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Sonos 27 platform opens speaker system to ChatGPT and other AI agents

Sonos unveiled its Sonos 27 software platform alongside new hardware, introducing annual OS version numbers and a redesigned app interface. The update lets external AI assistants like ChatGPT control Sonos systems through a public MCP server, enabling voice or text commands to play music, move audio between rooms, and adjust volume without a dedicated app.

Sonos launches Ace Ultra headphones with system-wide audio swapping

Sonos has released the Ace Ultra, a successor to its original Ace headphones, adding the ability to pull audio from any Sonos speaker or soundbar rather than just a limited set of compatible soundbars. The feature, powered by a new Headphone Engine 2 platform with redesigned Wi-Fi hardware, lets users move sound from TVs, turntables or streaming apps to the headphones with a single button press, though it remains an opt-in Early Access feature.

Sonos launches Beam Ultra soundbar with true Dolby Atmos at $699

Sonos has introduced the Beam Ultra, a new soundbar slotted between the Beam and the flagship Arc Ultra. Unlike the Beam Gen 2's software-based surround effect, the Beam Ultra uses physical upfiring drivers to deliver real 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos sound, along with a redesigned center channel, AI speech enhancement, and Trueplay room tuning. It's available for preorder now and ships September 29, 2026.

Sonos launches $449 Ace Ultra headphones with new drivers and system linking

Sonos has introduced the Ace Ultra, a premium successor to its Ace noise-canceling headphones priced at $449. The new model features Sonos-designed 40mm drivers, upgraded adaptive noise cancellation, a 10-microphone array, and Headphone Engine 2, which enables direct one-button linking to a user's Sonos system. Preorders open now, with shipping starting September 29 in black, soft white, agave and sand colorways.

Sonos launches Sonos 27 app update with AI features, new Ace Ultra headphones and Beam Ultra soundbar

Sonos unveiled its next-generation app, dubbed Sonos 27, alongside a second-generation over-ear headphone (Ace Ultra) and a new soundbar (Beam Ultra). The update includes generative AI voice tools, improved navigation, room sorting, volume controls, and upcoming system health diagnostics, following the disastrous 2024 app relaunch that stripped away accessibility and volume features and led to a leadership shakeup.

Jactl scripting language mimics Virtual Threads on pre-Loom Java

The creator of Jactl, an embeddable scripting language for Java, explains how it was built to avoid blocking event-loop threads even though it targeted Java 8 and 11, long before Virtual Threads and Project Loom existed. Jactl uses an internal async mechanism that suspends a script's execution during blocking operations like database calls, freeing the underlying thread, and later resumes the script once the result is ready.

Apple's new bio for CEO John Ternus highlights durability and sustainability focus

Apple updated its leadership page to reflect John Ternus's new role as CEO, adding an entirely new paragraph to his official bio. The addition emphasizes his work on product reliability, durability, and materials innovation, including recycled aluminum and 3D-printed titanium components, as well as improvements to product repairability and lifespan.

CEO Ties AI Spending to Profitability Targets After Company Return

An entrepreneur who returned as CEO of his company in early 2024 describes reorganizing its technology strategy around profitable growth just as large language models surged in prominence. Rather than chasing AI investment without restraint, as he observed many companies doing, he prioritized cost discipline, setting a goal of $100 million in free cash flow within three years while using AI to address internal data problems that mirror those of the company's merchant customers.

Lionel Messi Runs Venture Capital Fund Play Time HoldCo Alongside Football Career

Lionel Messi, who this week announced his retirement from Argentina's national team, has for years operated a venture capital fund called Play Time HoldCo, co-founded with Razmig Hovaghimian in October 2022 with an initial target of about $200 million. The fund holds stakes in AI startups including World Labs, Field AI, Fish Audio, Perceptron, Intangible and SuperAnnotate, and Messi separately holds equity in Sorare, KRÜ Esports, and Inter Miami, now valued at $1.45 billion.

Apple's macOS 27 Safari adds on-device AI tab grouping by topic

Safari in macOS 27 can automatically sort open tabs into topic-based groups using on-device AI, accessible via Safari's Tabs settings under 'Organize Tabs.' Users can choose 'Automatically Create Topics' for fully automated grouping or 'Show Related Tabs' for suggestions they approve manually.

NYC Congestion Pricing Cuts Ambulance Travel Times, NBER Study Finds

A new NBER working paper examines how New York City's congestion relief zone, launched January 5, 2025, affected emergency medical service response near the toll boundary at 60th Street. Using half a million EMS dispatch records and traffic camera data, researchers found hospital transport times fell by 54-59 seconds and total EMS travel time dropped by roughly 63-70 seconds within a 5-kilometer band around the zone's edge.

John Ternus's first memo as Apple CEO teases major launch next week

John Ternus sent his first internal memo after officially becoming Apple's CEO, thanking outgoing chief Tim Ternus... rather Tim Cook for his guidance and years of leadership, and welcoming him into his new role as executive chairman. Ternus told staff a 'huge launch' is coming next week and hinted at further undisclosed products in development.

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