From Engadget · 40 stories
Spotify Introduces AI-Powered Running Mode for Premium iOS Users
Spotify has launched a new Running Mode feature for Premium subscribers on iOS in select markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. This AI-powered mode curates music based on workout type, duration, beats per minute (BPM), and user preferences, and includes optional audio cues. The feature is available in the Fitness Hub and builds on Spotify's existing personalization capabilities, expanding its fitness offerings.
YouTube Premium to Include Peacock Premium for US Subscribers Starting Early 2027
YouTube Premium subscribers in the U.S. will gain access to Peacock Premium, the ad-supported streaming service, at no additional cost starting in early 2027. This multi-year agreement between NBCUniversal and YouTube integrates Peacock's content directly into the YouTube platform, expanding Peacock's distribution and adding a major entertainment service to YouTube Premium's offerings.
Coca-Cola's Fairlife Hits U.S. Production Halt Due to Anubis Ransomware Attack
A ransomware attack by the Anubis group has forced Coca-Cola's Fairlife to suspend U.S. production. Hackers claim they extracted 1 TB of data, threatening to release it unless a ransom is paid. The incident raises concerns about cybersecurity in the food and beverage sector.
Ofcom Probes TikTok's Child Safety Due to Age Verification Concerns
UK regulator Ofcom is investigating TikTok's age verification methods under the Online Safety Act 2023. Concerns revolve around TikTok's use of 'age inference' technology, which might not adequately identify minors and expose them to harmful content. TikTok claims compliance with safety obligations, while Ofcom's findings could result in significant penalties if failures are confirmed.
Federal Court Halts $110 Billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
A judge issued a temporary restraining order on Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery following a lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general. The lawsuit cites antitrust concerns, predicting reduced competition in film distribution and cable licensing. This delay could cost Paramount significantly, impacting the media industry landscape.
LG Monitors Trigger Unwanted McAfee Ads on Windows PCs
LG monitors, when connected to Windows PCs, can trigger automatic installation of software promoting McAfee, without user consent. This occurs through the LG Monitor App Installer, leading to privacy concerns and user complaints about unwarranted pop-up ads. Such behavior reflects broader issues of unsolicited software installs linked to hardware.
Amazon Integrates Luna Game Streaming into Prime Video App on Fire TV Devices
Amazon has integrated its Luna cloud gaming service directly into the Prime Video app, making games accessible to Prime subscribers on Fire TV devices in the US and UK. This move allows users to play games alongside video content, aiming to broaden gaming accessibility and position Prime Video as a comprehensive entertainment platform.
Hacker Reveals AI Music Generator Suno Breached, Exposing Data Practices
A hacker breached AI music generator Suno, revealing it had scraped millions of songs from platforms like YouTube and Deezer for its training datasets. Exposed user data from over 55 million accounts highlights serious privacy and copyright violation concerns. This incident raises questions about the legality of Suno's dataset usage amidst ongoing lawsuits.
Cloudflare and Patreon Partner to Block Unauthorized AI Crawlers and Monetize Content
Cloudflare announced updates to their policies and tools, including blocking mixed-use AI crawlers by default from September 15, 2026, to help website owners manage AI traffic and monetize their content. Patreon has joined forces with Cloudflare to block AI crawlers from accessing creator content. The move aligns with industry shifts towards AI-dominated web traffic and aims to protect content owners' intellectual property.
WhatsApp Launches Username Feature for Enhanced User Privacy
WhatsApp has initiated a rollout of a username feature, allowing users to interact via usernames instead of phone numbers. This move is targeted at enhancing privacy for the platform's three billion users. However, there are concerns about potential impersonation risks, especially in large user markets like India.
EU Mandates Google to Provide AI Rivals Access to Android and Search Data
The European Union requires Google to provide rival AI applications access to Android functionalities and to share anonymized search data under the Digital Markets Act. This aims to prevent Google from leveraging its OS dominance to limit competition. Google cited potential privacy and security concerns with these changes.
Google Introduces Gemini Omni for AI-Powered Video Editing
Google launched the Gemini Omni model to enhance video editing with AI, allowing users to edit videos using text, image, and audio inputs. The feature debuts as the Video Remix tool in Google Photos and the Gemini Omni Flash model in apps like YouTube Shorts. This development simplifies video editing for both individual users and businesses, integrating AI further into Google's ecosystem.
OnePlus to Cease Operations in US, Europe Amidst Oppo Restructuring
OnePlus will stop launching new products in North America and Europe, as part of a restructuring initiative by its parent company, Oppo. The company will transition existing devices to Oppo's ColorOS for updates while maintaining support agreements. This move, triggered by declining demand and operational challenges, marks a significant change for OnePlus's presence in Western markets.
