From Engadget · 40 stories
Microsoft's Carbon Emissions Increase 25% in 2025 Due to AI Datacenter Expansion
Microsoft's 2026 Sustainability Report shows a 25% rise in carbon emissions in 2025, reaching 34 million metric tons primarily due to AI and datacenter growth. This challenges Microsoft's commitment to being carbon-negative by 2030. The company cites datacenter expansion and reduced reliance on renewable energy certificates as key factors.
Letterboxd Valued at $250 Million Amid Acquisition Talks with Netflix, Sony, Paramount
Letterboxd, a social media app for movie enthusiasts, is in early-stage acquisition talks with companies like Netflix, Paramount, and Sony Pictures. The platform is currently valued at $250 million, despite limited revenue, and is majority-owned by Tiny. Letterboxd’s membership surged during COVID-19, reaching 26-30 million users.
Disney+ Considers Free Streaming Tier Amid Competition
Disney+ is exploring a potential free streaming tier as a strategy to compete with platforms like YouTube and Tubi. Discussed at a Disney town hall by Chief Product and Technology Officer Adam Smith, the move aims to capture audiences amid rising popularity of free streaming options. Details on content and launch timing remain uncertain.
Google to Label AI-Generated Ads for Enhanced Transparency
Google is introducing a feature in its My Ad Center to disclose when ads are created or edited using AI. This update seeks to enhance transparency by informing users if AI tools were used in ad content creation on Google platforms, such as Search and YouTube.
Judge Approves Musk's $1.5M SEC Settlement Over Twitter Investment
A judge approved Elon Musk's $1.5 million settlement with the SEC concerning delayed disclosure of his Twitter stake. Despite questions regarding the fairness and potential corruption, the court ruled it couldn't block the deal. The SEC argued Musk saved $150 million by not disclosing his stake in time.
FTC Settlement Requires John Deere to Provide Right to Repair Access
The FTC, alongside five states, reached a settlement with John Deere, mandating that the company allow farmers and independent shops to repair equipment with the same resources as authorized dealers for the next 10 years. This decision follows complaints about restrictive repair practices. The settlement reflects a significant development in the right-to-repair movement, impacting the agricultural equipment sector.
Amazon's Leo Satellite Network Surpasses 390 Operational Satellites for Initial Launch
Amazon has successfully deployed more than 390 Leo satellites, reaching an operational milestone for providing continuous internet service. This positions Amazon as a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink, despite trailing in satellite count and ahead in deployment speed. Amazon aims for commercial service availability by mid-2026, with expectations set for initial limitations in coverage and service quality.
DuckDuckGo Browser Now Blocks YouTube Video Ads Using Community Filters
DuckDuckGo has released a feature that blocks video ads, including those on YouTube, on its browser. This feature, based on community-maintained filter lists and additional rules for compatibility, is enabled by default on iOS, Windows, and Mac, with Android support to follow. Users can enjoy ad-free video playback while maintaining privacy, but may experience longer buffering times.
Fi Ultra Pet Tracker Introduces Starlink Satellite Connectivity for Wider Coverage
Fi has launched the Fi Ultra pet tracker featuring T-Mobile's Starlink satellite service for expanded coverage beyond cellular towers, providing continuous GPS tracking across the US. Despite its enhanced connectivity, the device has a reduced battery life of two days and costs $199 plus an annual fee. This advancement is significant for pet owners needing reliable location tracking in remote or cellular-dead zones.
Discord Bug Mistakenly Bans Over 8,000 Accounts for Harmless Images
Discord experienced a glitch in its AI moderation system that mistakenly banned over 8,000 users for posting harmless images since May 2026. The system inaccurately flagged grid-like images as harmful content, impacting accounts posting items like spreadsheets and game textures. Discord has resolved the issue and unbanned affected users.
FCC Proposed Rule Change May Obscure Broadband Costs
The FCC is set to vote on a proposed rule change that would let ISPs list all passthrough fees as a single 'up to' amount rather than itemizing them. This change could reduce transparency in broadband costs, affecting consumers' ability to understand the true cost of services. ISPs often use these passthrough fees to elevate monthly bills above advertised rates.
NASA Launches Swift Rescue Mission with Katalyst's LINK Satellite
NASA has launched the Swift Boost mission using the LINK satellite by Katalyst Space to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay. LINK aims to elevate the observatory's orbit by 150 miles, extending its operational life. This joint effort highlights a rapid industry response to preserve crucial space science capabilities.
Meta Launches Pocket for AI-Generated Interactive Games
Meta released a new app called Pocket, which allows users to create and share AI-generated interactive mini-games. Following the acquisition of Gizmo's development team, this app uses AI prompts to let users generate "gizmos" that are shared socially. Pocket is available on iOS and Android but not yet widely accessible.
