Waymo has received regulatory approval to extend its autonomous vehicle operations across a significantly larger area of California, including most of the Bay Area and Southern California, as shown by updated maps from California’s DMV. The company plans to launch services in San Diego by mid-2026, alongside other cities like Dallas and Miami, though further regulatory approvals are required in some regions to carry paying passengers. This expansion reflects an intensified push to solidify its dominance in the robotaxi market, even as concerns about safety and user behavior in autonomous vehicles grow. TechCrunch

A recent Nvidia driver hotfix has addressed severe gaming performance issues caused by the Windows 11 October update, with some users reporting up to 65% frame rate improvements. However, the hotfix does not enhance GPU capabilities but rather restores performance lost due to system conflicts. While many gamers have benefited, the hotfix underlines the challenges of maintaining seamless compatibility between hardware and constantly evolving software. XDA Developers

Tuxedo Computers has announced it is canceling plans for a Linux-based Snapdragon X Elite laptop due to significant compatibility issues, such as poor battery life, lack of BIOS update options, and limited video decoding support. The company cited the impracticality of completing development before the Snapdragon X2 Elite launch in 2026 but remains open to revisiting the project if future architectures provide better Linux compatibility. This highlights ongoing struggles for ARM-based systems to meet the needs of Linux enthusiasts despite broader adoption in other markets. XDA Developers

Scientists have discovered that the Blechnum orientale fern can accumulate and store rare earth elements (REEs), forming REE-rich crystals within its tissues. This breakthrough, the first of its kind, could pave the way for sustainable phytomining techniques, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional REE extraction. The findings highlight the potential of plants to revolutionize resource harvesting, particularly as global demand for REEs continues to rise. Science Alert

Researchers at the University of Southampton have unveiled a mechanism whereby continental plates are stripped at their roots by slow-moving mantle waves, carrying material into oceanic regions and fueling volcanism. This process, operating over millions of years, provides a clearer understanding of why oceanic mantles appear enriched with continental materials. The discovery underlines the dynamic nature of Earth's tectonic systems and their role in shaping geological processes. Science Alert