Leaker Kacper Skrzypek shared screenshots and video showing Xiaomi's upcoming Smart Privacy Display, a feature that lets users block onlookers from viewing their screen at certain apps or notifications. Unlike Samsung's hardware-based Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi's version appears to be software-driven and is expected to arrive with the HyperOS 4 update later this year. Some related options, like Page Privacy Display and XiaoAI app groups, currently only appear on the China ROM.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-28
Generation Lab, founded on scientist Irina Conboy's research into blood exchange between old and young mice, is now promoting a rejuvenation treatment it says combines two existing drugs to reverse aging effects without needing blood transfusion. The company has offered influencers access to the treatment but refuses to disclose which drugs are actually used. Separately, utilities are increasingly recruiting households to join 'virtual power plants,' networks of connected devices like thermostats, EVs and batteries that can be throttled during peak demand in exchange for bill discounts or sign-up bonuses.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-08-28
Virtual power plants let utilities remotely adjust smart thermostats, EV chargers, batteries and solar panels in homes to reduce strain during peak demand, in exchange for bill discounts or signup bonuses. More than 500 such programs already run across the US, with about 4 million smart-thermostat households enrolled as of last year, and interest is growing as companies like Google invest in the technology to support data centers.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-08-28
A class action lawsuit filed against Oura alleges the company misled consumers about how accurately its smart ring detects sleep stages, arguing it lacks sensors for brain waves, eye movement and other neurological signals needed to truly measure sleep. Plaintiff Madison Surber says she paid roughly $503 for the ring believing its tracking claims, and cites a Nature study suggesting the device's sleep-stage detection performs little better than random guessing.
zdnet.com
· 2026-08-27
Meta's smart glasses were designed to block recording if their status LED was covered, but the check only ran when a recording started. That let wearers begin filming with the LED visible, then cover it up afterward to record undetected. Meta wearables VP Alex Himmel confirmed a fix is now rolling out to close this gap.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-27
Meta is rolling out a software update that stops its smart glasses cameras from recording if the indicator light is covered after recording has already started. VP of AR Alex Himel confirmed the fix on Threads, addressing a loophole that had been widely shared in online tutorials for covert filming.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-27
Basement, a well-known New York City nightclub, announced on social media that anyone wearing or carrying smart glasses, such as Meta's, will be asked to leave and could face a lifetime ban. The club says the devices' ability to secretly record conflicts with its existing no-photo, no-video policy meant to protect patrons' privacy on the dance floor.
futurism.com
· 2026-08-27
Meta has rolled out a software update that disables the camera on its AI smart glasses if the capture LED is covered while recording is already in progress, closing a gap some users exploited to record secretly. The company also launched a billboard and video campaign in markets where the glasses sell well, explaining that the blinking light indicates active recording.
theverge.com
· 2026-08-27
A class action lawsuit filed against Oura claims the company misled consumers about the accuracy of its smart ring's sleep-stage tracking. The suit argues Oura lacks sensors for brain waves, eye movement, and muscle activity needed to properly detect sleep stages, and instead relies on AI guesswork from heart rate, temperature, and breathing data. The named plaintiff, who paid $503 for the ring, says she was overcharged for a device that doesn't deliver the accuracy Oura advertises.
zdnet.com
· 2026-08-27
Amazon has discounted its 15.6-inch 2nd-generation Echo Show 15 smart display by $80, bringing the price down from $349.99 to $269.99, a 23% reduction. The deal matches the best pricing seen since Amazon's June Prime Day event.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-27
Speedo has introduced a detachable sensor module called Speedo iQ that fits its Vanquisher goggles and tracks performance data across all four competitive swim strokes. The module measures head movement, breathing timing, and distance per stroke, then syncs that data to a companion app once the swimmer exits the pool. The goggles with the module cost $189, require no subscription, and are approved for use in World Aquatics competitions.
theverge.com
· 2026-08-27
Ring is rolling out a new default encryption system called TAKE (Throw Away the Key Encryption) across its video doorbell and camera lineup worldwide. Footage is encrypted with keys that rotate every five minutes, and Ring can only temporarily access those keys via an isolated AWS Nitro Enclave to power features like Smart Alerts before permanently deleting its copies within 24 hours. Users can still opt for full end-to-end encryption instead, though that disables cloud-based processing features.
techspot.com
· 2026-08-27
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