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• Gartner study says moving from VMware could take 18-48 months
• 7-10 staff could have to scope out solutions for a whole month
• If you want to migrate, consider doing it now

Experts have revealed the costly and risky journey involved with migrating away from VMware as unhappy customers continue to seek alternative solutions.

Changes brought on by Broadcom since its acquisition of the virtualization firm a little over a year ago have left many customers with bigger bills following the bundling of certain products and the discontinuation of others.

However, moving away from the company comes with its own risks, and it might not be cheaper than VMware after all.

Moving away from VMware won’t solve your woes

A new report entitled ‘Estimating a Large-Scale VMware Migration’ published by Gartner found that migration projects could take 18-48 months for large organizations (2,000+ employees) with more than 100 servers. It also found that each virtual machine could cost between $300 and $3,000 to change.

Moreover, just the initial scoping process could cost companies around seven to 10 workers for up to a month.

The problem stems from the need to disentangle VMware services – it offers networking, storage and management tools as well as security and disaster recovery solutions that aren’t always offered as full ecosystems by other providers.

Given the scale of the work involved, many VMware users have not started planning their migrations despite intentions to do so. In September, we reported that more than half (52%) of VMware customers were looking to switch providers, however apprehension around security and support was already noted then.

Earlier in the year, VMware was called a solution “for those who can afford it.” Seven in 10 customers looking to jump ship were seeking KVM-based and Xen-based hypervisor alternatives.

Despite the challenges, Gartner advises those who wish to do so to start planning for migrations sooner rather than later in order to avoid further price hikes.

Via The Register

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• More British CEOs have adopted AI than in other countries
• UK companies more likely to invest in AI this year
• Results are still less evident among British firms

New PwC research has revealed that Britain’s leaders are more prepared to use artificial intelligence than their global counterparts, with 93% of UK CEOs stating that their business has adopted AI compared with 83% globally.

Sentiments towards the technology have progressed significantly in recent years, with only 42% of UK CEOs having adopted AI in January 2024 – an increase of more than double in the space of 12 months.

Leaders are increasingly seeing the positive effects of AI on their companies, too, with more than half (56%) of CEOs globally noticing improved employee efficiency.

British CEOs are on board with AI

The recent surge in AI tool adoption among British companies could be the cause for a delay in results, though. Fewer British CEOs have seen employee efficiency improvements (53%), and only 40% report better time management compared with 53% globally.

Furthermore, only 14% are seeing profitability gains from generative AI compared with 34% globally.

Still, the optimism continues and more than half (55%) plan to invest in artificial intelligence, generative AI, cloud and data analytics in the next year. In fact, Britain ranks higher than the US (48%), France (54%) and Germany (35%).

PwC UK Senior PArtner Marco Amitrano commented: “UK business has begun to move beyond the initial hype of GenAI to the reality of making it work - but that shouldn’t detract from its huge unrealised potential. That more than a third of business leaders expect to see some financial gain from GenAI within the next year is very significant, and indeed encouraging.”

Still, some obstacles remain, such as the skills gap noted by nearly half (47%) of UK CEOs to be a primary challenge.

PwC UK CTO Umang Paw said that UK CEOs should continue to develop AI literacy and proficiency in order to realize the untapped potential of AI in their companies.

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• Grand Theft Auto 6 could cost between $80 and $100, according to an industry analyst
• They claim there are those in the games industry who "hope" GTA 6 is priced higher so others can raise their prices
• GTA 6 could be the first game to break the "$70 barrier"

An analyst has claimed that there are those in the games industry who are hoping Grand Theft Auto 6 will cost up to $100,

That's according to Epyllion's Matthew Ball (via IGN), who recently released his State of Video Gaming in 2025 report. In it, he said that there are some developers and publishers in the industry that "hope" Take-Two will raise GTA 6's price from the current standard of $70 to between $80 and $100.

Ball reported that if Take-Two were to break the "$70 barrier", $50 games could "move up to $60, $60 to do $70, $70 to $80 etc."

AAA video games are already quite pricey nowadays, but the analyst says that a $70 GTA 6 would be the "cheapest" Grand Theft Auto game ever released.

"Packaged game prices have never been lower in real terms than they are today - even though budgets are at all-time highs and player growth is stalled," Ball explained. "GTA 6 could re-establish packed video game prices after decades of deflation despite rampant cost growth."

