Here are today’s 3 verified tech & science stories, covering Tech & Apps, AI Tools and Science & Space.

Every item below links to its original source.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: Apple Strikes a Deal With Swiss AI Music Startup Samplab
• AI Tools: Nvidia Releases Open Nemotron 3.5 Models for Running AI Agents Locally
• Science & Space: Japan Launches Its MMX Mission to Grab a Sample From Mars’ Moon Phobos

Tech & Apps

Apple Strikes a Deal With Swiss AI Music Startup Samplab

A filing on the EU’s List of Acquisitions revealed that Apple closed a deal in June with Samplab, a Switzerland-based startup whose AI tools let musicians rework and remix recorded tracks. The listing only became public this week, surfacing details Apple hadn’t previously confirmed. It isn’t yet clear how Apple intends to use the technology, but the EU filing confirms the relationship between the two companies, per 9to5Mac.

AI Tools

Nvidia Releases Open Nemotron 3.5 Models for Running AI Agents Locally

Nvidia has released a new lineup of open-weight Nemotron 3.5 models meant to let companies and PC owners run AI agents on their own hardware instead of through cloud services. The set includes a 120-billion-parameter model built for enterprise data centers, plus smaller versions sized for AI PCs and workstations to handle tasks like tool use and web browsing. Nvidia says businesses can fine-tune these models on their own data and keep full control over where they run, per TechCrunch. If you’re curious about simpler everyday AI agent uses, check out our guide on using ChatGPT to build a capsule wardrobe.

Science & Space

Japan Launches Its MMX Mission to Grab a Sample From Mars’ Moon Phobos

Japan’s space agency JAXA launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft on an H3 rocket, beginning a mission to reach Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, and attempt to land there and bring a physical sample back to Earth. The mission is a joint effort with NASA and the French, German, and European space agencies. According to Ars Technica, the spacecraft’s landing attempts on Phobos, up to two of them, won’t happen until 2029, with Earth return following years after that.

Explore more: stopping Edge’s “Just One More Thing” pop-up, using ChatGPT to build a capsule wardrobe, best walking app to turn steps into a real workout.

Make Your Digital Life Better

More practical tech how-tos, tool picks, and guides to upgrade your everyday digital life. More on GTWebs.

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Photo: Mathieu Thouvenin / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The post 3 Tech & Science News Stories for Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Apple Strikes a Deal With Swiss AI Music Startup Samplab appeared first on GTWebs.