Tag: AI

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From NYT AI Recipes to Readwise Ebooks and More! | Tech News

Feel like you’ve missed all the tech news buzz this week! Don’t fret, we have you covered! From NYT AI Recipes to Readwise Ebooks and more, stay connected with our weekly wrap-up. Check out what you may have missed from across the web in this week’s blog below!

NYT Cooking Tests AI-Powered Recipe Modifications

Home cooks now have a new way to personalize recipes in the NYT Cooking app. An AI-powered NYT feature can suggest ingredient substitutions, adjust serving sizes, recommend equipment changes, and tailor cooking instructions to a user’s needs. The system is designed to make practical adjustments rather than rewrite a NYT recipe from scratch. Likewise, this includes changing when a softer ingredient should be added during cooking. Customized versions remain private to the user and cannot be published or shared through the app. The feature is currently available to NYT Cooking subscribers on iOS. Of course, broader availability is planned as the Times continues testing how AI fits into its NYT recipe platform.

Amazon Expands Alexa Into a More Capable Shopping Assistant

Online shopping is becoming more hands-off as Amazon adds new list, registry, and customer-service features to Alexa for Shopping. Users can now create and edit grocery lists, manage gift registries, move items between lists, and check which products remain unpurchased. The assistant can also compare products, monitor prices, set alerts, and automatically buy eligible items when they fall below a chosen price. New service tools allow customers to update delivery instructions, review unfamiliar charges, track refunds, and modify recurring deliveries without navigating through several menus. The rollout gives Amazon a stronger first-party AI shopping experience as it continues limiting how outside agents interact with its marketplace.

Apple Finally Embraces the Touchscreen MacBook

More than 15 years of resistance came to an end this week when Apple officially introduced its first touchscreen MacBook Pro. The new model features a tandem OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 2,000 nits of brightness, and a touch sensor integrated directly into the screen. Apple also replaced the familiar notch with a hole-punch camera area and redesigned the chassis to weigh as little as three pounds. Prices start at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch version, with both powered by M5 Pro or M5 Max chips. The launch marks a notable reversal for a company whose executives spent years arguing that touchscreen laptops blurred the line between tablets and traditional computers.

Readwise Takes Aim at Kindle With Its Own Ebook Store

A new beta platform from Readwise is attempting to combine ebook reading, social discovery, and reading analytics in one place. Readwise Books lets users buy titles, track reading time and pace, share progress, write reviews, and discover recommendations through a social feed. The company has secured agreements with all five major U.S. publishers, giving it a broad catalog and the ability to compete more directly with Kindle and Kobo on price and availability. Limited Kindle integration allows users to bring some existing reading activity into the platform, although Readwise acknowledges that switching ecosystems will take time. The company hopes its stronger note syncing, social features, and customizable reading experience can attract readers looking for something more interactive than a traditional ebook store.

Meta Quietly Launches an AI Pet Journal

A cozy new experiment from Meta turns personal journaling into a conversation with a virtual pet. Waddle World is a free 16-bit app where users talk to an AI-powered creature. The creature can listen, remember details, respond to conversations, and create small doodles inspired by what it hears. The experience also includes low-pressure mini activities such as word games and grocery stacking. Additionally, there are no streaks or competitive scoring to maintain. Meta describes the app as a “daily journal disguised as a pet.” Of course, this positions the app as a more playful alternative to traditional diary apps. Waddle World is currently limited to select markets. Meta has not yet confirmed whether the app will expand to the United States.

Firefox’s Smart Window Can Fill Out Forms for You

Browser automation is getting more practical with an update to Mozilla’s AI-powered Smart Window experience. The new form-filling feature can pull relevant information from open tabs. This includes a LinkedIn profile or online portfolio and uses it to populate fields on another webpage. That could make tasks like job applications, account registrations, and other repetitive online forms considerably faster. Smart Window is also gaining broader monitoring capabilities. Current updates allow users to keep track of changes on webpages without repeatedly checking them manually. Mozilla’s approach shows how browser-based AI is shifting. Likewise, taking browsers from answering questions toward completing more of the tedious work people already do online.

