Morning Brief

1. Zhipu releases flagship model GLM-5.1
2. Older Kindle devices will no longer be able to download store content
3. DeepSeek introduces Expert Mode
4. GitHub launches cross-model AI review feature
5. SanDisk releases 2TB Extreme Pro UHS-II SD card
6. Sony launches Playerbase program

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Zhipu releases flagship model GLM-5.1

On April 8, Zhipu AI announced the launch of its world-leading open-source flagship model, GLM-5.1. Its core breakthrough lies in achieving “long-horizon task” capabilities, enabling the model to operate continuously for over eight hours without human intervention, autonomously completing the entire workflow of engineering tasks—from planning and execution to optimization and delivery.

In terms of professional coding ability, GLM-5.1 ranks third globally across three industry benchmarks—SWE-Bench Pro, Terminal-Bench 2.0, and NL2Repo—making it the top-performing domestic and open-source model. Notably, in SWE-Bench Pro, which closely reflects real-world software development scenarios, GLM-5.1 surpassed GPT-5.4 and Claude Opus 4.6, setting a new global best score.

Currently, GLM-5.1 is accessible via first-party APIs and through the GLM Coding Plan, and has been open-sourced on GitHub, Hugging Face, and ModelScope. Open source

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Older Kindle devices will no longer be able to download store content

On April 8, Amazon spokesperson Jackie Burke announced in an email to The Verge that starting May 20, 2026, Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire tablets released in 2012 or earlier will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content from the Kindle Store. Users will still be able to read books already downloaded on their devices, and can access previously purchased content through the Kindle mobile app, web-based Kindle, or newer devices.

If older devices are deregistered or reset after the May deadline, users will not be able to register them again.

Amazon will notify affected users via email before May 20, outlining the available and restricted features for legacy devices. Source

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DeepSeek introduces Expert Mode

On April 8, DeepSeek launched a new Expert Mode, adding a toggle between “Fast Mode” and “Expert Mode” above the input field. This marks the first time DeepSeek has introduced a tiered mode design in its product.

According to DeepSeek, Fast Mode is suitable for everyday conversations, offering instant responses and support for text recognition in images and files. Expert Mode is designed for complex problems, supporting deep reasoning and intelligent search. However, the new mode currently does not support file uploads or multimodal features, and DeepSeek notes that users may experience wait times during peak usage. Source

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GitHub launches cross-model AI review feature

On April 6, GitHub announced in a blog post an experimental feature called Rubber Duck for its Copilot CLI, introducing a cross-model “second opinion” review mechanism that can improve AI performance by nearly 75%.

The feature adopts a cross-family model strategy: when users select a Claude model as the primary controller, Rubber Duck calls GPT-5.4 for review. Its core function is to audit the agent’s work and generate a high-value checklist, including overlooked details, questionable assumptions, and edge cases.

According to the post, evaluations based on the SWE-Bench Pro benchmark show that pairing Claude Sonnet 4.6 with Rubber Duck closes 74.7% of the performance gap compared to Claude Opus 4.6 running independently.

The feature is currently available in experimental mode. Users can enable it by installing GitHub Copilot CLI and running the /experimental command. After activation, selecting a Claude model and enabling access to GPT-5.4 allows users to experience the feature. Source

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SanDisk releases 2TB Extreme Pro UHS-II SD card

On April 8, SanDisk introduced a 2TB Extreme Pro UHS-II SD card aimed at professional imaging users. The card targets the high-end market, offering sequential read speeds of up to 310 MB/s and write speeds of up to 305 MB/s. It is designed for professionals shooting 8K video or requiring high-resolution continuous shooting, features an IP68 rating, and can withstand drops from up to 6 meters. The product is priced at $1,999.99. Source

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Sony launches Playerbase program

• On April 8, Sony announced the launch of the Playerbase program, aiming to bring real players directly into the worlds of PlayStation Studios games.
• The core feature of the program is scanning players’ appearances and integrating their likeness into in-game environments, allowing developers to recreate players’ real-world looks and performances within game scenes. Staff will use multi-camera capture systems to record players from various angles, and the footage will then be processed into high-precision 3D models, accurately reproducing facial details, body proportions, and texture quality. Additional scans or recordings will capture facial motion data, which can be mapped onto rigging systems for character animation and dialogue performance. In some cases, players may also provide motion data, allowing their physical movements to serve as references for in-game animations or background character performances.
• Players can apply for the program for a chance to be officially scanned and integrated into a game. PlayStation will review applications, shortlist candidates for video interviews, and ultimately select one lucky fan whose likeness will be featured in Gran Turismo 7. Source