From Engadget · 40 stories
TikTok Ban Lifted for US Government Devices After Joint Venture Formation
The US Department of Justice has lifted the ban on TikTok for federal employees' devices, following the creation of a new venture for TikTok's US operations. The app's download is now allowed, subject to agency discretion, as it is considered secure under Oracle's management and reduced ByteDance involvement.
Obsidian Focuses on New Fallout Game Amid Massive Xbox Layoffs
Microsoft's restructuring has led Obsidian Entertainment to cancel the Avowed sequel to develop a new Fallout game under Josh Sawyer. Meanwhile, Bethesda confirms Fallout 5 development amid significant layoffs. This indicates Microsoft's focus on established franchises during organizational changes.
Signal Beta Allows Linking Android Devices to One Account
Signal's latest beta introduces the ability for Android users to link a secondary phone or tablet to a single account without needing multiple phone numbers. This feature aligns Signal more closely with competitors like WhatsApp, allowing synchronized chat history across devices. The feature, currently in beta and expected in a future stable release, enhances flexibility for Signal users.
Netflix Utilizes Generative AI in Over 300 Titles to Enhance Production
Netflix employed generative AI in over 300 titles, primarily in post-production, to accelerate production and cut costs. The series "The American Experiment" notably includes 17 minutes of AI-assisted footage, produced quicker and cheaper than traditional methods.
SpaceX Deorbits 260 Starlink Satellites, Sparks Environmental Concerns
SpaceX deorbited 260 Starlink satellites from December 2025 to May 2026, burning them in Earth's atmosphere. The move, reported to the FCC, raises environmental worries despite following standard deorbiting practices to prevent collisions.
Elon Musk's $1 Billion APR Energy Acquisition Supports xAI's Data Centers
Elon Musk acquired APR Energy, a company that creates mobile gas turbines, for approximately $1 billion. The acquisition is expected to provide power for SpaceXAI's data centers, which face scrutiny due to unpermitted gas turbine usage. This move marks a shift towards fossil fuel reliance, contrasting Musk's previous clean energy advocacy.
Valve Retains Steam Deck OEM Parts Supply Through iFixit
Valve confirms continued supply of original Steam Deck batteries via iFixit, reversing a potential discontinuation. This move maintains repairability for users and upholds Valve's commitment to device longevity.
Apple Eyes Semiconductor Startups to Enhance AI Server Performance
Apple is reportedly in talks with semiconductor startups to bolster its AI server capabilities. The performance of its current M2 Ultra chips is deemed insufficient, leading Apple to consider acquisitions. This move is seen as a shift from Apple's usual business strategy, emphasizing its focus on strengthening AI processing.
StubHub CEO's Investment in Scalping Fund Sparks Legal Action and Consumer Concerns
StubHub CEO Eric Baker's involvement in funding mass scalpers through Andro Capital has led to a proposed $5 million class-action lawsuit. Recent SEC filings revealed Baker's role in the fund, raising conflict of interest concerns and highlighting issues with StubHub's marketplace practices.
Sony's FlexStrike Fight Stick for PS5 Delayed Indefinitely Due to Production Issues
Sony has indefinitely delayed the launch of its FlexStrike wireless fight stick for PS5 and PC. Originally set for an August 6 release to coincide with the Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls game, the postponement is due to unexpected production delays, impacting gamers and pre-order customers. Sony promises more updates soon.
California Launches $3,500 Rebate Program for First-Time EV Buyers
California has introduced a $3,500 rebate for first-time electric vehicle buyers, aligning with Governor Gavin Newsom's MyFirstEV initiative. This state-funded program offsets reduced sales caused by the cessation of a federal tax credit, contributing to California's $600 million investment in clean transportation. Affected vehicles must be zero-emission and under $50,000.
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition Launches on Apple Arcade in August
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition will arrive on Apple Arcade on August 6 or 7, enabling Apple users to play EA's popular football simulation game. The game, set to release before the NFL pre-season, will be free from ads and in-app purchases, offering players an uninterrupted gaming experience across various Apple devices.
Google Expands Gemini in Chrome to UK Users
Google has expanded its Gemini feature in Chrome to users in the UK, continuing its international rollout. Gemini, previously limited to certain subscriptions, offers AI-based summarization and integration with Google services. This feature, now more widely available, enhances user interaction with content and other Google apps directly in the browser.