Xbox Tests Disc-to-Digital Feature for Physical Game Collections
Microsoft has started testing a disc-to-digital feature for Xbox, enabling owners to convert Xbox One and Series X/S physical games to digital formats. This comes amid a rise in digital gaming, aligning with industry trends after Sony's decision to halt physical game disc production by 2028.
UN Report: Global Warming to Exceed 1.5°C Target, Focus Shifts to Minimizing Overshoot
A new report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) indicates that global temperatures will surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius increase target set by the Paris Agreement. The report, "Limiting Overshoot," now focuses on strategies to minimize the duration the planet spends above this critical temperature, rather than preventing the exceedance. This shift reflects the current trajectory of global emissions and the difficulty in meeting previous climate goals.
US Details $5 Billion Genesis Mission to Integrate AI into Scientific Research
The White House and Department of Energy outlined details for the $5 billion Genesis Mission, an initiative established via executive order to advance scientific discoveries using artificial intelligence. This multi-agency effort, involving over 15 federal departments and corporate partners, aims to address national challenges in health, energy, defense, and industry through AI-driven research.
NVIDIA cools data center hardware with 113-degree water, reducing costs and water use
NVIDIA utilizes 45-degree Celsius coolant for its AI servers, replacing traditional cooling methods. This innovation reduces energy costs significantly and nearly eliminates water consumption, challenging long-standing data center cooling assumptions.
Comcast's Sky acquires ITV for £2.1 billion, reshaping UK broadcasting
Sky has confirmed its acquisition of ITV for £2.1 billion, enhancing its competitive position against global streaming services. This move, pending regulatory approval, positions Sky as the UK's second-largest broadcaster after the BBC and will significantly impact the broadcasting landscape in the UK.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory Begins Decade-Long Sky Survey
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has begun its Legacy Survey of Space and Time, capturing images of the southern sky every 40 seconds for a decade. This survey aims to enhance our understanding of dark energy, dark matter, and other cosmic phenomena.
Visa, Mastercard, and Coinbase Announce New Global Stablecoin Open USD
Visa, Mastercard, and Coinbase launched a stablecoin called Open USD, tied to the US dollar. The initiative aims to enhance global stablecoin usage and creates a consortium of over 140 businesses to support this effort.
Xbox's Disc-to-Digital Feature Result of 15-Year Development and Disc Identification
Xbox recently announced a disc-to-digital feature, allowing users to convert physical Xbox One game discs into digital copies. This capability stems from a decision made 15 years ago by Microsoft to uniquely identify discs, enabling game preservation and potential future digital ownership models.
Lenovo Googlebook 15 Specs Leak, Including Google Facial Authentication
Full specifications for the upcoming "Lenovo Googlebook 15" have leaked, revealing premium hardware such as an OLED display, up to 32GB RAM, and "Google facial authentication." This leak indicates Google's focus on high-end devices for its new laptop line, potentially introducing a new biometric security feature.
New York Sues Polymarket Over Alleged Illegal Gambling Operations
New York's Attorney General and Governor filed a lawsuit against Polymarket, seeking to stop its operations in the state, alleging it runs an unlicensed gambling business. This action is part of New York's broader effort to regulate prediction markets as gambling, with similar lawsuits against other platforms and ongoing legal disputes with federal regulators.
Google Photos Introduces Redact Tool, Mood Filters, and Expanded Wardrobe Feature
Google Photos is rolling out new features including a "Redact" tool for blurring sensitive information in images, and "Moods" for applying vintage-inspired looks. The Wardrobe feature is also expanding to users in the US, India, and Brazil, and Google Photos is integrating with Gemini Spark for AI Pro/Ultra subscribers.
Logitech Launches G Pro X3 Superstrike Mouse with Haptic Actuators and New Pro Gaming Accessories
Logitech has released the G Pro X3 Superstrike gaming mouse, priced at $199.99, featuring haptic actuators instead of mechanical switches for its main buttons. This new model offers improved battery life and a more responsive sensor compared to its predecessor. Alongside the mouse, Logitech also introduced the Pro X Control Mousepad and the Pro X2 Rapid Gaming Keyboard as part of its updated Pro line of gaming accessories.
Beats Launches 360 Headphones with Modular Design and Apple Ecosystem Integration
Beats has released its new Beats 360 over-ear headphones, positioned as a premium alternative to the Beats Studio Pro. These headphones feature a modular design with interchangeable ear cushions and headbands, offering customization and dual-material options for general listening and gym use. The Beats 360 also integrate with Apple features like quick pairing, auto-device switching, and Find My, and are priced at $349.99.
