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TikTok’s ‘Chromebook Challenge’ Sparks Fires, Arrests, and Nationwide School Warnings

A dangerous viral trend has students damaging school-issued laptops, prompting legal action, evacuations, and pleas from educators and parents alike.

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A school-issued Chromebook badly damaged after a student attempted the TikTok "Chromebook Challenge," leading to fire and evacuation. ( Source : NBC News )

In what experts are calling one of the most reckless social media trends to hit schools this year, the “Chromebook Challenge” has ignited serious concerns nationwide. Originating on TikTok earlier this May, the viral challenge encourages students to insert foreign objects such as paperclips or graphite pencils into the USB ports of school-issued Google Chromebooks—a stunt that can lead to short circuits, toxic smoke, and in some cases, outright fires.

The trend quickly gained notoriety after a 15-year-old student in Belleville, New Jersey was arrested and charged with third-degree arson for participating in the challenge. His tampered Chromebook emitted smoke, prompting a school evacuation and first responder intervention. Law enforcement officials say the device had been deliberately sabotaged as part of the trend, marking one of the most extreme outcomes to date.

This disturbing phenomenon has triggered widespread alarm. In Arizona, multiple incidents at Bullhead City schools resulted in evacuations and thousands in damages. Meanwhile, the San Diego Unified School District reported 16 Chromebook damage cases, totaling over $7,000 in replacement costs. The Colorado Springs Fire Department logged at least 16 similar cases, referring involved students to youth firesetter intervention programs.

At the root of this challenge is a misguided curiosity. Students aim to provoke a visible reaction—smoke, sparks, or even flame—by turning USB ports into dangerous electrical conductors. However, the risks are anything but harmless. Laptops contain lithium-ion batteries, which, when overheated or damaged, can release toxic gases, catch fire, or explode, as outlined by the National Fire Protection Association.

Schools across the country are taking proactive steps. From sending warning letters to parents to launching social media awareness campaigns, administrators are pushing back hard. Some districts are holding students financially accountable for damages—around $300 per device—while others are threatening disciplinary actions or criminal charges.

“This behavior is not only extremely dangerous but also a direct violation of school policy and is considered vandalism,” wrote Jackson County Public Schools in a Facebook post, where they shared a photo of a scorched Chromebook. Their district alone confirmed four confirmed cases by mid-May.

Educators and peers are also speaking out. “Truthfully, it’s just dumb,” wrote San Diego senior Quinton Baldis in a school blog. “These computers are lent to us so we can better learn. It’s wasteful, dangerous, and everyone loses.”

Meanwhile, TikTok has removed search results for “Chromebook Challenge” and now displays warnings about harmful trends, directing users to safety resources. “Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated,” the platform warns.

With increasing reports and rising repair costs, school officials, fire departments, and concerned parents are united in urging students to resist this harmful fad. The message is clear: destruction is not a trend—and the consequences are real.

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OpenAI’s new Sora app flooded with terrifying Sam Altman deepfakes and bizarre AI videos…

From pigs scrolling TikTok to Pokémon lawsuits, OpenAI’s Sora turns into a surreal deepfake playground less than 24 hours after launch.

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OpenAI’s Sora app filled with Sam Altman deepfakes and bizarre AI videos
OpenAI’s Sora app is already flooded with eerie deepfakes of CEO Sam Altman in surreal scenarios.

When OpenAI unveiled its new social media app Sora, it promised a bold new way to experience AI-generated video. What early users received, however, feels more like a nightmarish fever dream starring none other than Sam Altman himself.

Within hours of launch, the invite-only app was overrun with uncanny deepfakes of the OpenAI CEO. In one viral clip, Altman appears inside a factory farm packed with pink pigs, each pen equipped with a smartphone streaming vertical videos. Staring directly at the camera, the AI-generated Altman asks chillingly: “Are my piggies enjoying their slop?”

ALSO READ : Terence Stamp’s Final Curtain Call Leaves Fans in Tears as Secrets from His Past Resurface

Moments later, the feed shifts to another surreal scene — Altman standing in a field of Pokémon, from Pikachu to Bulbasaur, casually remarking: “I hope Nintendo doesn’t sue us.”

