Tag: tech

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From the NASA X-70 to a Premium Motorola and More! | Tech News

Stay connected with the world of technology and media with our weekly roundup. From NASA’s X-70 aircraft to a premium Motorola smartphone and more, we have you covered. Check out what you may have missed in this week’s Tech News blog!

NASA Tests an Experimental X-70 Aircraft With a Radical Design

A futuristic aircraft concept is giving NASA a new way to explore how unconventional shapes could improve aviation efficiency. The experimental X-70 Fractal uses a distinctive wing design built from repeating geometric structures. Unlike most aircraft, the X-70 does not rely on a traditional wing-and-tail configuration. Researchers hope the X-70 could reduce weight, improve aerodynamic performance, and eventually support more fuel-efficient flight. For now, the X-70 remains an experimental platform designed to test new technologies and collect data. NASA’s work with the X-70 continues a long tradition of using X-planes to explore ideas that could influence the future of aircraft design.

Motorola’s Signature 27 Takes Aim at the Premium Smartphone Market

Luxury touches and high-end hardware are at the center of Motorola’s latest flagship smartphone. The Signature 27 features a 6.8-inch OLED display, Qualcomm’s latest premium processor, and a camera system designed to compete with top-tier devices from Apple, Samsung, and Google. Motorola is also emphasizing materials and design, positioning the handset as a more refined alternative within its increasingly broad smartphone portfolio. The device arrives as the company continues trying to strengthen its presence beyond the midrange and foldable categories where it has found recent success. Pricing and availability vary by market, with Motorola targeting consumers who want flagship specifications without automatically choosing one of the industry’s dominant smartphone brands. 

Discord Is Rebuilding Its Desktop App Without Electron

A major technical overhaul could make Discord faster and more efficient on desktop computers. The company is moving away from Electron, the framework that has long allowed it to package its web experience as a desktop application across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Discord plans to replace it with more native technologies that can better take advantage of each operating system while reducing memory consumption and improving responsiveness. Electron has made cross-platform development easier for many companies, but apps built with it have also developed a reputation for consuming significant system resources. Rebuilding Discord’s desktop experience represents a substantial engineering undertaking, but it could result in a lighter application for millions of users who leave the service running throughout the day.

Amazon Brings Uber Eats Restaurant Delivery to Prime Members

Ordering dinner is becoming another benefit inside Amazon’s growing Prime ecosystem through an expanded partnership with Uber Eats. Prime members can access restaurant delivery benefits through Amazon, creating a more direct connection between the retailer’s subscription service and Uber’s food delivery network. The partnership builds on the companies’ existing relationship and gives Amazon another way to add everyday value to Prime without building its own restaurant delivery operation from scratch. For Uber, exposure to Amazon’s enormous membership base could encourage more customers to use Uber Eats and potentially strengthen its position against DoorDash. The arrangement reflects a broader trend of subscription platforms bundling services from outside companies to make monthly memberships feel more indispensable. 

Nothing Is Developing a Screen-Free AI Device

Another technology company is betting that artificial intelligence could eventually live somewhere other than a smartphone screen. Nothing CEO Carl Pei has confirmed that the company is working on an AI-focused hardware product designed to operate without a traditional display. Details remain limited, but Pei has suggested that the device will offer capabilities that cannot simply be replicated through an app running on a phone. The project places Nothing alongside companies experimenting with wearable assistants, smart glasses, and other hardware built around conversational AI. Rather than predicting the immediate death of smartphones, Pei believes consumers may eventually use several specialized AI devices that work together throughout the day.

Eufy Puts a Security Camera Against the Window

Renters and homeowners who cannot install an outdoor security camera have a new indoor alternative from Anker’s Eufy brand. The Window Camera E10 attaches to the inside of a window and records activity outdoors while using a design intended to minimize glare and reflections from the glass. Its camera offers color night vision and AI-powered detection capable of identifying people, vehicles, and other activity outside the home. Because the device remains indoors, users can monitor exterior spaces without drilling holes, running outdoor wiring, or exposing the camera itself to weather. The concept gives people in apartments and other installation-restricted homes a

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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 iPhone Duo Apps to Insta360 Mics and More! | Tech News

It’s time to catch up on the top tech and media headlines from the week! From iPhone Duo focused apps to a cool new rollout of Intsa360 mics and more, we have you covered. Stay connected with our weekly technology round-up.

