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Matic Robot Vacuum Adds Voice and Gesture Control with Matic Cues Update
The Matic robot vacuum has received a software update called Matic Cues, introducing voice and gesture control capabilities. Users can now direct the vacuum to clean specific areas by pointing or using voice commands in over 70 languages, without needing a smartphone app. This update, available from August 13, 2024, precedes a price increase for the Matic robot from $1,245 to $1,495 on September 9, 2024.
Rivian R1S to Offer Second-Row Captain's Chairs in 2027 Model Year
Rivian announced that second-row captain's chairs will be available for its R1S SUV as part of the 2027 model year refresh. This feature, a frequent request from owners, provides easier access to the third row and increased interior flexibility. The captain's chairs will be offered as an optional upgrade.
Apple TV+ Adds Classic Movies to Streaming Catalog
Apple TV+ has added approximately 20 classic movies to its streaming service, available to subscribers at no additional cost. Films such as "The Martian," "E.T.," and "Zodiac" are now streamable, a departure from the service's usual focus on original content. This expansion provides more content options for existing subscribers and is accessible in regions including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Trevor Noah to Host Made by Google 2026 Event Featuring Pixel 11 Pro and Watch 5 Teases
Google announced Trevor Noah will host the Made by Google 2026 event on August 12th at 6 p.m. ET in New York City. The event will feature various celebrities and athletes, and Google briefly teased the Pixel 11 Pro with HiLight active and the Pixel Watch 5.
Honor Launches "Robot Phone" with Automated Pop-Up Camera Gimbal in China
Honor has launched its "Robot Phone" for pre-order in China, featuring an automated pop-up camera gimbal made of titanium that can rotate 360 degrees and includes AI subject tracking. The device integrates a 200MP camera with 4DoF stabilization and starts at approximately $1,500, offering new capabilities for smartphone photography and videography.
Apple Vision Pro to Stream Live MLB Friday Night Baseball in Immersive Video
Apple will stream four MLB Friday Night Baseball games in immersive video on Apple Vision Pro, starting August 28th with the Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees. These broadcasts will feature dedicated commentary and live graphics, expanding the Vision Pro's immersive content library which previously included NBA games and other experiences. This initiative aims to attract more users to the platform by offering unique sports viewing experiences.
Apple Arcade Adds Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+ on September 3
Apple Arcade is expanding its game catalog with the addition of two new puzzle games, Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, both launching on September 3. Block Blast!+, an ad-free version of the popular mobile game with over 725 million lifetime installs, and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, a 2025 App Store Award winner, will be available to subscribers.
MySpace Owners Hint at Relaunch, Citing Social Media Fatigue
MySpace owners Tim and Chris Vanderhook, co-founders of Viant Technology, have indicated plans to relaunch the social media platform. This potential comeback, hinted at in a documentary, aims to capitalize on current social media fatigue, though no specific dates or product details have been released.
Nothing Releases Ear 3A Earbuds with Transparent Design and Improved Features for $99
Nothing has launched the Ear 3A earbuds, priced at $99, featuring a transparent design, 12mm dynamic drivers, and improved active noise cancellation (ANC). The new model maintains Nothing's visual identity and offers enhanced sound quality with adjustable EQ, though some users may experience minor issues with adaptive ANC and call quality.
Apple Increases Trade-In Values for Most Devices, Adds New Android Models
Apple has updated its trade-in program, increasing values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with some increases reaching nearly 30%. The company also expanded its accepted Android devices to include additional Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and OnePlus models, while lowering values for some older Android phones.
Ring Releases Peephole Cam 2K, Upgrading Resolution and Design for $99
Ring has launched the Peephole Cam 2K, an updated version of its peephole doorbell camera, featuring 2K video recording, a slimmer design, and a starting price of $99.99. This new model replaces the 2019 Door View Cam and is designed for easy installation without drilling, making it suitable for renters.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Coming to MasterCraft Pontoon Boats
MasterCraft Boat Holdings will integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into select pontoon boat models from its Crest and Balise brands, starting next month. This integration will be standard on new Balise models and Crest Conquest and Caribbean models from the 2027 model year, providing marine navigation and other smartphone features directly on the helm display.
TV Time Co-Founder Launches Bingers App to Replace Shut Down TV Tracking Service
Antonio Pinto, a co-founder of the defunct TV Time app, has launched Bingers, a new application for tracking TV shows and movies. Bingers aims to fill the void left by TV Time's closure, which occurred when its owner, Whip Media, shifted focus to AI efforts, and emphasizes community features, allowing former TV Time users to import their data.