Google Rebrands NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook with Enhanced Features
Google has rebranded its AI research tool NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook, integrating it into its AI ecosystem and enhancing it with new capabilities including secure code execution for data analysis. The tool, used by 30 million individuals and over 600,000 organizations, will now allow for deeper integration with Google Search and AI-related applications. This change marks Google's alignment of its AI tools under the Gemini brand, expanding the functionality and versatility of the tool.
Meta Faces Lawsuit Over AI-Driven Layoff Decisions Allegedly Discriminating Against Leave-Takers
Twenty-six former Meta employees have filed a lawsuit claiming biased AI systems were used for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on protected leave. The suit alleges that AI tools ranked employees for layoffs without accounting for leave-related absences or disabilities, leading to possible violations of federal and state discrimination laws.
Spotify Launches AI Chatbot for Interactive Music and Media Control
Spotify has introduced 'Talk to Spotify,' a beta AI chatbot feature for Premium users. Available in the US, Ireland, and Sweden, it allows users to interact with the app to create playlists and learn about songs, audiobooks, and podcasts using voice or text commands. This rollout is part of Spotify's ongoing strategy to enhance user engagement through personalized AI interactions.
Apple and Broadcom Sign $30 Billion U.S. Chip Manufacturing Deal
Apple has entered a $30 billion agreement with Broadcom to produce over 15 billion chips in the U.S. This deal, focusing on custom wireless components, marks Apple's largest manufacturing investment in domestic production to date, supporting Broadcom's facility expansion in Colorado.
Opera Rolls Out 'Paste Protect' to Counter ClickFix Cyber Attacks
Opera has introduced 'Paste Protect', a new feature to block malicious clipboard commands copied from websites, aimed at mitigating ClickFix-style attacks. These attacks leverage social engineering tactics to mislead users into pasting harmful code into terminals. The new feature marks the first native defense against this rising cyber threat in a major web browser.
Ford Names Affordable Electric Truck 'Fathom,' Production Slated for 2027
Ford has named its upcoming affordable electric midsize truck the "Fathom," with a starting price of $28,350. This vehicle is the first to be built on Ford's new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, designed to reduce costs through innovative assembly and electronics architecture. Deliveries are expected to begin in fall 2027, with production starting in Q1 2027 at Ford's overhauled Louisville Assembly Plant.
EU Mandates AI Content Labeling and Transparency Under AI Act
The European Union's AI Act now requires AI-generated images, audio, and text designed to appear authentic to be labeled as AI-made, effective August 2 for new systems and with an additional four months for existing ones. This regulation aims to combat deceptive content and misinformation, ensuring users are aware when interacting with AI or AI-created media.
Samsung Galaxy Buds to gain FDA-cleared hearing aid feature; new over-ear headphones in development
Samsung will release an FDA-cleared hearing aid feature and a five-minute hearing test for Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro later this year in the US and other markets. This feature provides an over-the-counter solution for individuals aged 18 and over with mild to moderate hearing loss. Additionally, Samsung is developing new over-ear headphones, codenamed "Galaxy H1," which could launch as early as 2027.
Google Allows Users to Remove Visible Watermarks from AI-Generated Content
Google has introduced an option for users to remove visible watermarks from AI-generated images, videos, and songs created with its models, including Nano Banana, Omni, and Lyria. This change, announced by Josh Woodward, VP for Gemini, will be available in Gemini and Flow, with Search integration planned, allowing for greater creative control while maintaining invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA metadata for content identification.
Heart Aerospace X1 Completes First Flight, Largest Battery-Electric Aircraft to Fly
Heart Aerospace's X1 demonstrator aircraft, the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown, completed its first flight on August 12, 2026. The piloted mission lasted 27 minutes, reached 1,100 feet AGL, and consumed approximately $5 worth of electricity, demonstrating the feasibility of electric propulsion for commercial airline operations.
New York Sues Kalshi for Illegal Gambling, CFTC Orders Continued Operation
New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against prediction market platform Kalshi, alleging it operates an illegal gambling business by accepting wagers without a state license. This action follows similar lawsuits in other states, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued an emergency order for Kalshi to continue operating, citing a "market emergency" and asserting federal oversight.
Nine PBS Regains Access to 50TB Archive After Cloud Vendor Ceases Operations
Nine PBS, a St. Louis public television station, lost access to 50TB of archival data after its cloud storage vendor, Open Source Storage (OSS), ceased operations. A judge has since ordered Iron Mountain, the data center physically housing the data, to provide Nine PBS access to the physical devices containing its 70-year archive, which includes irreplaceable historical content.
Suno to Implement Audio Watermarking and Download Limits for AI-Generated Music
AI music generation service Suno announced new tools including audio watermarking and fingerprinting technology, revised download policies, and updated community guidelines. These changes aim to identify AI-generated content, prevent misuse on streaming platforms, and address ongoing legal challenges from music labels and artist organizations.