Following the publishing of the report, Michael Douse, publishing director at Larian Studios, responded by saying, "You’re not supposed to say this out loud!"

"A good company raises salaries in line with inflation so that their staff don’t die or something, but games prices haven’t risen with inflation," Douse added.

"This isn’t the reason the industry is in the sh*t for now, but it is an uncomfortable truth. On the other hand, the responsibility for a game developer is to make sure that the game they show lives up to that promise, and that investment from the player."

Regardless of the price point, GTA 6, which is expected to launch in Fall 2025, is predicted to hit a total revenue of $3.2 billion in its first 12 months, which is around double what Grand Theft Auto 5 achieved in the same amount of time.

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• Nintendo officially reveals the Nintendo Switch 2, its next hybrid console
• Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility is ‘the best direction to take’ for players, Nintendo says
• Metal Gear Solid Delta, Assassin's Creed Shadows, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake are reportedly coming to Nintendo Switch 2

• It seems likely that the Nintendo Switch 2 controllers will feature Hall effect components
• This is based on the claims of a leaker we now know is reliable
• The technology could help eliminate Joy-Con drift

Hall effect thumbsticks could be a real game-changer for the Nintendo Switch 2, with the magnetic technology potentially eliminating the dreaded Joy-Con drift that plagued the original console.

Many are wondering whether the upcoming system will feature Hall effect components or not and, while we don’t know for sure, it seems highly likely. As noted by VGC, someone we now know to be a reliable leaker has stated that this will be the case.

A user going by the handle ‘NextHandheld’ posted a photo purportedly showing the Nintendo Switch 2 all the way back in December. Many doubted its veracity but, looking at it now with the benefit of hindsight, it’s hard not to conclude that it was the real deal.

We see the side of the console held horizontally, showing off the new mechanism where the Joy-Con controllers attach. Everything lines up perfectly with the 3D render shown in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, suggesting that this leaker was really in possession of a genuine console.

In addition to leaking the system’s color scheme - black, orange, and blue - ‘NextHandheld’ has also hinted that it will feature Hall effect thumbsticks based on an alleged “behind the scenes” teardown. This definitely seems plausible, as it would immediately help address one of the biggest complaints with the Nintendo Switch.

If you’re fortunate enough to have never experienced Joy-Con drift, it is a defect that can develop on either thumbstick. It causes the system to register a directional input that isn’t there, making it difficult to play most games. Just imagine trying to win a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe match when your kart is constantly steering to the left.

Despite having never formally acknowledged the problem, Nintendo does offer free repairs for those with affected Joy-Con in both the US and the UK.

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• A Major gaming hardware manufacturer and publisher has predicted the Nintendo Switch 2 launch window
• Nacon suggests it will be between April and September 2025
• Nintendo has confirmed the console is coming this year, but not provided any further information on its release

Major gaming hardware manufacturer and publisher Nacon has predicted that the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch as early as April.

In its most recent quarterly report, Nacon stated that it was expecting a successful first half of the 2025/26 fiscal year, which runs from April to September 2025, thanks to "several positive factors."

This not only includes the launch of several delayed hardware products in addition to a release schedule pack with ten new games, but also the anticipated arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2.

The company states that it "already has compatible games and a full range of accessories", presumably referring to the confirmed software backwards compatibility of the Nintendo Switch 2.

The upcoming system was revealed by Nintendo on January 16 in a short first-look trailer. This will be followed by a Nintendo Switch 2 focused Nintendo Direct on April 2, where we will presumably learn more about the console's hardware features and slate of software.

We know that Nintendo is targeting a 2025 release, but the company has not provided a concrete timeline yet. We'll have to wait and see whether Nacon's prediction holds water.

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• In mid-January, IntelBroker offered an HPE archive for sale
• The hacker claims it contains sensitive data such as source code and access
• HPE said it was investigating the claims

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) said it was investigating claims of a data breach, recently made by a known leakster IntelBroker.

On January 16, IntelBroker (known for their attacks on DC Health Link, Nokia, Cisco, and many others) posted a new thread on the infamous BreachForums, saying “today, I am selling the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) data breach.”

In the thread, the leakster said that together with partners zjj, and EnergyWeaponUser, they had been “connecting to some of their services for about 2 days now.”