Apple Adds a “Made for iPhone Duo” Badge to the App Store

A new App Store label is underway for the iPhone Duo. Coming soon, iPhone Duo owners will find software designed specifically for Apple’s foldable phone. The “Made for iPhone Duo” badge will appear on apps and games built for the device. Likewise, the iPhone Duo apps will take advantage of the device’s larger inner display and secondary outer screen. Netflix, Prime Video, Microsoft Word, Zoom, Lyft, and United Airlines are among the apps already adapting their interfaces for the new form factor. Apple is also preparing editorial collections focused on iPhone Duo software. This will come as additional updates for the iPhone Duo roll out throughout the year. The badge arrives alongside the $1,999 iPhone Duo, which launches this week in limited quantities.

Birdbuddy Shrinks Its Smart Feeder for Smaller Spaces

Birdbuddy is offering a more compact option for backyard birdwatching with its new Nook smart feeder. Starting at $99, the Nook uses a 2K HDR camera with a 135-degree field of view and automatically wakes when a bird lands nearby. The accompanying app uses AI to identify bird species, and the camera supports both portrait and landscape capture for easier social sharing. Upgraded configurations add solar charging and a larger perch, while Birdbuddy’s $219 Home model offers a bigger seed reservoir and additional features. The smaller design gives apartment dwellers and homeowners with limited outdoor space a more affordable way to experiment with connected wildlife cameras.

Insta360 Launches a More Affordable Wireless Mic System

Content creators now have a lower-cost alternative to Insta360’s premium Mic Pro without losing many of its most distinctive features. The new Insta360 Mic costs $249.99 for a two-transmitter kit and keeps the customizable six-color E Ink displays found on the more expensive model. Each transmitter offers AI-powered noise cancellation, automatic gain control, and up to 13 hours of battery life, or 34 hours with the charging case. The tradeoff is a single omnidirectional microphone instead of the Mic Pro’s triple-mic array, although the transmitters are slightly lighter and support removable microSD cards for backup recording. Individual transmitters cost $79.99, making the system a more approachable option for podcasters, vloggers, and mobile creators.

Meta Creates a New Share Class to Finance Its AI Expansion

Billions in AI spending are pushing Meta to introduce a new class of non-voting shares designed to give the company more financing flexibility. The stock will help support artificial intelligence initiatives, potential acquisitions, and employee compensation, with trading expected to begin in 2027. Meta now expects capital expenditures of between $135 billion and $145 billion this year as it builds data centers, recruits AI talent, and develops new models and products. Recent launches include the Muse AI agent, which reached 10 million U.S. downloads shortly after its debut, along with the company’s newer Muse Wonder model. The move underscores how expensive the AI race has become as major technology companies invest heavily in infrastructure and software at the same time.

Bose Acquires Skullcandy to Reach a Broader Audience

A major deal in consumer audio is bringing Bose and Skullcandy under the same corporate umbrella. Bose says Skullcandy will remain a separate brand based in Park City, Utah, while joining its premium consumer audio business. The two companies had already worked together to bring Bose technologies such as spatial audio and active noise cancellation to select Skullcandy headphones and earbuds. Bose expects the acquisition to help its audio technology reach younger, more lifestyle-focused customers who may not traditionally buy its higher-end products. The purchase also continues Bose’s expansion strategy following earlier acquisitions in premium audio, engineering, and gaming sound technology.

Spotify Launches Its First Fully Native In-Car App

Listening on the road no longer requires a connected phone in select Audi vehicles thanks to Spotify’s new native automotive app. Built directly on Google’s Android Automotive operating system, the software runs through the car’s infotainment hardware instead of relying on CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, or an auxiliary cable. The initial rollout includes models such as the Audi A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, A5, Q5, and A6, with Spotify controlling the interface rather than using Google’s standard templates. Passengers can join Spotify Jam sessions by scanning a QR code, while supported secondary displays can show lyrics, browsing tools, and video content without distracting the driver. Spotify says it remains committed to CarPlay and Android Auto, but the new app gives the company greater control over the listening experience inside connected vehicles.

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From Meta Muse to a New Blue Yeti and More! | Tech News

Sleep’sThe tech and media world is buzzing this week with the latest drops, upgrades, and mergers. From Meta Muse getting a standalone device to a new Blue Yeti mic, we have you covered on the major headlines you might have missed. Stay connected and check out this week’s tech news!

