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Tech News
Apple confirmed that its upcoming Siri AI features, part of Apple Intelligence, will extend beyond its new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 to older second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K models and existing HomePod Minis. The update is expected later this year via a TVOS 27.2 beta, rolling out first in the US, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK in English.
Google is rolling out an opt-in Scam Detection feature in Messages that uses Gemini AI models to analyze sender intent and flag deceptive texts, processing data through its encrypted Private AI Compute system. The feature, launching first on Pixel 10+, Galaxy S26, Z Flip and Fold 8 devices, will be joined by on-device link scanning via Gemini Nano and redesigned scam warnings for unknown senders. Google also plans to expand notification-level scam warnings to devices from Honor, Motorola, OPPO, OnePlus, realme, vivo and Xiaomi, and will add automatic screen-sharing privacy protections to Android 15+ devices later this month.
Prismm, a startup founded in 2020 by sisters Martha Underwood and Shella Sylla, builds beneficiary and estate-planning features directly into bank accounts so assets can pass to heirs more smoothly after an account holder dies. The company let account holders designate family members who can access accounts, aiming to replace manual, paperwork-heavy processes banks currently use. Prismm is presenting its product today on the Startup Battlefield stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
OpenAI has announced the departure of its top computing executive, the person overseeing the company's infrastructure buildout. The company has outlined plans to spend roughly $750 billion on computing capacity through 2030 to support its AI operations.
According to a federal court complaint, Alfozan allegedly used an AI assistant to research meeting room schedules and queried a chatbot linked to his spouse about building and remotely accessing a recording device. CCTV reportedly placed him near a conference room used for confidential discussions on eight occasions in September, despite his having no authorization to be there. A hidden device was later found in that room.
Retatrutide, an experimental weight-loss drug not yet approved by any regulator, is reportedly being sold through unregulated channels alongside other peptides. Companies are distributing the compound outside normal pharmaceutical oversight, raising concerns about product safety and quality control.
Amazon is offering the Roborock Qrevo Series robot vacuum and mop at a 42% discount, marking its lowest price so far in 2026. The device includes a self-emptying dock, dual spinning mop pads, and app-based scheduling and cleaning controls.
A review of the Lenovo Googlebook 15 describes it as a well-built laptop but one hampered by the limitations of being among the first devices in its category. The reviewer notes buyers face a tradeoff between getting the hardware now and waiting for software and ecosystem improvements expected later.
Federal prosecutors charged OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, a Saudi national, after the company discovered a hidden, encrypted audio recording device in one of its conference rooms. OpenAI said it traced the device to Alfozan using its own models, fired him, and referred the case to the FBI, which arrested him on Friday. The company said it has found no evidence he accessed model weights, source code or customer data.
The Social Security Administration has announced the percentage increase that will raise monthly benefit payments starting in January, marking the largest cost-of-living adjustment in several years. The raise will affect tens of millions of retirees and other recipients who rely on Social Security checks.
Epic Games has launched a redesigned version of its game launcher that the company says was built using AI, or "vibe coded." Epic claims the new launcher starts up 46% faster than Steam and offers a 30x faster library, along with new features like dedicated game pages, a unified downloads page, and collections for organizing titles. The launcher is in a preview/open beta phase, with some social and account management features still missing, and Epic advises Unreal developers and competitive Fortnite and Rocket League players to stick with the old version for now.
Apple's updated developer agreement confirms that third-party iOS widgets already built for CarPlay will also appear on HomeView, its newly unveiled smart display device. Developers must ensure widgets are safe for hands-free use and can exclude them via the disfavoredLocations function if unsuitable. Unlike CarPlay's audio/video app categories, widget support spans any iOS app category by default.