From Engadget · 40 stories
Reddit Deploys AI to Combat AI-Generated Spam
Reddit has implemented new AI-powered tools to combat spam on its platform, much of which is AI-generated. The large language model (LLM) tools have resulted in a 20% decrease in spam exposure and catch 25,000 spam posts daily, blocking 23 million spam views per day. This development is part of a broader trend of AI content impacting the quality of information on social media platforms.
Google Pixel 11 Series Leaks Reveal New Colors, Pixel Glow Feature and Pricing
Ahead of its August 12 launch, Google's Pixel 11 series leaks reveal new color options like 'Pine' and 'Fuchsia' and introduce the 'Pixel Glow' feature, a multi-colored LED light integrated in the camera bar. The leaks include design changes for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold with a narrower camera bar and price increases of approximately €100. This matters as Google shifts its strategy in the competitive smartphone market.
Apple Plans 'Apple Upgrade' Device Leasing Program Launch on July 28
Apple is reportedly launching 'Apple Upgrade,' a new leasing program for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, starting July 28. Partnering with Klarna, the program offers 24- to 36-month leases with lower monthly payments but excludes certain budget-friendly models. Existing programs like the iPhone Upgrade Program will be phased out.
Google Introduces Selfie Video for Account Sign-in and Recovery
Google has launched a new selfie video option for account sign-in and recovery, allowing users to regain access by recording a short video of their face. This feature provides an alternative verification method, particularly useful when traditional authentication methods are unavailable, by comparing a live video to a securely stored reference video.
iPhone 18 Pro Features New Variable Aperture Camera for Enhanced Photography
Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, featuring a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with a variable aperture. This upgrade allows for control over the amount of light entering the lens, improving low-light photography and depth of field, bringing new creative control to iPhone users.
Apple Updates Mac Mini with M6 and M5 Pro Chips, Base Model Price Increases to $899
Apple has released new Mac Mini models featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips, replacing the M4 and M4 Pro models. The base M6 model now starts at $899, a $300 increase from the previous M4 model's original $599 price point. This update brings performance improvements and new connectivity options, but the higher price diminishes its previous value proposition.
Apple Revamps iOS 27 for iPhone Duo Foldable, Adds Apple Pencil Support
Apple has redesigned iOS 27 for its new foldable iPhone Duo, adapting controls and app layouts for the device's multiple screens and flexible display. The iPhone Duo will also be the first iPhone to support Apple Pencil, with USB-C Pencil support expected later this year.
Trump Dismisses AI Regulation Calls as 'Sick Conspiracy' Amid Industry Warnings
Donald Trump rejected calls for increased AI controls, labeling them a "sick conspiracy" and stating that a strong president is the only necessary "guardrail." This stance followed appeals from AI leaders like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis, and SpaceX boss Elon Musk for slower AI development, which contributed to a market downturn for AI-related tech stocks.
Florida AG Seeks Court Order Against OpenAI for ChatGPT's Human-like Attributes and Model Development
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has requested a court order to prevent OpenAI from giving ChatGPT human-like attributes, arguing this deceives users and increases engagement for data collection. The motion also seeks to block OpenAI from developing new AI models without third-party approved safety guardrails and to restrict minors' access to ChatGPT. This action is part of an existing lawsuit against OpenAI, initiated after a criminal investigation following a 2025 mass shooting where the suspect allegedly used ChatGPT.
Sonos Ace Ultra Headphones with Voice Control and New Colors Revealed in FCC Filing
Sonos is preparing to launch new over-ear headphones, potentially named Sonos Ace Ultra, following an FCC filing. These headphones, model S52A, are expected to be a premium successor to the 2024 Sonos Ace, featuring support for voice commands and five color options. This release aligns with Sonos's strategy to integrate AI and conversational computing into its hardware ecosystem.
Airbnb Introduces AI Search, Personalized Maps, and Enhanced Social Features
Airbnb has rolled out new features including an AI-powered search function that accepts text or voice prompts and generates dynamic filters. The platform also added personalized travel maps showing connections' past trips and social sharing options, alongside expanding existing services like meal and grocery delivery in limited locations. These updates aim to improve property discovery and social interaction within the platform.
Tokyo Court Rules AI Voice Cloning Violates Publicity Rights in Landmark Case
A Tokyo district court ruled that the human voice has legal protection under publicity rights, in a case where an AI-generated voice on TikTok mimicked actor Kenjiro Tsuda. This decision marks the first time a Japanese court has recognized vocal identity protection against AI copies, setting a precedent for the country's voice acting industry concerned about AI mimicry.
Google fined over €400m by Irish DPC for manipulating location data consent
Google received a fine exceeding €400 million from Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) for manipulating users into agreeing to location data tracking. The DPC's six-year inquiry found Google lacked a valid legal basis for processing location data, which could reveal sensitive personal information.