Meta Is Turning Muse Into a Standalone AI Gadget

Muse, the new Meta AI agent, is getting a dedicated hardware device. Likewise, this would give the assistant a home beyond phones and computers. Called the Muse Charm, the compact device resembles a chunky smartwatch without a band. The device features a screen, fingerprint sensor, camera, microphones, and a small lanyard for carrying it around. Users will be able to press the fingerprint sensor and immediately speak to Muse without unlocking a phone or opening an app. Meta says only a few prototypes currently exist, but the company hopes to ship the device in time for the December holiday season. The Charm gives Meta another entry into the still-experimental AI hardware market as companies search for a device that can make always-available assistants genuinely useful.

Logitech Gives the Blue Yeti Its First Major Sequel

One of the internet’s most recognizable microphones is finally getting a successor with Logitech’s new Blue Yeti 2. The $159.99 USB microphone adds AI-powered noise reduction, an interactive LED display, and a proximity sensor that can detect where a speaker is positioned in relation to the mic. That sensor automatically adjusts gain, equalization, and pickup patterns as someone moves around, helping beginners maintain consistent recording quality without constantly changing settings. Logitech has kept the familiar silhouette of the original Blue Yeti while modernizing the technology for podcasters, streamers, YouTubers, and other creators. Available in black and white, the Yeti 2 offers a more automated alternative for users who want polished audio without becoming an expert in microphone settings.

Creators are getting an AI boost on YouTube to Optimize Almost Everything

YouTube is expanding its AI-powered creator tools with an agent designed to monitor channels and recommend ways to improve performance. The system can review older videos that suddenly become relevant again and suggest new thumbnails or titles that could help them capitalize on renewed interest. Creators will also be able to generate complete thumbnails and titles, request feedback on their own designs, and have the AI assemble audience data into pitches for potential brand partners. A new testing feature can show different thumbnails or slightly different video edits to small audience groups before selecting the version that produces the strongest watch time. The updates move YouTube further into the creative process, giving creators increasingly sophisticated tools for deciding not only what to publish but how to package it for the algorithm.

Eight Sleep Makes Its Smart Bed System Smaller and Smarter

The Pod 6 is a redesigned version of Eight Sleep’s temperature-controlled sleep system. The new version features more sensors and a much smaller cooling hub. The new hub is half the size of its predecessor and can adjust bed temperature 20 percent faster. Additionally, it circulates heated or cooled water through the mattress cover. Health tracking has expanded from two biometric sensors to 18. Of course, this allows the system to monitor metrics including heart rate, breathing, sleep stages, snoring, and heart rate variability. Eight Sleep says the Pod can distinguish between adults, children, and pets before using its AI-powered Autopilot system to make automatic adjustments throughout the night. Prices start at $1,999 for a new Solo version that covers half of a mattress, although access to Autopilot still requires an annual subscription.

Apple Opens Its First Dedicated Live Music Venue

Across the pond, Apple is expanding its connection to the music industry with Apple Music Hall. A new 600-person performance venue beneath its European headquarters at London’s Battersea Power Station. Opening September 28, the space is designed for intimate concerts, recording sessions, and professionally produced video broadcasts. A 48-speaker spatial audio system surrounds the audience. The venue also includes infrastructure for at least 16 broadcast cameras and two recording and mixing studios. Likewise, this turns the venue into a complete production facility. Apple is also relocating its London-based Apple Music radio hosts and shows to new studios inside the Battersea complex. The project brings Apple back into London’s live music scene nearly a decade after the company ended its long-running iTunes Music Festival.

The Retro Camera gets a Digital Makeover with Camp Snap

Camp Snap is leaning further into nostalgia with the 110D. The screenless digital camera is inspired by the slim Kodak 110 film cameras popularized in the 1970s. Priced at $74.95, the pocket-sized camera combines an 8-megapixel Sony sensor with an optical viewfinder. Additionally, it features five built-in filters designed to recreate vintage, analog, and black-and-white looks. There is no screen for reviewing photos, so users have to wait until images are transferred to a phone or computer. Likewise, this creates some of the anticipation associated with film photography. A bundled 4GB microSD card can hold roughly 2,000 images. Camp Snap is tapping into renewed interest in cameras that encourage people to photograph first and review later.