Peloton Introduces Foldable Tread Flex and Updates Treadmill Lineup
Peloton has launched the Tread Flex, a new foldable treadmill priced at $2,195, designed to save space by folding upright. This release expands Peloton's treadmill offerings, which also include updated versions of its existing models, now called Tread Vision and Tread+ Vision, and introduces new features like AI running capabilities.
X to notify users when posts are limited due to government legal demands
X will now inform users when their posts have reduced visibility or are withheld in specific countries due to compliance with local laws and government requests. This expands X's "Under the Hood" transparency tool, allowing users to see specific moderation actions affecting their content.
Xbox to Publish Hideo Kojima's 'Physint' After PlayStation Cancels Collaboration
Xbox will publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game, 'Physint', after PlayStation canceled its collaboration on the project in June. This marks the second Kojima Productions game Xbox will publish, alongside 'OD', expanding their partnership.
Joby Aviation Completes 3,100-Mile Autonomous Flight Across US
Joby Aviation completed a 3,100-mile autonomous flight across the United States using a modified Cessna Caravan, demonstrating its autonomy technology for various missions beyond air taxis. This signals Joby's expansion into defense and commercial freight, supported by a $17 million Air Force contract and the acquisition of Resonant Sciences.
NASA and IBM Release Open-Source AI Model for Lunar Exploration
NASA and IBM released the open-source NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model on Hugging Face, an AI system designed for lunar exploration. The model demonstrated improved accuracy in identifying lunar ice and classifying craters compared to existing vision systems, using less training data.
Waymo to launch all-electric autonomous ride-hail fleet in Singapore
Waymo announced plans to introduce an all-electric autonomous ride-hail fleet in Singapore. This initiative aims to support Singapore's sustainable development goals and enhance urban mobility options.
AI-Generated Music Uploaded to Verified Artist Profiles on Streaming Platforms
A loophole in digital music distribution allows AI-generated music to be uploaded to verified artist profiles on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music without the artists' knowledge. This enables individuals to collect royalties by piggybacking on established artists' popularity, as demonstrated by an upload to the band Lathe of Heaven's Spotify page. The scheme exploits existing distribution methods, allowing fraudulent tracks to appear as official releases and diverting potential revenue.
Oversight Board Criticizes Meta's "Inadequate" AI Deepfake Policies
Meta's Oversight Board has stated that the company's rules for AI-generated content are "consistently and fundamentally inadequate" following two cases involving AI deepfakes. The board directed Meta to remove deepfake videos of a Scottish politician and a Muslim woman from Facebook, highlighting issues with content moderation and enforcement of policies regarding synthetic media. This criticism indicates a gap in Meta's ability to manage AI-generated misinformation and harassment on its platforms.
Snap Launches Specs AR Glasses for Enterprise Market, Partnering with Nvidia, AWS, and Salesforce
Snap has released its Specs augmented reality glasses, priced at $2,195, and is targeting the enterprise market through partnerships with Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, and Salesforce. The company aims to position Specs as a computing device for business applications, moving beyond a consumer focus.
Blizzard announces new StarCraft open-world shooter for 2030 release
Blizzard announced a new StarCraft game, an open-world shooter, set to release in 2030. This marks the return of the StarCraft franchise after a decade, shifting from its traditional real-time strategy genre.
EV Batteries Retain 90% Capacity After 150,000 km, Exceeding Driver Expectations
A new study by Aviloo found that electric vehicle batteries retain approximately 90% of their original usable capacity after 150,000 kilometers. This data addresses a key concern for drivers regarding long-term battery durability, potentially influencing EV adoption.
Universal Music Group Partners with ElevenLabs for AI Music Creation Platform
Universal Music Group (UMG) and ElevenLabs have announced a multi-year licensing agreement to develop an AI-powered platform. This platform will allow users to create remixes, mashups, and new interpretations of tracks using UMG's licensed music catalog, with participating artists being compensated. This collaboration marks ElevenLabs' first deal with a major record label and expands UMG's AI initiatives.
Volvo XC40 PHEV Returns with Updates; EX40 EV Discontinued in US for 2028
Volvo is reintroducing the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its XC40 SUV, which was discontinued three years ago, with a major facelift for the 2028 model year. The updated XC40 will feature new exterior styling, an 11.2-inch infotainment screen with Google's Gemini AI assistant, and an updated safety suite. Concurrently, the all-electric EX40 (formerly XC40 Recharge) will no longer be available in the United States starting in 2028.
Siri AI Expands to Five New Languages in October, English Rollout in September
Apple's redesigned Siri AI will launch in English with the official release of iOS 27 on September 14, following beta testing. In October, Siri AI will expand to French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish, broadening its availability to a larger global user base. This expansion was announced during Apple's fall iPhone event.