From Engadget · 40 stories
Snapchat Introduces "Snapchat Plans" for In-App Event Planning
Snapchat has launched "Snapchat Plans," a new suite of features enabling users to create, share, and manage real-world events directly within the app. Users can invite up to 200 friends, track RSVPs, and view event details, with invitations delivered via one-on-one chats. This update formalizes event planning, a behavior already common among over a third of its core users who use group chats for organizing meet-ups.
Apple May Launch Camera-Equipped AirPods This Fall, Codenamed B790
Apple may release a version of camera-equipped AirPods, codenamed B790, as early as next month, according to references found in iOS 27 code and internal roadmaps. This potential release precedes another rumored variant, B798, which is anticipated in 2027. The cameras could expand health features, including vision assistance for blind and low-vision users when combined with Apple's AI-powered VoiceOver.
Phil Schiller Steps Down from App Store and Apple Events Leadership
Longtime Apple executive Phil Schiller has stepped down from his leadership roles for the App Store and Apple events. The App Store division will now be overseen by Eddy Cue's services team, while Nola Weinstein will lead Apple events. Schiller will retain his title as Apple Fellow and work on unspecified initiatives.
NYC Public Schools Ban AI Use for Students Up to Eighth Grade, Restrict Digital Devices
New York City public schools will implement a one-year moratorium on AI use for students in 2-K through eighth grade, effective for the 2026-2027 school year, impacting approximately 600,000 students. This policy also bans companion chatbots across all grades and restricts teachers from using AI for grading, while introducing limits on digital device screen time for younger students. The decision reflects a stance against early AI integration in education, emphasizing human connection and critical thinking development.
ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok AI platforms experience simultaneous outages
Major AI platforms including OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and X's Grok are currently experiencing widespread outages. The simultaneous disruption across these services suggests a potential underlying issue with Microsoft Azure, which many of these platforms utilize for cloud services.
Instagram to demote unlabeled AI-generated profiles, renames "AI creator" label
Instagram is implementing new rules for profiles featuring AI-generated personas, requiring them to use a new "AI-generated profile" label. Accounts that fail to self-label will have their reach limited, meaning their content will not be recommended to non-followers in Reels and Explore. This change addresses user feedback regarding misleading AI content and aims to increase transparency on the platform.
Meta Launches Muse Voice Transcribe for Real-Time Multilingual Speech Recognition
Meta's Superintelligence Labs released Muse Voice Transcribe, a real-time audio perception model for speech recognition. It offers multilingual, streaming transcription with speaker diarization and is available for Meta AI on Mac, Muse Code, and developers via the Meta Model API. The model supports over 70 languages, distinguishes more than 20 speakers, and achieved a 3.1% word error rate on the AA-WER Streaming benchmark for English, surpassing other comparable models.
Uber lays off 3,300 employees, 10% of global staff, to streamline operations
Uber is laying off approximately 3,300 employees, representing 10% of its global workforce, as part of a restructuring effort to reduce management layers and focus investments on ride-sharing, delivery, and robotaxi divisions. This move aims to simplify the company's structure, which CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated had become overly complex due to growth.
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to Launch August 2026 on SpaceX Falcon Heavy
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, named after NASA's first chief astronomer, is scheduled to launch on August 30, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. This new space telescope will have a field of view 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope and aims to address key questions in dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.
SpaceX finalizes acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor
SpaceX has officially completed its acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor, following an initial deal announced in April. This acquisition provides Cursor with access to SpaceX's computing infrastructure, including a large fleet of GPUs, to further develop AI capabilities.
12TB Steam Data Leak Reveals Unreleased Half-Life 2: Episode 3 and Portal 2 Content
Valve experienced a 12-13TB data leak from its legacy infrastructure, exposing unreleased game content from 2003-2013, including early builds of Half-Life 2: Episode 3 and Portal 2. This leak provides insight into Valve's game development during a period when the company was more actively developing titles.
GTA VI Gameplay and Map Leaked by Hacker Protesting Digital-Only Releases
A hacker named Cyberleek leaked GTA VI gameplay footage and the full map of Leonida, stating the action is a protest against Rockstar's decision to release the game digitally only and to highlight issues with digital pre-orders. The hacker demands a public apology from Rockstar and a commitment to better practices regarding game distribution and ownership. This incident underscores ongoing gamer dissatisfaction with the industry's shift towards digital-only content and the perceived loss of game ownership.