Google launches Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 with expanded Gemini AI features
Google unveiled its Pixel 11 smartphone series, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, alongside the Pixel Watch 5 at its Made by Google 2026 event. The new devices emphasize Gemini AI integration, offering features like proactive assistance, task automation, and enhanced accessibility, with minimal hardware changes to the Pixel 11 phones. Google also reduced the free trial period for its Google One AI Pro plan for Pixel 11 models.
Apple Releases iOS 27 Public Beta with New Features
The public beta of Apple's iOS 27 is now available for installation, offering new functionalities such as improved Siri AI and app enhancements. This beta follows a developer release cycle and prepares users for the official iOS 27 launch in September. The initiative reflects Apple's iterative approach to software development and its impact on user experiences.
Spotify to Label AI-Generated Artists and Exclude Them from Recommendations
Spotify will introduce "AI Persona" labels for artists whose identities are AI-generated, starting in mid-September. These labeled artists will be excluded from Spotify's editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default, aiming to differentiate human artists from AI creations and address the influx of AI-generated content on the platform.
YouTube Doubles Monetization Requirements for New Creators, Expands Premium Lite
YouTube is increasing the eligibility criteria for its Partner Program (YPP) starting February 1, 2027, requiring new creators to have 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views. This change doubles the previous watch hour requirement and significantly raises the Shorts view threshold, impacting how new creators can monetize content. Additionally, YouTube's Premium Lite subscription will expand to all countries where Premium is available.
Google Wallet Introduces Supervised Balances for Minors in the US
Google Wallet has launched a new feature allowing parents in the US to set up secure digital balances for children under 18. This enables minors to make tap-to-pay purchases using Android or Wear OS devices where Google Pay is accepted, without needing a bank account, while parents can monitor spending and set limits.
Zoox to Launch Paid Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas Following Federal Exemption
Amazon-owned Zoox will begin charging for robotaxi rides in Las Vegas starting August 10, 2024. This follows a temporary exemption granted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that allows Zoox to commercially operate its custom-built, steering wheel-free vehicles, deploying up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years.
AI Designs Novel Viruses Capable of Infecting Bacteria, Raising Biosafety Concerns
Researchers at Stanford University and Arc Institute have used AI models, including Evo 1 and Evo 2, to design novel bacteriophages, a type of virus that infects bacteria. These AI-designed viruses successfully killed antibiotic-resistant E. coli in laboratory tests, demonstrating AI's capability to generate functional biological entities and prompting discussions about biosafety and biosecurity.
Apple Implements Bug Report Caps Due to Surge in AI-Generated Submissions
Apple has introduced a cap on open security reports and a 30-day cool-off period for submissions to its bug bounty program, effective June. This change was made in response to a significant increase in AI-assisted reports, many of which were not genuine vulnerabilities, leading to review teams being overwhelmed. The new policy impacted Italian cybersecurity company Bynario, which used GPT-5.5 to find a critical macOS bug (CVE-2026-43760) but was initially unable to report it due to reaching the submission limit.
FCC to Vote on Repealing 39% TV Ownership Cap, Prompting Legal Battle
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, plans to vote on repealing the 39% TV ownership cap, potentially leading to increased media consolidation and favoritism towards certain broadcasters. Carr argues the rule is outdated due to social media and streaming. This decision may face legal challenges over the FCC's authority to change a congressionally mandated limit.
Google Maps Adds Food Ordering, Hotel Booking, and Event Ticket Capabilities
Google Maps has expanded its "Ask Maps" feature with new agentic capabilities, allowing users to order food, book hotels, and find event tickets directly within the application. This update integrates "Personal Intelligence," which uses data from Gmail and Google Calendar to personalize responses, transforming Google Maps into a more comprehensive assistant for real-world tasks. The new features are rolling out in English to over 150 countries.
Microsoft expands backward compatibility to original Xbox games on PC
Microsoft introduces four classic Xbox games to PC as part of its backward compatibility initiative. This allows PC gamers to access original Xbox titles, enhancing the gaming ecosystem and preserving classic games for future generations.
LG to Suspend Smart TV Apps Using Residential Proxies
LG Electronics USA will ban apps on its smart TVs that use residential proxy technology after research revealed over 42% of apps on its webOS store included such features. This decision aims to enhance user security and ensure that smart TVs are not misused as proxy nodes.
Xbox Console Prices Increase in EU and UK by up to €200 or £170
Microsoft has increased the prices of Xbox Series X and Series S consoles in the European Union and the UK, with some models rising by up to €200 or £170. This adjustment follows previous price bumps in the US and is attributed to rising component costs, particularly for RAM and storage, impacting consumer affordability in these regions.
Reddit shares drop 9% amid potential end of Google AI content deal
Reddit's shares fell 9% after reports indicated it may not renew its $60 million AI content deal with Google. The deal, struck in 2024, has been reconsidered due to declining traffic from Google's AI summaries, reflecting broader trends affecting various news sites.