The internet’s new obsession: Altman everywhere

The bizarre trend didn’t stop there. Users generated videos of “Altman” pouring Starbucks lattes for Pikachu and Eric Cartman, yelling at customers behind a McDonald’s counter, or even running away from police after stealing Nvidia GPUs from a Target store.

The app itself cheekily acknowledges the chaos. In some clips, Altman’s AI double announces, “This content may violate our guardrails concerning third-party likeness,” before bursting into hysterical laughter — as if mocking the very warnings the app is designed to enforce.

OpenAI’s Sora app filled with Sam Altman deepfakes and bizarre AI videos


Copyright chaos on display

Sora is already under fire for how it handles copyright. Unlike most platforms where creators must opt in to allow their content to be used, OpenAI has flipped the model: copyright holders must opt out to prevent their works from appearing. Legal experts say this raises troubling questions, especially when videos depict characters like Naruto, Mario, or even Pikachu performing adult or absurd actions.

“People are pushing Sora’s boundaries just to see how far it will go,” one user posted on X, pointing to clips of Mario smoking weed or Pikachu performing ASMR.

Why Sora feels different

What sets Sora apart from other AI apps, including the Meta AI feed, is the realism. OpenAI has fine-tuned its video generator to obey the laws of physics more convincingly, making scenes look disturbingly authentic. The more convincing these deepfakes become, the greater the risk they’ll be used for misinformation, bullying, or worse.

Sora is, at its core, a deepfake generator with social features. Upon joining, users are prompted to create a “cameo” by recording biometric data — turning their heads, reading numbers aloud, and effectively handing the app a digital replica of their likeness. Users can then choose who’s allowed to generate content with their cameo: “only me,” “people I approve,” “mutuals,” or “everyone.”

A glimpse into the future?

The frenzy around Altman deepfakes highlights both the allure and the dangers of this technology. On one hand, it showcases Sora’s jaw-dropping realism and creative potential. On the other, it raises urgent ethical questions: What happens when hyper-realistic AI versions of public figures — or private individuals — flood the internet without consent?

For now, Sora is invite-only, but if this is the preview, the public launch could be even more chaotic. Whether it becomes the next TikTok of AI or collapses under controversy, one thing is certain: Sam Altman will never look at a Target store the same way again.

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Google celebrates 27th birthday as a spelling mistake turns into the world’s biggest search engine

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Google 27th birthday how a typo on Googol created the world’s top search engine
Google marks 27 years since its founding as a typo turned into the world’s most iconic search engine.

Almost every internet user around the globe interacts with Google daily — searching, mapping, emailing, or watching videos on YouTube, another Google-owned platform. But on its 27th birthday, celebrated on September 27, many still wonder: what does the name “Google” really mean, and how did it come to define the digital age?

The meaning behind Google

The name “Google” is actually derived from the mathematical term Googol — the number 1 followed by 100 zeros (10¹⁰⁰). The word was first coined by Milton Sirotta, the young nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, as a playful way to describe unimaginably large numbers.

Google 27th birthday how a typo on Googol created the world’s top search engine


For founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two Stanford University Ph.D. students in the late 1990s, the term reflected their ambition: to organize a seemingly infinite amount of information on the internet and make it accessible to everyone.

From BackRub to Google

Google wasn’t always Google. In 1996, Brin and Page created a search engine prototype and named it BackRub, referencing the system’s ability to analyze “backlinks” on web pages. But by 1997, the pair realized the name lacked the ambition and gravitas their project deserved.

Brainstorming led them to consider “Googolplex” — a number that is 1 followed by a Googol of zeros. Eventually, they settled on the shorter Googol. But fate, and a small spelling error, had other plans.

A typo that changed the internet

During the process of registering the website, graduate student Sean Anderson accidentally typed “Google” instead of “Googol” while checking domain availability. To everyone’s surprise, google.com was available. Larry Page immediately approved, and within hours the domain was officially registered.

Google 27th birthday how a typo on Googol created the world’s top search engine


What was once a typo became one of the most recognizable names — and companies — in human history.

The rise of a global giant

Google officially incorporated on September 4, 1998, though the company celebrates its birthday on September 27, marking key internal milestones. What started in a garage in Menlo Park, California, grew into a powerhouse that now dominates global search, advertising, cloud computing, and mobile operating systems through Android.