House House Releases Co-op Exploration Game "Big Walk" Emphasizing Communication
House House, the developer of "Untitled Goose Game," has released "Big Walk," a new online cooperative puzzle game. Players explore a large island and solve puzzles together, with communication primarily facilitated through proximity chat.
Game Freak Releases New Action RPG "Beast of Reincarnation" to Mixed Reception
Game Freak, the studio primarily known for the Pokémon series, has released a new action RPG titled "Beast of Reincarnation." The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan and features a mercenary protagonist, but has received criticism for a lack of innovative ideas and repetitive gameplay.
SFB Games Releases "The Mermaid Mask," Latest Detective Grimoire Mystery Game
SFB Games has released "The Mermaid Mask," a new point-and-click mystery game featuring Detective Grimoire and his partner Sally. The game, a sequel in the Detective Grimoire series, tasks players with solving a locked-room murder on a submarine and is available on platforms including Nintendo Switch 2.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Remake Released, Updates Original Game with Unreal Engine 5
A full remake of the original Halo game, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, has been released, updating the classic campaign experience with modern visuals and expanded cutscenes. The remake aims to bring the original game's story and gameplay to contemporary audiences using Unreal Engine 5.
Runna App Introduces "Adapt for Heat" Feature to Adjust Workouts Based on Local Weather
The running app Runna has launched a new "Adapt for Heat" feature that automatically modifies workout sessions by reducing running speeds to account for local heat and humidity. This update allows users to plan workouts knowing the system will adapt to environmental conditions, addressing a common reason for skipped or modified runs.
Snapchat Introduces "Now Playing" Feature for Real-Time Music Sharing on Snap Map
Snapchat has launched a new feature called "Now Playing" within Snap Map, allowing users to share the music they are currently listening to from streaming services, starting with Spotify. This integration enables friends to see each other's real-time listening activity and interact with the music directly within the app, expanding music discovery on the platform.
Lego releases Donkey Kong arcade machine set with functional game
Lego has released a $200 Donkey Kong arcade machine set, designed by Carl Merriam, which includes a basic functional game where Jumpman (Mario) can jump endless barrels. The set reportedly received approval from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and features original Lego barrel elements from 1989.
Modder Integrates GTA III and Vice City as Mini-Games in GTA San Andreas
Modder Dryxio has created a modification that allows players to run GTA III and Vice City as mini-games within GTA San Andreas. The mod lets players switch between these games without pausing the action in San Andreas. This showcases the creativity of the modding community and requires players to own all three games.
Instagram Adds Feature to Replace Music in Existing Posts
Instagram now allows users to swap out music in their existing feed posts and carousels without losing engagement metrics. This new feature aims to provide creators with more flexibility to align their content with current trends or personal preferences.
Microsoft Open-Sources Comic Chat, the App that Popularized Comic Sans
Microsoft has released the source code for Comic Chat, an innovative 1996 chat client. By making it open source, Microsoft preserves a key part of internet history and allows developers to explore or innovate on its original design. Comic Chat turned IRC conversations into comic strips, introducing the widely recognized Comic Sans font.
Google Open-Sources Redesigned 3D Noto Emoji for Cross-Platform Use
Google announced the redesign of its entire emoji collection into a 3D format called 'Noto 3D', which will first be available on Pixel phones. These newly designed emojis, debuting with Android 17 later this year, have been open-sourced, allowing developers to incorporate them into various applications. It marks a shift towards greater cross-platform consistency while retaining some of Google's original design ethos.
Amazon's God Of War Series Recasts Kratos After Actor Injury
Amazon's upcoming God of War series has recast the lead role of Kratos after actor Ryan Hurst sustained a bicep injury on set. The injury led to production halting and plans to reshoot the completed episodes with a new actor, delaying the series launch. This update follows Hurst's inability to return to filming due to extended recovery time.
Netflix Releases Stranger Things Season 1 in Nostalgic VHS Format
Netflix has released a special VHS-style edition of Stranger Things Season 1 in celebration of its 10th anniversary. This edition uses a video format reminiscent of the 1980s, featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio and grainy visuals, appealing to fans of the show's nostalgic aesthetic. The Duffer brothers hinted at potential future releases if this edition proves successful.
WhatCable App for Mac Helps Identify USB-C Cable Capabilities
The free Mac app WhatCable enables Apple Silicon users to discover the performance of their USB-C cables, revealing data such as speed, power delivery, and video bandwidth. The app uses macOS data to assess cable capabilities, addressing confusion around USB-C cable specifications. WhatCable provides users a way to optimize their connections and identify faulty cables.
