Stay updated with the latest in tech innovation! This week’s blog brings you a roundup of top headlines you can’t miss. From Apple’s rumored smart home display to Amazon’s new Fire TV Omni and Microsoft’s “Xbox Everywhere” campaign, there’s plenty of exciting news to explore. Dive in for all the details!
Google Tests Removing EU News Articles from Search Results
In a significant move, Google is testing the removal of EU-based news articles from its Search, News, and Discover platforms for 1% of users in nine EU countries, including France, Italy, and Spain. This “time-limited” experiment aims to gather data on how news content impacts traffic and the search experience, responding to EU regulators’ requests. While non-EU news content will still appear, the test highlights potential traffic losses for EU publishers without Google’s support. This follows ongoing tensions, with Google previously facing fines and content removal in response to regulatory pressures worldwide, including in California, Canada, and Australia.
Nike Unveils Adaptive Elite EasyOn Backpack for Athletes
Nike’s Elite EasyOn backpack, designed for accessibility, is now available for $150, featuring innovations to support athletes with limited dexterity or motor skills. Initially crafted for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the backpack offers a full clamshell opening for easy access, magnetic closures for one-handed use, and modular straps adaptable for wheelchair compatibility. With large U-shaped zipper pulls and illustrated usage instructions, this backpack addresses the needs of adaptive athletes while ensuring convenience and functionality for all users.
Snapchat Adds Parental Location Controls in Family Center Update
Snapchat is enhancing its location-sharing features to give parents more control within its Family Center. Soon, parents and teens will be able to request each other’s locations, view who the teen is sharing their location with, and set up automatic travel alerts for designated spots like home or school. These updates, similar to Life360, provide built-in safety tools in an app families may already use. Snapchat emphasizes that these features are opt-in and limited to friends already connected on the app, with additional reminders for privacy setting reviews.
Microsoft’s New Campaign Promotes Xbox Gaming Across All Screens
Microsoft’s new “This is an Xbox” campaign redefines Xbox as a gaming platform for multiple devices, not just consoles. With ads on digital billboards and buses, Microsoft aims to show that laptops, TVs, handheld gaming PCs, and even VR headsets can all be “Xbox” devices. This campaign highlights Microsoft’s “Xbox Everywhere” initiative, which began with Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing users to play Xbox games on platforms like PlayStation, Switch, and Samsung TVs, with no console required.
Amazon Launches Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series with Enhanced Features
Amazon introduces its new Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series, its first Mini LED TV, offering up to 1,344 dimming zones and 1,400 nits of peak brightness. Priced lower than top competitors, the Omni series includes Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10 Plus Adaptive, Dolby Atmos audio, and gaming features like AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and a 144Hz refresh rate. It also features AI-based Intelligent Picture adjustments, hands-free voice commands, and ASHA-enabled audio streaming for hearing aids. Available now, the Omni series starts at $819.99, and Amazon also released the Fire TV Soundbar Plus for $374.99, designed with Dolby Atmos and dialogue enhancement.
Apple Rumored to Release Wall-Mounted Smart Home Display
Apple is reportedly developing a wall-mounted smart home display, set to debut in March, which would control HomeKit devices, handle video calls, and feature voice support through Siri. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the six-inch device resembles an iPad, includes a built-in camera, and may have a stand with additional speakers. The display could adjust content based on proximity and support Apple’s Handoff feature, with both silver and black options anticipated. Apple is also said to be exploring a more advanced model with a robotic arm for screen movement, signaling a potential expansion of its smart home ecosystem.