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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 a New Era at Apple to GTA VI and More! | Tech News

The world of tech and media is abuzz with the latest drops, ventures, and major moves. From a new era officially beginning at Apple to the long-awaited GTA VI and more, we have the top stories. Check out what you may have missed this week in the tech news world!

iRobot Introduces a Roomba That Seals Itself to Carpet

iRobot is introducing the Roomba Max 875 Combo, a new flagship robot vacuum and mop built around a cleaning system called SealForce. When the vacuum detects carpet, a skirt lowers around the cleaning head to create a tighter seal and direct airflow deeper into the fibers, which iRobot says can deliver three times deeper carpet cleaning. The $1,199 model also offers 35,000Pa of suction, LiDAR and camera-based navigation, an anti-tangle brush, and a roller mop with a heated ThermaMist feature for pretreating stains. Its accompanying dock automatically empties debris, washes the mop with hot water, and dries it with hot air, while a less expensive $899 Roomba Plus 678 Combo offers many of the same core features. The new lineup marks a notable product push for iRobot under new owner Picea Robotics as the company works to regain ground in an increasingly competitive robot vacuum market.

Sony Turns Up the Volume With New ULT Party Speakers

Sony is expanding its ULT Power Sound collection with three new tower-style speakers aimed at parties, events, and other large gatherings. The ULT Tower Max, Tower 7, and Tower 5 add USB-C, RCA, and XLR connections, giving users more flexibility to connect microphones, instruments, mixers, and other wired audio equipment. Up to 100 LEDs provide synchronized light effects while also offering visual feedback for settings such as battery life and Bluetooth pairing. At the top of the lineup, the massive 121-pound Tower Max costs $1,499.99 and combines four tweeters, two midrange drivers, and three large woofers for what Sony calls its most powerful ULT bass yet. The lighter Tower 7 and Tower 5 start at $649.99 and $449.99, respectively, with rechargeable battery options designed to make the speakers somewhat easier to take on the road.

John Ternus Takes Over as Apple CEO

Apple officially entered a new leadership era on September 1 as longtime hardware executive John Ternus replaced Tim Cook as CEO. Cook steps down after 15 years at the helm, a period that saw Apple expand far beyond the iPhone with products including the Apple Watch, AirPods, services, and its custom silicon strategy. Ternus, who previously led Apple’s hardware engineering organization, wasted little time signaling what comes next, telling employees that the company has a “huge launch” scheduled for the following week. That event is set for September 9 and is expected to feature new iPhones, including reports of Apple’s first foldable model. The transition puts a longtime product executive back at the top of Apple at a moment when the company faces pressure to deliver both major hardware innovation and a more competitive artificial intelligence strategy.

Dyson Puts a Camera and Automatic Flosser Inside a Toothbrush

Dyson is moving into oral care with the $499 CameraJet, an electric toothbrush that combines live video, artificial intelligence, and automatic flossing technology. A tiny camera built into the brush head can stream a view of the inside of a user’s mouth to a smartphone while an AI system analyzes 28 images every second to identify gaps between teeth. When a gap is detected, the toothbrush can respond within 100 milliseconds by directing a cone-shaped blast of mouthwash into the space, allowing brushing and flossing to happen at the same time. Dyson says the images used for detection remain on the device rather than being stored or sent to the cloud, while the brush itself oscillates nearly 1,000 times per second. Available now in ceramic blue and pink, CameraJet brings Dyson’s familiar combination of premium pricing and unconventional engineering into an entirely new part of the personal care market.

Google Lets Gemini Notebook Learn From Your Books

Google is expanding Gemini Notebook with an “Expert Intelligence” feature that lets users bring eligible books they have purchased through Google Play Books directly into the AI-powered note-taking app. Readers can ask questions about a book, generate plans and infographics, create AI podcasts, or apply ideas from the material to entirely new situations. More than 100,000 titles from publishers including Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Johns Hopkins University Press, and O’Reilly Media will support the feature at launch. Google has also partnered with select authors to create Featured Notebooks containing additional source material and introductions, while protections are designed to keep purchased book content inaccessible to people who do not own it. The company eventually plans to expand Expert Intelligence beyond books to scholarly papers, magazines, and newspapers, signaling a broader effort to turn Gemini into a personalized research and knowledge tool.

