In Short:
– Amazon laid off over 1,800 engineers across gaming and advertising as part of a restructuring initiative.
– The company is reallocating resources towards artificial intelligence while further job reductions may occur.

Amazon laid off over 1,800 engineers as part of a record reduction affecting multiple divisions, including gaming and advertising.The company’s recent layoffs, part of a broader trend in the tech sector, saw 40% of job cuts in engineering roles across various states, according to WARN filings.

These reductions occurred amid a restructuring initiative aimed at making Amazon function more like a startup, with CEO Andy Jassy advocating for a leaner workforce and faster decision-making.

In the wake of these layoffs, Amazon is focusing on shifting resources towards artificial intelligence, which Jassy believes will reshape the company’s workforce. The company stated that although AI is a transformative tool, it was not the primary cause of recent job cuts.

Reports suggest that further job reductions may be forthcoming as Amazon continues to streamline. The job reductions affected multiple levels of software engineers, particularly mid-level staff, as the company cuts costs and reinforces its focus on innovation.

Job Cuts

The layoffs also included significant reductions in Amazon’s gaming division, with a focus on reducing roles tied to major game development projects. This effort reflects a broader strategy to mitigate expenses while reallocating resources towards more profitable ventures within the company.

Amazon’s ad division similarly experienced cuts, with over 140 positions eliminated, illustrating a trend of expansion and contraction within various business units in a changing economic landscape.

In Short:
– OpenAI launched GPT-5.1 with two models to improve ChatGPT’s conversation and user control.
– The update, initially for paid users, addresses prior complaints and introduces adaptive reasoning and personality presets.

OpenAI launched GPT-5.1 today, featuring two upgraded models aimed at enhancing ChatGPT’s conversational abilities and providing users better control over its personality.The update started rolling out to paid subscribers on November 12, introducing GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking, both designed to address complaints regarding the original GPT-5 release in August.

GPT-5.1 Instant is said to be “warmer by default and more conversational,” with early testers noting its playfulness while remaining clear and useful.

The launch follows a backlash from users after GPT-5’s release, who criticized its “colder” tone and the removal of previous models like GPT-4o. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, admitted that discontinuing GPT-4o “was a mistake” and acknowledged the emotional attachment users had to specific models.

Adaptive Reasoning

GPT-5.1 Instant introduces adaptive reasoning, which helps it determine when to “think before responding” to complex questions.

This leads to marked improvements in mathematical and coding tasks. GPT-5.1 Thinking adjusts processing time based on the task, resulting in clearer explanations and improved ease of use for various tasks.

The new version includes six personality presets, allowing users to tailor interactions. OpenAI aims for the model to integrate cognitive and emotional intelligence effectively.

For now, the rollout is for paid users, with free access occurring soon. Both models will be available via API, and legacy models will remain accessible for three months.

In Short:
– Apple has postponed the iPhone Air’s launch due to poor sales of the current model.
– Production of the iPhone Air will stop, with Foxconn and Luxshare ceasing manufacturing by November and October respectively.

Apple has delayed the launch of its second-generation iPhone Air, which was scheduled for fall 2026, due to disappointing sales of the current model that debuted two months ago, as reported by The Information.Engineers and suppliers have been informed that the iPhone Air will be removed from the production schedule without a new release date.

The decision coincides with a significant reduction in the production of the existing model. Foxconn is expected to cease all manufacturing by the end of November, while Luxshare will stop production by the end of October.

Sales for the iPhone Air have not met Apple’s expectations since its launch in September. Foxconn has limited its production lines for the device, and future orders are projected to decrease significantly. A survey indicated nearly no demand for the iPhone Air, with consumers instead choosing the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models.

Production Challenges

The underperformance of the iPhone Air continues a trend of failed attempts by Apple to add a fourth model to its lineup.

The iPhone mini was previously discontinued after poor sales, followed by the larger Plus models, which faced similar challenges.

Apple had intended to develop a lighter second-generation iPhone Air with improved specifications but may now reconsider its design approach. The company also has plans for a staggered launch of the iPhone 18 lineup set for 2026 and early 2027.