READ MORE : Google Gemini AI Prompts for Men Spark 7 Stunning Retro and Cinematic Photo Trends

In 2015, Google restructured under a new parent company, Alphabet Inc., with Indian-born executive Sundar Pichai appointed as CEO of both Google and Alphabet. Brin and Page remain influential insiders with significant voting power.

Google 27th birthday how a typo on Googol created the world’s top search engine


Today, Google processes over 8.5 billion searches per day, owns a portfolio of services including Gmail, Maps, and Drive, and is at the forefront of artificial intelligence with products like Gemini.

A name that became a verb

The misspelled name did more than build a brand — it became a verb. To “Google” something is now synonymous with searching for information online, a linguistic achievement that underscores its cultural dominance.

From a typo on a university campus to the backbone of the digital age, Google’s story shows how small accidents can shape history. On its 27th birthday, the company remains a giant not just of technology, but of modern language and daily life.

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iPhone 17 Air Launch Shocks Fans with 10 Powerful Features and Stunning Price in USA

Apple’s thinnest smartphone ever brings a 48MP Fusion camera, A19 Pro chip, recycled titanium body, and a major focus on Apple Intelligence.

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iPhone 17 Air Features and Price in USA – Apple’s Thinnest Smartphone Yet
Apple launches the stunning iPhone 17 Air featuring a 48MP Fusion Camera, A19 Pro chip, and recycled titanium body.

The iPhone 17 Air has finally arrived, and it is already being called one of the most stylish yet powerful smartphones ever designed by Apple. Launched as part of the 2025 lineup, this device combines ultra-slim design with groundbreaking technology, promising to redefine how users experience photography, performance, and intelligence on a phone.

With a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display, 48MP Fusion camera system, and the all-new A19 Pro chip, the iPhone 17 Air has been engineered for speed, durability, and creativity. Apple has also doubled down on sustainability, using 80% recycled titanium in its construction while still delivering premium aesthetics in four beautiful colors.

iPhone 17 Air Features and Price in USA – Apple’s Thinnest Smartphone Yet

1. Camera: A True Photographer’s Dream

The iPhone 17 Air comes with a 48MP Fusion camera system, capable of shooting 24MP photos by default. Apple has packed in multiple focal lengths (26mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 52mm), effectively giving users “four lenses in their pocket.”

Other highlights include:

  • 2x Telephoto zoom for professional close-ups.
  • Next-generation portraits powered by Apple’s AI algorithms.
  • Action Mode for sports and fast movement.
  • Dolby Vision 4K60 recording with cinematic quality.

Selfie lovers aren’t left behind either—thanks to the Center Stage front camera, video calls and vlogs are smarter and more dynamic.


2. Performance: A19 Pro Chip

At the heart of the device lies the new A19 Pro chip, designed for blazing speed and efficiency. Combined with Apple Intelligence (AI), it promises smarter photography, faster multitasking, and seamless app handling.

iPhone 17 Air Features and Price in USA – Apple’s Thinnest Smartphone Yet

3. Durability Redefined

Apple claims the Ceramic Shield 2 offers 3x better scratch resistance on the front and 4x stronger crack resistance on the back compared to older iPhones. This makes the iPhone 17 Air one of the most durable premium smartphones on the market.


4. Display & Battery

The 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display now supports ProMotion up to 120Hz, delivering smooth scrolling and vivid detail. Paired with all-day battery life, the phone ensures power users can enjoy high-performance tasks without constant charging.


5. Audio & Video Experience

The device also features Audio Mix with Spatial Audio, turning movies, music, and calls into immersive experiences. Content creators will especially appreciate dual capture recording, letting them film from front and back cameras simultaneously.

iPhone 17 Air Features and Price in USA – Apple’s Thinnest Smartphone Yet

6. Sustainability with Style

For the first time, the iPhone 17 Air uses 80% recycled titanium, aligning with Apple’s environmental goals without compromising design.


iPhone 17 Air Price in USA

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to start around $899 for the base model (128GB) and may go up to $1,199 for higher storage variants. Apple aims to position this device between the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro models.


Final Verdict

The iPhone 17 Air isn’t just thinner—it’s smarter, stronger, and more creative. With the perfect balance of design, performance, and eco-friendly innovation, this phone is likely to be one of the biggest upgrades in recent iPhone history.

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