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Tech News
The recent merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. has been finalized, raising questions about the future of Paramount+ and HBO Max. The newly combined entity has not yet detailed its plans for these streaming platforms, but some form of unification is anticipated. The deal was completed on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in the media company's structure.
The Federal Communications Commission announced it will hold a vote on October 29 to auction 25 megahertz of spectrum aimed at supporting satellite-to-smartphone connectivity. Additionally, the FCC will consider proposals to free up 482MHz for satellite coverage and update rules for direct-to-device services, potentially benefiting companies like SpaceX and Amazon. A third measure seeks to remove restrictions on drone operations within the 800 MHz cellular band.
The European Commission is reportedly revising its digital tax proposal so that it applies to all large corporations with revenue above €100 million, rather than singling out digital services providers like Apple, Google and Meta. According to the Financial Times, officials hope this broader approach will raise similar tax revenue while avoiding the appearance of targeting US tech firms specifically. The exact levy amount has not been set, with the EU first seeking agreement among its 27 member states on the broader principle.
Google’s October System Services update introduces NFC functionality for Find Hub-compatible trackers, allowing users to tap a tag to access details or identify lost items. The update also simplifies setup by enabling naming, categorizing, and configuring features like Left-Behind Reminders during registration. Additional enhancements include displaying card artwork and payment logos in notifications and minor attribution changes for Google Maps integrations.
Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman published a roughly 3,000-word post on October 2 arguing that local opposition to data center construction threatens America's position in the AI race. He said $68 billion worth of data center projects were blocked in the second quarter of 2026 alone, and warned that roughly 100 pending moratoriums nationwide could cause lasting economic and national security harm. Garman also outlined Amazon's 'Built Together' program meant to offer more benefits to host communities and sought to rebut common objections to data center buildouts, including concerns about water and power use.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission held an emergency meeting after cyberattacks hit several major banks, confirming a data breach at Shinhan Bank and incidents at Kookmin Bank and Hana Bank. Reports say Shinhan leaked data on 25,000 customers and Kookmin exposed credit card details of 119,000 clients, while Hana suffered a limited breach of its sales-support system. President Lee has ordered a full investigation into data leaks at financial and public institutions.
Staples provides online tools for designing photo gifts like mugs, prints, and puzzles, with print quality comparable to competitors. Customers can also visit local stores to consult with print specialists, get proofs before printing, and pick up same-day orders. For higher-quality results, orders can be routed through Staples production centers, though this takes longer—up to two weeks.
AWS chief Matt Garman published a roughly 3,000-word blog post asking local communities not to block new AI data center projects, comparing the buildout to the post-WWII national highway system. He said over 100 data center moratoriums are under consideration nationwide and argued blocking them would hurt US economic and national security interests, while dismissing concerns about electricity costs and pollution as misinformation, some of it allegedly spread by foreign adversaries.
Google has introduced a feature called Motion Assist that aims to reduce motion sickness when using a phone in a moving vehicle. The feature requires Android 17 or higher and an updated version of Google Play Services, and is available on devices like the Pixel 11 and Samsung phones running One UI 9. Users can enable it by searching 'Motion Assist' in their phone's settings.
Credit rating firm Egan-Jones published a commentary titled 'It's Over,' arguing that AI capabilities have crossed a threshold enabling widespread adoption that will disrupt hourly-billed professional services and senior talent roles. The firm predicts compressed margins in professional services, lower venture capital returns, and short-term pressure on home prices as screen-based jobs are affected. It also forecasts a new business model where highly successful firms operate with very few or no employees.
Developer Simon Willison argues that pay-by-usage APIs and cloud platforms should default to hard budget caps that cut off service once a spending limit is hit, rather than soft caps that merely send warning emails. He notes AWS recently introduced spending limits, addressing a long-standing fear among developers of runaway bills from unattended or AI-driven coding agents.
AWS CEO Matt Garman wrote in a blog post that Amazon no longer uses nondisclosure agreements when working with government agencies to secure approval for new data centers. The statement comes amid a broader backlash over secrecy in data center development, including activist Erin Brockovich's complaints about officials signing NDAs before communities are informed. Garman also disputed claims that data centers consume excessive water, raise electricity costs, pollute heavily, or fail to benefit local communities.