Waymo has received regulatory approval to expand its autonomous vehicle operations across broader areas of California, including Sacramento, Napa, and San Diego. While the company can now test and deploy its vehicles in these regions, additional permissions are required to carry paying passengers in some areas. The move aligns with Waymo's broader growth strategy, which includes new market launches planned for 2026 in cities like Dallas, Denver, and Miami. The regulatory milestone underscores the increasing acceptance of autonomous technology, though challenges related to public adoption and safety remain significant. TechCrunch

A recent Nvidia hotfix driver has resolved gaming performance issues caused by the Windows 11 October update, with users reporting up to a 65% improvement in framerates. The update addresses a problem that had degraded in-game performance, particularly on systems affected by the earlier Windows patch. While Nvidia's action has been broadly welcomed, it highlights the ongoing dependency of gaming performance on both software stability and timely vendor responses. XDA Developers

NVMe drives are proving to be a superior storage solution compared to SATA SSDs in terms of speed and price, with Gen4 NVMe SSDs reaching speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s. Analysts suggest that the declining cost of NVMe drives removes the price advantage traditionally held by SATA technology, making NVMe the default choice for new PC builds. The potential impact of next-generation storage interfaces like DirectStorage could further cement NVMe's dominance. XDA Developers

Microsoft has introduced a Digital Signage mode in Windows 11 to suppress error messages like the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on public displays. Errors will now only flash briefly before the screen goes blank, reducing unwanted disruptions on digital signage such as transport boards and retail displays. This development reflects Microsoft's focus on improving the reliability of its systems, particularly in business-critical environments. Tech Radar

Researchers have discovered that the Blechnum orientale fern can accumulate and crystallize rare earth elements (REEs) within its tissues. This breakthrough highlights the potential for phytomining, a sustainable method to extract REEs, which are crucial for clean energy and tech applications. This could pave the way for greener extraction techniques, reducing the environmental impact of traditional mining methods. Science Alert

Geoscientists from the University of Southampton have revealed a process where continents are gradually stripped at their roots by mantle waves during tectonic movements. This material, carried into oceanic regions, explains the presence of continental elements in oceanic volcanic sites. The findings enhance our understanding of plate tectonics and could influence future geological and environmental studies. Science Alert