Technology Β· category
Gadgets
- 1Disney+ and Hulu raise prices after profits doubleβDisney+ and Hulu raise prices by up to 13 percent after doubling profits
Disney has announced price increases of up to 13 percent for Disney+ and Hulu in the United States, coming shortly after the company reported that its streaming division's profits had doubled. Critics say the move highlights how streaming services are raising costs on subscribers even as their financial results improve, prompting renewed debate about the rising price of streaming bundles.
- 2Singapore library board pays readers to build reading habitsβSingaporeβs National Library Board offers micropayments to build reading habits
Singapore's National Library Board is trialling a micropayment scheme that rewards people financially for reading, in an effort to encourage reading habits at a time when attention is dominated by phones. Early discussion centres on whether small cash incentives can genuinely change behaviour, with commenters debating whether paying for reading cheapens intrinsic motivation or is a pragmatic public-policy tool.
- 3Samsung firmware update reportedly bricks smart fridgesβΌOwners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges
A recent Samsung firmware update has reportedly left some smart refrigerators unresponsive, and owners say fridge contents spoiled before repairs were possible. Users are sharing complaints about failed units, food losses, and frustration over internet-connected appliances failing after remote software pushes. The reports have renewed debate about whether everyday appliances should depend so heavily on connected software and vendor-controlled updates.
- 4Nikkei rises as chip stocks surge on Meta gadget launchβGlobal Market: Japan's Nikkei rises as CPU stocks surge on Meta gadget launch
Japan's Nikkei index moved higher, driven by a rally in CPU and semiconductor shares following Meta's launch of a new gadget. Chipmakers are seen as beneficiaries of increased demand tied to Meta's hardware push, lifting sentiment across Japanese technology stocks and supporting broader gains in the Tokyo market.
- 5Meta Muse Charm: Zuckerberg's AI gadget does more than expectedβMeta Muse Charm is more than a keychain: 5 things Zuckerberg's AI gadget can do
Meta's Muse Charm, an AI wearable shaped like a keychain from Mark Zuckerberg's company, is drawing attention for its range of features. Reports highlight five capabilities beyond simple accessories, suggesting the device functions as a compact AI assistant. It signals Meta's continued push to bring artificial intelligence into small, everyday hardware.
- 6Alibaba Launches Qwen Intelligence Agentic AI Platform for SmartphonesβAlibaba Launches Qwen Intelligence As A Full-Stack Agentic AI Platform For Smartphones
Alibaba has launched Qwen Intelligence as a full-stack agentic AI platform designed for smartphones. The move positions the company's Qwen models to power on-device AI agents capable of handling tasks across apps, putting Alibaba in direct competition with other tech giants racing to bring agentic AI to mobile devices. Details on launch partners and availability were not immediately clear.
- 7Woman Held 86 Hours in Solitary After Flock Camera Linked SUV to CrashβWoman Spent 86 Hours in Solitary After Flock Camera Linked Her SUV to Crash
A 23-year-old woman, Lindsey Isaacs, testified that she spent 86 hours in solitary confinement after an automated Flock license plate camera flagged her SUV as connected to a fatal crash. The case is drawing attention to concerns that automated surveillance systems can implicate people quickly while error-prone investigative shortcuts leave them detained before charges or verification catch up.
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A small wearable camera designed to be worn as a charm is facing growing criticism online, with many arguing it could be used to secretly record people in public spaces without consent. Critics are calling the device invasive, while some defend it as just another consumer gadget. The debate has reignited wider concerns about covert recording and the lack of clear rules around camera-equipped accessories.
- 9Apple TV 4K Refresh Reported to Be ImminentβAn Apple TV 4K Refresh Is Just Around the Corner https://gizmodo.com/apple-tv-4k-4th-generation-leak-2000817522 # Tech #
Reports indicate that a new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is close to launch, based on a recent leak. The refreshed streaming device would update Apple's set-top box line, though details on features, pricing, or an official release date have not been confirmed by Apple. Tech watchers are passing along the leak and speculating about what the next model might include.
- 10XPENG Launches in the Philippines With X9 and L03βXPENG Enters the Philippines With a Six-Variant X9 and L03 Lineup
Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has entered the Philippine market, debuting with a lineup of six variants across two models: the X9, a premium electric MPV, and the L03 sedan. The move marks another step in XPENG's international expansion as Chinese EV brands push into Southeast Asian markets.
- 11Xiaomi makes Apple Watch compatible with its Android phonesβXiaomi now lets Apple Watch work with its Android phones
Xiaomi has announced that the Apple Watch can now be used with its Android smartphones, a notable break from Apple's usual requirement that the watch be paired with an iPhone. The move means Xiaomi phone owners can consider Apple's wearable, and it highlights growing interoperability between rival device ecosystems. Gadget watchers are weighing what this means for cross-platform compatibility going forward.
- 12Meta's $1,300 VR Glasses Aim for Spring 2027 LaunchβSpring 2027 Launch Set for the $1,300 Meta VR Glasses
Meta is reportedly planning a spring 2027 launch for a new pair of VR glasses priced at $1,300. The premium headset is expected to be a higher-end offering in Meta's virtual reality lineup, and tech watchers are weighing whether the steep price and distant timeline signal confidence in the mixed-reality market or a niche product for enthusiasts.
- 13Smartwatches less accurate at counting calories for people with higher body fatβThe higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories burned
New reporting highlights research showing that smartwatches become less reliable at estimating calories burned as a person's body fat percentage rises. The findings suggest wearable fitness devices may systematically miscalculate energy expenditure for users with more body fat, raising questions about how much trust people should place in calorie data when tracking diet and exercise goals.
- 14Zeekr Malaysia Partners With EON To Expand Klang Valley ShowroomsβΌZeekr Malaysia Partners With EON To Expand Klang Valley Network With New Showrooms
Zeekr Malaysia has entered a partnership with EON to strengthen its retail presence in the Klang Valley, adding new showrooms to its dealer network. The move aims to widen customer access to the Chinese electric vehicle brand as it grows in the Malaysian market.
- 15Xiaomi unveils Pocket Guitar accessory for smartphonesβXiaomi introduces Pocket Guitar gadget for smartphones
Xiaomi has introduced a new Pocket Guitar gadget designed to attach to smartphones, letting users practice guitar chords and playing techniques on the go. The compact accessory is aimed at beginners and hobbyists who want a portable way to learn without carrying a full instrument, adding to Xiaomi's growing lineup of quirky lifestyle gadgets.