From Engadget · 40 stories
Reddit Announces Upcoming Changes to Old Reddit to Combat Scraping and Spam
Reddit plans to implement unspecified "changes" to Old Reddit, its 21-year-old desktop interface, to address abusive scraping and spamming, particularly from AI. The company previously began requiring users to be logged in to access Old Reddit, citing its logged-out experience as a source of automated traffic. These changes affect long-time users and moderators who prefer the legacy interface.
Nikita Bier Steps Down as X's Head of Product After One Year
Nikita Bier has resigned as X's head of product after serving for just over a year, transitioning to an advisory role. During his tenure, Bier oversaw the launch of 30 new products and significant rebuilds across the platform, including the timeline, Android app, chat, and notifications, as well as the recent launch of X Money.
OpenAI Settles DOJ Discrimination Claims for $3.2 Million Over Hiring Practices
OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig will pay $3.2 million to settle allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice that they discriminated against U.S. workers by favoring temporary visa holders. The settlement addresses claims that the companies used specific tactics to deter U.S. applicants for certain roles and includes changes to hiring practices and a fund for affected individuals.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Series Debuts With Enhanced Designs and Features
Leaks reveal Samsung's latest devices, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 series with minimal design changes from previous models, and significant battery and display upgrades. New colors and a shift to Qualcomm chips for Galaxy smartwatches mark smaller-scale updates ahead of the July 22 launch.
Lenovo and Asus Googlebook Devices Leak, Revealing Hardware and "Aluminium OS"
Images of upcoming Googlebook devices from Lenovo and Asus have leaked, showcasing two Lenovo laptop sizes, a 2-in-1 tablet, and an Asus laptop. These leaks provide the first look at hardware for Google's new Android-based platform, which is expected to replace ChromeOS and integrate Gemini AI, with one leak identifying the operating system as "Aluminium OS."
Spotify Reaches 300 Million Premium Subscribers, Reports €4.8 Billion in Q2 Revenue
Spotify announced it has surpassed 300 million Premium subscribers, a 9% increase year-over-year, and reached 777 million monthly active users in the second quarter. The company reported €4.8 billion ($5.5 billion) in revenue and a 33.4% gross margin, driven by subscriber growth and diversification of content offerings.
Apple to Enable iPhone-to-Windows Clipboard Sharing by Fall 2027 in EU
Apple plans to introduce a solution allowing users to copy and paste content between iPhones and Windows PCs, with a target completion date of Fall 2027. This development responds to a March 2026 interoperability request from Microsoft under the European Union's Digital Markets Act, aiming to bridge a gap in cross-device content transfer.
Google's Gemini Spark AI Assistant Launches on macOS with New Features
Google's Gemini Spark AI assistant is now available on macOS with enhanced integration for managing files and interacting with Google Workspace apps. The update, currently in beta for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S., includes faster processing and expanded capabilities in Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations. This launch widens the competition with other desktop AI agents, marking a significant step in AI integration on desktop platforms.
SpaceX to Remove Unpermitted xAI Data Center Turbines by July 2027
SpaceX announced it will remove 69 unpermitted gas turbines powering its xAI data centers near Memphis by July 2027. This follows lawsuits from groups like the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center regarding the turbines' operation without federal permits, and the company will transition to a permanent 1.2 gigawatt natural gas power plant.
Katalyst Space's LINK Satellite Experiences Failures, Jeopardizing NASA Swift Observatory Reboost
The Katalyst Space LINK satellite, launched on July 3 to reboost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, is tumbling out of control due to the failure of two of its three reaction wheels and partial loss of its cold gas thruster system. This incident jeopardizes NASA's first mission to contract a private company for orbital reboosting services, which aimed to extend the Swift Observatory's operational lifespan.
DoorDash Launches In-House Drone Delivery Service, DoorDash Air, After FAA Approval
DoorDash has established DoorDash Air, its own drone delivery business, after receiving Part 135 air carrier certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. This certification allows DoorDash to operate commercial drone delivery services in the United States using its internally developed aircraft and infrastructure. The company previously partnered with other drone delivery providers but will now deploy its own drones, designed specifically for food delivery.
Apple TV+ Announces 'Neuromancer' Premiere Date and New Trailers at Comic-Con
Apple TV+ announced that its adaptation of William Gibson's novel "Neuromancer" will premiere on January 22, 2027, with the first two episodes, followed by weekly releases for a total of ten episodes. The announcement was made at San Diego Comic-Con, where a teaser trailer was also released. Additionally, trailers for "Dark Matter" season two and the movie "Matchbox" were debuted.
HP OmniBook Ultra 14 Review: Powerful Snapdragon Performance at a High Price
The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 laptop leverages the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, providing strong performance and battery life but with some drawbacks. Despite its premium build and innovative design, the $2,900 price, bloatware, and lack of certain ports may deter potential buyers.
Samsung Releases Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 with Bigger Batteries and New Features
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at its Unpacked event. Both models feature the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset and enhanced batteries, focusing on improved health tracking and outdoor capabilities for the Ultra 2.
OpenAI Sued Over ChatGPT's Allegedly Dangerous Health Advice
OpenAI faces a lawsuit from a pastor who alleges ChatGPT provided dangerous medical advice regarding a pulmonary embolism, leading to delayed treatment. The suit claims negligence and the unauthorized practice of medicine, seeking financial damages and stricter guardrails for AI health recommendations.
