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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 12:33 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • Apple is navigating leadership transitions as Tim Cook steps down as CEO, with hardware executive John Ternus set to take the helm and immediately face the evolving challenges of AI integration.
  • AI continues its pervasive integration across the tech landscape, with new tools for game development (AI Dungeon's Voyage), enhanced productivity (Yelp's AI assistant, Gemini in Chrome), and even social media habit management (Bond).
  • Major tech players are making significant strategic investments in AI, exemplified by Amazon's substantial commitment to Anthropic, signaling a deepening race for AI dominance.
  • The tech industry is grappling with cybersecurity threats, including ransomware attacks and North Korean-linked crypto heists, alongside ongoing debates surrounding government surveillance and data privacy.
  • Beyond AI, innovation is visible in areas like electric vehicle adoption (Amazon's electric big rigs), advancements in energy (Blue Energy's nuclear reactors), and the development of new consumer electronics and platforms (MNT Reform, Cash App's youth focus).

TechCrunch


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Google now lets you have full conversations with Gemini for Home an hour ago by Anna Washenko
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Anna Washenko

    Google announced today that it is upgrading the Gemini for Home service with a "continued conversations" feature. Continued conversation allows a user to have a natural discussion with the Gemini platform without prefacing every follow-up request with the "Hey Google" prompt. The microphone will remain active on a smart device for a few seconds after the Gemini AI assistant provides its reply. During that window, the lights on the hardware will pulse or glow, indicating that you can keep chatting normally with the chatbot without needing a wake word. Gemini should retain the context as the conversation progresses, which should

  • Samsung brings SmartThings integration to IKEA's Matter devices 2 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    Samsung is expanding the SmartThings connectivity platform to include many IKEA products. The company promises "seamless integration" with the furniture giant's Matter-over-Thread devices, which include stuff like smart lights, air quality sensors, remote controls and smart plugs. This is great news for IKEA fans who want to bark orders at a smart assistant to turn the lights off and on, as Samsung says users will be able to "effortlessly incorporate" these gadgets into daily life. The SmartThings platform allows for advanced home automation routines. Samsung Samsung says it "built enhanced integrations" for IKEA's devices and that the two companies "conducted multiple rounds of

  • Splatoon Raiders lands on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23 3 hours ago by Kris Holt
    Media, Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Kris Holt

    Nintendo has padded out the Switch 2 release slate for this summer by revealing that Splatoon Raiders is coming to the console on July 23. This is the first spinoff in the series and while it's a "single-player-focused Splatoon game," there is a multiplayer element. Nintendo announced Splatoon Raiders (the title of which is a soft pun on Tomb Raider) last June. You play as a mechanic and after customizing your character's appearance, you'll go hunting for treasure across the Spirhalite Islands. You'll be working with Deep Cut — a fictional band that appeared in Splatoon 3 — and upgrading your

  • Chipolo and Secrid team up for a new trackable wallet 4 hours ago by Daniel Cooper
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Daniel Cooper

    Chipolo has built a name for itself as the independent tracking company which happily integrates its products with both Apple and Google’s item-finding networks. Today, it’s announcing a partnership with wallet maker Secrid that, if you haven’t guessed already, sees the pair launch a compatible miniwallet. The Chipolo x Secrid Miniwallet Trackable is tailor-made to suit Chipolo’s Card tracker and accentuate all of its positives. For instance, the tracker sits on the back of the wallet, with the Find button accessible from the outside to make it easier to find your phone. If you misplace your device, you can simply press

  • John Ternus will be CEO of Apple when Tim Cook steps down this fall 5 hours ago by Devindra Hardawar
    Board & Management Changes, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Devindra Hardawar

    Apple CEO Tim Cook is officially stepping down from his role on September 1, the company announced today, while current SVP of hardware engineering John Ternus will take over as the new CEO. Cook will transition to a new role as executive chairman of Apple’s Board of Directors. The company says the move was “approved unanimously” by Apple’s Board, and that Cook will work on transitioning his duties over the summer. “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company,” Cook said in a


The Verge

  • Ordering with the Starbucks ChatGPT app was a true coffee nightmare an hour ago by David Pierce
    AI, OpenAI, Tech