Rockstar Offers Its Biggest Look Yet at GTA VI

Rockstar Games has released a nearly 27-minute extended preview of Grand Theft Auto VI. Likewise, the early preview gives players one of their most detailed looks yet at the highly anticipated game. Captured entirely from the PlayStation 5 GTA VI version, the footage focuses heavily on protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, along with the locations and atmosphere of Rockstar’s sprawling new world. The GTA VI presentation leans more cinematic than a traditional gameplay demonstration, although it includes glimpses of shootouts, police chases, basketball, scuba diving, and other activities. Rockstar has also opened digital preorders for GTA VI, with the standard edition priced at $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $99.99 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Even as attention shifts toward GTA VI, Rockstar is continuing to support GTA V’s roleplaying community with Nopixel V, which begins a closed beta for invited players on September 8.

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From Plaud AI Earbuds to the next iPhone and More! | Tech News

Don’t miss out on what’s happening in the world of tech! This week we’re covering top headlines from Plaud AI Earbuds to the next iPhone, and more! For all things media and tech happening this week, read on below!

September 9 Set for Apple’s Next iPhone Event

Apple has officially scheduled its next major product event for September 9 at 1PM ET, with a livestream planned from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. The company’s “Surprise and shine” event could include one of its most anticipated hardware launches in years, with rumors pointing to the debut of a foldable iPhone. Apple is also expected to refresh its Pro and Pro Max models, although reports suggest those devices will receive more modest upgrades. The standard iPhone 18 may be absent from the September presentation and instead arrive sometime in 2027. With a possible foldable joining the lineup, this year’s event could mark a significant expansion of Apple’s smartphone strategy.

Xbox Makes Disc-to-Digital Gaming Official

Microsoft has officially announced a new Xbox feature that allows players to create digital entitlements for supported games they already own on disc. Players will insert an eligible Xbox One or Xbox Series X game into a console and launch it to claim access, with the entitlement remaining tied to that specific physical disc. Supported titles may then be playable through Xbox Play Anywhere on PC or streamed to other devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft says thousands of games will be included initially, although publishers will have control over whether individual titles participate. Xbox Insiders will begin testing the feature on August 31, with a broader rollout planned for the coming months.

Hugging Face Introduces a Rollerskating AI Robot Duck

Hugging Face’s Pollen Robotics is bringing a playful new personality to consumer robotics with Microduck, a one-eyed bipedal robot standing just under 10 inches tall. Demonstrations show the $399 robot picking up small objects, kicking a ball, following a laser pointer, and moving around on tiny roller skates. Its open-source software also allows owners and developers to retrain Microduck to perform new behaviors and experiments. Cameras, LiDAR, motion sensors, articulated limbs, and a Rockchip processor give the small robot a surprisingly robust collection of hardware. Each Microduck even generates its own permanent audio identity, with shipping expected to begin before Christmas 2026.

Plaud Turns AI Recording Into a Pair of Earbuds

AI recording company Plaud is moving its transcription technology into a more familiar wearable format with the new Plaud One earbuds. The $249.99 device can record conversations, generate transcripts, and create AI-powered summaries while functioning like a traditional pair of wireless earbuds. A 4G-enabled charging case allows recordings to be uploaded and processed without relying on a nearby phone or Wi-Fi connection, while its own microphones can capture audio from up to five meters away. Plaud Agent can also connect with services including Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion, and Slack to help turn conversations into follow-up actions. Preorders are available in select markets, with shipments expected to begin in late September.

Photoshop Lets Users Draw Instructions for Its AI

Adobe is making Photoshop’s growing collection of generative AI tools easier to find and control with a new optional AI-Assisted Editor interface. The beta experience places features such as background removal, image expansion, and prompt-based editing into one simplified toolbar. A new markup tool takes interaction beyond text prompts by letting users draw directly on an image to show the AI where and how they want something changed. Creators can circle areas for recoloring, sketch arrows to reposition objects, or roughly draw new elements they want Photoshop to generate. Adobe is also improving natural-language editing with Firefly Image 5, which can interpret the broader context of an image before making requested changes.

Instagram’s First Draft Takes the Tedious Part Out of Reels Editing

Instagram is rolling out a new iPhone feature called First Draft. The feature will automatically trim multiple video clips into a starting edit for a Reel. After analyzing selected footage, the tool removes pauses. From there, the feature pulls together what it considers the most important moments. Afterwards, the tool combines them into an editable video. Instagram says the feature is suited to multi-clip montages, talking-head videos, and day-in-the-life content. Of course, this new feature potentially saves creators time before they begin more detailed editing. Despite its automated approach, Instagram confirmed that First Draft does not use artificial intelligence. The rollout gives creators another built-in production tool as Instagram continues making Reels creation faster without requiring separate editing software.

