Technology Β· category
Gadgets
- 1Disney+ and Hulu raise prices up to 13% after profits doubleβDisney+ and Hulu raise prices by up to 13 percent after doubling profits
Disney is raising subscription prices for Disney+ and Hulu by as much as 13 percent, moving shortly after the company reported its streaming profits had doubled. The increases follow a pattern of annual price hikes across major streaming services, and critics are pointing out the irony of raising costs right after posting strong earnings growth.
- 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.
- 3Alibaba 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 Alibaba's Qwen models to power on-device AI agents capable of handling tasks across apps, intensifying competition in the mobile AI space with rivals like Apple, Google and Samsung.
- 4Samsung 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.
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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.
- 6Xiaomi opens Android phones to Apple Watch supportβXiaomi now lets Apple Watch work with its Android phones
Xiaomi has announced that its Android smartphones can now work with the Apple Watch, a notable cross-brand move since the smartwatch has long been limited to iPhones. The news is drawing attention in the tech press as an unusual instance of Apple and Xiaomi ecosystems overlapping, raising questions about what features will actually be available to users pairing the two devices.
- 7Meta Muse Charm: five things Zuckerberg's AI keychain can doβMeta Muse Charm is more than a keychain: 5 things Zuckerberg's AI gadget can do
Meta has drawn attention with the Muse Charm, an AI-powered device that resembles a keychain but functions as a wearable assistant. Coverage highlights five capabilities, suggesting the gadget can handle voice interactions and everyday AI tasks beyond simple accessories. The device adds to Mark Zuckerberg's push to put AI hardware into consumers' daily lives, and commentators are weighing what it means for the wearable tech market.
- 8Apple 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.
- 9Woman 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.
- 10Zeekr Malaysia Partners With EON To Expand Klang Valley ShowroomsβZeekr 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.
- 11Xiaomi 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.