From Engadget · 40 stories
Amazon Fire TV and mobile app receive Alexa+ upgrades and new features
Amazon is rolling out new Alexa+ experiences to Fire TV devices and its mobile app, starting November in the US. These updates include enhanced reasoning capabilities for Alexa+, personalized prompt suggestions, and new features for media discovery and playback. The changes aim to improve content navigation and interaction for Fire TV users.
Disney+ and Hulu Increase Subscription Prices for Most Plans
Disney+ and Hulu have raised prices for most of their subscription plans, with ad-free options seeing the largest increases. This adjustment makes the Disney+/Hulu bundle more competitive against individual service subscriptions.
Perplexity's Personal Computer AI Agent Now Available on Windows
Perplexity has expanded its Personal Computer feature, an agentic AI designed for multi-step tasks, to Windows 10 and 11. This feature, previously Mac-exclusive, allows the AI to access local files, native applications, and cloud services like OneDrive and Google Drive, requiring a paid Perplexity subscription.
Trump White House launches online arcade with games based on popular titles
The Trump White House released an online arcade featuring games that appropriate popular titles for political messaging. These games include variations of Flappy Bird, Tetris, and Snake, with themes related to border security and financial policies.
Humanoid Robots Surpass Usain Bolt's 100m Record at World Humanoid Robot Games
Two Chinese humanoid robots, Tiangong Ultra and Honor's Lightning, recorded 100-meter dash times of 9.39 and 9.47 seconds respectively, exceeding Usain Bolt's human record of 9.58 seconds. This development demonstrates rapid progress in bipedal robot locomotion, though the robots still lack controlled stopping mechanisms.
Peacock Raises Streaming Prices Across All Tiers, Up to $3 Per Month
Peacock has increased prices for all its streaming plans, with the ad-supported Select tier now $8.99/month, Premium at $12.99/month, and the ad-free Premium Plus at $19.99/month. These changes take effect for new subscribers on August 18 and for existing subscribers after September 17, marking the service's latest price adjustment.
Major AI Labs Launch Legal AI Products Amidst Concerns Over Fabricated Case Law
Google, Anthropic, and SpaceXAI have launched or pitched AI products for legal professionals, intensifying the AI industry's push into legal services. This development occurs as lawyers continue to face fines and disciplinary actions for submitting AI-generated filings containing fictitious case law.
McDonald's uses AI for dynamic pricing, varying burger costs by location
McDonald's is reportedly using AI to dynamically price menu items, adjusting costs based on estimated customer willingness to pay at each location. This system can lead to significant price differences for the same item between nearby stores, and franchisees report pressure to adopt the AI's recommendations.
Senate Report Alleges Iran Uses Tether's USDT to Evade Sanctions
A US Senate report claims Iran utilizes Tether's USDT stablecoin as a "significant financial lifeline" for its shadow banking network, enabling it to bypass sanctions and fund proxy organizations. The report criticizes Tether for not consistently freezing flagged wallets, while Tether states it has frozen $550 million in USDT linked to Iran this year and cooperates with law enforcement.
Booking.com launches Lola, an AI travel agent offering personalized recommendations and booking
Booking.com introduced Lola, an AI assistant designed to provide personalized travel recommendations, live availability, and direct booking for hotels, restaurants, and activities. Lola aims to simplify travel planning by integrating various Booking.com brands and partner services, though some features require a paid subscription.
California Bans Public Officials from Issuing Memecoins and Using Their Likeness
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation prohibiting public officials from issuing memecoins and banning companies from using an official's likeness for memecoins. This action aims to prevent officials from profiting from their office and follows reports of significant investor losses from a memecoin released by former President Donald Trump.
Sony to skip CES 2027, shifting focus to entertainment and creator technology
Sony announced it will not exhibit at CES 2027, indicating a strategic shift away from consumer electronics and towards entertainment, intellectual property, and creator-focused technology. This move follows a trend of reduced emphasis on consumer devices and a greater focus on its core entertainment divisions.
US Government to Use AI for Document Redaction in FOIA Requests
The US government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plans to implement AI tools from Google to assist in redacting documents for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. This initiative aims to reduce processing times for a significant portion of FOIA requests, with other agencies also exploring or using AI for similar purposes.
BYD to launch first EV with solid-state battery in 2027, targets high-end models
BYD announced plans to release its first electric vehicle featuring a solid-state battery in 2027, with mass production anticipated around 2030. This move positions BYD among companies developing solid-state battery technology, which offers higher energy density and improved safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries.