WhatsApp Introduces Multitude of New Features Including iPad Sign-Up and CarPlay Integration
WhatsApp has released several updates, allowing iPad users to sign up without a phone number, enhancing integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and enabling music sharing from Apple Music and Spotify. These changes improve multi-device usability and align WhatsApp more closely with social media features.
Samsung Health Update: Consent Required for AI Data Use, Updated Policy on Data Retention
Samsung Health now requires user consent to use health data for AI training, with or without data deletion based on this consent. Meanwhile, Samsung introduced the AI-powered Health Assistant in beta to help users better understand health metrics. The updates aim to refine health service offerings while maintaining user data control.
SpaceX Launches Starlink V5 Dish with Smaller, Lighter Design
SpaceX unveiled its Starlink V5 residential dish, featuring a reduced size and improved energy efficiency, available in select regions. It allows for maximum speeds of up to 375 Mbps, slightly lower than the V4's 400 Mbps, making it suitable for home internet use. The dish is not for in-motion usage, unlike the upcoming Starlink Mini. This release may lower user costs due to its energy efficiency.
Apple iPad Mini's October Release Promises OLED Upgrade Amid Price Concerns
Apple plans to launch an OLED iPad mini by October, featuring a fixed 60Hz refresh rate. Despite missing ProMotion, the upgrade emphasizes display quality and follows recent price increases, influenced by supply chain issues.
EU Exempts Smartwatches from User-Replaceable Battery Rule
The European Commission has exempted smartwatches, fitness trackers, and certain other wearables from the EU regulation requiring user-replaceable batteries. This decision responds to safety and design concerns, particularly for devices with compact, sealed designs. The exemption must be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Apple Raises Prices for Apple Music and Apple One Subscriptions Amid Licensing Cost Concerns
Apple has increased subscription prices for Apple Music and Apple One in response to rising licensing costs. The individual Apple Music plan now costs $11.99 per month, while the Apple One Family plan has risen to $27.95. This marks the first price hike for these services in nearly four years.
Zoox Recalls Software in Robotaxis Due to Smoke Detection Issues
Zoox recalled software in 105 robotaxis following an incident where a vehicle struggled with heavy smoke at a fire scene in June. No injuries occurred, and a new update has been deployed to address the issue. This highlights ongoing safety challenges in autonomous vehicle operation and regulatory focus on their interaction with emergency situations.
China Joins SpaceX in Rocket Reuse with Long March 10B Recovery
China successfully recovered its Long March 10B rocket booster at sea, becoming the second country to achieve reusable rocket technology after SpaceX. This marks a significant milestone in China's space capabilities, potentially advancing its satellite services and global competitiveness.
Trump's Teleprompter Operator Faces Insider Trading Allegations on Kalshi Market
Gabriel Perez, former President Trump's teleprompter operator, is under investigation for allegedly making over $100,000 in insider trading on Kalshi prediction markets concerning Trump's speeches. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and federal investigators are involved, with discussions ongoing about the return of the profits.
Meta Launches AI Alert System for Teens' Self-Harm Conversations
Meta has introduced an AI-driven alert system to notify parents if their teens discuss self-harm or suicide with its chatbot on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. This measure addresses regulatory concerns and aims to enhance safety for young users. The system includes manual review of flagged conversations to minimize unnecessary alerts.
Google to Offset Data Center Emissions with Major Solar Project in Arkansas
Google's electricity use surged by 37% in 2025 due to AI data center expansions. To offset emissions, Google will purchase the entire output of a large solar and battery storage project in Arkansas, boosting the grid with up to 2.45GW of solar power by 2029. This initiative reflects Google's ongoing investment in clean energy.
Spotify Expands Free Child Accounts with Parental Controls to More Countries
Spotify has expanded its free child-friendly managed accounts to more countries, allowing parents to create and manage accounts with personalized content and controls, even without a Premium subscription. Initially available only to Premium Family subscribers, the service now extends to free tier users in the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The expansion highlights Spotify's focus on offering safer listening experiences for children under 13.
Publishers and Author Sue Google for Using Copyrighted Works in AI Training
Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier, and author Scott Turow have filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging it used copyrighted books to train its Gemini AI without permission. The case, brought in federal court, claims Google removed copyright details to obscure its usage and breached copyright laws by training its commercial AI models with unauthorized texts. This lawsuit underscores ongoing legal tensions between AI development and copyright protection.
Google Uses User-Uploaded Search Media for AI Training, Opt-Out Available
Google has updated its privacy settings to include user-uploaded media, such as images and audio, in AI training. Users are automatically opted in unless they choose to opt out via new settings affecting various Google search services. This move reflects broader tech industry trends in utilizing personal data for AI development, raising privacy concerns.
Pixel Watch 5 Renders Leak Showing New Colors and Price Details
Leaked renders of the Pixel Watch 5 reveal new colors and potential price details ahead of its expected announcement on August 12. The colors include Dark Anthracite, Natural Silver, Pyrite, and Warm Gold. The Warm Gold is exclusive to the 41mm model, which will reportedly start at $399, marking a $50 price increase.
Philips Offers Free Replacements After Firmware Bricks Hue Bridge Pro Devices
A firmware update led to less than 100 Philips Hue Bridge Pro devices becoming inoperable. Philips has offered free replacements and issued a patch to fix the issue, emphasizing a specific update scenario as the cause.
TV Time App to Shut Down in July 2026, New App Bingers Announced
TV Time, a popular TV and movie-tracking app, is set to shut down on July 15, 2026, citing unsustainable operating costs. The app's co-founder, Antonio Pinto, is launching a new app named Bingers to serve the old community. The transition reflects a shift towards AI-focused business models.
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.