly double the number of CS majors from a decade ago, but the reversal marks the first sustained retreat…
End of today’s Tech Spot roundup.