Android Adds a High-Tech Approach to Fighting Car Sickness

Google is rolling out Motion Assist. The Android 17 feature is designed to reduce nausea when using a smartphone inside a moving vehicle. The system uses a phone’s accelerometer and gyroscope. With that, it places moving dots around the edge of the screen. The moving dots then visually correspond with the car’s acceleration, braking, and turns. This helps address the sensory mismatch that can cause motion sickness. Users can customize the appearance of the indicators. Additionally, users can set the feature to activate automatically when a moving vehicle is detected. Motion Assist appears to be reaching select Pixel devices first. Likewise, this gives Android an answer to Apple’s similar Vehicle Motion Cues feature.

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From Prime Air to Slack Coding and More! | Tech News

Stay connected with the world of tech and media. From new deployments of Amazon Prime Air to Slack AI Coding Channels and more, we have the latest news. Check out this week’s wrap-up of what’s happening from across the globe.

Slack Launches Collaborative AI Coding Channels

Slack is introducing a new feature called Slack Code that gives teams dedicated channels for building software alongside AI coding agents. Users can tag tools such as Claude Code, Devin, Vercel Agent, or GitHub Copilot, which can then create a project-specific channel to handle tasks like fixing bugs or updating websites. Team members can review code changes, preview HTML output, provide feedback, and approve work without leaving Slack. Completed coding channels automatically archive themselves while preserving an audit log for future reference. Slack Code is available across all Slack plans and reflects the growing push to make AI agents feel less like standalone tools and more like active members of a workplace team. 

Sennheiser Makes Wireless Earbuds Easier to Repair

Sennheiser’s new Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds are taking an unusual approach to longevity by allowing users to replace the batteries themselves. Both the earbuds and charging case can be opened with a small screwdriver, avoiding the glue-heavy construction that makes most wireless earbuds difficult to repair. Battery life has also increased to as much as 12 hours per charge and 40 hours when paired with the charging case. Other upgrades include improved adaptive noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos, spatial audio with head tracking, and Bluetooth 6.0 support. The Momentum True Wireless 5 will launch September 3rd for $299.95, signaling that repairability may be becoming a bigger selling point in premium consumer electronics. 

LG Develops OLED Displays That Could Last Much Longer

LG Display has unveiled a new manufacturing technology called FLiPP that could address several longstanding limitations of OLED screens. Instead of using the traditional fine metal masks that help create RGB pixels, the process relies on photolithography and ultraviolet light to pattern the display. LG says panels made with FLiPP can be 1.6 times brighter, last 2.4 times longer, and consume 13 percent less power than conventional OLED panels. Eliminating the metal mask also removes some of the size and resolution restrictions that complicate production of larger OLED displays. If the technology reaches mass production, it could eventually improve everything from televisions and monitors to high-resolution AR and VR displays. 

Google Gives Gemini a Dedicated Student Hub

Back-to-school season is bringing a new education-focused experience to Gemini as Google introduces a centralized student hub. Students can use the space to organize research, build study notebooks, create flashcards, take practice quizzes, and even add deadlines from a syllabus to Google Calendar. Study notebooks are gaining support for graphs and images, while Gemini Live’s new Deep Research feature can produce more detailed reports that users can discuss with the AI afterward. Google Lens will also be able to analyze photos of worksheets and provide explanations or coaching when students make mistakes. Eligible U.S. students can receive a free year of Google AI Pro, giving Google another avenue for making Gemini part of students’ everyday academic routines. 

Meta AI Comes to the Mac

Meta is launching a dedicated Meta AI app for macOS as it works to turn its chatbot into a broader productivity assistant. Users can share a window with the AI and ask questions, receive suggestions, or generate content based on whatever is displayed on the screen. The app also supports systemwide dictation and can connect with Google Workspace, Instagram, Facebook accounts, and Meta advertising campaigns. Businesses and creators can use Meta AI to analyze post performance, generate presentations and documents, or automate recurring tasks such as weekly performance reports. The desktop launch puts Meta into more direct competition with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, all of which are increasingly competing to become the AI assistant users keep open throughout the workday. 