Who is IntelBroker

The compromised data being sold in this new archive includes source code from private GitHub repositories, Docker builds, SAP Hybris, and Certificates (including private and public keys). Product source code for Zerto and iLO, user data, access to APIs, WePay, GitHub, and more was also allegedly stolen.

In response, HPE said it rotated credentials and started its investigation to see if the claims hold any water. So far, the company hasn’t seen any evidence of break-ins:

"HPE became aware on January 16 of claims being made by a group called IntelBroker that it was in possession of information belonging to HPE," spokesperson Clare Loxley told BleepingComputer. "HPE immediately activated our cyber response protocols, disabled related credentials, and launched an investigation to evaluate the validity of the claims. There is no operational impact to our business at this time, nor evidence that customer information is involved."

IntelBroker is allegedly a Serbian cybercriminal with a strong track record for data compromise. Active since October 2022, they’re known for several high-profile cyberattacks against Acuity (April 2024), Pandabuy (March 2024), and Europol (May 2024).

Via BleepingComputer

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• Canon has launched a new app aimed at livestreamers
• It lets you control multiple iPhones and iPads from a single app
• Extra effects like graphics and overlays need a monthly subscription

An increasing number of people enjoy creating livestreamed video content, whether that’s hosting cookery lessons, teaching classes to students, unboxing the latest tech goodies, or something else. Doing that can be fiddly, though, especially if it’s just you and you’re trying to work with multiple camera angles at once.

To help, Canon has just launched a new app that it thinks will alleviate some of that hassle and offer a simpler alternative to the likes of OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). Called Live Switcher Mobile, the app for iPhone and iPad lets you manage several aspects of livestreamed content on the go, without needing other apps or equipment.

For example, Live Switcher Mobile lets you set a timer before the stream’s feed automatically switches to a different camera. Canon’s announcement says this helps content creators to create interesting shots “even when they are working alone and cannot manually operate multiple devices.”

If you want to add text or graphics to your stream, you can do that too with Canon’s app, and it will also display comments from viewers and let you directly interact with them. And if you want to stream your device’s screen – say, the game you’re playing on your iPad – and layer the feed from a second camera on top of your gameplay footage, you can do that too.

The full version isn't cheap

(Image credit: Canon)

Livestreamed content has steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, but the barrier to entry has sometimes been high due to the need to have several cameras on the go if you want to shoot content at different angles. As well as that, it can be a fiddly affair as you try to manage all the different wires and connections that are part of your setup. And that’s without even working out which of the best streaming apps you should be using.

The idea with Live Switcher Mobile is that it simplifies the whole process. It’s definitely not a high-end solution – professional video creators will probably want to look elsewhere – but it could be a decent option if you’re just getting started, are working with a tight budget, or want to stick to using iPhones and iPads.

Right now, Live Switcher Mobile only supports video feeds from iPhones and iPads running at least iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, making it a decent option if you already own these devices and don’t want to buy expensive camera equipment to supplement your livestreams. Canon says that the app will also support digital cameras (including its own, of course) in the future.

Live Switcher Mobile is free to download and use from Apple’s App Store, although some features (such as most graphics) require a fee. Paying the subscription also hides ads and Canon’s watermark, allows zooming and image overlays, and more. According to the app’s App Store page, a one-month subscription costs a fairly hefty $17.99 (around £15 / AU$29), but you can trial the features for free for one month.

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• AMD has confirmed RX 9070 models will be on shelves in March 2025
• This runs against rumors that suggested a late January launch
• PC gamers aren’t happy, particularly as stock of RDNA 4 graphics cards is rumored to have shipped to retailers already

AMD has confirmed that its RX 9070 graphics cards, the first initial models from the RDNA 4 family, won’t be available until March.

David McAfee, who is VP and GM of Ryzen CPU and Radeon graphics at AMD, posted on X to share the news.

Radeon 9000 series hardware and software are looking great and we are planning to have a wide assortment of cards available globally. Can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on the cards when they go on sale in March!January 20, 2025

So, the on-sale date for the initial RX 9070 XT and vanilla 9070 GPUs is March, which has put the cat among the GPU pigeons, to say the least, if you take a brief saunter through the replies on X (and other assorted feedback on Reddit).

What’s got folks annoyed? Well, firstly this is disappointing news based on the rumors that AMD was ready to launch these RX 9070 GPUs later in January to take the mid-range fight to Nvidia, getting in ahead of the release of RTX 5070 variants in February.

