As the week comes to an end, it’s time to round up the leading headlines in the world of tech. From Bluesky to YouTube TV and more, we have you covered with the news to know. Check out the latest tech news in this week’s blog below!
VW and Uber to Launch ID Buzz Robotaxi Fleet in Los Angeles by 2026
Volkswagen will team up with Uber to run autonomous, all-electric ID Buzz minivans as robotaxis in Los Angeles starting in 2026, replacing hour-long car trips with 5–15 minute flights. The seven-seat vans use self-driving hardware and software from VW’s Moia unit, and they’ll begin testing with safety drivers later this year before shifting to full driverless service once regulators approve. Riders will book trips through the Uber app, and VW aims to scale “thousands” of these robotaxis to multiple U.S. cities over the next decade. The partnership builds on VW’s Austin and Hamburg pilots and strengthens Uber’s fast-growing autonomous-vehicle roster.
LinkedIn Verification Badges Now Available for External Sites through Adobe Integration
LinkedIn is extending its free verification badges to the broader web, letting third-party platforms display the “Verified on LinkedIn” stamp instead of building their own tools. Adobe is the first major partner, adding LinkedIn verification to its new Content Authenticity app and the Behance portfolio network. Creators who verify with LinkedIn can show a badge on Behance profiles, and their confirmed identity travels with any work shared on LinkedIn via Adobe’s Content Credentials. LinkedIn says more than 80 million users have already verified details like identity, employer, and education, combating online impersonation. Early adopters of the expanded API also include TrustRadius, G2, and UserTesting, as LinkedIn positions its badge as a cross-platform standard for authenticity.
Adobe Unleashes Firefly Image Model 4 and 4 Ultra, Plus Major Creative Cloud Upgrades
Adobe has released Firefly Image Model 4 for fast, controllable 2K text-to-image generation and Firefly Image Model 4 Ultra for richer detail in complex scenes, both live in the Firefly web app alongside its text-to-video and vector tools. A new Firefly Boards beta brings collaborative mood-boarding to the browser, while an upcoming mobile app extends AI creation to iOS and Android. Users can now experiment with third-party models such as OpenAI’s GPT image, Google Imagen 3, and Veo 2, though Adobe labels its own models “commercially safe.” Illustrator gains fully released generative shape fills and text-to-pattern, and Photoshop adds smarter color tweaks, hair-and-clothing selections, and an upgraded Actions panel that learns a creator’s style—laying groundwork for Adobe’s future AI agent.
Meta Rolls Out Live Translation and Fresh Lens Colors for Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
Meta is pushing a major update to its Ray-Ban smart glasses that makes live, on-device translation in English, French, Italian, and Spanish available in every market; the feature even works offline if you pre-download a language pack. New Skyler frames now pair shiny chalky-gray with sapphire Transitions lenses or shiny black with clear or green tints, giving the cat-eye style more fashion options. Meta is also widening access to visual Meta AI, Instagram calls and DMs, and integration with Spotify, Apple Music, and other audio apps, while promising broader AI support across the EU and upcoming launches in Mexico, India, and the UAE.
YouTube TV Adds DIY Multiview, Redesigns TV App, and Brings 4× Speed to Mobile
YouTube TV will soon let members build their own multiview setups with select non-sports channels, starting in the coming weeks and expanding to more networks over time. The company’s TV app is also getting a Netflix-style redesign that promises simpler navigation, quicker playback, and instant access to comments, channel info, and subscriptions. Finally, YouTube Premium subscribers on iOS and Android are receiving a new 4× playback option, moving beyond the experimental phase first tested in January. Together, these updates aim to keep viewers watching longer on the big screen while giving them finer control on mobile.
Instagram Launches Edits App, a Free CapCut Rival for Pro-Level Video Creation
Instagram just released Edits, a standalone video editing app for iOS and Android that takes direct aim at TikTok’s CapCut. The free tool lets creators manage projects, jot ideas, and track performance while offering advanced features missing from the main Instagram app, such as AI-powered animations, green-screen swaps, and automatic subject cutouts. Mosseri says Edits targets serious creators rather than casual users and will soon add keyframing, more AI options, and collaborative editing.
Bluesky Launches Blue-Check Verification and “Trusted Verifier” Badges
Bluesky is proactively giving “authentic and notable” accounts its new blue-circle check mark. Select organizations, such as The New York Times, can now attain a scalloped “Trusted Verifier” check for their affiliates. The system expands on Bluesky’s domain-based self-verification. Likewise, this update from Bluesky makes it easier for independent journalists and creators to prove their identity and deter impersonation. Bluesky users cannot yet apply for verification. Officials from Bluesky say requests will open after feedback stabilizes the feature, and verification visibility can be toggled off in settings.