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From Google Home to Meta One and More! | Tech News

Wrap up the week with the latest tech and media news from across the web. This week, we are serving up the major headlines keeping the internet abuzz, from third-party AI Agents on Google Home to Meta One and more. Check out what you might have missed in this week’s tech news blog!

Google Home Opens the Door to Third-Party AI Agents

The smart home platform for Google will expand with support for the Model Context Protocol. Google Home will allow third-party AI agents such as Claude to interact with connected devices and household data. The new Google Home MCP can analyze event history, monitor device activity, and build custom dashboards. In addition, Google Home devices can even complete certain smart home tasks on a user’s behalf. Gemini for Home will remain the primary assistant for Google Home. Likewise, the MCP support creates another layer for people who want to use other AI tools with their connected Google Home devices. Access will initially be limited to U.S. Google Home Premium Advanced subscribers. Cost for the premium tier begins at $20 per month or $200 annually. 

Meta Bundles Social Media and AI Into New Subscriptions

Meta is launching Meta One, a collection of subscription bundles that combine premium features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Meta AI. Individual plans start at $7.99 per month for Core and $19.99 for Premium, offering perks such as longer Instagram Stories and increased access to Meta’s AI-powered image and content tools. Separate packages for creators and businesses range from $14.99 to $499 per month and add features including verified badges, advanced analytics, scheduling tools, impersonation monitoring, and expanded AI business assistance. Meta says the core versions of its social platforms and AI products will remain free, while subscribers gain additional capabilities and higher usage limits. The rollout signals a broader effort to generate recurring revenue from users who want more sophisticated social media, creator, and AI features.

SimpliSafe Lets a Human Guard Watch Your Front Door

SimpliSafe’s new Video Doorbell Series 2 combines artificial intelligence with live human monitoring. This update allows the device to respond to suspicious activity outside a home. The $199.99 wired doorbell features 2K video, 10x zoom, and a 150-degree head-to-toe view. In addition, it includes two-way audio, package alerts, and a built-in siren. When Active Guard detects potentially concerning behavior, a monitoring agent can access the live feed, speak through the camera, and attempt to deter intruders or package thieves. The service is optional and requires a qualifying monitoring plan starting at $49.99 per month, with color-coded lights showing when either the homeowner or an agent is viewing the camera. By bringing live monitoring directly to the front door, SimpliSafe is pushing smart home security beyond passive notifications and toward real-time intervention.

Voicemod Brings Real-Time Voice Changing to Smartphones

Voicemod is expanding beyond PCs and consoles with the Key Pocket, a compact accessory that lets users alter their voices during mobile games, livestreams, and phone or video calls. The device acts as an external audio bridge, processing sound from a wired or Bluetooth microphone through Voicemod’s mobile app before passing it along to other apps. Six programmable buttons allow users to quickly switch between voice effects or trigger soundboard clips, while a customizable LED dial handles volume and additional controls. The Key Pocket works with USB-C-equipped Android, iOS, and iPadOS devices and is available for $99.90, or $129.90 bundled with a lifetime Voicemod Pro license. That Pro tier unlocks hundreds of official voices, thousands of community-created options, custom voice tools, and cross-platform cloud syncing without an ongoing subscription.

Apple May Be Developing Its Own iPhone Game Controllers

Apple is reportedly working on two game controllers designed specifically for the iPhone. The news potentially gives the company a bigger role in mobile gaming hardware. References to two first-party controllers were recently discovered in macOS code. Bloomberg reports that the accessories are being developed for iPhones rather than Macs. The products are expected to be led by Apple’s Beats division. This development could allow the company to experiment with more affordable gaming accessories without positioning them as premium Apple-branded hardware. Beats has already expanded into categories such as iPhone cases and cables. Likewise, making a controller would be a logical extension of the brand’s accessory lineup. If released, the devices could strengthen Apple’s gaming ecosystem.