Talisman Design Launches Wizard-Themed PocketMage PDA with E-Paper Screen
Talisman Design has introduced the PocketMage, a clamshell PDA featuring e-paper and OLED displays. This device offers a distraction-free smartphone alternative with a wizard-themed OS including a digital tarot deck and other unique features. It is available for preorder with two purchase options, shipping expected by 2027.
Nintendo to Shut Down Mobile Game Mario Kart Tour by September 2026
Nintendo will terminate Mario Kart Tour, its mobile racing game, on September 30, 2026, without offering an offline version. This decision marks a shift in Nintendo's mobile gaming strategy. The game, launched in 2019, stopped updates in 2023 and will completely cease operation.
Microsoft Releases Update to Fix Windows 11 Storage Bug in CapabilityAccessManager File
Microsoft has issued an optional update to address a storage bug in Windows 11 where the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file grew excessively, consuming significant disk space. The June 2026 update resolves issues that led the file to occupy up to 500GB on users' devices. Fixing this bug will prevent storage issues related to app permissions.
Amble Launches $25,000 Electric Buggy for Short-Range Mobility
Amble has unveiled the Amble One, a $25,000 lightweight electric vehicle designed for short-range use. Featuring a range of over 60 miles and a top speed of 40 mph, it targets environments such as coastal paths and hotels where traditional cars might be too large. This move highlights the diversification in the EV market focused on niche mobility solutions.
CleanMyMac Adds Gmail Cleanup and Chrome Tab Management Features
MacPaw has updated CleanMyMac with new Email Cleanup and Browser Care features. Email Cleanup targets Gmail for bulk deletion and storage management, while Browser Care helps manage Chrome tabs to reduce memory usage and clutter.
Payday Aces High VR Game Launches on Meta Quest and SteamVR
Payday Aces High, a new VR game in the Payday series, has been released on Meta Quest and SteamVR for $24.99. The game features made-for-VR mechanics, four new characters, and crossplay support, aiming to return to the series' roots after Payday 3's reception.
Apple Arcade adds four new games, including Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27 with WNBA teams
Apple Arcade released four new games, including Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition, which now features WNBA teams. Football Manager 27 Touch will also arrive next week as an update to Football Manager 26 Touch, with updated rosters and an redesigned iPhone interface.
Kagi Search now offers 50 free searches without account, updates Android app
Kagi Search has removed the account requirement for initial use, allowing users to perform 50 searches before needing to register, with an additional 100 searches upon registration. The Android application also received updates, including a redesigned home screen, rebuilt voice search, and new integration options.
Xbox PC App Receives Performance and Navigation Improvements for Insiders
Microsoft is rolling out an update to the Xbox PC app for Xbox Insiders, which includes performance enhancements and navigation improvements. The app now launches up to 60 percent faster, with Home, Store, and Game Pass pages loading up to 50 percent faster.
Google Updates Icons for Messages, Contacts, and Phone Apps with Gradient Design
Google is rolling out new gradient app icons for its Messages, Contacts, and Phone applications, aligning with a design trend previously applied to Workspace and Pixel apps. The updated icons feature a gradient look with sharper edges and revised coloring, including purple in the Messages icon. These visual changes are appearing in the latest Google Messages beta and will roll out to stable versions via the Play Store in the coming weeks, with no functional changes to the apps.
Apple releases second Release Candidates for macOS Sequoia 15.8.2 and Tahoe 26.7.2
Apple has released the second Release Candidates (RCs) for macOS Sequoia 15.8.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 to developers and public testers. These updates are expected to include important security fixes, with specific details to be released after the official launch.
EA Releases 25 Classic PC Games on Steam, Including Anniversary Editions of Road Rash and Wing Commander
Electronic Arts is releasing 25 classic PC games on Steam, GOG, and the EA App, including "Anniversary Editions" of Road Rash and six Wing Commander titles. These Anniversary Editions feature quality-of-life updates for modern systems and restored content from a newly discovered physical media vault. Other classic titles like Ultima and Crusader are also available.
Madden NFL 27 and NBA The Run Now Free on Amazon Luna for Prime Members
Amazon Luna has added Madden NFL 27 and NBA The Run to its free game lineup for Amazon Prime subscribers. This release coincides with the upcoming "MADDEN" movie on Prime Video, expanding the sports game offerings on the cloud gaming platform.