Minecraft to Add New Dimension "The Sift" in 2027, First Since 2011
Minecraft will introduce a new dimension called "The Sift" to its Java and Bedrock Editions in 2027, marking the first new dimension in over 15 years. The Sift will initially appear in Minecraft Dungeons 2 before its broader release, bringing new areas, mobs, and gameplay rules to the popular game.
Keychron Releases Thunderbolt 5 Dock with 14 Ports and 140W Power Delivery
Keychron, known for its mechanical keyboards, has released a Thunderbolt 5 Dock featuring 14 ports, 80Gbps data transfer, dual 8K monitor support, and 140W upstream power delivery. This product marks Keychron's entry into the high-end dock market, offering comprehensive connectivity for modern PCs and laptops.
Revolut Pilots Facial Recognition Payments in UK Stores
Revolut is trialing a facial recognition payment system, "Pay with Smile," at select Kiss the Hippo coffee locations in London. This system, integrated with Revolut Register POS hardware, aims to reduce payment friction for merchants and customers.
UK CMA proposes new rules for Android and Chrome search engine and AI assistant choices
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) proposed new rules to increase user choice for search engines on Android and Chrome, and for AI assistants. These proposals aim to reduce Google's control over these platforms and promote competition, building on previous measures introduced by the CMA.
DoorDash to pay $131.5 million for NYC delivery worker wage violations
DoorDash will pay $131.5 million in a settlement with New York City for violating minimum wage and delivery worker protection laws, including over $83 million to resolve a dispute on calculating pay for online time between deliveries. This settlement addresses late or missing payments for over 260,000 workers and establishes a compliance monitoring program for future adherence to regulations.
Amazon's Project Kuiper Partners with Uztelecom to Bring Satellite Internet to Uzbekistan
Amazon's Project Kuiper, branded as Leo, is partnering with Uzbek ISP Uztelecom to provide satellite internet connectivity to remote regions of Uzbekistan. This collaboration aims to extend internet access in areas where traditional cabled infrastructure is difficult to deploy, complementing Uztelecom's existing network.
Polymarket lobbies EU and UK regulators to be classified as a financial service
Polymarket is reportedly engaging with regulators in the EU and UK to be treated as a financial services platform rather than a gambling website. This reclassification would allow it to operate under MiFID rules and potentially overturn bans in countries like Spain and France. The company currently faces restrictions due to varying gambling laws across EU nations.
New Deep-6000 Drones to Cover 98% of Oceans by 2028
Ifremer's Deep-6000 prototypes successfully completed 6,000-meter dives, enabling France to join China and the US in developing deep-sea Argo floats. This expansion will increase the international fleet of ocean-sensing drones to cover over 98% of the ocean's volume by 2028, addressing a critical data gap in deep ocean warming and exploration.
Bungie Reverses Course on Destiny 2 Content Vaulting, Commits to Long-Term Development
Bungie leaders Poria Torkan and Josh Deane announced a reversal of the Destiny 2 content vaulting strategy and a renewed commitment to the game's long-term future. This decision follows player dissatisfaction with recent expansions and the previous content removal policy, aiming to restore community trust and expand the Marathon game into a deeper survival experience.
Lucid and Bolt Partner to Deploy 25,000 Robotaxis in Europe
Lucid and Bolt are collaborating to deploy at least 25,000 robotaxis across Europe, with Bolt planning to own and operate the fleet. This initiative marks Lucid's entry into the European robotaxi market and contributes to Bolt's goal of having 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2035.
DJI Releases SDR Transmission II System for 4K 60fps HDR Video Transmission up to 2.5 Miles
DJI launched its new SDR Transmission II system, which transmits 4K 60fps HDR video at 50Mbps over distances up to 2.5 miles. This system improves video quality and range for professional multi-camera productions, enabling reliable links in diverse environments and supporting remote camera control.
NVIDIA, Google, and Emerald AI form coalition to accelerate AI data center grid connections
NVIDIA, Google, and Emerald AI launched the AI Energy Management Alliance (AEMA) to standardize flexible AI data centers. The coalition aims to speed up grid connections for data centers that can reduce power usage during peak demand, addressing current grid limitations.
Music Distributors Launch Streaming Integrity Initiative to Combat Fraud
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) launched the Streaming Integrity Initiative (SII) with major music distributors to combat streaming fraud. This initiative establishes five commitments for distributors to verify rights, vet content, act on fraud, share intelligence, and continuously strengthen anti-fraud systems, aiming to protect artists and the music economy from manipulated revenue generation.