Or at least that AMD was going to have a big reveal of RX 9070 graphics cards, possibly later this week, which surely won’t happen now. There’s no point having a big announcement late in January if these next-gen GPUs aren’t turning up for what could be the best part of two months from now.

Part of the problem is that a couple of AMD execs have been dropping hints that the RX 9070 announcement ‘won’t be long’ and will be in the ‘near future’ which to me, and clearly others, suggested it’s pretty imminent.

Granted, all AMD has officially said is that RDNA 4 graphics cards will be launched in Q1 2025, and March still fits that, of course. But based on that timeframe, nothing about March marries with the hints of the full reveal being ‘near’ – indeed it couldn’t really be any further away in this initial quarter of 2025.

(Image credit: AMD / TechPowerup) Analysis: An unfortunate sense of confusion and chaos

While AMD has not reneged on any of its promises, then, it very much feels like that to some PC gamers. Never mind the theoretically delayed release date, or full reveal, beyond this, why even mention the GPUs at all at CES 2025? Or at least AMD could have made it clear with that teaser that these cards weren’t imminent, which was very much the expectation. (Actually, most folks were, not unreasonably, expecting the full details and unveiling at CES, not a brief glimpse).

Whatever the case, the underlying problem here is that it feels like AMD is bouncing around its RDNA 4 plans, changing directions and generally causing confusion among would-be buyers of the best GPUs as 2025 kicks off. Regardless of what the actual truth is concerning what might be going on behind closed doors at Team Red, based on what we can see, and the rumors flying around, it all feels very chaotic.

We must remember that these are just rumors, but there have been a lot of sightings of RX 9070 models in boxes, ready to go on shelves, at retailers. VideoCardz, which spotted AMD’s post on X, further claims that reviewers have had sample RDNA 4 GPUs even before retailers had them shipped, and so we have all this info bubbling about, causing some bad feeling from gamers.

If stock really is in place now – as it appears to be, with a suitable handful of salt at the ready – why wait? This is where other chatter from behind the scenes comes into play about AMD having unfortunate problems with adjusting launch pricing, after being surprised by where Nvidia pitched its RTX 5070 models (which surprised us all, let’s be honest). And issues therein in dealing with adjusting MSRPs and compensating retailers, although all of that is very much deep into rumor territory.

The trouble is, not a lot else except this scenario makes much sense, and the pieces of the puzzle (curtailed launch, then mostly radio silence following that, save for those mentioned vague hints of a full reveal ‘soon’) seem to fit well enough.

This also leaves AMD in a very weird position. Instead of being able to get in, ahead of the RTX 5070 which turns up in February, Team Red is going to wait until those rival mid-range graphics cards have been out, maybe for a month, so there could be a lot of defectors turning to Team Green. Well, assuming RTX 5070 stock isn’t something of a washout, and that appears to be the main threat to douse Nvidia’s next-gen GPU fire – that there’ll only be a relative trickle of Blackwell graphics cards early in 2025.

I didn’t see the next-gen GPU wars panning out like this, that’s for sure, and maybe AMD really does need to put out a full spec reveal and pricing announcement, sooner rather than later, even if the RDNA 4 on-sale date is March, and this leaves a big gap. Assuming that those MSRPs have even been decided yet, as this would at least allow gamers to know what to expect, perhaps persuading them to not give up and just go RTX 5070 in February, instead of waiting for the RX 9070 GPUs.

However, already there are gamers saying that is forcing them away from a planned next-gen Radeon purchase to Nvidia Blackwell, though how much of that is an initial angry reaction, we shall have to see.

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• Eclipsa Audio is coming to Android open-source software this year
• It's also coming in TV and soundbar models from "multiple" manufacturers
• But there's no work on headphones support connected to Android

Recently, Samsung and Google announced a new spatial audio technology called Eclipsa Audio, which is a direct (and free) rival to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Support for it is coming in 2025 Samsung soundbars and TVs, as well as to Google Chrome and YouTube during this year.

And now Google has confirmed that Eclipsa Audio is also coming to Android, in an upcoming AOSP (Android Open Source Project) release (via Sammobile). This is really the biggest news for Eclipsa so far, because it is the update that will bring it to the largest number of devices. There's no certainty on when AOSP updates will make it to individual devices, given the nature of Android and the many different versions that various companies use, but we can probably assume that Samsung will jump on this ASAP, so that's a lot of phones at the very least.

