45 results found
OnePlus, and parent company Oppo, are reportedly exiting the US and European markets, with an announcement due shortly. This follows months of rumors and signals a major shift in the Western smartphone landscape.
The browser wars have entered a new phase in 2026, shifting focus from search engine dominance to AI acting on users' behalf. While Chrome and Safari remain market leaders, a new wave of alternative browsers is emerging. These include AI-powered options like Perplexity's Comet and OpenAI's Atlas, privacy-focused browsers such as Brave and Ladybird, and "mindful browsers" like Opera Air. This diversification reflects a growing demand for specialized browsing experiences beyond the mainstream.
CD Projekt, the parent company of the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio, has bafflingly rebranded itself as CD Projekt Red, creating confusion with the existing development studio of the same name. This move aims for brand unification but raises questions about clear communication. Despite the corporate reshuffle, the studio continues work on Cyberpunk's sequel, The Witcher 4, and new DLC for The Witcher 3.
California's new law, effective July 1, mandates that streaming ads not exceed the volume of accompanying content. This move, inspired by parent frustrations, aims for a quieter viewing experience and could spur broader industry changes as similar bills arise in other states.
Epic's Tim Sweeney calls Steam's AI game tags "irresponsible of Valve," arguing they unfairly penalize developers for using productivity tools. Valve's policy aims for transparency, requiring disclosure only for AI-generated assets, not workflow tools. Data shows AI tags lead to fewer and more negative reviews, creating a dilemma for the industry.
Quick Verdict Seattle's implementation of an AI system to triage and route 911 medical calls, developed by Denmark-based Corti, is a deeply problematic deployment of technology in a critical public safety service.
KPMG has pulled its report, "Redefining excellence in the age of agentic AI," after organizations cited within it denied the accuracy of its claims regarding their AI usage. Inaccuracies were attributed to AI hallucinations, implying KPMG used AI to write the report about AI. This follows a similar incident last month with EY.
Early testing of Siri AI on macOS 27 Golden Gate reveals a mixed bag for Mac users. While improved, its limitations are more apparent on desktops compared to mobile devices, with traditional input methods often outperforming voice commands for common tasks. The feature is still in an early preview state, suggesting future refinements.
The Breakthrough That Could Finally Make See-Through Screens Shine Transparent displays have always held a certain allure, a touch of science fiction brought to life. Yet, for all their futuristic appeal, every demo
Mercor co-founder Brendan Foody has publicly accused elite VC firm Sequoia of using "dual-pricing" strategies, investing in startups at two different valuations while founders highlight only the higher figure. This practice, Foody claims, misleads employees and angel investors about a company's true worth. Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire defended the firm, calling it a response to competitive market dynamics rather than a deceptive tactic, sparking debate on startup valuation transparency.
CUPERTINO, CA – Apple unveiled a suite of expanded parental controls at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, presenting them as tools to help parents manage their children's digital experiences.
Google is bringing vital Personal Safety app features like lock screen emergency info and car crash detection to kids' Android phones, plus Safety Check and real-time location sharing for teens. This significant June Android Drop update offers much-needed peace of mind for parents.
The international AI landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring developers to think beyond traditional tech hubs. Key aspects include adapting AI models to local languages and cultures, navigating the complex global supply chain for critical hardware like semiconductors, and understanding how venture capital assesses these international ventures. Success hinges on deep local market understanding, robust technical solutions for localization, and resilience against logistical hurdles.
Ultrafast-fashion leader Shein has finalized its acquisition of US retailer Everlane for an estimated $100 million. This seemingly mismatched deal, combining Shein's rapid production with Everlane's "radical transparency," signals a significant strategic shift for Chinese e-commerce giants, aiming for diversified market reach and potentially new operational insights.
Winners of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize face widespread AI allegations, sparking a debate on literary integrity. A regional winner's story was flagged by experts and AI detection tools for exhibiting hallmarks of AI-generated text. The Commonwealth Foundation acknowledges the claims, promising transparency while defending its judging process.
Former OpenAI staffers and AI safety nonprofits warn that Elon Musk's xAI poses "unpriced risks" to SpaceX's IPO due to its poor safety record. A letter to investors highlights incidents like Grok generating harmful content and xAI's lack of standard safety protocols, potentially leading to increased regulation and litigation for the rocket company. They urge greater transparency and robust safety investments from xAI.
Hidden "system prompts" invisibly guide AI chatbot behavior, overriding user input and revealing company priorities. These secret instructions dictate everything from chatbot personality to content restrictions, influencing responses on platforms like ChatGPT and Grok. Understanding them helps users customize interactions and highlights the ongoing need for transparency in AI development.
A deep dive into the burgeoning market of AI kids' toys reveals significant concerns regarding child safety, privacy, and developmental impact. With lax regulation and reports of inappropriate content, these 'connected companions' present a challenging landscape for parents.
The Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) has launched a powerful new computing cluster, a major step in its $152 million OMAI project backed by Nvidia and the National Science Foundation. This system will develop open AI models for scientific research, emphasizing transparency and collaboration. The move reinforces Ai2's mission despite recent leadership changes.
Seattle startup Tin Can has launched "Tin Can Communities," a new program enabling schools and neighborhoods to collectively adopt its screenless phones for kids. This initiative supports a growing movement among parents and educators seeking to delay smartphone adoption, offering bulk pricing, onboarding, and group-specific features to foster real connections and reduce social pressure across entire networks.
OpenAI has updated ChatGPT to the GPT-5.5 Instant model, introducing a new partial memory feature that shows some of the context influencing AI responses. While improving transparency and accuracy, this incomplete observability layer could challenge enterprises by creating competing context logs alongside existing audit systems. Businesses must now formalize memory management to reconcile these new insights with their established processes.
Discover why custom Android launchers, once essential for personalization, are now largely redundant as default phone interfaces offer robust customization and performance.
Canonical has revealed its strategy to integrate AI features into Ubuntu Linux throughout 2026. The plan includes enhancing existing OS functions with background AI models and introducing new AI-native tools, such as advanced accessibility features and agentic AI. Canonical emphasizes model transparency and local inference, aiming to make Linux more accessible without transforming Ubuntu into an "AI product."
Sharge's Icemag 3, a 10,000mAh Qi2.2 MagSafe power bank with 25W wireless output, is on sale for a limited time. Amazon Prime members can get it for $69.90 with a free 60W USB-C cable, while Sharge's site offers it for $67.92 (without the cable). It features a built-in kickstand, a 35W USB-C cable that doubles as a lanyard, and a distinctive transparent design with an LED cooling fan.
Netgear has secured conditional approval from the FCC to continue importing foreign-made routers until October 2027, bypassing a broader ban. This ensures continued availability of popular models but raises transparency questions about manufacturing commitments, setting an interesting precedent for other brands.