Diablo V Scheduled for Spring 2029 Release; Netflix Animated Series Confirmed
Blizzard announced that Diablo V will be released in spring 2029, continuing the story after Diablo IV. Additionally, a Diablo animated series is in development with Netflix, though further details are pending.
VR game developer Polyarc, known for the Moss series, has closed down
Polyarc, the studio behind the virtual reality games Moss and Moss: Book II, has ceased operations after nearly 12 years. The closure impacts at least 29 staff members and highlights challenges in the VR game development ecosystem, particularly following shifts by major platforms like Meta.
Roblox to introduce browser-based and offline play modes by mid-2027
Roblox announced browser-based play by late 2026 and offline play by mid-2027, allowing users to access games without downloads and play without internet. These changes aim to broaden access to Roblox games and expand the types of experiences available on the platform.
Meta Expands Community Notes to Latin America, Raising Concerns Among Fact-Checkers
Meta is expanding its Community Notes program to 16 countries in Latin America, testing a crowd-sourced fact-checking system. This move suggests Meta may eventually replace its partnerships with third-party fact-checking organizations in these regions, leading to concerns from groups like the International Fact-Checking Network and Meta's Oversight Board about the adequacy of Community Notes for combating misinformation.
Blizzard Employees Ratify First Union Contracts Covering 1,900 Workers
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have ratified their first union contracts after two years of bargaining. These contracts cover approximately 1,900 employees and include provisions for wage increases, grievance procedures, hybrid work, and AI usage discussions, setting a precedent in the gaming industry.
Microsoft and AFT Agree to AI Data Protections for Schools
Microsoft and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have finalized a legally binding agreement that prevents Microsoft from using student and teacher data to train AI models, with limited exceptions for safety and security. This agreement establishes privacy and safety standards for AI use in schools, addressing concerns about data exploitation and lack of federal regulation.
SpaceX's Recovered Starship 40 to Take Months for Return Trip to Texas
SpaceX's Starship 40, which launched on July 24 and survived splashdown intact, will take several months to return to Texas from the Indian Ocean. The recovery operation involved moving the 171-foot spacecraft onto a specialized transport ship, Forte, near Christmas Island. This recovery provides SpaceX engineers with a complete Starship upper stage for detailed study, unlike previous missions that resulted in debris.
Riot Games adds team voice chat to League of Legends after 17 years
Riot Games has introduced team-wide voice chat to League of Legends, starting with North America and Oceania, 17 years after the game's launch. This feature, previously limited to pre-made groups, aims to improve in-game coordination for all players on a team. The rollout includes an Honor level 3 requirement for speaking to manage player conduct.
Renault Shifts Dacia Spring EV Production to Europe for Subsidies, Redesigns Model
Renault's Dacia brand is moving production of its Dacia Spring EV from China to Europe to qualify for local subsidies, making the vehicle more affordable after incentives. The Spring EV has also received a redesign, featuring a more muscular body and updated interior technology.
OpenAI develops automated research intern, targets full AI researcher by 2028
OpenAI announced it has achieved its goal of creating an "automated research intern," a system capable of performing well-defined research tasks under human direction that would typically take a skilled researcher several days. This development is part of OpenAI's broader objective to create a fully automated AI researcher by March 2028, which the company believes will enhance human welfare and advance its mission.
Volkswagen Confirms 50,000 Job Cuts and Restructuring as Part of "Future Plan 2030"
Volkswagen has confirmed it will cut 50,000 jobs and reduce its model range by 50% as part of its "Future Plan 2030" to achieve a 9% operating margin. This restructuring addresses intensifying global competition, shifting demand, and technological changes in the automotive industry, impacting its workforce and brand portfolio.
Utah Delays Enforcement of VPN Age-Verification Law Pending Legal Challenge
Utah will not enforce its new law targeting VPN usage in conjunction with age verification for adult content, pending a federal court ruling on a legal challenge. This delay means the state's attempt to hold websites liable for users' VPN usage to circumvent age verification is on hold, impacting privacy and digital rights discussions.
Blue Origin Awarded NASA Contract for Mars Telecommunications Network
NASA has awarded Blue Origin a contract worth up to $700 million to develop a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter by December 31, 2028. This orbiter will transmit science data, imagery, navigation, and mission communications for spacecraft operating on and around Mars, supporting NASA's future human missions to the planet.