Fairphone Launches Fairphone 6+ in US, Marking First Direct Sales
Fairphone has launched its Fairphone 6+ smartphone in the U.S. for $649, making it the first time the company's phones are directly available in the country without modifications. This release provides a repairable Android option in the U.S. market, emphasizing longevity and sustainability through user-replaceable components and extended support.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Introduces Monthly Time Limits and Pay-As-You-Go Option
Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming will implement monthly time limits for Game Pass subscribers starting in November, with Ultimate subscribers receiving 15 hours, Premium 10 hours, and Essential 5 hours. Concurrently, Microsoft will introduce a pay-as-you-go model, allowing users to purchase cloud playtime hours without a Game Pass subscription. These changes are attributed to rising operational costs and aim to balance usage with service expenses.
Judge Rules Pentagon's Blacklisting of Anthropic as Supply Chain Risk Illegal
A San Francisco federal judge ruled that the Pentagon's designation of AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk was illegal, citing a violation of the First Amendment. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin found the Department of Defense's actions were not based on an "articulable basis" and constituted "unlawful retaliation." This decision removes a barrier for Anthropic, potentially allowing defense contractors to use its technology.
Rising Memory Prices Hit Budget Smartphones Hard, Driving Market Contraction
Increased memory costs are causing a significant decline in budget smartphone shipments globally. Devices priced under $400 will see shipments drop by over 22% this year as manufacturing costs rise. This contraction could affect company dynamics, potentially benefiting Apple and Samsung.
WhatsApp Enhances Account Security with Stronger 2FA and Multiple Passkeys
WhatsApp has updated its account security features, allowing users to set alphanumeric passwords with special characters for two-step verification, replacing the previous six-digit PINs. The platform also introduced support for adding multiple passkeys to a single account, useful for users across iOS and Android devices, and added more context for calls from unknown numbers on Android.
SpaceX Reports Doubled Revenue Driven by AI Compute Deals and Starlink Growth
SpaceX reported a 92% increase in revenue to $7.8 billion in Q2 2026, largely due to growth in its Starlink satellite internet service and new agreements to rent out computing power to companies like Anthropic and Google. Despite this revenue growth, the company's shares fell after its first public earnings report due to higher-than-expected capital expenditures, primarily for AI infrastructure.
TikTok settles DOJ children's privacy lawsuit for $400 million
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have agreed to pay $400 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2024. The lawsuit alleged violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal information from underage users without parental consent. The settlement includes new age-related controls and parental oversight measures.
Amazon Expands Prime Air Drone Delivery to Nearly 500 US Cities and Towns
Amazon announced plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2024, a sixfold increase from its current footprint. The company aims to make 1 million drone deliveries this year, having already completed hundreds of thousands, with new metro areas including Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise.
Cyberattack on CEVA Logistics Exposes European Steam Hardware Customer Data
A cyberattack on CEVA Logistics, Valve's European shipping partner, between July 29 and August 1, 2026, compromised personal data of Steam hardware customers in Europe. The breach exposed names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and product details, leading Valve to warn customers about potential phishing attempts. This incident highlights supply chain vulnerabilities and impacts multiple retailers relying on CEVA Logistics.
Meta to Launch Cloud Business, Enter AI Compute Market
Meta is preparing to launch a cloud infrastructure business to sell excess AI computing power and models. This strategy would place Meta in direct competition with AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure and aims to monetize its significant AI investments, improving profitability. Reports of early talks with Anthropic for leasing compute power highlight potential partnerships in the cloud service sector.
Anthropic Settles $1.5 Billion in Landmark AI Copyright Case
A federal judge approved Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement in a copyright lawsuit for training AI on pirated books. This decision deemed such training as fair use, marking a critical point in AI law. The payout, spread over 480,000 works, may resolve lingering legal disputes over AI use in copyrighted materials.
New York Imposes One-Year Moratorium on New Large Data Centers
Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers with over 50 megawatts of power in New York State. The measure, the first of its kind in the United States, aims to address environmental and energy concerns while the state develops regulatory standards. The decision has sparked political backlash, with critics arguing it may hinder economic growth.
Cybersecurity Expert Sentenced for Role in BlackCat Ransomware Scams
Angelo Martino, a former ransomware negotiator, has been sentenced to 70 months for aiding the BlackCat ransomware gang. Collaborating with accomplices, he shared confidential negotiation details, causing victims to lose over $75 million. This highlights vulnerabilities within cybersecurity industries.
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Rocket Successfully Achieves Orbit on First Launch
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket has successfully reached orbit on its inaugural launch from Sriharikota, marking India's entry into the private satellite launcher market. This represents a significant milestone in India's space capabilities, allowing it to compete in the commercial space sector.