However, it's really only half of what we need to hear, because great 3D spatial audio on phones relies on having support from the best earbuds and best headphones. Spatial audio has been such a hit on Apple devices because of head-tracked Dolby Atmos, which makes it feel like you're sitting in a movie theater. This has been supported on AirPods Pro for years, and is available on all current models of the best AirPods.

Dolby Atmos spatial audio is also supported on several other headphones options too, including the Sonos Ace and fantastic Technics EAH-AZ100. Perhaps most notably in this case, it's supported on the best Samsung phones, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds.

But there's been no announcement of support for head-tracked Eclipsa Audio in earbuds or headphones yet, and without that, its support on Android feels kind of hollow – it's only one half of the process.

Head-tracked spatial audio creates virtual speakers around you, that appear to stay in place even when you move your head. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Now, there's a good chance that will change at the Samsung Unpacked event on January 22nd, when Samsung will almost certainly reveal the Samsung Galaxy S25 – and I suspect that it will announce Eclipsa Audio support as part of its features, and probably an update the Buds 3 Pro to accommodate this. (You can follow all the announcements in our Samsung Unpacked 2025 live blog as they happen.)

But still, Samsung's support alone won't be enough to build momentum for Eclipsa – it really needs to get the hottest headphones makers for all budgets on board to make it feel like a must-have feature. Everything from 1More to Bose, from Nothing to Sony… some of those are probably more realistic than others.

And even then, Samsung and Google really need to get some other services on board too…

What are you going to watch?

YouTube is not really enough for a spatial audio format to take off, especially since very little of it was recorded with any kind of spatial or surround audio in mind.

Google and Samsung need to get the best streaming services and movie and TV studios on board, especially the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. But that's easier said than done – these all already support Dolby Atmos (and my understanding is that they don't pay to use it, so have little incentive to switch), and redoing shows and films to support Eclipsa would be a whole extra expense and load of time – even though Google says it will make it as easy as possible with new tools.

Will they feel any need to do it? It's all a bit chicken and egg. Why would streaming services support the format if very few devices support it? Why would device makers go to the effort of adding it if no streaming services offer it?

Samsung and Google can't force the streaming services to do anything, but they can add it to the Galaxy Buds and the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google also says that Eclipsa support is coming to "TVs and Soundbars from multiple manufacturers later in 2025".

However, there's no information about this yet, and until there's a real push focused on how we'll hear Eclipsa on Android and who'll support it, it's going to have a slow launch.

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Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W power bank

The Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W power bank has plenty of power and capacity – it's capable of charging larger devices like tablets and some laptops.

It certainly stands out in appearance, thanks to its thick size and vibrant colorways, although there is a black variant if you want something less ostentatious.

The Zolo feels as sturdy as some of the best power banks, yet it’s not as heavy as you might expect given its size. The plastic chassis feels smooth and the shiny panel on top is a nice touch. However, the translucent, ribbed border surrounding it is less so, and seems a little pointless; perhaps it offers extra grip when holding the bank, but I don’t think I’d miss it if it wasn’t there.

For a power bank of this size, it’s a shame it only has two ports (one USB-C and one USB-A), as there’s plenty of real estate for more. And while there is a small readout displaying the battery level – nicely disguised within that central panel – it seems like a missed opportunity to incorporate a bigger screen with more information to display, given all that space.

However, what is very useful is the 6-inch hardwired USB-C cable. This is made from a thick, braided cloth that feels durable, and Anker claims it will survive over 10,000 bends in its lifetime.

The slot that houses the jack end of this cable also feels very secure, yet it’s not hard to unplug the jack when needed. There also appears to be a good deal of internal strain relief on the hardwired end, so I feel reasonably confident it won’t come loose from its connection.

The cable provides 30W of charging power, meaning it can handle larger devices, such as some tablets, handheld gaming consoles, and laptops. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from half to full in just over an hour, with the Zolo’s battery depleting to 86%, meaning you should get quite a few charges out of it.

(Image credit: Future)

The USB-A port, on the other hand, provides a maximum of 22.5W of power. This charged my Pixel 7a from half to full in about an hour and a half and depleted the bank’s battery to 87%, so it’s another solid effort.