Xbox Introduces Disc-to-Digital Feature for Physical Games, Starting August 31
Microsoft is launching a new disc-to-digital feature for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles, allowing users to convert physical game discs into digital entitlements. This initiative, which begins testing with Xbox Insiders on August 31st, aims to provide digital benefits like Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming for disc-based titles, supporting game preservation and future console generations.
Apple Reverses Hide My Email Domain Change, Keeps Addresses on icloud.com
Apple announced it will not move iCloud+ Hide My Email addresses to a new domain, reversing a previous decision. This change means Hide My Email aliases will continue to use the icloud.com domain, making them harder for websites to block and preserving user privacy.
Amazon increases prices for Echo, Fire TV, and Kindle products by up to 60%
Amazon has raised prices on its Echo, Fire TV, Kindle, and Eero devices by up to 60%, citing increased memory and storage component costs. This change affects several popular Amazon hardware products, making them more expensive for consumers.
Apple Proposes 5-15% Commission for Off-App Store Purchases Amidst Legal Battles
Apple has proposed a commission structure of 5% to 15% for purchases made through external payment systems in the US, following a court order in its ongoing legal dispute with Epic Games. This proposal came after the Supreme Court denied Apple's request to pause lower-court proceedings, which are determining the fees Apple can charge for off-App Store transactions.
Apple reportedly lays off 60 Vision employees, signaling shift in VR development
Apple has reportedly laid off at least 60 employees from its VR development team, the Apple Vision Group, according to AppleInsider. This move suggests a potential reprioritization within Apple's spatial computing initiatives, despite previous assurances of continued investment in visionOS and the Vision Pro.
Tesla Recalls 3 Million Vehicles in China Over Hidden Emergency Door Releases
Tesla is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles in China to address hidden emergency door releases, a safety concern that can trap occupants during emergencies. This recall is part of a broader effort by 11 automakers in China to install warning labels and push software updates related to electronic door latch systems. The issue highlights a safety challenge with electronic door latches, which can fail in collisions, making manual releases critical but often hard to locate.
Apple to Revise App Tracking Transparency Rules in EU Following German Antitrust Scrutiny
Apple will change its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) rules in the European Union after the German Bundeskartellamt found its implementation favored Apple's own applications. The changes will require Apple to make third-party app tracking consent prompts neutral and allow developers to combine their own data protection prompts with Apple's, addressing concerns about fair competition and user consent.
YouTube Changes View Counting to Register a View as Soon as Video Starts Playing
YouTube will update its view counting method on August 24th, registering a view as soon as a video begins playing or a live broadcast is entered. This change aligns YouTube's system with those used by Instagram, TikTok, and its own Shorts videos, and is expected to increase view counts for creators.
DeepSeek Updates V4-Flash Model, Raises API Prices, and Launches V4-Pro
DeepSeek has released DeepSeek-V4-Flash-0731, an updated version of its V4-Flash model, now in public beta, which maintains its architecture but shows performance gains through post-training. Concurrently, DeepSeek launched its V4-Pro model with agent upgrades and introduced new API pricing with peak and off-peak rates, effective August 16, 2026, which will increase costs for both V4-Flash and V4-Pro models.
US Imposes Tariffs Up to 100% on Foreign Drones and Components
The United States has implemented new tariffs on foreign-made drones and their components, with rates up to 100% for certain categories. This action aims to strengthen national security, reduce reliance on overseas suppliers, and encourage domestic manufacturing of drones and parts.
Nintendo Exceeds Q1 Profit and Revenue Estimates Despite Switch 2 Sales Decline
Nintendo reported fiscal first-quarter earnings exceeding revenue and profit estimates, with net profit reaching 147.4 billion yen and revenue at 517.8 billion yen. This occurred despite a 34.4% decline in Switch 2 console sales to 3.82 million units. The company's financial performance was bolstered by strong game sales and a $300 million refund from US tariffs.
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.
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.
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.
Google DeepMind's Gemini Robotics 2 Enables Whole-Body Control for Humanoid Robots
Google DeepMind has released Gemini Robotics 2, an updated AI model that allows humanoid robots to control their entire bodies, from feet to fingertips. This advancement enables robots to perform a wider range of actions and more complex dexterous tasks, moving towards physical Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The update includes new sub-models, with one, Gemini Robotics ER 2, now available for developers.
Samsung reveals features of new smart glasses to compete with Meta
Samsung introduced features of its upcoming smart glasses, including gesture controls and a built-in camera for recording. This launch challenges Meta's dominance in the smart glasses market, where it holds a significant share.