Amazon Plans a Major Expansion of Prime Air

Amazon says its Prime Air drone delivery service will reach nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026. Upcoming markets for Prime Air include the Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise metro areas. Likewise, the expansion of Prime Air joins locations where the service is already operating. Prime Air is designed to transport packages weighing five pounds or less. Amazon states most current deliveries arrive about an hour after checkout by way of Prime Air. The company reports that its Prime Air drones have already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages this year as it works to scale the technology beyond limited pilot programs. Safety will remain a major focus for Prime Air as the network expands, particularly after previous Prime Air drones were involved in several highly publicized crashes. 

Sony Sets a Launch Date for Its PlayStation Gaming Speakers

Sony’s Pulse Elevate wireless gaming speakers will officially launch on November 12th for $219.99. Designed for the PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, and Mac, the compact speakers feature planar magnetic drivers that Sony says deliver detailed sound across the audible spectrum. They also include a built-in microphone for voice chat, PlayStation Link low-latency wireless technology, and charging docks for keeping the speakers powered between sessions. Black and white versions will be available, although availability for the white model will vary by region and retailer. Preorders begin September 1st, expanding Sony’s growing collection of PlayStation-branded audio products beyond headsets and earbuds.

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From the Insta360 X6 to Copilot Apps and More! | Tech News

This week is jam-packed with major tech news from across the web. With a new influencer-focused Insta360 X6 cam, upgrades to the Copilot apps, and more. Stay connected with what’s happening in the world of tech and media with our weekly wrap-up.

WhatsApp Adds On-Device AI Scam Detection

Meta is introducing a new WhatsApp feature designed to warn users when a conversation appears suspicious. The optional Scam Alert system uses on-device machine learning to analyze incoming messages. The feature does so without sending their contents to Meta for classification. From there, WhatsApp displays a private warning that gives the user the option to block, report, or continue the conversation. Users can also mark trusted chats to prevent future alerts, while an optional setting allows the last five received messages to be shared with WhatsApp to improve accuracy. With WhatsApp serving more than three billion users, the feature represents Meta’s latest attempt to curb increasingly sophisticated social engineering scams.

Microsoft Starts Merging Its Copilot Apps

Windows users will soon have fewer Copilot icons to navigate as Microsoft begins combining its consumer and workplace AI assistants into one experience. The updated Microsoft Copilot app will support both personal and work accounts while keeping data from each account type separate. Copilot chat, image creation, and Microsoft 365 features will increasingly live under the same interface, laying the groundwork for the broader “super app” Microsoft plans to launch later this year. Mobile and web versions begin rolling out globally in mid-August, followed by Windows and Mac updates in mid-September. Some existing features, including Podcasts and Deep Research, are being retired as part of the transition.

Android Quick Share Gets a Tap-to-Share Upgrade

Sharing files between Android phones is getting simpler with a new tap-based update to Quick Share. Pixel 6 devices and newer models can now exchange contact information, photos, videos, and other files by bringing two phones close together after opening the share menu. The feature relies on NFC and proximity technology to create an experience that feels more immediate than selecting a nearby device from a list. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8 are expected to receive support soon. Google says the capability will expand to additional Android devices before the end of the year.

Insta360 X6 Packs Bigger Sensors Into a Smaller Camera

Content creators have a new 360-degree camera option with the arrival of Insta360’s X6. The compact Insta360 X6 action camera uses larger 1/1.1-inch Sony sensors. Additionally, the Insta360 X6 can capture 8K footage at up to 50 frames per second, an improvement over last year’s model. Insta360 also made the Insta360 X6 camera shorter and slightly lighter while replacing the rear LCD with an OLED display. The Insta360 X6 replaceable lenses are now more scratch-resistant and less expensive. Likewise, the Insta360 X6 improves low-light processing and adds in-camera Dolby Vision for demanding shoots. The Insta360 X6 is available now starting at $699.99, making it $150 more expensive than the previous X5.

Threads Makes the Jump to Meta Quest

Scrolling through Threads no longer requires a phone or computer now that Meta has launched a dedicated version of the social network for Quest VR headsets. The app allows users to browse feeds, publish posts, respond to conversations, search profiles, and watch videos without leaving virtual reality. Meta says the goal is to make VR feel more social by allowing people to check conversations while gaming or moving between other headset activities. The launch follows Threads’ recent expansion onto Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses, further connecting the platform with the company’s hardware ecosystem. Threads now exceeds 500 million monthly active users. Likewise, Meta appears increasingly interested in making the service available across nearly every device category it controls.