Brazilian Court Orders Microsoft to Restore Hacked Xbox Account and Pay Damages
A Brazilian court ordered Microsoft to reinstate a gamer's suspended Xbox account and digital library, following a lawsuit by a user known as Ordo_Liberal. Microsoft must also pay $400 in damages. The court ruling emphasizes consumer rights in digital ownership and security.
Apple to Release New Apple Pencil Models in 2027 with Replaceable Batteries
Apple is set to release new models of its Apple Pencil in spring 2027, featuring replaceable batteries to comply with EU regulations. This update aims to improve repairability and user experience, aligning with new standards for portable electronic devices.
Phia Faces Suspension for Alleged Cookie Stuffing in Affiliate Marketing
Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, is accused of cookie stuffing, improperly claiming affiliate sales it did not generate. Investigations revealed the misuse, leading to Phia's suspension from Impact.com. The issue highlights challenges in maintaining transparency in affiliate marketing practices.
Volkswagen Considers Major Restructuring Amid Profit Decline and Union Tensions
Volkswagen Group is contemplating factory closures and a significant reduction of its workforce as it seeks to adapt to changing market conditions and declining profits. Plans to streamline operations face opposition from strong worker unions.
Trailblazing Pilot and Space Traveler Wally Funk Dies at 87
Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator and space traveler, died at 87 at her home in Grapevine, Texas. She was known as the oldest person to fly in space at 82 aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard in 2021. Funk was a member of the Mercury 13, an unrecognized group of female astronaut trainees in the 1960s.
Sony Releases RX10 V Superzoom Camera with New Stacked Sensor, Priced at $2,299.99
Sony has launched the RX10 V superzoom camera with a new 20.1 megapixel stacked sensor, enabling 30fps shooting. Priced at $2,299.99, the camera features 4K video recording at 120fps and a redesigned body but retains its predecessor's lens design. The upgrades make it suitable for both photographers and videographers.
Alienware Unveils Enhanced 34-Inch QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Alienware has launched the AW3426DW, a 34-inch ultrawide monitor using Samsung's QD-OLED technology, featuring a five-layer RGB Stripe panel and a 280 Hz refresh rate. These advancements improve brightness and color accuracy for a more immersive gaming experience. The monitor represents a significant update in the competitive gaming display market.
NHTSA Directs Autonomous Vehicle Makers to Address Interference with Emergency Responders
The NHTSA has directed autonomous vehicle (AV) makers to resolve issues of their vehicles interfering with emergency responders. This directive follows reports of AVs obstructing law enforcement and emergency services, highlighting deficiencies in their safety protocols. AV developers have until the end of the month to present their solutions.
X to Direct Message Users about Community Note Corrections on Engaged Posts
X announced a feature that will send direct messages to users when posts they engaged with receive Community Notes corrections. This aims to improve the effectiveness of addressing misinformation by ensuring users are notified of corrections. Elon Musk disclosed this planned update, though its release date remains unspecified.
PC Shipments Decline Amid Memory Shortages and Price Hikes
U.S. PC shipments dropped by 7% in Q1 2026 to 15.8 million units, while worldwide shipments fell by nearly 5% to 68.2 million units. These declines, driven by component shortages and price hikes, notably the ongoing AI-driven memory shortage, have affected consumer purchasing. Despite the reduced shipments, PC manufacturer revenues continue to rise due to increased prices.
Apple's Antitrust Appeal Over EU 'Gatekeeper' Status Rejected
Apple's legal challenge against its designation as a 'gatekeeper' under the EU's Digital Markets Act has been rejected. The ruling demands Apple allows interoperability with rival services and may affect its business model in Europe by enforcing fairer competition.
iRobot Introduces Roomba Electro Plus, Its First Manual Floor Cleaner
iRobot unveiled the Roomba Electro Plus, its first non-robotic floor cleaner, retailing at $399. The manual device cleans and disinfects hard floors using electrolyzed tap water, eliminating the need for chemical cleaners. Additionally, iRobot announced five new robot vacuum models with enhanced features set to replace current models by 2025. This reflects iRobot's expansion beyond robotic cleaners, emphasizing safer and efficient cleaning technology.
DeepSeek Enters AI Chip Market to Counter US Export Controls
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, is reportedly developing its own chips for data center inference to reduce dependency on vendors like NVIDIA and Huawei. This move follows US export controls limiting access to foreign chips, compelling Chinese firms to explore custom silicon designs. The development could potentially shift dynamics in the Chinese AI market.
