• L’Oréal invests $383M in Indian AI tech hub — French beauty giant builds a new innovation center in Hyderabad focused on AI‑driven beauty solutions and tech jobs. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/world/india/loreal-invest-383-million-indian-tech-hub-2026-01-21/

• EU phase‑out of high‑risk tech draws pushback — Brussels proposes tightening rules around critical tech components, triggering criticism from Huawei. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/eu-phase-out-high-risk-tech-targets-huawei-chinese-companies-2026-01-20/

• Meta’s new AI team delivers first key models internally — Progress at Meta’s Superintelligence Labs suggests deep R&D momentum beyond public launches. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/technology/metas-new-ai-team-has-delivered-first-key-models-internally-this-month-cto-says-2026-01-21/

• Intel earnings spotlight AI data center demand — Intel signals turnaround prospects as strong demand for AI tools boosts data center‑related chip orders. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/intel-results-spotlight-turnaround-efforts-ai-data-centers-boost-chip-demand-2026-01-21/

• Gates Foundation and OpenAI team up for AI health in Africa — $50M initiative aims to expand AI in health systems across several countries. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/gates-openai-team-up-ai-health-push-african-countries-2026-01-21/

• Eightfold sued over AI hiring profiling — Class action alleges AI HR tool violates credit‑reporting laws by scoring candidates without transparency. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ai-company-eightfold-sued-helping-companies-secretly-score-job-seekers-2026-01-21/

• OpenAI confirms plan for first 2026 hardware device — Company eyeing consumer AI hardware with design help from former Apple talent; debut expected later in the year. 👉 https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/openai-device-2026-lehane-jony-ive

• OpenAI hardware progress continues with design hires — Additional former Apple engineers join OpenAI’s hardware efforts, fueling speculation about upcoming products. 👉 https://www.t3.com/tech/openai-on-track-for-hardware-launch-this-year-jony-ives-team-nabs-another-former-apple-employee-to-help-out

• Medical AI startup OpenEvidence doubles valuation — Healthcare AI company raises funds at a $12B valuation, spotlighting clinical AI’s growth trajectory. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/medical-ai-startup-openevidence-doubles-valuation-12-billion-latest-round-2026-01-21/

• TE Connectivity forecasts profit on strong AI tools demand — Component maker sees AI‑fueled demand lifting orders across industrial and data center segments. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/technology/te-connectivity-forecasts-upbeat-second-quarter-profit-strong-ai-tools-demand-2026-01-21/

• OpenAI pushes “OpenAI for Countries” initiative — Organization seeks to expand global AI participation in public sectors like education and disaster planning. 👉 https://www.reuters.com/business/davos/openai-seeks-increase-global-ai-use-everyday-life-2026-01-21/

Today’s episode of Tech Under the Radar explores meaningful technology developments you may not see in headline news: consumer safety gear embedding radar sensors, next-generation defense radar research, Vietnam’s first semiconductor fabrication plant, surging AI adoption in legal practice, an open-source mobile news app refresh, institutional semiconductor stock signals, commercial radar market growth, sustainability-oriented bioremediation technology, Starlink satellite expansions, and Europe’s vehicle inspection modernization. These signals reflect how hardware, connectivity, and enterprise adoption trends are evolving in real time — and all linked sources are in the show notes below.

• Google restores JPEG XL image format in Chromium — Native JPEG XL support returns to Chromium, improving web image compression and bandwidth. 👉 https://www.techradar.com/pro/google-restores-much-missed-jpeg-xl-format-to-chromium-code-base-better-image-compression-and-better-bandwidth-are-on-the-way

• Razer’s AI gaming ecosystem innovations at CES 2026 — Razer reveals AI companions, developer tools, wearable tech, and more. 👉 https://www.razer.com/newsroom/company-news/razer-at-ces-2026/?srsltid=AfmBOopnWoXZy3TLriMlWrx-j6ADAbUQai_C5JUGaBVXwGPoxxE1yWkK

• Cyberattacks used to disrupt power and radar in Venezuela blackout — New reports suggest digital attacks played a role in infrastructure disruption. 👉 https://www.securityweek.com/new-reports-reinforce-cyberattacks-role-in-maduro-capture-blackout/

• Chromium JPEG XL motion grows developer ecosystem support — Additional context on JPEG XL’s broader community impact. 👉 https://x.com/techradar/status/2013365317645537367

• Nanometer‑thick magnets via lasers could influence future hardware — Research shows laser‑based magnets at nanoscale at room temperature. 👉 https://www.techradar.com/news/archive (see Nanometer‑thick magnet...)

• Tech Radar’s news archives on CES and robotics progress — Highlighting robotics moving into real world applications. 👉 https://www.techradar.com/news/archive

Today’s episode scans beneath the surface of innovation — from smart lighting with embedded radar to new semiconductor fabs rising in Southeast Asia and evolving legal tech adoption. If you work with hardware, connectivity, or enterprise software, these are signals worth watching before tomorrow’s headlines solidify.