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Tech

AI Summary

  • Massive global investment is pouring into artificial intelligence, particularly in AI infrastructure and startups, with India positioning itself as a major hub through substantial government and private sector commitments.
  • Social media platforms are navigating increasing governmental regulation concerning child safety and user addiction, while also introducing new features like creator subscriptions to evolve their monetization strategies.
  • Major tech players like Apple and Amazon are rolling out significant updates to their core product interfaces and expanding media capabilities, though hardware supply chain issues continue to impact some sectors like gaming handhelds.
  • Venture capital remains robust for innovative startups, especially those leveraging AI for enterprise solutions, health tech, and novel applications.
  • Regulatory bodies are intensifying scrutiny over generative AI, focusing on issues like nonconsensual image creation, copyright infringement, and the addictive design elements of digital platforms.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Snapchat is rolling out creator subscriptions an hour ago by Sarah Fielding
    Social & Online Media, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Sarah Fielding

    Snapchat is taking a page out of Meta's handbook. The social media platform has announced it will launch creator subscriptions for users. Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook currently offer a similar feature.  On Snapchat, creator subscriptions will give users access to exclusive content across Snaps and Stories. They will also get priority replies and go ad-free on stories. Snapchat pitches the new feature as great way to give creators "freedom to experiment" and "build a recurring income stream" — all good things for keeping people on your platform.  Creators can choose exactly how much they want to charge subscribers per month. They can

  • Nintendo's Virtual Boy app is now available to download an hour ago by Matt Tate
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Matt Tate

    Nintendo’s Virtual Boy app is now available to download on Switch and Switch 2 as part of its Nintendo Classics offering. You’ll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to access the launch titles, and unlike Nintendo’s other retro emulators, this one also requires a dedicated accessory. As a reminder, the Virtual Boy was a portable tabletop system released in 1995, and the first console capable of rendering stereoscopic 3D graphics. It had a facemask with a monochrome red display built onto a bipod, so rather than wearing it like a modern VR headset, you had to

  • Amazon's Fire TV redesign is rolling out today an hour ago by Anna Washenko
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Anna Washenko

    During the flurry of CES 2026 news at the start of the year, it might have been easy to overlook Amazon's announcement that the Fire TV user interface is getting a revamp. But that redesign is rolling out starting today for US viewers. It will be available to users as a free update.  The main visual updates for the streaming device's UI are a lot of rounded corners. But Amazon is also emphasizing speed in this new look, claiming that the improvements will offer 20 to 30 percent faster interactions. This version of the UI also makes more apps visible on

  • Apple's iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack drops to an all-time-low price 2 hours ago by Matt Tate
    Technology & Electronics, Handheld & Connected Devices, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Matt Tate

    Despite its supremely sleek design, the iPhone Air actually has a pretty respectable battery life, lasting for somewhere in the region of 27 hours if you’re continuously streaming video. But you’re still going to be wary of it dying on you if you’re on a trip or just having a particularly screen-heavy day. That’s where Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack comes in, and it’s currently on sale for $79. This accessory only works with the iPhone Air, but much like the phone it attaches to, it’s extremely slim at 7.5mmm, so crucially doesn’t add so much bulk when attached that

  • The new Anker 45W Nano charger with smart display is $10 off right now 2 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    Anker introduced a nifty little charger at CES 2026, which is a refresh of the pre-existing Nano Charger. It's already on sale for $30 for Prime members, or $10 off its regular price. The 45W charger includes a smart display that shows real-time data like power flow, temperature and charging status. It also features "fun animations to keep things cheerful." Anker says it can recognize what's being charged and automatically adjust certain metrics to ensure a longer battery lifespan. To that end, it works with just about everything. The company advertises that this charger is a good fit for the iPhone, Apple


The Verge

  • Your next laptop could be a foldable phone 32 minutes ago by David Pierce
    Podcasts, Samsung, Streaming, Tech, Vergecast

    For almost as long as phones have been around, people have wanted those phones to also be laptops. It seems so simple: Your phone has plenty of computing power, access to all your apps and data, an always-on connection. The only problem? Your phone's screen is too small for many tasks, and so is its keyboard. Or at least, they were, until foldable phones made it possible to carry a truly gigantic screen in your pocket. Now all bets are off. Verge subscribers, don't forget you get exclusive access to ad-free Vergecast wherever you get your podcasts. Head here. Not a

  • Stephen Colbert says CBS banned him from airing this James Talarico interview an hour ago by Emma Roth
    Entertainment, News, Policy, Politics, Speech, TV Shows

    The Late Show host Stephen Colbert says CBS blocked him from broadcasting an interview with James Talarico, a Democratic representative from Texas. During his opening monologue on Monday night, Colbert says the network's lawyers told him in "no uncertain terms" that he couldn't have Talarico on the show, forcing him to post the interview on YouTube instead, hours after news broke that Anderson Cooper is leaving his position at the network as a 60 Minutes correspondent. "He [Talarico] was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network's lawyers, who called us directly, that we

  • Shein’s ‘addictive design’ and illegal sex dolls under investigation an hour ago by Jess Weatherbed
    Business, News, Online Shopping, Policy, Politics, Regulation, Tech

    The European Union has opened a formal investigation into Shein after French regulators found listings for "child-like sex dolls" on the retail platform last year. The investigation will assess whether the systems Shein is using to curb illegal product sales are compliant with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), according to the European Commission, including "content which could constitute child sexual abuse material." The commission will also examine the transparency of Shein's content recommendation systems and concerns regarding the retailer's "addictive design," including gamified programs that give points and other rewards to shopp … Read the full story at The Verge.

  • Toyota fills out its skimpy EV lineup with the bZ Woodland SUV an hour ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Cars, Electric Cars, News, Toyota, Transportation

    For years, Toyota was criticized for sitting on the sidelines while the EV revolution swept through the auto industry. Instead of riding the wave, the Japanese auto giant doubled down on hybrids, while rolling out only one pure EV for the US market, the poorly reviewed bZ4X. But as sales growth slowed and governments started eliminating their EV incentives, Toyota's caution was retroactively seen as strategic. Now, as other automakers pull back, Toyota is finally getting off the sidelines. Last week, the Japanese auto giant announced the new Highlander, a three-row SUV with over 300 miles of range, vehicle-to-load capabilities, and

  • Peak Design has wearable gadget straps for people who hate bags 2 hours ago by Jess Weatherbed
    Gadgets, News, Phones, Tech

    Perfect for people who want to look like they’re ready for rock climbing. | Image by Peak Design Peak Design is launching a lineup of mobile straps for carrying small gadgets and other essentials around without dumping them into a bag. There are three versions available starting today: a $29.95 Mobile Cuff for your wrist, a $49.95 two-point Crossbody Strap, and a $59.95 Crossbody Multi-Strap that allows you to carry several items at once using anchor attachments. Peak Design's straps feature a corded rope that was custom-developed for "strength, comfort, and stretch" and are compatible with any Peak Design or Apple iPhone


Wired


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