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From a Bose Refresh to Dolby Vision 2 and More! | Tech News

Stay connected in the world of tech with our weekly roundup. This week we’re covering top headlines from a Bose refresh to Dolby Vision 2, and more! For all things media and tech happening this week, read on below!

Apple Raises Trade-In Values Across Its Device Lineup

Customers looking to upgrade their tech can now get more money back for their old hardware across the board. Trade-in values have climbed for various iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and select Android smartphones. Desktop and laptop owners stand to gain the most, with the Mac Studio jumping by $260 and the MacBook Pro getting a $165 valuation boost. On the Android side, recent devices from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus are now officially accepted for credit toward new purchases. A Google Pixel 9 Pro XL fetches up to $315 today, while a trade-in for the OnePlus 13 yields as much as $250. These bumped-up figures come at a crucial moment for Apple, as the tech giant tries to ease the sting of high device prices for price-conscious shoppers.

Bose Refreshes Its QuietComfort Headphones

Audio giant Bose has unveiled a second-generation version of its standard QuietComfort wireless headphones. The new Bose headphones pack upgraded noise cancellation and spatial sound. Built-in TrueSpatial technology relies on head tracking to anchor sound in place or shift it fluidly as you move your head. Bose listeners will also notice a refined Aware mode. The Bose feature now dials ambient noise levels up or down far more smoothly during sudden environmental changes. Hardware tweaks include Bluetooth 5.4 support, multipoint pairing, lossless audio over USB-C connections, and restructured physical controls. The new Bose cans land at a $359 price point with up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge. Toggling on the immersive audio feature chops that battery runtime down slightly to 18 hours.

Dolby Vision 2 Arrives on Select Hisense TVs

High dynamic range imaging is taking a step forward as several 2026 Hisense television models adopt Dolby Vision 2. This updated format relies on a reworked image engine, broader metadata support, and refined tone mapping tuned for modern bright displays. Viewers eyeing top-tier sets can tap into Dolby Vision 2 Max, which adds ambient-light compensation alongside granular calibration tools. That premium tier also packs a feature dubbed Authentic Motion to handle action scenes without creating an artificial soap-opera effect. Hisense plans to update its UX, UR9, UR8, and U7 lines by late September, with TCL and Philips releasing compatible sets later this year. Owners of older displays are unfortunately out of luck, as the new standard depends on dedicated internal hardware.

Google Maps Can Now Help Order Dinner

Navigation utility is taking a back seat as new AI tools transform Google Maps into an active errand runner. Users across the United States can now ask the app’s Ask Maps assistant to locate specific meals along a driving route while respecting dietary restrictions. The tool even places selected items directly into a digital checkout cart without forcing you to switch applications. Ordering functionality launches through Square and Toast integrations, with Uber Eats compatibility slated for a future release. Beyond food, the updated feature scans Gmail for upcoming reservations, recommends nearby hotels or events, and surfaces real-time transit alerts. These shifts nudge the popular navigation platform far closer to becoming an all-in-one daily assistant.

Sunbird Brings iMessage Back to Android

Android users seeking cross-platform messaging can once again download Sunbird from the Google Play Store following a long hiatus. Nearly three years after shutting down over major privacy vulnerabilities, the service offers iMessage features like blue bubbles, reactions, and uncompressed video for $2.99 a month. Sunbird claims to have overhauled its backend infrastructure with end-to-end encryption and third-party security audits. Under the revised framework, transferred media files are automatically wiped within 72 hours of delivery. Account credentials for Apple IDs are reportedly processed exclusively during setup rather than saved on remote servers. Upcoming patches aim to integrate WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger while adding an AI helper for quick summaries and context-aware replies.

Disney Brings Fan-Made TikTok Videos to Disney Plus

Short-form user content is officially arriving on Disney Plus thanks to a fresh collaboration with TikTok. Curated fan creations will populate the streaming service’s Verts feed alongside mainstream studio programming. Participating influencers get direct access to official assets spanning hundreds of films and shows, including Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises. Clips produced through the initiative will cross-post to both platforms, giving digital creators significantly broader exposure. Top performers stand to gain exclusive event invitations, featured spotlight placement, and potential career development guidance. The rollout begins as a limited pilot program in the United States before expanding to international subscriber bases later on.

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