    You just cannot convince me this is how people order coffee. | Image: Starbucks Venti iced coffee, light skim milk. That's what I get at Starbucks. It is what I have gotten at Starbucks every time I've been to Starbucks for as long as I can remember, other than a brief love affair with the caffe misto a few years ago. In person, my brain barely needs to activate to say the words aloud; in the app, it's four taps and I'm ready to go. My first time ordering Starbucks through its new ChatGPT integration, which launched last week, was comparatively a

  • Dyson’s newest floor scrubber is already on sale for 20 percent off an hour ago by Brandon Widder
    Deals, Gadgets, Smart Home, Tech, Verge Shopping

    Dyson feels like it’s been on a tear as of late. The company recently introduced a handheld version of its iconic fan and a travel-friendly hair dryer, along with a mopping version of its ultra-thin PencilVac. And while none of them are currently discounted, you can save on the new Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene wet cleaner, which is on sale at Amazon and Walmart for a new low of $399.99 ($100 off). DYSON CLEAN+WASH HYGIENE WET CLEANER WHERE TO BUY: * $499.99 $399.99 at Amazon * $499.99 $399.99 at Walmart * $499.99 $399.99 at Best Buy Unlike most Dyson models, its latest hard floor

  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gets a price cut but loses new Call of Duty games an hour ago by Tom Warren
    Gaming, Microsoft, News, Tech, Xbox

    After Xbox CEO Asha Sharma admitted last week that "Game Pass has become too expensive for players," Microsoft is dropping the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate drops from $29.99 to $22.99 a month, and PC Game Pass moves to $13.99, down from $16.49 a month. The price drops are being fueled in part by future of Call of Duty titles no longer joining Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. "New Call of Duty games will be added to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass during the following holiday

  • The next evolution of The Verge’s homepage is here an hour ago by William Joel
    Bulletin, Verge Product Updates

    When we updated our homepage in 2022, our primary goal was simple: The Verge should be fun to read, every time you visit. With that update, we introduced the homepage StoryStream and Quick Posts, and it was built to redesign the relationship we have with you, our audience.  It’s been almost four years since then, and a lot has changed. The fall of Twitter, the rise of AI, and major shifts in how people discover and follow news have reshaped how readers find us and engage with our journalism. In all of that, one thing has become especially clear: You, our

  • New leaks reveal pricing and performance specs for DJI’s next beginner drones 2 hours ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Drones, Gadgets, News, Tech

    The more expensive Lito X1 features a camera with a larger sensor. | Image: Dino Galiano DJI plans to debut two new drones later this week according to a recent teaser. But ahead of the official announcement, Italian electronics retailer Dino Galiano has shared listings for both the DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1 drones that include full tech specs and pricing, as spotted by reliable leaker Roland Quandt. The Lito 1 will start at €339,99, or around $400, while the X1 is €419.99, or just under $500, corroborating pricing leaks from Dealabs last week. As with other recent DJI releases,


Wired

  • Meta Is Sued Over Scam Ads on Facebook and Instagram an hour ago by Maddy Varner
    Security, Security / Security News, Business / Social Media, Click, Bait

    A lawsuit from the Consumer Federation of America accuses Meta of misleading consumers about its efforts to combat scams advertisements on its platforms.

  • TAG Heuer Has Dropped New Polylight-Powered F1s an hour ago by Jeremy White
    Gear, Gear / Gear News and Events, Gear / Products / Watches, Pale, Riders

    The five new Formula 1 watches are driven by light—and we have a definite favorite.

  • The Best Casio Watches You Can Wear Anywhere an hour ago by Parker Hall
    Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Watches, Buying, Guide

    From calculators to simple daily beaters, these are my favorite Casio watches on sale today.

  • The 10 Best Electrolyte Powders (We Tested Nearly 20) 4 hours ago by Louryn Strampe
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Health and Fitness, Thirst, Trap

    Get those lost minerals back with the help of our top electrolyte powders, tablets, drops, and chews for athletes, partiers, and everyone in between.

  • Best Gaming Laptops (2026): Razer, Asus, Dell, and More 6 hours ago by Luke Larsen
    Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Products / Computers, Gear / Buying Guides, Buying, Guide

    You don't want any old gaming laptop. Here's my take on which to get based on hundreds of hours of testing.


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