Marshall Launches Acton IV and Stanmore IV Speakers with Improved Sound and Repairability
Marshall has released the Acton IV and Stanmore IV Bluetooth speakers, enhancing sound quality and repairability. Priced at $299.99 and $399.99 respectively, these models feature upgraded components for better sound dispersion and customizable controls. User-replaceable parts aim to improve product longevity.
Bentley Unveils 'Torcal', Its First Electric Vehicle, Launch Set for September 23
Bentley has announced that its first electric vehicle, named the Torcal, will be unveiled on September 23 in London. The vehicle, inspired by the Spanish landmark El Torcal de Antequera, marks Bentley's strategic move into the electric market. Previously seen testing in extreme conditions, the Torcal represents a shift towards electrification in luxury vehicles.
Midjourney Challenges Hollywood Studios to Disclose AI Usage in Copyright Lawsuit
Midjourney has requested that Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal provide information on their AI usage as part of ongoing copyright infringement lawsuits. This follows a judge's ruling which allows the studios to withhold certain documentation. The move aims to demonstrate that the studios also rely on copyrighted data for their AI models, potentially undermining their claims against Midjourney.
Donald Trump's Tech Stock Purchases Coincide with AI Action Plan Announcement and Market Movements
Donald Trump purchased tech stocks worth up to $5 million, including shares in Apple, Amazon, and NVIDIA, coinciding with his AI Action Plan launch. These moves came amid tariff policy announcements affecting market trends, highlighting his significant financial engagements during his presidency.
Sony to Transform PlayStation Disc Factory to Microlens Production by 2028
Sony's Thalgau factory in Austria will shift from manufacturing 600,000 discs daily to producing optical microlenses by 2028, cutting disc production by 90%. This strategic move aligns with Sony's pivot to digital PlayStation content, with a €30 million ($34 million) investment to retrain 300 employees.
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.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Leak Shows Minimal Design Changes from Predecessor
A new leak of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra confirms that its external design will largely remain unchanged from the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. This suggests Samsung is maintaining its current design philosophy for its flagship tablet line.
Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for US Users Following Executive Order
Google Maps has updated its display for users in the United States, renaming "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America" following an executive order by President Trump and an update to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). This change aligns with Google's policy of reflecting official government name changes for bodies of water, while users in Canada will continue to see "Lake Ontario." This is the second such renaming, following "Gulf of America" in February 2025.
PlayStation Update Makes Enhanced PSSR Default for PS5 Pro Games Supporting Original PSSR
Sony's system software update 26.06-14.00.00 for PlayStation 5 now automatically enables "Enhance PSSR Image Quality" for PS5 Pro owners in games that already support the original PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. This change means games built with the first version of PSSR will now use Sony's newer, enhanced upscaler by default, improving visual fidelity without manual user intervention.
Apple Increases Prices for Apple TV and Individual Apple One Subscriptions
Apple has raised the monthly price of Apple TV from $12.99 to $14.99 and the annual price from $99 to $119. The individual Apple One subscription also increased from $19.95 to $21.95 per month. This marks the fourth price increase for Apple TV in four years and follows recent price adjustments for other Apple services.
Comcast Activates Wi-Fi Motion Sensing on Xfinity Routers for Home Activity Monitoring
Comcast has launched Xfinity Shield, a new home security platform that includes Wi-Fi Motion, a feature enabling compatible Xfinity routers to detect movement by analyzing disruptions in Wi-Fi signals. This update, available through the Xfinity Internet app, allows customers to monitor home activity without additional hardware, providing an added layer of awareness for Xfinity Internet users.
Google Images Revamps Homepage with Personalized Gallery and AI Features
Google Images is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a redesigned homepage. The update introduces a dynamic, personalized image gallery and includes AI features like image generation via Nano Banana 2 Lite. These changes aim to enhance user engagement and improve the visual search experience.
Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet Compared on Features and Device Compatibility
Google Wallet offers broader digital ID support and cross-device compatibility, while Samsung Wallet provides cryptocurrency integration and enhanced security features. Both digital wallets offer similar core services for storing various cards and passes, but each has distinct advantages in specific areas. The choice between them depends on user priorities like device ecosystem or crypto management.
YouTube TV's Value Questioned Amid Price Hikes and Channel Losses
YouTube TV's monthly cost has risen to $82.99, while it is losing Tastemade, Court TV, and The Young Turks channels. The service maintains features like unlimited DVR and 4K Plus, but its overall value is diminishing for non-sports viewers.