Google Launches Googlebooks: New Android-Based Laptops Starting at $899 with Deep Android Integration
Google has launched Googlebooks, a new line of laptops designed to integrate with Android phones, with pre-orders available now and general availability starting October 4. These premium devices, from partners Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, run on an Android-based OS, feature high-end specifications, and are priced from $899. The platform emphasizes cross-device continuity, Material 3 Expressive UI, and includes Gemini AI capabilities.
Pentagon Taps Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich for Future Warfare Initiative
The Pentagon has launched "Project Meridian," an initiative to identify future military capabilities and technologies, enlisting Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich as co-leads. This effort aims to maintain the U.S. military's technological edge by focusing on discovering, developing, and fielding advanced weapons and systems for future battlefields.
EU Kids Act Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-13s, Parental Supervision for 13-14
The European Commission introduced the EU Kids Act, a proposal to ban social media access for children under 13 and require parental supervision for 13- and 14-year-olds. The legislation sets a minimum age of 15 for independent social media account creation and mandates platforms to implement "safe by design" features, including parental controls and restrictions on addictive elements.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro expected launch in September 2026
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026, following its annual release pattern. Pre-orders are anticipated to open on a Friday following the announcement, with shipping likely starting the following week.
Apple Releases New Mac Studio with M5 Ultra Chip, Targeting Local AI and Pro Workloads
Apple has launched updated Mac Studio models featuring the new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, replacing the M4 Max and M3 Ultra. The M5 Ultra model, with up to a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU, demonstrates significant performance gains, including up to 30% faster CPU performance and 63% higher GPU rendering scores compared to the M3 Ultra. This update positions the Mac Studio as Apple's high-end desktop, particularly for AI developers and demanding visual effects professionals, and is noted for its ability to run local AI models efficiently.
Google DeepMind and Google Research Release WeatherNext 3 AI Weather Model
Google DeepMind and Google Research have released WeatherNext 3, an AI model for global weather forecasting. The model provides hourly predictions with higher resolution, leveraging real-time satellite observations, and has demonstrated higher accuracy than other leading AI and traditional forecasting systems in independent evaluations.
xAI Sues South Carolina Man Over Grok-Generated Sexual Images
xAI has initiated a lawsuit against Terry Wayne Harwood, alleging misuse of its Grok AI to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This legal action, driven by Harwood's alleged bypassing of Grok's safeguards, underscores the challenges AI companies face in preventing abuse of their technology.
Apple Overhauls EU App Store Fees and Terms, Replaces Core Technology Fee
Apple has introduced new App Store commission rates and business terms for developers in the European Union, effective October 1. These changes include a simplified commission structure, reduced rates for alternative payment options, and the replacement of the Core Technology Fee with a 5% Core Technology Commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store. This overhaul aims to resolve disagreements with the European Commission regarding business terms and alternative distribution under the Digital Markets Act.
Google may soon allow customization of Gemini voice parameters
Google's upcoming Gemini update could enable users to customize voice characteristics such as Energy, Formality, Speed, and Warmth. This feature will enhance user interaction with Gemini across various applications, likely improving personalization options for voice interactions.
Twitch Streamers Can Now Opt Out of Content Being Used for Amazon AI Training
Twitch has introduced an opt-out setting allowing streamers to prevent their content from being used to train Amazon's generative AI models. This change means streams, video-on-demand (VODs), clips, stream chats, and channel images/text will not be used for future AI model training if the user opts out. The setting is enabled by default, requiring users to manually disable it.
Walmart to Roll Out Apple Pay and Google Pay Support Starting August 24
Walmart will begin accepting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other contactless payment methods at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations on August 24, with a full U.S. rollout expected by the end of the year. This move marks a significant shift from Walmart's previous reliance on its proprietary payment solutions, responding to customer demand for tap-to-pay options.
Google Play Store now hosts rival app stores in the US, starting with Aptoide Games
Google has begun listing third-party app stores directly within the Google Play Store in the United States, a change resulting from a 2024 legal ruling in its antitrust case with Epic Games. Aptoide Games is the first such store available, allowing users to install alternative app distribution channels without sideloading. A US District Judge has since ordered Google to improve the discoverability of these stores within the Play Store.
Zoom Patches Critical Vulnerability Allowing Device Takeover During Screen Sharing
Zoom has patched critical vulnerabilities in its video conferencing platform that allowed attackers to remotely execute code and take over devices during screen-sharing sessions. Discovered by A Security using fewer than 20 AI prompts, the flaw affected all supported operating systems and required no victim interaction, highlighting the increasing accessibility of advanced exploit development.