There’s also a trickle charging mode for this port, which lets you safely charge low-powered devices such as smartwatches and earbuds. You can activate this easily by pressing the power button on the side twice. Pressing the power button another two times deactivates the mode.

Another useful feature of the Anker Zolo is the Smart Charging Reminder, which means the battery readout flashes when it falls to 5%, alerting you to the need to charge it back up.

Charging the Anker Zolo itself took over four hours from 20% to full. This isn’t a particularly impressive performance, but given its capacity, it’s understandable. You can use the built-in cable or the USB-C port for charging the bank.

Considering its price, large capacity, high power output, and integrated cable, the Anker Zolo represents good value. However, I wish it had more ports to take advantage of its large size and more display information.

If you need more connectivity options, and even more power, the Juovi J2621 is a better alternative, thanks to its 45W output and four USB ports. What’s more, it’s cheaper than the Zolo. If features are a priority for you, then the Anker MagGo (10K) is a good choice, thanks to its detailed display and wireless charging capability. It’s more expensive than the Zolo, though.

Anker Zolo review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Zolo? Buy it if…

You want plenty of juice
The 20,000mAh capacity is enough for multiple charges of smaller devices.

You want a built-in cable
With that integrated USB-C cable, you don’t have to worry about remembering to bring your own, as it can be used to charge the bank itself as well as your devices.

Don't buy it if…

You want wireless charging
Unlike some power banks, the Anker Zolo has no wireless charging capability, but that’s not much of a surprise given the price.

You want a thin power bank
It might not be that heavy for a power bank this size, but the Zolo is certainly thick, so you can’t easily slide it into your pocket.

Anker Zolo review: Also consider

Juovi J2621 20000mAh 45W
If you still want plenty of capacity yet even more power and ports, the J2621 could be for you. It has two USB-A and two USB-C ports, with the latter providing 45W of power. We weren’t blown away by the charging performance or the build quality, but since it’s slightly cheaper than the Anker Zolo yet has a better spec, it represents good value.View Deal

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• OpenAI is launching the o3 mini AI model on ChatGPT and as an API
• The o3 mini is more powerful than the o1 mini but smaller than the o3 model
• The o3 mini boasts superior problem-solving abilities in science and math

OpenAI followed up on its December release of the OpenAI o1 model with the official rollout of its smaller sibling, the OpenAI o3 mini model. CEO Sam Altman broke the news on X, revealing that o3 mini will be available on ChatGPT and as an API for developers. The o3 mini model is an upgrade to the o1 mini model just as the o3 model is to the o1 model released last year. The o3 series is supposed to be smarter, faster, and better in all ways from its predecessors.

The o1 models were designed to spend more time processing queries, taking a longer, harder look at problems most models would give up on. The o3 models take those abilities and further enhance them while also running more quickly and efficiently. That's going to be useful when you use ChatGPT's new Tasks feature, which gives the AI chatbot a more proactive role in reminding you of tasks and events.

The launch of the o3 mini isn’t just about improving reasoning capabilities; it’s about staying ahead in the highly competitive AI landscape. Google, Meta, and others are all working to advance their models and try to dominate the market. ChatGPT and OpenAI can't afford to rest on their laurels, and the company seems to understand that. OpenAI clearly believes users want tools that don’t just follow the rules but also think critically and are flexible in how they assist you. That's where Altman and his team hope the o3 and o3 mini models will shine.

thank you to the external safety researchers who tested o3-mini.we have now finalized a version and are beginning the release process; planning to ship in ~a couple of weeks.also, we heard the feedback: will launch api and chatgpt at the same time!(it's very good.)January 17, 2025

Power in miniature

A bigger question may be, will models like o3 mini actually change how AI is used, or if it's just going to improve the results in small ways. OpenAI obviously hopes these upgrades lead to more people engaging with its AI models. By making its models better at reasoning, the company looks to be targeting those users who need something more sophisticated than the current level of conversational AI.

The o3 mini model looks like it might hit the sweet spot between power and accessibility for ChatGPT users. By offering smarter reasoning in a more compact package, OpenAI could attract users who want cutting-edge AI but don’t need the full heavyweight version just yet.

With burgeoning competition, OpenAI might be thrilled with any improvements it can point to in its latest models, considering the rumors of stalled progress on recent AI models at OpenAI and elsewhere. Even if its sense of humor may still be a work in progress.

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