Meta’s Project Phoenix Could Blur the Line Between Glasses and VR

A possible leak is offering an early look at Meta’s Project Phoenix. The slimmer mixed reality headset is expected to launch next year. Images reportedly discovered inside Meta software show a device with a glasses-style frame. The device is considerably smaller than a Quest headset but more substantial than the company’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. The design appears to include outward- and downward-facing cameras. In addition, it includes a cable that may connect the glasses to an external battery or computing unit. That approach would place Project Phoenix closer to lightweight XR devices. Of course, companies such as Xreal and Viture already offer this change from traditional virtual reality headsets. Meta Connect is scheduled for September 23. Of course, the leak provides another clue about how the company may be trying to make immersive computing easier to integrate into everyday life.

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From MacBook Neo Updates to Philips AI and More! | Tech News

Stay connected in the world of tech and media! This week we’re rounding up the top headlines from across the web so you don’t miss a beat. From MacBook Neo RAM updates to AI in your Philips toothbrush and more, we have you covered on the latest tech news!

Ford Brings Apple Maps and Smarter Driver Assistance Together

Ford is deepening its partnership with Apple by integrating Apple Maps directly into its next-generation electric vehicle platform. Drivers will have access to built-in navigation features like real-time traffic updates, EV-specific routing, and battery preconditioning without needing to connect an iPhone. Ford also announced that Apple Maps data will help power the next evolution of BlueCruise, its hands-free highway driving system, enabling more precise navigation from on-ramp to off-ramp. The collaboration highlights how automakers are increasingly relying on software partnerships to enhance the driving experience. As vehicles become more connected, navigation platforms are evolving into essential components of advanced driver assistance systems.  

Google Adds Selfie Video Verification to Strengthen Account Security

Protecting online accounts is becoming more sophisticated as Google rolls out selfie video verification for certain account recovery and identity verification processes. Instead of relying solely on passwords or two-factor authentication, eligible users may be asked to record a short video selfie to confirm their identity. Google says the feature is designed to reduce fraud while making it harder for bad actors to gain unauthorized access to accounts. The company joins a growing number of technology firms exploring biometric authentication to improve digital security. As cyber threats continue to evolve, identity verification is becoming increasingly focused on proving who you are rather than simply what you know.

Apple Reportedly Plans a More Affordable MacBook Neo

Apple is rumored to be developing a new entry-level laptop tentatively referred to as the MacBook Neo. Reports suggest the device could feature an A19 Pro chip, increased memory options, and a lower price point aimed at students and everyday users. Rather than replacing the MacBook Air, the new model would expand Apple’s notebook lineup by offering a more accessible entry into the Mac ecosystem. The strategy could help Apple reach customers looking for premium software and battery life without the higher cost of its flagship laptops. If the reports prove accurate, the MacBook Neo may become one of Apple’s most competitive products in the mainstream laptop market.

Philips Uses AI to Improve Everyday Oral Care

Philips is introducing the next generation of its Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige electric toothbrush with expanded AI-powered brushing guidance. The toothbrush analyzes brushing habits in real time, providing personalized recommendations designed to improve technique and overall oral health. Connected through a companion mobile app, the device can identify areas that need more attention while tracking long-term brushing performance. The update reflects a broader trend of bringing artificial intelligence into everyday wellness products that many consumers already use. Smart home technology is increasingly moving beyond convenience and into preventative health care.

Instagram Gives Creators More Flexibility With Audio

Instagram is rolling out new tools that make it easier for creators to replace audio in existing Reels. The new feature directly addresses one of TikTok’s most popular editing capabilities. Instead of recreating an entire video, users can quickly swap music or voice tracks after a Reel has already been published. The update gives creators greater flexibility when responding to copyright issues, changing trends, or evolving creative ideas. As competition among short-form video platforms continues, editing tools are becoming just as important as recommendation algorithms. Social media companies increasingly recognize that simplifying the creative process is key to attracting and retaining content creators.

Halliday’s Next-Generation Smart Glasses Take a More Practical Approach

Wearable technology continues to evolve as Halliday previews its second-generation AI-powered smart glasses. The updated design focuses on lightweight hardware, discreet notifications, real-time information, and hands-free AI assistance without drawing unnecessary attention. Halliday is aiming for a more subtle experience that blends naturally into everyday life. The company believes practical features and comfortable design will play a bigger role in mainstream adoption than flashy technology alone. Likewise, smart glasses are steadily moving closer to becoming an everyday accessory.

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