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Google released the first beta of the next version of its smartphone OS, Android 17, on Friday, following an aborted launch earlier in the week.  Beta 1 was supposed to launch on Wednesday, but Google changed the date to "coming soon" at the last minute without further explanation, CNET sister site PCMag reported.

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Sony put on its superhero cape and will bring one of its best franchises to PlayStation Plus in February. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will swing onto the subscription service on Feb. 17, along with nine other games. The heroic sequel, originally released in 2023, picks up after Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and lets you play as both Spider-Men.

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Food and housing costs led the increase

February 13, 2026

• The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2%on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4%before seasonal adjustment.
  

• Shelter costs rose 0.2%in January, accounting for the largest share of the monthly increase, while energy prices fell 1.5%.
  

• Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, climbed 0.3%for the month and 2.5%over the past year.
  

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Inflation moderated slightly in January, as lower energy prices helped offset continued increases in housing and other service-related costs, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The 0.2% monthly rise in the Consumer Price Index follows a 0.3% increase in December. On an annual basis, consumer prices were up 2.4% for the 12 months ending in January, down from a 2.7% year-over-year increase recorded in December.

Shelter costs which include rents and owners equivalent rent rose 0.2% in January and were the largest contributor to the overall monthly gain. Over the past 12 months, shelter prices have climbed 3.0%, continuing to put upward pressure on household budgets.

Grocery prices continued to climb

Food prices also moved higher, increasing 0.2% in January. Grocery prices, measured by the food-at-home index, rose 0.2%, while food away from home such as restaurant meals increased 0.1%. Compared with a year ago, overall food prices are up 2.9%, with restaurant prices rising 4.0% and grocery prices up 2.1%.

Energy prices, however, provided some relief. The energy index fell 1.5% in January, led by a 3.2% drop in gasoline prices. Energy commodities overall declined 3.3% for the month. On a year-over-year basis, gasoline prices are down 7.5%, contributing to a 0.1% decline in the broader energy index over the past 12 months.

Core inflation which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories rose 0.3%in January. Over the past year, core prices increased 2.5%.

Within the core categories, airline fares, personal care, recreation, medical care, and communication were among the indexes that posted gains in January. Medical care services rose 0.3% for the month and are up 3.9% compared with a year ago.

Some categories saw declines. Prices for used cars and trucks fell 1.8% in January and are down 2.0% over the past 12 months. Household furnishings and operations and motor vehicle insurance also recorded monthly decreases.

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